10.05.2026

Coven Vogue: The Noble-Uniform of the Skjaldmaerith Caste:
Every castes’ uniform has its own history. Some are clearer thanks to extensive recording habits of some of our ancestors, others less so. Reasons being myriad. Some definitely got lost in the flames of war, others vanished because not all historians are free of their biases. The least grim reason that pertains to the Skjaldmaerith’s is merely that they lacked a uniform for a long time. Or to be precise, their uniform consisted of the finest shirt, tunic, coat, trousers and skirt owned by the individual member.
In the early periods of Naireanth, these included finely tailored doublets of leather and wool coated in a shimmering, membranous layer to add an air of nobility, flamboyance. Around the times of the Subjugation of Nauheim did some constancy got introduced into their wardrobes. First of these were the dolmen coats popular amongst the Elk-Riding Noble Castes of Maurnia, whose famous charges halted the Empire’s progress several times. Gradually, this type of coat spread amongst the Skjaldmaeriths, with some additional elements introduced from the evolving uniform of the Drengriarhs. 
In present, this includes the upper section (shoulders and collar) that were made to resemble aventails worn by ancient northern warriors to shield against the cold winds, alongside protection for the neck. Usually in an elliptical shape. Though theirs have the leather ribbed, and two “spear-stripes” project from the back and right, a layer above the half-cloak (draping over the left side). Both pieces in their “dormant” state are magnetically fixed in place, with the back evoking the ridged spine of dragons. These are less ornamentations, can be used in combat to fight multiple opponents, or overwhelm a singular.
The other prominent change, taken from the Drengriarh-Caste was the introduction of a zipper closure, with snow-silvern metallic teeth. In the case of the Snow-Scaled’s, these teeth resemble shrunk draconic fangs, thorns for the Black Roses. The coats themselves remained double-breasted, but by the time of the colonization, discarded the frogging, and made the silhouette overall more feminine instead of an androgynous one.
The sole remaining element remained the ornated sash at the waist’s level. Its rims leather, the brocades fine velvet, bearing the caste’s color in the case of the Black Roses. 
Another change – less connected to the Drengriarh Caste – was the change in sleeves. For a long while, the Skjaldmaerith’s were considered a sub-caste of the Huscaeriths, but after the Black Rose grew into an Eminent Status, the two were separated. For this reason, one minor change came in the slightly puffed look of the sleeves combined with the shoulders shifting to a pagoda style after seven Skjaldmaeriths visited Hoshigawa and fought side-by-side the Third Lunar Princess in a minor uprising.
For leggings, they usually wear tight trousers ornated with a broad stripe slithering along, down to the tapered cuffs. But for ceremonies, they tend to wear long, layered skirts. 
All these (short coat, leggings, boots) are all edged in snow-silvern, etched with runic-patterns. 
Lastly, whilst they wore tunics and chain-shirts for a long while beneath the coats, in present day, they all opt for elegant dress shirts that lend them a noble warrior’s air. Usually with flamboyant, great collars cinched by cravat, necktie, or even shawl tie as it became popular once relations were established and mended with the southerners. The Hritvia Host’s all wear black with snow-silvern embroidery (rims, runic and arcane patterns, lines forming a fine and mystical tapestry), whilst the Black Roses are mostly snow-silvern with the collar, shoulders, sleeve cuffs, hem and edges are bled a lively red with slight pinkish undertones. Quite like the ripe cherries of the eastern holds (brought home from the east, as a gift by the Third Lunar Princess, though we found no correlation as they previously bore a royal purple shade instead). 
Making History Beyond the Heavens of Thulyandiv: The Purification Crusades
There are myriad different realms out there, in the Void Between Worlds. We encountered complex ones just like our magnificent Thulyandiv, settled by other elves, dracorith, dwarves, humans created by our Divine Parents. Or even kynd made with some differences. We found simpler realms, world covered in an endless ocean of water or sand. We found ones where the north blazed, the south shivered. We found realms devoid of life, whether because our Divine Parents had no time to seed it. Or a great cataclysm wiped out all. A catastrophe that could happen to us, if we forget to love each other.
And there are worlds tainted by ancient evils. Fate likewise we could have suffered if not for our protective Divine Parents, and our ancient heroes – some of which feared not to charge into hell. Some were beyond saving, some are still recuperating, and some were cleansed, but life could never blossom there.
Each of the [so far] fourteen worlds we have encountered since striding amongst the stars, came under what we call the Purification Crusades. Great efforts to beat back the influence of Chaos from the mortal realm. Campaigns that unite ancient and bitter enemies, like the Eminent Circles, Covens and the Grand Guilds of Heleion. 
