pretty bird, pretty bird, i know youre hurting but so am i

SAGAU: My Style

Back at it again with sharing my personal ideas with the Self-Aware Genshin AU. I don't see myself writing a full-on fanfic about it because I do NOT trust myself with characterizing everybody properly, and some of the ideas I have in mind wouldn't make for a good universal experience for all, if that makes sense. So, instead, I'll just stick to pitching like I'm at a silly ol' business meeting and providing a simply layout. Now, keep in mind, this is going to focus more on my rendition of an Imposter AU specifically, which means I'm also going to do a little nitpicking of some common tropes in it that I find could be done better or even differently. It won't be me saying that anybody who writes them in the traditional sense is bad or doing a bad job, just what I'd do differently. So, without further ado, check out my mish-mushed ideas below the cut:

It all starts with the Creator Themsleves, aka, us. Or, rather, us before we became us. Not making sense? That's fine, but lemme delve into that a little better. Game lore-wise for this AU, there actually was a fully existing, fully breathing Creator that's been around since even before the Archons (but not by too much; Zhongli's still no spring chicken in spite of this). Yes, they did create Teyvat and all that's good in it like the flora, the fauna, and the creatures, and they had a close bond with said Archons not just as people serving, advising, and worshipping their God/ruler, but also in a legitimate friendship (so, no, they're not 100% subservient or gutless ass-kissers-- it's more of an equal dynamic). Maybe one Archon of your choice (within reason) being close enough to the point of being (secret) lovers, if you'd like. Such explains the Archons' deep attachment to the Creator, and their eagerness to see them again after tragedy-- like, say, the Cataclysm that razed Khaenri'ah-- renders them comatose and not to awaken again until present day. Until then, the Creator's body lies safely in sleep like Princess Aurora within their main temple/palace, occasionally visited by their old companions (minus Ei, who's in her hidey-hole until the Inazuma AQ's, but that goes without saying).

But, just before they do wake up, here comes a little (presumably Celestia-sent) POS known as the Imposter, who worms their way into the temple where the Creator lies, steals their garbs and replaces them with normal, less divine attire before sending their body far away apparently never to be seen again and lying on that resting spot acting as the Creator on the verge of waking up. And since no one knows what really happened, it looks like the promised day has come without issues, and the Imposter is welcomed by nearly all back to a throne that never actually belonged to them. As for the actual Creator... they're in good hands, because Teyvat would never mistake another for the All-Parent that breathed life into it and acts to protect their body hidden amidst nature in whatever region they landed in (your choice) until they really do wake up.

And when our in-game body does wake up, our real-life consciousness is transferred into it and overwrites our old, godly memories with our normal ones. Since I can't stand isekais that require us dying an early death IRL (like, at all, actually), we're either magically transported to Teyvat the old-fashioned magic way, or part of our consciousness goes into our in-universe body and leaves our physical forms in reality alone, thereby creating two versions of us going around two separate worlds. For better wording, that is, but that's the gist of it. Either way, we're the real deal Creator, but one without our old memories (apart from short visions we get of our old divine life that come up every now and again) as far as everyone else in Teyvat is concerned. They're not totally wrong, anyway. I was thinking this could be justified to everyone by our "past self" saying pre-slumber that they will reawaken without the knowledge of this world (aka, the Genshin one), but it will still very much be them/us.

By the way, when we stumble into the main town or city of whatever region we wound up in, the locals don't just immediately attack us for looking like the Imposter. While sometimes, I do enjoy kicking back and enjoying pure angst, I otherwise found that aspect of Villain/Imposter!SAGAU to be, comment dit-on... absurd, especially with nobody in Mondstadt (outside of that one nun not buying it and simply scolding him) giving two honks about Venti despite him looking like (being) Barbatos, and nobody in Liyue even noticing the resemblance between Zhongli and Rex Lapis/Morax. And given how much those nations revere their god, the argument of us being a higher deity cannot be made. So, instead, at absolute worst, people are just really unnerved by the uncanny resemblance we have to the Creator, but otherwise don't get alarmed... until the Imposter catches wind of us and changes that. The reason people start attacking us at all is because the Imposter weaves a forewarning of the Creator's antithesis equal to them in power known as the "Destroyer" will descend on Teyvat, attempt to steal the throne using the Creator's face, and do worse to the world than the Abyss Order ever could try to if not stopped. And, this may sound like something they just made up to get us killed, but in a way... it's true, only issue is that the acolytes + citizens have the wrong idea of who's who, of course. Plus, the actual, all-powerful Creator, if pushed too far by say... an incredibly lengthy and traumatic manhunt after being mistaken for the Destroyer, is capable of tearing the world limb from limb, because those who create can as easily destroy, but those who destroy can never create.

