Drowning is Easy

Hello hello :two_hearts: with a theme like “Ocean”, it was nearly impossible not to enter. I had so many ideas for what to do for today’s trial but ultimately ended up going with the flow and just doing something that came naturally to me, which is tying in some Greyjoy / Ironborn lore into some writing with some aesthetics. For the Moodboard created, my main inspiration was the Ironborn baptism rite. For some reason, this concept is unshakable to me and I’m always tempted to return to it.

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Drowning is Easy

When Yara reflected on her baptism, the day was particularly rainy and the seas were rough and unforgiving, much like they had been that day. The sea was something enchanting and transfixing to most Ironborn, and perhaps even more so to Yara. Though she was not exactly a follower of the Drowned God, it was only natural for her to go through the rite as the Reaper’s daughter.

Drowning was easy. The ocean was what she understood; it was predictable whereas people were not. If the waves were rough, then they would push you down below. That wasn’t to say that a calm and tranquil looking current was to be trusted, however. The ocean could change in an instant. In a single breath, her waves could suffocate one if they allowed them to.

The error that most made was panicking, which Yara found to be humorous as they were meant to be people of strong faith. The sea demands to be respected, and whether the one with their head below the surface agrees to it or not, they will be forced to show her that respect. When water fills the lungs is when most begin to lose it; they crumble and drop like flies when air is taken away. Not Yara. She ed the moment clearly when her heart slowed the beating in her chest and relaxation, a tranquility, washed over her. Salt water replaced the air in her lungs as she was held beneath the water, and all was well within her world. To give herself entirely to the sea and become one with it felt right, as it was the sea that Yara found herself more enamored with than the ideals of the Drowned Men.

They say a woman, nor a godless man, can sit upon the Seastone Chair. Yara scoffed at the very idea, while continuing to reminisce on the way the ocean looked from beneath the surface. She, a godless woman, would take the Seastone Chair without doubt. It was she who would command men, much like the sea commanded her. Yara wished for one of the drowned priests to hold her head in the unforgiving ocean once again, for clarity. For peace. For guidance, and answers. Perhaps even if the Drowned God himself left his watery halls to whisper truth to her while drowning, then she would listen.

Drowning was easy. Living was hard.

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Progress & Proof

App used: PicsArt

Time taken: 60 minutes (including writing)

Process: After finding pictures that reflected the mood I was hoping to achieve, I rearranged them and played with the filters so they would look a *little* bit more uniform. Then I added brush strokes to give a dynamic “old” picture feel, an overlay to make it look rainy, and a grey background because the color seemed to fit the best.

Proof & Progress

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As always, thank you for reading :two_hearts: I apologize if the theme seems a bit somber; I’ll certainly make brighter ones in the future. It seemed fitting to be somber for a Halloween challenge this time!