I Was Researching Medieval Weaponry, For A School Project, Not For Writing Purposes Actually, And Stumbled

I was researching medieval weaponry, for a school project, not for writing purposes actually, and stumbled upon these images of various polearms (source), and it occurred to me that they matched Rafal's aesthetic, especially in TLEA, so enjoy, I guess?

I filled out the famous character bingo for my favorites! If anyone's interested in doing the same, here's the source.

Sophie:

*Rafal:

Rhian:

*I think everyone knows by now that I love to torture Rafal. And he's no stranger to death, so it's like he's made for it. ;)

Announcement: My Asks Are Open

Yes, my asks are open (at long last?), and I can assure you that I won't age ten years the instant I answer them!

Please, do not ask/comment anything in bad faith. However, I'm fine with anything motivated by genuine curiosity.

I will choose to answer asks at my discretion. Your ask may not be answered, if: 1) I deem it inappropriate 2) I have other (personal or not) reservations around answering it 3) I am baited 4) I subjectively do not want to for any other reason(s) that aren't listed 5) the ask in question does not interest me and/or I don't have the time to respond, or 6) I have a future post drafted that already addresses it.

That said, don't hold back, but please do not ask anything inappropriate/sexual. I do not want to discuss such matters.

In the case of caveat #6, if I remember to, I may tag you in the comments of or directly on any such future post(s) which contain the answer to your question.

While the focus of my blog has been Rhian and Rafal, and SGE in general, you don't have to keep your questions narrowed around them solely. The questions can be about any other topics or books you'd like. However, if the questions are about other (non-SGE) pieces of media, I'd prefer that you send the ask(s) to my sideblog.

I may not answer all/any personal questions I receive, or I may opt to answer certain asks privately. That depends on what I find I'm willing to reveal, but you're welcome to ask regardless.

I invite questions/thoughts/observations on writing in general, my writing or writing process, or my WIP(s) and fics.

Furthermore, note that I may often be delayed in responding to any asks.

Also, I'm willing to answer asks as an SGE character(s), so if you'd like to, address your asks to any of them, and you might get dialogue, internal monologues, or even stage directions/narration in return. Additionally, it might help to specify which incarnation(s) of a character your question is directed towards. So, you can specify by naming them, like: Rise Rafal, Fall Rafal, Prequel Rafal, Rise Rhian, Fall Rhian, TLEA Rafal, TLEA "Rafal"/Rhian, TSY Sophie, TCY Sophie (or instead, specify which book(s)), pre-TSY Sophie, post-TCY Sophie, AWWP Tedros, etc. In these cases, I'll generally try to adhere to canon, but expect my own interpretations to filter through. Plus, I'll also allow asking questions to the versions of characters that appear in my fics or AUs, like TOTSMOV41 Rafal, MON Rhian, Modern AU Rhian, Unethical Psychologist Rafal (there'll possibly be more information on him eventually), etc., if anyone's interested.

If you want, you can also treat the characters as overall consistent or monolithic, for instance, by simply naming "Agatha," without any specifications. I will interpret asks like those however I see fit.

Lastly, as a general guideline, please be courteous and respectful to all. (You can insult the characters all you want; just refrain from insulting me, thanks.)

People are so wishy-washy these days. No one wants to take oaths and blood pacts anymore.

Rafal Is Literally a Type—Don't Believe Me? Read This:

TV Tropes

Byronic Hero - TV Tropes

The Byronic Hero is a character notable for being sullen, withdrawn, hard to like and hard to know, but usually possessing a rich inner life

He's a Byronic Hero. I am aghast at how accurate these descriptions are.

Prequel Rafal, why do you have an ahoge (hair antenna)?

Rafal: I don't know. I’ve always had it. Rhian's attempted to tame it, or weigh it down in the past, with gels, and creams, and other, odd concoctions, even sorcery, but nothing has ever succeeded in flattening it.

Rhian: It's remarkably stubborn. Much like someone I know. [He glares at Rafal pointedly.]

Rafal: Not this again.

Rhian: There's something to be said about the symbolism at play.

Rafal: I don't care.

Rhian: My point exactly! And his obstinance can err on the side of absurdity. Rafal submits to no man, and the only authority he'd ever accept is his own. He resists all attempts at reform, never appears beaten or chastened, won't scrape or grovel, won't yield or flatten himself, like that hair of his, and he can't be reliably tamed or trusted by most.

Rafal: I still don't care. And so what? I'm always right. You know that. And when I'm not right, things are sure to become right, even if it's my last act alive.

Rhian: Told you so. He'll force any solution into being if it suits him, but none of those solutions can tame that ahoge... or his formidable strength of will.