Mytly

1. Cordelia's phrasing when talking about Lady Vorpatril and Lord Vorpatril (and even just calling them that instead of Alys and Padma) implies a lot less friendship and respect between them, putting them (and Ivan) narratively in the 'annoying relatives' category rather than 'some of the closest people to the Vorkosigans' as we see them in pretty much every other book. It's also implied Padma died a lot more recently than 17 years ago, if Aral is only now being expected by Alys to stand in as a father figure for Ivan.

2. Ivan's sexual harassment of Elena some years before - this again feels a lot more in line with the 'annoying relative' character than the Ivan we come to know in later books, who is happy to try his luck until he "finds one that smiles back". It just really stands out to me on rereads, particularly as it is never brought up again (even in Mirror Dance, when Elena is back on Barrayar and it would be very thematically appropriate to explore).

3. Some of the Barrayaran punishments described feel a touch too gruesome for a post-Regency Barrayar. I can see a political film's producer, scripwriter, and actors being "taken out and shot" in Ezar's time, sure, but it's a slightly harder sell here, given the lack of anything remotely similar mentioned in the rest of the books and several examples showing a more lenient system (see both of Metzov's cases ending in demotion and discharge respectively).

It's hard to say. We only see the word agni used in their name for honor duels (Agni Kai), with agni (अग्नि) meaning "fire" in Sanskrit and kai (会) meaning "social gathering" in Japanese. The fact that "kai" refers to pleasant and non-violent forms of interaction leads me to think that Agni Kais were originally more ceremonial duels meant to express piety to the deity Agni. However, by the Hundred Year War period, it seems that the religious ceremony had evolved/been corrupted to become a form of conflict resolution with legal ramifications.

The impression I get of the post-Sozin Fire Nation is that traditional religiosity seems to be heavily discouraged. The Fire Sages seem to exist only to maintain ancient temples and conduct ceremonies; we don't see them present in any important meetings, so they presumably don't hold much real power in Fire Nation society. We see the children of the elites are taught to pledge their allegiance to the Fire Lord at the beginning of each day (or maybe even at the start of each class period), which implies that the position has developed a cult of personality that supersedes any religion in the country. The one village in the Fire Nation that seems to follow any sort of deity religion, Jang Hui (The Painted Lady village), is literally marginalized and mistreated by the Fire Nation authorities.

As for the Fire Nation of the past, it's possible they once worshipped Agni. It's worth noting that Agni is also worshipped in Buddhism as a minor deity, as well as in early Hinduism. Of course, Buddhism descends from Hinduism, so it still ultimately comes back to the Vedas. Especially with many aspects of the Fire Nation possessing a really strong Southeast Asian influence, it's reasonable to assume the Fire Nation's religious history might have went:

Early Hinduism-equivalent > State-Sponsored Buddhism-equivalent > Imperial Cult

Here me out. You mention the South/South East Asian influences in Fire Nation culture. Well within the Hindu tradition, Kalaripyuttu (the oldest martial art) and Bharatnattyam (a form of classical dance) are often refered to as brother-sister disciplines. They are said to have evolved from each other and the practise of one improves the other, and both (but especially Bharatnatyam) can be considered an act of worship.

(Also dance and martial arts often have complimentary evolutions, which is very cool to me)

Ancient Fire Nation society, where dance and martial arts are seen as complimentary and intertwined, where the Agni Kai is something akin to a Capoeira dance circle, and as the society grows mire warlike the dance aspect fall away and the martial aspect remains. Over time it becomes a rite-of-passage ceremonial duel. Except the society keeps hardening, and soon it stops being a cereminial rite of passage and instead becomes a show of skill and strength, a way to prove that you are worthy of your position.

This a great theory. Really good insight into how a religious ceremony could be twisted to suit the needs of an oppressive society. It's also worth noting that the martial art that inspired firebending, Northern Shaolin, is the most influenced by Buddhist philosophy of all the martial arts featured in the show--- The other martial arts being Tai Chi, Hung Gar, Chu Gar, and Baguazhang.

Firebending descending from dance would also explain why Zuko loves to incorporate breakdancing into his fighting style:

I'd like to think the original Agni Kai ceremonies were once an all-day event that would feature both dances and ceremonial battles as a display devotion and respect for Agni and other spirits.

