Thank You For The WBW Ask, @tabswrites!

Thank you for the WBW Ask, @tabswrites!

What are some status symbols in your world? How do upper-class people typically show off their wealth?

(I'll go with the world of The Last Wrath for this one <3)

This is a very interesting question to which the answer is, yet again lol, it varies a lot.

In the Morosyn Empire:

They go all in when it comes to showing off wealth and status. To the people of the Morosyn Empire, power, wealth and influence are everything one should strive for, and this could very well define someone's life (or at least their future prospects of success).

It's all about posturing in the Morosyn Empire, always trying to look like more than one really is, in the hope of getting in the good graces of the Imperial court. As such, grandiose displays of status are more than encouraged, within calculated measure, that is: extravagant gold-plated (or at least gold-trimmed) clothing tailored to the latest fashion and usually holding the imperial colors; large intricate mansions made out of pure marble and stone that stand atop the mighty hills of the capital; attending the finest masquerades to make an impression and always striving for more connections in high standing places; etc.

Making one's House well seen and influent in Morosyn society is the goal of pretty much every single Lord and Lady there, as following the Imperial standards is not only paramount to impressing peers but sometimes vital if they want to avoid becoming pariahs.

Some nobles of the Imperial court become rather hedonistic and indulgent, though that increasingly common behavior - when extended out of moments of celebration or festivals - is considered lazy by the Emperor himself, who prefers cold practicality and strength above all else.

Unfortunately, the Morosyn's displays of power also extend to the subjugation of their enemies, be it by conquering kingdoms and vanquishing their opponents in battle, by endorsing the Radiant Hunts, or even through the practice of slave trades. In the Empire, sending a message of their "power and glory" is considered more important to them than mercy.

In the Free Realms:

Each kingdom has its different version when it comes to showing off power and wealth, but even then, they're definitely way more chill about it than the Empire.

Usually, in the Free Realms, showing off status usually comes in the form of stylish and intricate clothing, according to each kingdom's beauty standards, varied hairstyles (including the ample use of jewelry. Sometimes, the jewelry in someone's hairpiece can clearly let others know which kingdom they are from, as styles and materials are very specific to each region), etc. Fashion - much like in the Morosyn Empire, but to a much lesser extent - is important to making a good impression and showing off.

Here are some interesting, more specific, ways people show off status in each of the kingdoms within the Free Realms:

In Kestrall, a kingdom that is very much centered on the warrior's way of life and which values might in battle above many things, wearing Blue-Goat fur is one of the highest honors a person can have, and though middle-class commoners use attires made from said material in very special occasions (usually marriages, and the Yuletide Festival), for the upper class and nobles, coats and cloaks made from Blue-Goat fur are a daily attire (plus this clothing style is a favorite of the Ketrallian Queen as well). Another way to show off status, especially for people in the military, is to keep one's armor in perfect condition while showing signs of having been worn in battle (A delicate shining armor for the Kestrallian people is the sign of an untested rookie knight. A well kept, but battle worn, armor, is the sign of a practiced warrior, something to strive for). Intricate sigils, symbols, and carvings can be professionally engraved with colorful metal/melted dragon scales onto the armor as well, but this is an honor reserved for high-ranking knights/dragon riders only.

In Vellamere, one would show off status by wearing intricate jewelry carved from the shells of sea-monsters slain by their own navy. Wearing bright colors and delicate silk clothing embroidered with pure gold is also a sure sign of someone very wealthy who does not have to sail their own ship - usually a noble or a very rich merchant. Powerful sea captains often pride themselves in each scar collected in battle, and they often wear distinct colors that match that of the flags of their ships.

In Nethilor, a kingdom famous for its tie to nature, members of powerful Houses often wear jewelry inspired by the same, and their sigils usually match a specific natural figure. While this habit is not reserved for rich people/nobles only, some designs are a sure sign that someone belongs in the royal court of Nethilor. For example, the current House Regent of Nethilor - House Renfelli - is represented by their sigil of thorns and roses, which is proudly replicated onto their attires in delicate embroidered patterns, and into their jewelry as well (Prince Regent/King Maeryn Renfelli is known for wearing a pair of delicate silver bracelets that have the design of a rose patch engraved in gold upon them, and his crown follows a similar design), being pretty recognizable.

