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From a thematic and artistic point of view the feathered earmuff/headbands and the hair clips Gwendolyn wears when not in armor are easy to justify and explain. On a lore wise side it's yet another thing of vaguey Mc'Noanswers.
And like many things I have two sets of headcanon depending on if the feathers are actually like their wings and attached to them or just decorations with culture significance.
Magical attachments:
Much like the wings that aide them in flight the small wings upon their heads act like natural coverings for their ears. From wind, cold, and weapons the closed in ear muff form protects the sides of their heads and thus takes away the need for actual helmets. Especially as to be struck from the back is a cowardly move and if you are struck head on then you are facing an honorable death. Most valkyrie never really have these wings move from this configuration as they are always soldiers ready for battle. Thus the wings are forever protecting and shielding from an attack that could happen.
Thus why when Gwendolyn wears her mother's dress her wings unfurl and open almost like a flower. They still protect ears in the event she decides to fly, but the dress reminds her they weren't always at war and in Gwendolyn's heart of hearts she's made for a more gentler life then one full of death and battles despite her upbringing and spine of steel. Thus the wings are open as they unconsciously feel that want to be at peace and not need to raise a spear, even for a few moments, to fight. Something that likely made her awakening the first time around Oswald even more confusing since her inborn magic feels safe when they should have furled in since she had been married to an enemy. (The fact they are unfurled when Onyx stole her is due to her being under that sleep spell so not aware of anything.)
The lack of movement and 'emoting' is also a clear indication of how Ragnanival society has the valkyrie keeping a tight hold on emotions even inwardly so as not to give away anything that would crack their stoic warrior facade. Which means there is a chance that in her time married to Oswald Gwendolyn has become more comfortable being open and expressive and thus her wings will rustle and furl as slight indications of her mood.
Hair Ornaments
There was a time when Valkyrie wore helmets like the land bound males of Ragnanival, but such limits ones view and causes problems when you think in more then four directions. Yet some form of protection was needed for at least part of their heads against the elements and attacks. Which was why when it was seen how much their wings, and the feathers that compose their wings, could take that someone realized the inherent magic of said wings didn't fade when they would fall out due to grooming or growth. (Not say that someone could construct a fake pair of wings and gain flight as the residue magic is not enough to achieve flight.) Thus the creation of feathered head wear in which to keep ears from being deafened by rushing wind and give some protection from harm be it natural or an enemy.
Likely there is a great deal of significance in regards to constructing these headbands when a Valkyrie is first allowed on a battlefield since all wear their own feathers. Which may also mean there is likely some etiquette and taboo over wearing feathers of someone else. Thus Gwendolyn's hair clips she wears outside of her armor are likely an oddity and looked down upon by others since such a style is all but obsolete with how long Ragnanival has been in one war or another with rarely any stretches of peace between them. Likely another aspect of her mother she had created and used in hopes of gaining a smile from her father by reminding him of her as much as possible.
While some protection is given to her ears, it's hardly enough for anything then a casual and quick flight, let alone able to withstand a drawn out skirmish or journey. Hardly something a proud valkyrie should wear when they should always be ready and willing to enter the battlefield.
Thoughts on feathers in canon and in a game
Likely in the distant past the feathers that were collected after grooming may have been traded to outsiders for supplies as the glow and slight magical property within the wings would garner some interest from nobles wishing to make a fashion statement or alchemists looking to make a new potion. A practice that was quickly stopped when Ragnanival became an actual nation and not various clans. There may even have been whispers of a practice to give something with feathers interlaced within as charms of protection to non valkyrie in hopes that small bit of magic could help aide the other in being victorious in battle.
Thus in a realm where she may need to revive old practices out of necessity and not have the expectations of being a perfect valkyrie on her shoulders, Gwendolyn would likely start to use the feathers she loses as items to possibly use in trade for small but needed items. If she truly becomes comfortable within a realm and truly worries about new acquaintances small tokens as well may be made to tuck discreetly in a bag as a small boost of luck in conflict.
