And All The Prince's Men - Blog Posts

Masterpost for my IwaOi centric Haikyu Royalty/Fantasy-AU fanfiction “All the King’s Blades”

-> Read on AO3 HERE

Up Next: Chapter 2 || Status: *I really, really swear I am working on it, okay >.<’’*

The man allowed his eyes to travel across the land unknown to him. The revival of a gifted dynasty, the awakening of an angel, the birth of a healthy demonic halfling and the rising whispers between the trees and the wind. So many centuries after his own kind had been hunted and banished from these lands - Magic was returning to Miyagi. And no one could foresee what would follow it

After their daring coup d'etat and ascending the throne of Aoba Johsai, Iwaizumi believes him and Oikawa deserve a little break. But the universe doesn't seem to be willing to grant them one. From Prince Tobio hitting puberty, a rapidly rising Karasuno and tensions in all of Miyagi, to owls and cats messing with them - and in between trying to stay alive and together, the past is catching up to them.

This fanfiction was inspired by @findingschmomo‘s amazing work “And All the Prince’s Men” and can be considered a continuation of their story, although by now I have fallen so in love with it, I created a whole ton of my own lore around the scenario they created. I highly advise reading their work first, so you know the character dynamic and also because it is freaking amazing, but I guess with a little bit of headwork you don’t necessarily have to.

Additional contents:

Map of Miyagi (+ Continental Lore)

High Council Chambers (Scenery Art) Ten Prayers (Landscape/Scenery Art)

Sanctum of Kings—Temple of Death (Suga + Karasuno lore) The Torch Carrier (more Suga)

Coats of Arms (+ Lore on individual Nations) - Karasuno & Aoba Johsai - Dateko & Shiratorizawa - Nekoma & Fukurodani

Character Designs (+ Lore on Characters and Mythology) - Oikawa & Iwaizumi - Suga & Daichi - Kageyama & Hinata 

Sheet three of my Haikyuu Royalty AU crowns and blades For better understanding read have a look at these first: -> Page 1: DaiSuga & Info on Karasuno and Crow Steel -> Page 2: IwaOi & Info on Aoba Johsai

-> AU Masterpost

((I am currently thinking about making one more mixed sheet featuring Futakuchi and Ushijima but I don't know yet - I feel like I should do the main Tokyo characters too, but somehow I can't get a good picture of their gear other than a few headcanons (maybe I will post just those without any art, don’t know yet)))

More Info on this page below the cut:

Details on Hinata's stuff: - he first had only one crow steel blade that he named "sun" but ever since he met Prince Bokuto of Fukurodani he is training duel wield and has added another identical blade made from normal steel that he engraved "crow" (in refernce to his fathers blade, wich bears the same symbol) - with 60cm (23.6 inch) they are both very short and broader at the tip, in adjustment to his body hight and making up for both offense and defense - the sheaths can either be worn, strapped to his thighs or crossed over his back - his crown is dominated by a sun emblem, in reference to his nickname the "Sun Prince" - the ornament is made from gold and features a large piece of amber surrounded by several tiny tourmalines - the base ring is made from copper, in refernce to his dad and the fact that he too is of common heritage Details on Kageyama's stuff: - he was offered to have a new blade made for him, using crow steel but he choose to keep his Seijoh made blade - in contrast to his brother’s and father’s weapons however the design is kept very simple without any elaborate decorations - with 115cm (aprox 45.2) the longsword's blade is average, the handle however is longer than common, so it can be wielded with both hands comfortably - a gradidierite is inset into the knob and a blue diamond into the heft - the scafford is lined with steel and adorned by an oak tree whichs roots hold two tiny saphires - unlike his sword he choose to get a new crown - it is made from several strings of white gold, silver and steel wrapped around a ring of crow steel and made to resemble roots - they hold a larger tourmaline and a smaler grandidierite

Okay so I have been put into absolute design hell - I just can't stop designing stuff u.u''

Sooooooooo here are MORE designs for my Haikyuu Royalty AU 

Currently there is a large bus strike in my area and I am frozen out of university about every other day so I have a LOT of spare time and yeah - expect more stuff, I think my brain is broken - I just can’t stop. Help -

-> Page 2: IwaOi design & Info on Seijoh -> Page 3: KageHina designs

More Info on the Designs and some overall head canons below the cut:

