This Brings Me Back To That One Time I Started A Polytheistic Cult And One Of The Gods Was An Eldridch

WELCOME to whipped cream land!

Ivana Metelková

excited for the day this blanket finally looks like something

Im concerned for what happens to the three of them after Akard follows through on his threat and storms the city

OC Intro: Dati

Hello everyone! I'm introducing y'all to Dati today!

The new poll will be up in the next couple of days!

Name: Dati (Written below in the Kishite, Apunian, and Knoshic Scripts)

It is tradition among the Safrimtwy (Knoshic: Safr - Snake, Rimtwy- Men) to be named after the various flora and fauna of the island of Knosh. Dati is named for the Carob Tree. The seed pods of the Carob are heavily used within Knoshic and Safrimi cuisine, particularly in drinks and desserts. The Safrimtwy do not utilize family/surnames, however the profession of an individual may be used as a secondary name of sorts.

Examples: Sibr Genmes (First Name: Fox, Profession: Shepherd)

Dati Mahrimt (First Name: Carob Tree, Profession: Sailor)

Continues Beneath the Cut!

Family

Father: Sibr (Fox) (Dead)

Mother: Ihmini (Lotus) (Dead)

Sister: Rweni (Rabbit) (Dead)

Sister: Bimi (Mouse)(Dead)

Husband: Istek (Alive)

Wife: Sihunu (Alive)

Son (By marriage): Lat (Alive)

Homeland/Place of Origin

The Fortress of Mahrwy (Knoshic: Mah - Water, Rwy - Houses/Village), Eastern Knosh

Ethncity/The Birth and Extinction of the Snake Men

Dati represents the last of the Safrimtwy people, one of a small collection of purposefully constructed Forestfolk tribes found within the Green Sea, particularly during and after the Arkodic-Kishite War(See here). Originating during the reign of the Eastern Knoshic King, Kenwat (502 years before Narul, 346 years after the Arkodic-Kishite War). At the time Knosh was split between a Western and Eastern Kingdom, these two groups often waged war upon each other, while also dealing with raids from Kishite and Korithian Pirates. Unlike most Forestfolk, the first Safrimtwy were created via the purposeful exposure of 16 loyal soldiers and their families, a total of 52 individuals to a magically contaminated spring located in Eastern Knosh. This was done with the intent of creating a race of Forestfolk meant to serve as an elite guard in service of the Eastern Knoshic Throne.

These individuals grew far larger than the average Knoshic (the Knoshic people on average are the shortest of the Green Sea people at an average of just 5'0 for men, the average Safrimtwy man is approximately 5'7), they additionally developed slightly larger than normal hands and feet, and a markedly improved immune system showing not only an increased resistance to many common diseases but also a much higher rate of hemostasis (the activation of platelets to seal wounds, the process of scabbing). However their most famed trait is a large tail. While this appears to be scaly at first glance (the source of the name "Snake Men ''), the tail is actually covered in many thick keratinous plates, similar to those found on a pangolin. The tail is completely prehensile and approximately the last 10 inches of the tail is covered in setae, tiny hairlike structures also found on the feet of geckos. These setae allow for the tail to be used for manipulating objects, often with surprising dexterity.

This new group proved to be highly competent warriors, quickly winning renown as guardians of the Eastern Knoshic throne and as hunters of other varieties of Forestfolk. In thanks for the protection of the king during the Battle of Mahrant and for their vicious persecution of other Forestfolk Tribes, the Safrimtwy were given the fortress of Mahrwy, built around the same spring that had created their race. The Safrimtwy served loyally for nearly 400 years, their population ballooning to over 8,600, spread around Eastern Knosh, with only a small group remaining at Mahrwy.

The Age of the Safrimtwy came to a crashing end with the War of Knoshic Unification. The Western King, Hahru, aided by the Apunian throne and his mercenaries invaded the Eastern Knoshic Kingdom, successfully killing the Eastern King at the Battle of Pmnya. While ultimately killed to a man, the 700 Safrimtwy warriors who served at that battle were noted for their ferocity and loyalty. Fearful that the Safrimtwy may foment rebellion against the new unified Knosh, Hahru with the help of his Apunian mercenaries underwent a vicious campaign of elimination against the Safrimtwy. Years of constant warfare and subjugation destroyed the once thriving population. For some time the tails of Safrimtwy warriors became prized trophies, appearing in homes and markets as far away as Namut. 

Only one population managed to hold out, those barricaded within Mahrwy. An 8 year siege against the fortress proved unsuccessful in dislodging the remaining 143 Safrimtwy living within. While military actions against the Safrimtwy were lifted at this point, the bounty and market for their tails did not. For the next several decades this last small population, limited to their fortress and the surrounding forest and shore, were regular victims of hunters and slavers. By the time of the birth of Dati, the tribe there had dwindled to 41 individuals.

32 years before the events of The Testaments, Eastern Knosh was struck by a highly destructive earthquake. This caused the collapse of the great gateway of Mahrwy, killing a further 13 of the Safrimtwy in the process. Not long after, slavers and raiders attacked the survivors, killing all, save for one, Dati. Dati was instead kidnapped with the intention of being sold as a curiosity, the last of a once proud people.