For example, there's a Thai dance known as Fawn Tian (กวางเทียน) or "The Candle Dance". According to Wikipedia, the female dancers pay homage to the divinities that protect the eight cardinal points of the Earth, asking them to pass through the candlelight. This dance could also represent a firebender's self-control and discipline over fire, as it takes a great deal of concentration and restraint to dance while maintaining a consistently sized flame in each hand. Think about how much Aang struggled to maintain just one flame with two hands.

The ceremonial battles could also be known as war dances (wai khru ram/ไหว้ครูรำ). Imagine witnessing the sword battle above, but the blades are on fire. Being able to pull off a performance would be a display of both appreciation for fire and skill [by not accidentally burning your partner].

And yes to the ceremonial war dances too! Many older martial arts can now only showcase duels ceremonially since the objective or a true duel is death. The aforementioned Kalaripayuttu, for example, doesnt really have fights anymore since one of the "rules" of a fight is that your opponent shoudnt be capable of walking away (the wording used is often "crippled or dead")

Dance as a way of showcasing firebending skill and discipline is very cool, since we see a lot of emphasis in-show towards firebending being a very emotion-based art, and how control over the self reflects in control over the flame. This is especially emphasized in Zuko and Azula's last duel. So something like Fawn Tian coukd easily be like....an graduation/initiation ritual, to showcase mastery and offer respects

Also in dances that involve flame, may I suggest the Bengali prayer dance done for the Goddess Durga:

It could be a ritual in certain areas of the Fire Nation for firebenders to offer up their own flames to the immortal fires, as a way honoring those greater forces. Perhaps, like the water from the Spirit Oasis, fire from these immortal flames might have special properties that can be utilized in times of hardship.

also Vimes has a Disorganiser (little imp in a box to tell him appointments) which he Hates lol

but also in one of the most heartbreaking scenes in the book the Disorganiser plays a key role.

Nope! This is my first time reading any pratchett or discworld. I can’t believe I’ve been missing out for all these years. If it wasn’t for tumblr, I wouldn’t even have known the series existed.

If I saw the clues and caught the hints then yes! I am clever and me and the author/creator/artist etc were in on it together the whole time!

If I didn't notice the clues or got fooled but can clearly see them in hindsight then "Ha! You won this time storyteller! I am delighted by this game we play!' and then I enjoy putting the pieces together afterwards and enjoying how clever it was. I feel like the creator respects me as an audience

If there is a "twist" that comes with 0 clues or foreshadowing at all I'm annoyed. I'm pissed off. I feel like I'm being condescended to and patronised. It's not clever or interesting and makes me annoyed I ended up caring about characters and plot points that ended up meaningless.

Because it's not that these stories don't have foreshadowing or plot clues. They just abandon it for a "surprising twist"

A story that pays off the clues is letting me into the fun and makes a participant in the story

Random plot twists that don't connect to anything in the story are not clever. If we don't see it coming because the writer didn't provide any clues, they aren't clever and it's totally unsatisfying (and I will NEVER read this writer again). These clues need not be lit up in neon with a parade of elephants and showgirls. But they need to be present

In the book he sacrifices himself to save Rocky and Erid. He saves humanity, saves his home planet, then chooses to turn around and save another one.

"A consummation greatly desired," Jeeves agreed.

"The forces of darkness vanquished, the rightful king upon his throne, and all that. And, even more importantly, Tuppy Glossop disengaged from that horsy female and returned to the bosom of my cousin Angela."

"Indeed, sir."

"Rather a shock running into the Reverend Aubry Upjohn riding that fell beast, what?"

"I though you displayed great alacrity in relocating to that ditch in the nick of time, sir."

Far below us, the molten lava did a rather spirited impersonation of boiling soup. I mopped the p. off the b. with a handkerchief I'd improvised from an orc loincloth. I had been to some deuced uncomfortable country estates in my time, don't you know, but at least there one had been able to toddle downstairs and pour oneself a quick W. and S. as needed to stiffen the sinews. Galadriel's Buck-U-Uppo was excellent at vitalizing the limbs to forge on the last dreadful mile and all that, but it lacked the comfort that speaks to the soul.

I contemplated the glowing river. "Redirecting the army of Aunts to that Isengard place was a stroke of brilliance, I thought."