Bit of background & Info: - Karasuno's religion is centered around the figure of death or more specifically the Angel of Death: Azrael - Their dead are burned to allow their spirits to be free and return to the flow of energy within the earth - Traitors or criminals are typically executed and/or drowned, then thrown into a river in opposition to being burned, so that they will be trapped in this realm and never find elevation - this way it is believed the flow within the earth will be cleansed by keeping the bad elements from returning - Thus they do not have graves, all tough little memorials can be build for the deceased - typically by using their weapon as a marker (if they were a warrior or died in battle) - Kings are always remembered through "Blade and Crown" - both are taken to the temple, the most sacred place in the country  - the temple is a deeply spiritual place and only crowned members of the royal family are allowed into the central sanctum, where the crowns and blades of former kings rest - it is also considered the place where the Angel of Death resides  - this also means that there is no universal crown, every prince or princess receives a unique one upon coronation/confirmation - Princes/Princesses must be confirmed (usually around the age of 10/12, latest at their grand debut) and are crowned in a special ceremony, most times followed by public celebrations - before they are crowned, they are considered royalty but are not subject to royal privileges and do not hold royal authority

Crow Steel: - one of the rarest metals on the Miyagi continent - traces and low amounts have been found in both Dateko and Wakunan but most reserves lie within Karasuno borders - hence the name  - forging it is a rare skill, almost exclusive to the finest smiths of Karasuno - while otherwise an open country, the crows are very protective over this particular knowledge - Crow Steel needs to be sharpened less often than normal steel and is rumored to be unbreakable (in fact it can be damaged but only under immense force, that humans are usually not capable off) - when forged correctly and cooled, it usually takes a dark blue, blackish color and is famous for its copper reflections - since it is extremely rare in comparison to ordinary steel, it is reserved mostly for the royal family and important figures - while there are trinkets and accessories made from this material, it is mostly used to forge blades - once in a century and only on very special occasions, crow steel products are given to foreigners as a sign of trust - rumors have it, that it combines the arcane qualities of pure iron and silver, hence being able to inflict mortal injuries on beings without corporal form and every other creature that would normally not be harmed by an ordinary blade

Details on Suga's stuff: - his blade, like most royal blades, is forged from crow steel - the sheath is made out of hardened leather and adorned by a metal crow - the sword is engraved with the kanji for crow - with 105 cm (roughly 41.3 inches) it is of medium length - the handle however is longer than average, allowing it to be flexibly handled - this makes him a fast and flexible fighter, but also vulnerable since he can't carry a shield effectively - it also suitable for being thrown like a knife - the form of the blade is rather unusual for Miyagi and leans more into the style that is common in Tokyo and on the island nation of Johzenji - his crown is made from silver and complimented with amber trinkets, hanging from the right side - the second ring is made to resemble a halo, in reference to his nickname "The Indomitable" and "Angel of Death" (he earned this name through his deep connection with the sanctum and for being its official warden)

Details on Daichi's stuff: - his blade too, is made from crow steel and decorated with a crow - he wields a spear with a cross blade, allowing both attack and a solid defense - with its three blades the spear can be used to both cut and stab, so it can be used both as primary weapon and in combination with a shield - in total it measures 185cm (apron. 73.8 inches) and is rather large, especially considering the blade to shaft ratio - it requires strength to wield, due to its unusual focal point, but is still perfectly balanced and considering the size - very light - the wooden shaft has a steel core so it doesn't break - the top is usually protected by a simple, plain leather cover - the crown is made from bronze and simple in its design - it was chosen to visualize his solidity, stability and still respect his common heritage 

It’s Tokyo time <.< 

-> AU Masterpost

-> Batch 1: Aoba Johsai & Karasuno -> Batch 2: Shiratorizawa & Dateko

More info below the cut:

Nekoma: - "We are the Blood - Connect, Flow & Flourish" - Two cats, third eye and jewel on red, white and black ground - Main Export: Fish, Agricultural Products, Jewelry - Struggling country on the Tokyo continent, although since joining the Fukurodani Alliance they have been steadily expanding and gaining in influence - not much is known about the country and its traditions - Nekoma has, as most nations in Tokyo a deep rooting connection to the arcane, but no specific religion - the most commonly recognized deity is the three eyes Goddess, who allegedly founded the royal family during the First Age, her creed is focussing on honesty and reliability