History

Dati was born 46 years before the events of The Testaments, born to the shepherds Sibr and Ihimni while the two were tending to their small flock in the hills outside of Mahrwy. Dati was the youngest child, sibling to his sisters Bimi and Rweni. 

From a young age Dati was noted for his strength and beauty, Sibr believed that Dati was destined to be the Lord of Mahrwy and would be ultimately responsible for the rebirth of the Safrimtwy people. As such Dati was heavily educated in leadership, the ways of fighting, and a range of other skills including the playing of the mnfar, a revered stringed instrument.

 His mother took him regularly to the spring from whence their people had come, to bath and to commune with the spirits. As with most non-sages, Dati is not capable of seeing spirits. However he held a particular reverence for the spirits of the Spring as it was believed that they were responsible at least in part for the continued protection of the Safrimtwy against the machinations of the Knoshic hunters. 

At the age of 12 Dati was engaged to his second cousin, Tebi. The two were close friends throughout childhood, and neither had much problem with their planned marriage.

At the age of 13 Dati was given his own flock of 8 sheep and given the responsibility of tending to them, as a sort of spiritual precursor to guiding his people.

Shortly after his fourteenth birthday, the earthquake struck. Among those killed in the collapse of the wall was his father, Sibr. Dati was among the individuals working on repairing the wall. However, at the urging of his mother he abandoned this instead to track down his father’s lost sheep who had fled after the earthquake. At the time the rest of the Safrimtwy were gathered in the ruins of the fortress, caring for the injured and tending to the dead. 

The raiders struck while Dati was searching the hills. Slaughtering or grievously injuring the remaining Safrimtwy in their eagerness. Upon returning and bearing witness to the carnage, Dati attacked one of the raiders. Dati was ultimately bound and beaten, however before the killing blow was struck, another raider intervened, pointing out that the endling may instead be more valuable if sold alive.

Dati was sold to the Korithian merchant, Baros, at the Knoshic port town of Kherwy as a deckhand and curiosity. Dati spent the next 7 years primarily aboard the trading vessel, The Golden Hound, bouncing from port to port. Along the way Dati picked up an understanding and fluency in both Kishite and Korithian. 

When the Golden Hound was attacked by the pirate ship, The Westwind, Baros was killed in the scuffle and Dati taken as part of the booty. It is there that Dati came into contact with the eccentric pirate captain, Istek. Istek immediately freed Dati from his bondage and gave the forestfolk the option of remaining in his crew or being dropped off at the next port. Dati was not keen to be left in a strange land alone, a dangerous prospect for any forestfolk, and so he agreed to remain aboard the Westwind.

The two almost immediately fell for one another, and soon became partners, Istek the Captain, and Dati the First Mate. They two would go on to earn a reputation as devious and eccentric pirates. About 6 years later while the Westwind was docked for repairs on the island of Ninetu Istek became acquainted with Sihunu, the daughter of a carpenter. Her sharp wit and wild temperament had scarred off all suitors that her father had brought before her. Yet it was these very qualities that caused first Istek to fall deeply in love with her. 

Ashamed by these feelings, Istek confessed to Dati. While initially angry, Dati insisted on meeting with Sihunu himself. While his initial intention had been to scare her off, Dati was enchanted by her beauty and her wit. A four month long whirlwind relationship held between the three blossomed. The three purposefully sabotaged the repairs of the Westwind in order to lengthen their time together, however this could only go on so long, and after nearly four months, the repairs were complete. After much discussion, the two men decided that they would both propose. Sihunu accepted both proposals. The three would be secretly married to one another by an Ikopeshi priest (paid in wine) and would sneak away on the Westwind that same night, though not before raiding several of the other docked ships.

Their reign of adventure and thievery would go on for several years, as they now stalked up and down the coast, capturing ships, raiding villages, and even fighting the occasional sea monster.

This came to an end when Sihunu became pregnant. The three agreed that the life of a pirate was no life for a child, and though somewhat hesitant, they put down their swords and spears. They came under the employ of the merchant Wadikir, a highly powerful and wealthy figure in the hierarchy of the Kishic city of Chibal.

Shortly after arriving in Chibal, Sihunu gave birth to their child, Lat.

The four of them now live in the dock district of Chibal. Sihunu has elected to remain on land with Lat until such a time as the boy is old enough to join the crew. Istek and Dati meanwhile take semi-regular jobs for Wadikir and other merchants.

It is during one such job that the pair first meet the giant, Narul.

Appearance

Dati stands at just over 5’6. He is tall and fit from a life of moving cargo and working the oars, Istek is particularly fond of his arms. with a rich brown complexion, further darkened by the sun, though the sun has also caused some premature wrinkling on his forehead and around his eyes. His eyes are hazel, mostly brown with occasional flecks of green and gold. His curly dark brown hair and beard have started to show hints of graying. His tail is usually hidden beneath his long Korithian style linen skirt while at port. He wears golden earrings, bronze bangles, and has a necklace of silver beads.