"You are too kind, sir."

"Still, all things must end, as they say. Travel is broadening to the mind and all, but it is past time to attend the call of heart and home. Among other considerations, I think something took residence inside this mithril shirt somewhere around the Morgul Vale and has been wandering about biting hither and thither ever since, and I am filled with the desire to strip it off and do battle with the blighted thing."

"Understandable, sir."

"I heard rather a good one the other day: Sing hey! for the bath at close of day that washes the weary mud away! -and by Jove if I don't think they were on to something, Jeeves."

"It is undeniably felicitous to be surrounded by the comforts of home," he assented, and yet I couldn't escape a certain sense of firmness about his gaze.

I sighed, for I knew what he wanted. Well, I mean, I'm all for taking a firm stance and not being trodden on in one's own home and all, but as far as rallying around to save the young master goes, none could have rallied more greatly than Jeeves. If a little firmness was the price I had to pay, well, so be it.

Slowly I undid the old school tie from around my neck. It was harder work than one would have thought; as if it could hear what was rattling around in the old brain, the ring that was threaded on it put in a last surge of effort in the gleaming and enticement department, filling my mind with heady visions: Freddie Widgeon gnashing his teeth as I sank yet another dart into the bullseye, Aunt Agatha wreathed in tears and begging my forgiveness for ever having misjudged me, Jeeves gazing admiringly as I displayed my newest waistcoat for his edification…

It was the last that broke the spell. Cursed objects of all-consuming power were all well and good in their sphere, but there were limits, don't you know? And yet I hesitated. "You don't think I could slip it on and just have a quick total domination of the world before I toddle around to the Drones for a stiff one?"

Jeeves gave a gentle cough of reproof. "I think you will find it for the best, sir."

It was a wrench, but one could not deny the man had earned it. With a heavy hand, I held the ring out to him. "Take it, then. You will know what do with it, I'm sure."

He took it from me with the sort of shimmer that showed he was exceptionally gratified. "Thank you, sir."

I watched as the ring fell from his hand into the depths below. It hit the lava and rested there for a moment before slowly sinking beneath the glowing surface, and as they caught fire I almost felt that the Old Etonian colors glowed brighter in approval. That Wooster, they seemed to say: not much in the brains department, but he gets the job done.

Outside, there came a hideous wailing as of something ages old abruptly losing the power which bound it to this mortal plain and all that, which I took as our signal to leg it down the nearest drainpipe before things got sticky. The road goes ever on and on, what? Yet I paused there, at the end of all things, because some things have to be said.

I do love Miles Vorkosigan, carrying most of The Vorkosigan Saga, entirely full of himself, reaching the end of fifteen-or-so books, fancying himself the cleverest and slipperiest little being in the galaxy, boxing with his father and loving him and losing him and finally a father in his own right, faced with his mom at the end of the series.

I loved rereading Vor Game after Gentleman Jole, and sniggering at Miles being mildly irritated by stupidly hot Lieutenant Jole with his stupid perfect career and his stupid being there. Yes, Miles, that's your stepfather. He's looking at your dad like that because he loves him. Everyone else in the room knows, it's just you live on a really backward, patriarchal planet, so nobody mentions it.

I really want one tiny little extra scene in Gentleman Jole. I wish Mark had shown up. Imagine it:

Miles, known genius, the Emperor's very own eccentric detective, who grew up in his parents' house, listening to his mother explain his parents' polycule very patiently in small words: "wait... so all those homophobic remarks about dad that I've been hearing my whole life... and all those scandalous rumours about his ex-boyfriend... and that hot younger man dad worked with who was around a lot... who ended up coincidentally stationed the same place you were... that was all because dad was BISEXUAL???"

mark: I know, it’s so nice that they have each other. Aral’s had so much to deal with and -

miles: ✋ can we rewind to 5 minutes ago and then pause there for 12-16 business days.

“IVAN KNEW? THAT IDIOT IVAN?”

Also, if anyone hasn't listened to the My Word As Vorkosigan podcast, the one on GJ&tRQ is the funniest of the bunch.

Try a genre that isn't currently On Trend. If you don't like the current romantasy bestsellers because they all follow the same tropes in order to game the tiktok algorithm, try something that isn't romantasy.