Speaking of "all-powerful"... why are we always completely powerless in these SAGAU works apart from crying and/or getting really angry (which ARE realistic and valid reactions to the shit we're going through, but it's not mutually exclusive to getting cool abilities)? Because we're not actually from Teyvat? Even Aether and Lumine have the power to wield the elements despite coming from somewhere else, and for us to not get that same honor is frankly dull as dishwater. That's a lot of missed potential to dip into the fantasy aspect of a fantasy game like Genshin Impact. It's here I'd like to take some inspiration from a show I've enjoyed for years known as none other than "Avatar: The Last Airbender". Not to mention, the term "avatar" generally refers to a "divine incarnation in human form", hello??? Ahem! In other words, instead of being completely incapable of defending ourselves, we-- being the almighty Creator-- are able to wield all seven elements at once, but we have to gradually learn how to effectively use and master them. We do start with one element (any of your choice), then work our way up in order of the loading screen. IE: say your element is Cryo, you'd have to go Geo -> Pyro -> Hydro -> Anemo -> Electro -> Dendro. Such was the same in our past life, but we had the Archons to teach us and help us master those abilities through time.

Which means now, we need other people to help us do it again in our new "incarnation", and that's in the form of 5-star Vision holders since they fit the bill of "master" a bit better, being the rarer, stronger characters and junk. Of course, this is likely with discretion, because some might not be wise to learn from (such as Klee, funny as that'd be). I'm also discounting learning from the Archons because not only has our time with them from the previous life passed, but I don't find it fair to learn from a powerful god of that element, even if we're a god ourselves. It's more balanced learning from someone beneath that level (so, yes, an adeptus would still qualify). Also, important note here: not every single playable character is going to try and kill us for the Creator-Destroyer thing. NPCs are one thing because, let's be real, they're sheep, but it isn't realistic or in-character for everybody playable to want us dead. While a fair chunk would probably be on board for the sake of not letting the world blow to smithereens (and not because, you know, Same Face Syndrome, because that's completely insane), some might not outright believe the alleged prophecy for one reason or another, such as not being fond/trusting enough of the apparent "Creator" to just listen to them right off the bat, or getting to already find out who the real Creator is and knowing we're not the enemy. Whatever the reason is, we're going to have allies, including ones that join us in our quest to defeat the Imposter and take back the throne to restore balance to Teyvat. This can also include those who initially sided with the Imposter, but for one reason or another such as seeing our gold blood, they have a change of heart and tag along for the ride. For us to just go about Teyvat on the lam with nobody having our back is just... depressing, and not even in the fun way, either. I understand this faction of SAGAU tends to be purely angst-based, but come on, it doesn't have to all be a total bummer all the time. There's no rule that says we can't go through the angsty, heartwrenching stuff with traveling companions to call our own there for us through it all.

Now, of course, whoever those traveling companions are is really up to you because not all of us are gonna wanna tag up with and learn from the same bitches as the next guy. So, it's anybody's game with anybody's reasoning and circumstances (such as which region we wake up in, who our first companion(s) would be there, then which region we move onto, and even what element we have to learn next). Also, fitting the max. number of characters you can have on one team, it'd just be four actively traveling alongside us through Teyvat with other allies remaining where they are, whether they helped us master an element or not. But, no matter anybody's personal tastes and choices, I really wish there was more of a thrilling "fantastical group adventure" kind of element to this genre of SAGAU, because the potential is there, just-- seldom reached, from what I've seen, personally. I'd be more than happy adding onto this with anything I might have missed, but that's basically the gist of my view of this AU.

Newfound Adventure!

(this is, of course, a redraw of the official FFXIV key art for 6.1)

camp drybone is a horror setting. poor people starve there. corpses in the streets. desicatting under the desert sun. abductions every single day. a rapist lurks in the bar. amnesiac guy tending the graveyard. the player is tasked with carrying corpses around. navigating the place is impossible. hildibrand manderville was buried here,

The Dosric Siblings, AKA my two Tavs I'm gonna play with at launch:

doing your own version of a “Newfound Adventure” was a thing for a while on twitter

this batch is older so it has my son’s older hairstyle lol

i really…..really love to draw my WoL lmao

thirst traps(?) edition (???)

Hello everyone! I would like you to meet the little guy I have been working on for the past week :)

His name is Mareczek, Blade of Olimar (A.K.A Marek), and as you can see, he is a Yellow Pikmin.

He is pale because I created him in a fit of creative malaise and hellsite-related frustration, and was too impatient to wait before I could get the right shade of yellow yarn. I ran out, and that's why he has this sick graft-arm instead.