The more intricate well made the more value and worry she places in the one she is giving such to.
And like many things I have two sets of headcanon depending on if the feathers are actually like their wings and attached to them or just decorations with culture significance.
Much like the wings that aide them in flight the small wings upon their heads act like natural coverings for their ears. From wind, cold, and weapons the closed in ear muff form protects the sides of their heads and thus takes away the need for actual helmets. Especially as to be struck from the back is a cowardly move and if you are struck head on then you are facing an honorable death. Most valkyrie never really have these wings move from this configuration as they are always soldiers ready for battle. Thus the wings are forever protecting and shielding from an attack that could happen.
Thus why when Gwendolyn wears her mother's dress her wings unfurl and open almost like a flower. They still protect ears in the event she decides to fly, but the dress reminds her they weren't always at war and in Gwendolyn's heart of hearts she's made for a more gentler life then one full of death and battles despite her upbringing and spine of steel. Thus the wings are open as they unconsciously feel that want to be at peace and not need to raise a spear, even for a few moments, to fight. Something that likely made her awakening the first time around Oswald even more confusing since her inborn magic feels safe when they should have furled in since she had been married to an enemy. (The fact they are unfurled when Onyx stole her is due to her being under that sleep spell so not aware of anything.)
The lack of movement and 'emoting' is also a clear indication of how Ragnanival society has the valkyrie keeping a tight hold on emotions even inwardly so as not to give away anything that would crack their stoic warrior facade. Which means there is a chance that in her time married to Oswald Gwendolyn has become more comfortable being open and expressive and thus her wings will rustle and furl as slight indications of her mood.
There was a time when Valkyrie wore helmets like the land bound males of Ragnanival, but such limits ones view and causes problems when you think in more then four directions. Yet some form of protection was needed for at least part of their heads against the elements and attacks. Which was why when it was seen how much their wings, and the feathers that compose their wings, could take that someone realized the inherent magic of said wings didn't fade when they would fall out due to grooming or growth. (Not say that someone could construct a fake pair of wings and gain flight as the residue magic is not enough to achieve flight.) Thus the creation of feathered head wear in which to keep ears from being deafened by rushing wind and give some protection from harm be it natural or an enemy.
Likely there is a great deal of significance in regards to constructing these headbands when a Valkyrie is first allowed on a battlefield since all wear their own feathers. Which may also mean there is likely some etiquette and taboo over wearing feathers of someone else. Thus Gwendolyn's hair clips she wears outside of her armor are likely an oddity and looked down upon by others since such a style is all but obsolete with how long Ragnanival has been in one war or another with rarely any stretches of peace between them. Likely another aspect of her mother she had created and used in hopes of gaining a smile from her father by reminding him of her as much as possible.
While some protection is given to her ears, it's hardly enough for anything then a casual and quick flight, let alone able to withstand a drawn out skirmish or journey. Hardly something a proud valkyrie should wear when they should always be ready and willing to enter the battlefield.
Likely in the distant past the feathers that were collected after grooming may have been traded to outsiders for supplies as the glow and slight magical property within the wings would garner some interest from nobles wishing to make a fashion statement or alchemists looking to make a new potion. A practice that was quickly stopped when Ragnanival became an actual nation and not various clans. There may even have been whispers of a practice to give something with feathers interlaced within as charms of protection to non valkyrie in hopes that small bit of magic could help aide the other in being victorious in battle.
Thus in a realm where she may need to revive old practices out of necessity and not have the expectations of being a perfect valkyrie on her shoulders, Gwendolyn would likely start to use the feathers she loses as items to possibly use in trade for small but needed items. If she truly becomes comfortable within a realm and truly worries about new acquaintances small tokens as well may be made to tuck discreetly in a bag as a small boost of luck in conflict.
The more intricate well made the more value and worry she places in the one she is giving such to.
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