Read something written before 2010. There are plenty of amazing books being written right now also, but if your problem is with current trends specifically, go read the books that people were complaining were "ruining literature" twenty years ago. They're great.

Walk into any second-hand bookshop and just start looking around. There will be a lot of the thing you don't like there and there will also be a lot of other stuff, some of which you do like.

Make friends who like the same sorts of books as you.

This might only apply to me, but I get a lot of recommendations by simply being into vaguely philosophical video essays. If you follow a lot of the Jacob Geller Types on youtube or nebula then you will get more truly awesome science fiction recommendations than you know what to do with.

Write a web serial and every few days somebody will pop into your inbox saying "this thing you wrote kind of reminds me of [x], have you read it?" and it's almost certainly something you've never heard of in your life but now you have another story to check out that you know touches on themes you've demonstrated interest in.

If you find yourself in truly desperate straits, go to tvtropes.org and type in a trope you like. Scroll down to 'examples'. There's a whole long list there of stories about a killer on a leash, or battle couples, or whatever else you're in the mood to read about today.

I realize that the problem in most of these cases is that people don't really have places where they can get book recommendations, and wind up picking up whatever's trending on social media. However, even the tiniest bit of effort (such as Googling) can turn up huge lists of recommendations, including in the genre that you want. A tiny bit more effort will turn up more recommendations than you can possibly read.

Anyway, here's a video that includes a list of 300 book recommendations, specifically curated so that you don't have to rely on the algorithm for recommendations. Here's the actual list: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reading_challenges/b9e364fb-9b97-49a7-b3b5-bc24064e6cbd. The video description also includes several sub-lists on The StoryGraph.

I don't just say it based on vibes, like we know Camilla/Palamedes lived on a space station for a long while and their bone density is not lower than usual (based on plot/behavior at least), which would be basically impossible for a "normal" human and they don't have any related circulatory issues either. None of the female characters (not just house citizens, none) are mentioning periods even once, which makes me question if they even still have something resembling periods. We have characters (probably) coming from planets with way higher gravity than ours and they can take those stresses.

At this point it's not a stretch that the people of Dominicus either had to adapt over generations or their respective lyctors did some adjusting because those are some weird things.

I’m just curious how many people at some point in their lives have played/learned to play an instrument of any kind.

I included a nuance button bc I know there might be some folks who might be like “well I played the recorder in grade school but idk if that counts” — count it if you want or hit nuance if you’re unsure! 😊

To be clear, if you studied an instrument to any level of proficiency, even if you’re out of practice now, please select yes!

I put this together as a resource for my own writing awhile back and at first just stared at it in utter bewilderment. Is Beleriand really this small?! It seems like the answer is yes, and I'll give a quick explanation as to why below.

I've seen various stitched together maps of the First and Second/Third Ages, but the primary ones I've encountered still end up with the distance measurements not quite reflecting what we have in the text or map legends.

Without going into too many of the tedious bits, the basic overview is that I put this together by superimposing the maps in Photoshop, aligning Himring and Tol Himling, then drawing this out till the two iterations of the Ered Luin crossed. The primary thing here was ensuring the distance between Himring/Himling and the Ered Luin remained the same in both places.

There were various other details as well, but the key factor for determining whether this was feasible was to check whether it held up when comparing the numerical distances we are given as well.

This is simplest on the map of Middle-earth in the Third Age, since the official map was kind enough to provide a mileage legend. However, the Beleriand map was not nearly so forthcoming. So off we go to everyone's favorite chapter of the Silmarillion (Of Beleriand and its Realms) where we find that East Beleriand is described as being

at its widest a hundred leagues from Sirion to Gelion and the borders of Ossiriand

If this is 100 leagues, then we can convert that to roughly 345 miles and move that rasterized line down within the same file and line it up with our mileage legend from the map of Third Age Middle-earth (scaled as shown in the first image). Which gives us this:

Almost spot on!

Which, I'm not going to lie, really shocked me. I expected to find that this was wildly off since I've always assumed these maps to be fairly equal in my head. But no, it seems that all the epics of the First Age really did happen in an area no larger than Eriador.

One last image that I find interesting is isolating just Beleriand from this stitched map while retaining the water's tint so you can see the approximate whereabouts of the new shorelines would have ended up.