Ergyre is by far the most hedonistic and at the same time unprincipled of all of the Free Realms, especially due to the lawlessness of the heart of the Borderlands (where it is located), the constant inner conflicts, and its proximity to the Morosyn Empire. They are a living example of what happens when the expression "carpe diem" goes terribly, awfully wrong and extreme (this becomes way clearer once one reads Darian's POV as a rebel in Ergyre). The non-rebel people of the Ergyre - especially those supportive of the reigning Tryarchy and are against the rebels - are known to partake in indulgent festivals and gatherings, one more extravagant and over-the-top than the other, and more often than not, of extremely questionable morality. Wearing bright colors, statement pieces/jewels, and extravagant makeup is often the norm for people who want to showcase their wealth, and trust me, they are not subtle about it.

And so on!

For the Mageborn: Mageborn don't really consider showing off wealth as something important to them, but magical power is. The more powerful a mage is, the more distinct and apparent are their runic markings, and their eyes become more unnaturally colored (usually the same color of their markings or of their power, but it does vary). Mages from especially ancient and wealthy houses often strive to achieve this as a way to prove themselves to their ancestors.

For the Elves: In Agrannor, Elves are a proud race (and by this I mean, very proud). Honor and status before one's society are highly important to the elven individual, though typical wealth is not as important as one's personal valor. Elves usually show off their position in society by keeping their hair long and cared for, usually loose or slightly braided (they're the only race in Agrannor that considers hair as something this important). Long hair is not only the sign of an individual considered respectable by other elves, but it is also sacred to some elven creeds. Having one's hair cut short is usually something reserved for traitors and exiled pariahs, something that powerful elves try to avoid at all costs. (Elves do not grow facial hair, nor do they show signs of aging before their 500 birthday, only half-elves do. "Pure Elves" - as they often call themselves - actively look down on and resent half-elves as the spawn of the humans that they despise. To avoid being called out - and cast out - as a half-elf, half-elven individuals try to fit in by abiding by their peers' styles.)

For the Fae: Fae don't have the concept of wealth and power as humans, mages and elves have. They consider themselves to be one with nature, and according to the fairy creed "nature does not pick favorites, though it reaps the weak". If prove your worth during your coming-of-age trials, you will be respected and accepted among Fae peers. If not, you're on your own.

For the Merfolk: Merfolk also don't have the concept of wealth, as they don't have monetary items. But they do have the concept of power, and it is everything to them. They pick their leaders through duels, in which only the strongest - or most apt - survive until the next duel season comes, and the stronger/more powerful Merfolk have many privileges - especially when it comes to hunting grounds and prey - when compared to their smaller/weaker kin.

Note about Vampires and Dhampirs: Vampires, much like mages, live among human societies. To avoid being discovered as vampiric beings, vampires and dhampirs often try to pass as excentric humans, and are often very proud (bordering on vain), loving to show to the world and peers how wealthy they are, showing off in the same way humans in the Free Realms do, but exaggeratedly, though they rarely ever reveal the location of their homes.

WBW Ask

I’m a little out of it still so I’m just going to post this here and everyone can feel free to answer!

What are some status symbols in your world? How do upper class people typically show off their wealth?

Tagging: @athenswrites @gummybugg @elshells @writingmaidenwarrior @sam-glade @writernopal @pheita @mysticstarlightduck and anyone else feel free to share!

Yay! I adore tag games of any kind (I am open to asks as well)!

Hey Writeblr!!

Could you please interact with this post if it's alright to tag you in tag games?

I always struggle with knowing who to tag lol (and if we're not already mutuals feel free to interact as well!)

Can you tell us more about Xarian from Tales of Wilted Flowers? If it's not too spoilery, how did he become an outlaw? What's his greatest desire? Biggest fear?

Yes! Thank you so much for the Ask, @clairelsonao3!!! <3

I adore talking about Xarian and his story, so here we go!

Can you tell us more about Xarian from Tales of Wilted Flowers?

Xarian is a deuteragonist/second protagonist in the story of Tales of Wilted Flowers, and a love interest to the actual MC, Lorelai Wildwood. He is also a fairy/fae.