First of these Purification Crusades were on Votum Prime. A world that technologically was quite close to reaching beyond the heavens. A world as varied as ours, yet were blind to the existence of the infernal realms for one reason on another. The survivors knew not why their leaders swiped this crucial information from the books of history, but it is sure was a component to the apocalypse wrought by the Desirous Legions.
From a world once populated by humans and dwarves only (as far as we know), it became a hellish paradise for sexual deviants, for those with excessive and dark desires. A world which we ourselves used for fancy voyages where one could experience joys beyond mortal means, thanks to the infernal aegis, a tainting ring of pure fiendish essence that not even the Aegis’s of our great void faring vessels could protect the minds of their crews. 
Hundreds, nearly a thousand men and women of Thulyandiv turned insane, seeking sexual gratification in self-mutilation; extinguished themselves through asphyxiation, perished to cardiac arrest after ceaseless masturbation, and tried violating the war beasts in their kennels. An attempt foolish when it came to the dragons, gryphons and other larger beasts, but nonetheless they made attempts.
Thanks to decades of research of our more hallowed Brothers and Sisters, we did found a way through, and the Snow-Scaled Circle, the Black Rose Coven, the Circle of the Lunate Lotus, the Azure Legion and the Ruby Legion all descended with millions of troops to liberate the world. And they succeeded after grueling decades, with only a handful of them willing to speak of what unfolded in that world. 
Some were miserable, some became celibate, and some were glad for the experience. As it prepared them for the next thirteen crusades.
                                                        News and Commentary:
  • And another week passes by. Summer is coming by, and with it a few more tales of Thulyandiv. Or something. 
  • Now, just some addition, some commentary for the lore segment. As I mentioned before, made a move that somewhat eases my job of outlining, but also a bit complicated. For a long time, wanted uniform parts that serve some function beyond just being decorative elements. In the past, there was an attachable stripe of sorts that would emit a light, and that to some extent still exists (for those lazy to conjure a mage/wisp light), but also there are stuff like this spear stripe of the Skjaldmaeriths. 
  • In overall, their coat also resembles the Drengriarh’s (so it was partially an introduction to their new coat), but with some changes, like the rib textured collar (that may or may not be coated in silvern layer with a film sheen). For the southern assassins, detachable “choking scarfs” will be part of their belts [inspired by the Stranglers of the Black Company, and possibly the Thugee, but this one I’m not a 100% sure on], and Varangriaths and similar berserker type castes may have gloves that support their tendency for hand-to-hand combat. 
  • Also, still not sure if I continue calling Hussars, well hussars or add some nauheimian suffix to it.
  • Regarding the Purification Crusades, these will be one facet of the Records of War tales. For the time being, these will take place on Votum Prime [which will get its own piece in the coming weeks]. But will plan to expand on, as time goes on. 
  • Now for progress. This week was mostly outlining and editing in short. For outlining, I began the early stuff (characters, some background, new factions and so on) for the July Story. Possibly the last three or four chapter long story (besides the two longer in August and December). In its basic theme, will be similar to next month’s, with the main setting being an island resort west of Wyruthrin, South of Maurnia, involving some fantasy communist agent or agents attempting an assassination on the Twilight-Princess (Daughter of the Grand Princess) of Wyruthrin. And will have a shifting structure, similar to the first tale of this year. With a mixture of Dusk Weaver Coven and Wondrous Coven members. Possibly. Not sure yet, still. 
  • Beyond that, also started ‘designing’ their uniforms, which I will share some elements with the Black Roses and Snow-Scaled. Likewise, started working on the Lunate Lotuses, and the main setting of the December story. Most of it will take place on an underwater research station, which design and lack of corridors made me waste last night on writing it. The other half will focus on Astrydril, possibly in some perilous situation involving some amount of silky rope and sealing tape. So that I can place Lyanrei in the spotlight.
  • In terms of editing, did some adjustments for the Revision, regarding Astrydril (still not wholly sure in her looks, some elements of it). But also progressed, edited the fourth, will begin working on the fifth next week alongside the June story that still misses some parts from its ending.
  • Lastly, before bidding farewell, also decided that in September, October, and November I’ll just write short, single chapter tales. Some Bound Diaries, some lewdish Shadow Archives, and maybe for this October, will write less gruesome stories, after all I feel this month’s story got plenty dark enough. Selindrae will also get some story, to reintroduce her before the end of the year. Some bounty hunting tale maybe, short and can have a rival to tie her up. 
  • Anyhow, that is enough rambling for this week. Till next Sunday, take care folks and have a pleasant week!