Fukurodani: - “Focus of the Mind and Heart” - Owl, crown and crossed swords on gold, black and white ground - Main Export: Crops, Wood, low-grade Ore (mostly zink, bronze and copper) - Central power of the Fukurodani Alliance and competitor for the most influential country own the Tokyo continent - Great military strength - Fukurodani too is very closely connected to the inhuman and supernatural, although they take a more political and less religious approach to interacting with the arcane - there are many pockets actively worshipping specific temples, the largest being the Church of Three Suns but even it is not influential or important enough to be considered having a large impact

Have a better quality version and the option to download it here: Nekoma & Fukurodani

Okay so, so far those are all - I have more ideas (specifically for Wakunan and Johzenji) but none of them will play a significant role in my continuation and are more minor mentions so idk if I’ll draw them too. (Let me know tough if you want to see them or any other teams/kingdoms - if you do I will probably do them)

Second Batch of my coat of arms designs 

-> AU Masterpost

-> Batch 1: Aoba Johsai & Karasuno -> Batch 3: Nekoma & Fukurodani

More Info below the cut:

Shiratorizawa: - “Intense Force, Rich Harvest” - Eagle holding corn crops and Swan holding arrows on purple ground - Main Export: Tea, Beef, a very wide variety of agricultural products - Country with both the most surface area and the greatest political influence - Shiratorizawa has many small pockets with unique religion and folklore but they all unite under the temple of the harvest goddess -  it is not an official state religion even tough most of the population follows it and the festivities are state supported

Dateko: - “Iron Wall & Iron Will” - Fortress and Bramble branches on green and grey ground - Main Export: Stone, various ores and metals - Considered the oldest still existing kingdom in Miyagi (in a close tie with Karasuno), famous for masonry - Dateko is probably the most secretive country on the continent and little to nothing is knows about their religion, only that they worship the earth and the stone - the people seem to be very invested and deeply religious although details rarely leave the country and they are not eager to discuss their believes with outsiders

These came way faster than I anticipated, since I didn’t know that there was a bus strike in my area today and I couldn’t go to university (not that I am very bummed about missing my super boring english course).

Check better quality and a downloadable version here: Shiratorizawa & Dateko

A while back I read the truly amazing Haikyuu fan fiction And All the Prince’s Men by @findingschmomo.

And ever since, I had the inane desire to continue and expand the universe they created. So recently I asked and they gave me permission to do so and while I am currently trying to focus on my own works I really really want to put my ideas into writing some time. 

But to let off some creative steam in the mean time (and because my obligatory English classes are really freaking boring) I decided to sketch out my ideas for the kingdom banners/coats of arms and outline some head canons.

-> Batch 2: Dateko & Shiratorizawa -> Batch 3: Nekoma & Fukurodani

-> AU Masterpost

More Info below the cut:

Aoba Johsai:  - “Rule a Court of Thorns” - Willow Tree, Sword and Gemstones on turquoise and white ground - Main export: Jewelry, Flowers, Agricultural Products - Strong country with a lot of influence in Miyagi - Famous for their military strength - Aoba Johsai is the cultural center of the Miyagi continent and has been for centuries - due to the strong influence from travelers and scholars they are a rather scientific country without a common or state religion and rather many little scattered churches and temples

Karasuno: - “Rise, Fly High & Fight” - Three crows, crossed torches on black and orange ground - Main export: Quills, Meat Buns, Crow Steel (one of the rarest metals in Miyagi, said to have arcane qualities) - One of the smallest kingdoms on the Miyagi continent, lately rising rapidly in strength - Has a long and deep reaching relation to the arcane and religion, wich mainly focuses around the figure of death (thus the crossed torches, a common symbol for a gateway to the realm of the dead)

So I already apologize for the crappy lineart and my horrible handwriting but as I said I made those during courses and well yeah ^-^'’ Hope you like them, maybe I will make some more for the other “Important” players (being Shiratorizawa, Dateko, Fukurodani and Nekoma) - tell me if you’re interested.

You can look at better quality and download here:  Aoba Johsai and Karasuno