He starts his story looking for a way to unbind himself from the sorcerer that had him captive for years, as even after his lucky escape, the villains are still tracking him down. After becoming an outlaw - I will explain that in a second, don't worry (; - Xarian seeks Lorelai's help, as her father's journal could just hold the answers the fairy needed. Soon after, they end up framed by the crown and have to run away, setting out to discover what is truly hiding behind their kingdom's seemingly perfect facade, if they want their freedoms back (and end up discovering the awakening of a mythical evil they must stop in the process).

This is the gist of the beginning of his tale in the book, as the story will then progress as they venture into this adventure together and recruit new friends for their quest. I can say that Xarian will be faced with a difficult/ill-fated decision at the end of Act 2, so keep an eye out for that when the time comes!

If it's not too spoilery, how did he become an outlaw?

Okay, onto the tricky part!

Xarian's true past is revealed gradually throughout the story, as he slowly grows to trust - and love - Lorelai enough to share his backstory and situation. (Some very specific events in his past are major spoilers, but those don't necessarily revolve around the way he became an outlaw).

So onto the beginning then! Let's see me try to avoid the major spoilers lol

Years before the main storyline starts, Xarian moved to the capital of their kingdom and trusted the wrong person. Trusting the wrong person destroyed his life (at least recent future prospects), and he found himself trapped in a magical "deal" with a powerful sorcerer seeking power in the lands (the main villain).

Growing tired of his situation, and after figuring out the sorcerer's plans, Xarian escaped after temporarily shattering the bond that held him prisoner and slipping away unnoticed. (The details as to how this worked are spoilers, and he tacitly leaves out most of those details when he explains his past the first time anyway).

But that's not how he became an outlaw.

Keeping a low profile and knowing his time was running out if he wanted to avoid being captured again, Xarian decided to do something reckless: breaking into the royal castle, and stealing something important, something that could give him the information he needed to stop the sorcerer.

The plan didn't quite go as planned (SPOILERS, and it had repercussions, not so great ones in fact), but Xarian was able to escape again, and this time he knew what he had to do (more precisely what he had to find) in order to defeat his worst enemy. But now, he was an outlaw, wanted in every city of the kingdom.

And this chain of events is what led him to Lorelai's old manor, in the first chapter of Tales of Wilted Flowers.

What's his greatest desire?

Xarian's greatest desire, throughout the entirety of the story, is to regain his complete freedom and to defeat (a.k.a have his revenge) the sorcerer who tried to destroy his life. But mostly, behind it all, he wants to just be able to be at peace again, like a normal person should. (After his and Lorelai's love story begins, Xarian really wants to be able to spend his life with her, like to actually be together as a couple, but they both know that the only way this can happen is if they defeat the villains first and get their lives back first).

Biggest fear?

Xarian's biggest fear is to be controlled or used, to become someone's puppet. He also fears being trapped or shackled in any way and is deeply afraid of seeing his friends and loved ones get hurt because of him (even though he rarely lets this show through his sassy and unbothered facade). He doesn't really fear much else (except maybe for spiders and other insects, but that's a small phobia).

+ BONUS! Because you told me to talk about him, and I love this character, here are three random facts about Xarian.

Xarian cannot sing. At all. He jokes that he sounds like a dying goose when he sings. He might do it proudly just to annoy Kaladin on the road when Kal has a hangover after drinking too many flagons of wine at a tavern. (While he does not sing he can play the lute very well, tho).

Before his life went to hell, Xarian wanted to be an alchemist and magical inventor in the kingdom's capital. He was (and still is) very talented and very passionate about the subject.

He is the kind of person to make genuinely funny comments/jokes while in a situation that definitely does not warrant funny comments (like while being chased by the acolytes of a sorcerer who wants to painfully kill them).

WBW (Late) Ask!

Because this week has been rather crazy for me, I'm doing it this way- here goes my late WBW Ask for you guys <3

How has the world of your story shaped the hobbies your characters have and why? If they had been born in a different region of that same world, would their hobbies be different?

@writernopal, @aziz-reads, @rickie-the-storyteller, @jasperygrace, @clairelsonao3, @dancinginsepia, @gummybugg, @tabswrites, @exquisitecrow, @wardenred, @late-to-the-fandom, @your-absent-father, @chauceryfairytales and @elshells

Yes!!! I wholeheartedly agree!

If you're not falling in love with every single one of your characters, then what's the point?

POV: You tried bullying your beneficiary... now with spoilers!