I like to think he lost it valiantly in battle, narrowly escaping the jaws of death. "Rendered Unto Mars" indeed 💖

More details beneath the cut~

I did the flower by hacking a coaster-tutorial the very talented Mhalee's Crochet put up on Youtube, doing a row of triple-crochets over each of the petals-- It was so, so very janky. I filled the in the gaps by the edge in tying up the ends; the sewing is what gives it its shape and I'm honestly surprised it looks this good.

I made the floret-disc separately. Also! If you look closely in the main pictures, you'll spot the calyx :) I made using the Summer Flox flower by Pora Pora Crochet on Youtube. She has so many lovely tutorials, it's insane.

Little test flower, with my lovely cat for reference. Ended up being wayyy too small for Marek himself(thus the coaster-hacking), but it's be perfect for smaller Pikmin.

Also, as one final note:

I have this to thank for spurring me into action. Marek did end up needing a wash at one point(alas, it is why he is so baggy), so this meme has well and truly been fulfilled.

I hope you're happy, 4chan Anon. Marek has you to thank for his existence.

Bugboy !!

(repost from Twitter)

I drew my ffxiv wol, Cabernet, in the Newfound Adventure promo art! 😍😍 He is ready for his newfound adventure! 🥺❤️

intothefrisson Twitter/Insta

Linework for a redraw of the Newfound Adventure patch art, which I did around the leadup to patch 6.1... I never got round to colouring it (maybe I will, one day!) but I think just the lineart looks quite nice!

Forget fanfiction, follow me if you want to follow an anxious 40 year old queer woman's first adventures in dating

POST ENDWALKER HEAR ME OUT!!!!!!

Relaxing in the Azim Steppe where no one will recognise them.

no but if i were nero i would have wanted to punch this smirky face so bad too. most slappable face in all of garlemald

At the time of your journey to the past, the one whose essence I embody would have been a scholar at Anyder. A shame. Had you reason to go there, perhaps you might have met... ...I “remember” joining her faction as the Final Days bore down upon us... -The Watcher, “Omega: Beyond the Rift” quests, Endwalker 6.1.

On the original trip to Mare Lamentorum, the Warrior of Light meets The Watcher, a creation of Hydaelyn patterned off Her memories of an old friend, set to watch over Zodiark’s imprisonment. During the Omega chain in “Newfound Adventures” we learn more of the Watcher and the ancient man he is a memory of, and why he is still here. Like so much else of Shadowbringers and Endwalker, it is a story of friendship and love.

Brief transcripts from Shadowbringers “Beneath the Surface” and Endwalker “Goodbye, ε̆│̆│Δ“ below the cut.

Diplomatic Ancient One: Venat, please... Why must it be you? Diplomatic Ancient One: If I may speak plainly, I would sooner it were another─any other. You are our leader. None can take your place. Venat: You know as well as I that but few support our cause. Far fewer than they who place their faith in Zodiark. Venat: If Hydaelyn is to stand a chance of opposing Him, I am the only one who might suffice as Her heart. Venat: Rest assured, however: I shall not vanish from this world. The form I take shall ever remain my choice. Diplomatic Ancient One: ...Then I will press you no more. Only know this...you will be sorely missed. Diplomatic Ancient One: I wonder...is this how the Convocation felt about Elidibus?

-Beneath the Surface, Shadowbringers 5.2, post-Anyder.

The Watcher: At the time of your journey to the past, the one whose essence I embody would have been a scholar at Anyder. A shame. Had you reason to go there, perhaps you might have met. The Watcher: As a man of learning, he was firm friends with Venat. They spent long hours trading theories, or debating the laws of the universe. The Watcher: I “remember” joining her faction as the Final Days bore down upon us. Yet of the events surrounding that tragedy, I recall precious little. The Watcher: Hydaelyn wished for the people of your age to decide their own path, thus I suspect my recollection was limited by design. The Watcher: Yet even She could not cut away one persistent memory... The Watcher: I feel most distinctly his sadness at what was to come to pass. That in becoming Hydaelyn's heart, Venat would forever stand apart from the people she so loved. The Watcher: If she were so resolved in her convictions, then he, too, would share her sleepless vigil over the future yet to unfold. Thus was the vow he made to Venat as her transformation took hold. The Watcher: His fervent wish must have reached her in some fashion... For though his life was drained away by the summoning, he was reborn with new form and new purpose when I awoke as the watcher of the moon. The Watcher: And you heard, [WoL]. You felt. You thought. And in seizing the future for yourselves have you brought full circle the saga which Venat began. The Watcher: What you accomplished was no divine miracle. It was but the beacon of hope, passed down from one generation to the next; a succession of wishes and prayers reshaping the star into the world we knew you deserved. The Watcher: You have our deepest gratitude. I thank you not only as myself, but as the man I once was, and on behalf of those who devoted themselves to Venat's vision.

- Goodbye, ε̆│̆│Δ , Endwalker 6.1, “Omega: Beyond the Rift” quests.