Faroff Author Notes #1

Topic: Vaylin/Sona and Gay relationships

Ok! So I thought now that we FINALLY have gotten some more lore about their countries, I could talk about why their laws are the way they are.

This is for after ep 70, so if you haven't read that yet you can skip this and come back!

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Just fyi, this might be a bit upsetting to some readers because of how backwards their policies are. Just wanted to let you know and proceed with caution if you are not in the headspace for it.

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The reason both Vaylin and Sona have restrictions on gay relationships is very totalitarian. Both of their countries are in a war based economy, so all their laws revolve around it as well.

For Sona, their main priority is having more soldiers. In the mind of their King (who is a dictator), gay relationships do not produce children and therefore are 'not valid' to him. This is why it has been outlawed. Orphans would go to military training schools if they had no other family. As for women who could not/do not want children, I think there would probably be a tax placed on them to aid the war effort. The King and his policies are all meant to increase his army and that is it.


For Vaylin, their reasoning is similar. They want more soldiers for their war effort. However, instead of outright banning it, they put a social status level on it. Meaning for the upper class, gay relationships are allowed. But for the poor (who mostly make up their grunt soldier population), they will never have that option. They also have more incentives to HAVE children (if you see their laws in ep 70, one of them shows how having more children will raise your social status).


Lastly (and I hope this is obvious to everyone) I do NOT in any way agree with these politics. I am very pro LGBTQIA+ rights and marriage (I am a pansexual woman myself). The 'enemy' of this story IS the war, how that has affected their governments and how that in turn has been affecting Fenn and Tobi their entire lives. In this space without war or other people, they are able to work through their trauma together and navigate what it means to be outside of their brainwashing (especially Fenn). (Also, and I've said this before, this story is NOT a tragedy, I promise! 💕).


There will be more info about their countries and the reason for their war as the story goes on, but I hope this answers some questions. And if you have any other questions, please feel free to ask below! I'll try to answer without spoilers.