Personality

Dati is a kind-hearted though somewhat stiff person. He is prone to sarcasm and his temperament is short at times. He is a far less eccentric individual compared to Istek and even Sihunu. He is an introvert at heart, taking some time to get used to most people. Compared to Istek he is cautious and level-headed, though he is not lacking in bravery. Dati has little time for superstition and shows an active distaste for matters of religion, likely as a result of Isteks own fraught past with cultic activity. He is a highly affectionate person, though typically not in public settings. 

Gender/Pronouns

Cis-man He/Him

Sexual Orientation

Bisexual Polyamorous

Relationships

Dati is married to Istek and Sihunu, the three are close-knit and affectionate. He also serves as a father alongside Istek to Lat (biologically Istek's child).

Dati retains a friendly relationship with much of the crew of the Westwind.

Upon meeting Narul, he and Istek in some sense, take up a fatherly role in the life of the giant, acting as a source of comfort and guidance.

Favorite Color

Green

Favorite Food

Pemrwy genmesen : Stuffed Dates (Shepherd's Dates)

Biggest Fear

Outliving both of his partners, being alone.

Sage?

No

Literate?

Somewhat (Can read receipts in Kishite and Korithian but not poems or other more complex literature)

Excerpt

 Narul sighed and looked around the deck and then froze. A scaly serpent of sorts was slithering across the deck, crawling up Dati's skirt, a snake or something similar. It must have crawled into the ship while it was docked, or else it was something from the sea itself. Narul stood and crept towards Dati, attempting to be as quiet as possible, no easy task for a man of his size. " Dati, don't move." He whispered. Dati, who had been dozing off, glanced up at Narul and raised an eyebrow. " What's wrong? Narul?" Narul didn't respond, focused on the thing slithering across the ground. He then sprung forward, and though it attempted to flinch away he successfully grabbed whatever it was and hoisting it into the air in hopes of quickly moving it away from the sailor. Dati was quickly pulled up into the air with it, dangling from Narul's fist. " What the...what is this, a tail?" " Let go of me you bastard!" Dati roared as swung around angrily, trying to punch at Narul’s torso. Narul quickly dropped the man and stepped back, in a flash Dati was back on his feet, knife in hand. Narul took another step back, eyes flicking from the knife, to Dati's face. He knew that Dati’s knife could likely do little to harm him, but the seething look in the first mate’s eyes alone threatened to burn through the giants thick hide.

@patternwelded-quill @flaneurarbiter @skyderman @blackblooms

@roach-pizza @illarian-rambling @dezerex @theocticscribe

@axl-ul, @persnickety-peahen, @surroundedbypearls, @elsie-writes

@mk-writes-stuff, @kaylinalexanderbooks, @elsie-writes

Not me having new playlist fodder, here's my contributions:

1-Nobody (No-one's home)- Will Wood ( unreleased)

2-The Human Radio- Shinedown

3-Shadow- Livingston

4-Ain't That a Kick in the Head- Dean Martin

5-The Stereosexuals- Will Wood (unreleased)

🎶✨when you get this,put 5 songs you actually listen to,then publish. Send this ask to 10 of your favourite follower🎶✨

✨First ask✨

The story of us - Taylor Swift

War of Hearts - Ruelle

Hits different - Taylor Swift

Born for this - The Score

Trouble - Valerie Broussard

Tagging with no pressure (sorry if you've already been tagged 😭)

@his-littlefox @kazbrekkersfedoraaintgotshitonme @starrynightsxo @rowanfaerie @agirlwiththoughtsandnegativity @darlingod @oomens-eyeball @chaiichait @jesyverse

Mmm, mapmaking

Welp, I feel dumb

I just realized that I have been completely messing up the tag system. I posted my writeblr introduction and somehow didn't think to tag writeblr or to put writing in the first five tags. And everything else is a jumble.

I suppose what I'm saying is if you would be interested in a fantasy story inspired by the ancient near east, with monsters, giants, magic, pirates, kings, battles, bratty children, sapphic romamce, pirate throuple romance, and trauma, check out my blog, and my WIP Testaments of the Green Sea.

In the meantime here are some maps, starting with the world of Kobani, then the region of the Green Sea, and last the lands of Kishetal. Because, because why not.

Drew Trucy in some outfits I’ve worn in the last couple weeks

tis peak puntential

SEA IS FOR COOKIE!

UN:MASKED 4 - ELIZAVETA PORODINA

Yes, your feet will be protected by

Sand

“what time is it” you ask, i pull out my 2.7 metric ton granite sundial and immediately crush both of your feet, I loudly announce “it is cloudy”

Honestly same, but this idea is as golden as menaleas' treasure

what if. spartans who don't like how smooth their skin is. who when out of their suits are disturbed by how smooth their skin is. the texture of the bodysuit that holds the gel layer is textured and that feels better.

all the injuries. all the hits they've taken. the pain they've endured. yet no scars to show for it. it feels wrong. their skin is far too smooth.

in a way, yes, their armor is their uniform. a second skin. but it's also what protects them - not entirely physically - but also mentally. when their body isn't as mangled as it seems to be, the ridges and grooves and texture of their armor and the bodysuit makes their bodies seem a little more accurate to how they feel they should be.