#Veteran’s Choice Creations
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My longest running Darktide character has a backstory at last
Born on the storm-wracked oceanic world of Incron, Immacena Furonus was no stranger to hardship. From a young age, she honed her skills as a militia lackey for the Planetary Defense Force, learning to survive in the face of relentless rain, howling winds, and treacherous sea creatures. By the time she reached her teens, the call to serve the Emperor burned bright within her, and she enlisted in the Imperial Guard.
Immacena quickly distinguished herself in battle after having saved saved a Castellan of the Incron Guard, who told her that she'd "done him a damned good turn, and now it was his mind to repay her by doing her a damned bad one" by giving her what she'd wished for, and she was transferred to the prestigious Moebian 17th Rifles, nicknamed "The Chosen Men" as a Corporal. Under the stern gaze of Sergeant Diana Vostig, she honed her skills with rifle and knife, earning a reputation as the regiment's best marksman. Her frightening and adept ferocity in hand-to-hand combat with little more than a common combat knife earned her both respect and fear, leading many to dub her "The Incron Fury".
One fateful day, during the brutal assault on Fortress Idarr, Immacena found herself pinned down by enemy fire. Her world turned red as she watched her beloved sergeant charge into the storm of lasfire to save her. Sergeant Vostig made it far enough to cover Immacena's retreat to safety before being fatally wounded by several lasgun shots perforating her abdomen and torso. Diana's sacrifice forever etched a scar upon Immacena's soul, and the Incron Fury swore an oath that day: she would honor Diana's sacrifice by fighting on, by becoming the warrior her fallen sergeant believed she could be. And so she did. Her prowess in battle grew legendary within her unit, her skill with the lasrifle unmatched with peerless marksmanship, able to pick off enemies from seemingly impossible distances with pin prick precision, while she honed her trademark vicious and savage knife-fighting to an almost supernatural degree, often fighting off a dozen or more enemies with the humblest of blades and emerging covered in blood. Her fearsome reputation grew even further, for Immacena was not just a skilled warrior, she was like a force of nature. Unflinching in the face of death, she devoted herself to every single battle with a wild and bloodthirsty ferocity that left even the most hardened veterans from other regiments awestruck. Her battlefield prowess, along with her ability to hold failing fire lines together with a respect that can only be earned and hardened in the trenches, earned her several promotions, including an officer's commission, and she eventually ended up Captain of the Moebian 17th's 3rd Recon Company, "Lamprey Company", consisting of 78 soldiers.
Yet, along with her skill and rapid ascension came a reputation for being a bit of a loose cannon. Immacena tended to speak her mind freely, with her wit sharp and often laced with a touch of morbid humor, though none who served with her ever doubted for a moment her sincere loyalty to her Emperor and Regiment. Unfortunately, the same could not be said for those who did not serve with her.
One day, while complaining about her subpar rations, Immacena made a typically flippant comment that would have dire consequences. During a brief respite, Immacena found herself sharing a ration of corpse starch with officers from another regiment. "This stuff tastes like someone I used to know," she'd quipped with her typical sardonic grin, unaware that the Commissar from the other regiment was within earshot. Such blatant disloyalty and disrespect for the Emperor's bounty could not be tolerated, and despite the protests of her comrades, Immacena was arrested and placed aboard the prison ship "The Tancred Bastion". Bound for the world of Atoma Prime, she faced a future of hard labor and an uncertain fate. As the Tancred Bastion cut through the void, Immacena somehow knew her tale was far from over. Even in the face of imprisonment and exile, the spirit of "The Incron Fury" burned bright, ready to face whatever darkness that awaited her on Atoma Prime... darkness that would be beyond anyone's ability to predict.
#I've been running Immacena since the Betas#and I wanted to write a history based on the character creation choices I made#because if they're not gonna matter in game I may as well make them matter in other ways#so yeah this is how she got in that pickle at the start of the game#my lovely feisty Irish as fuck Loose Cannon Veteran#And yes I did rip off the fuck out of Sharpe's Rifles for her early history#my ocs#my oc stuff#wh40k#warhammer 40k#warhammer 40000#video games#40k#darktide#warhammer 40k darktide#w40k darktide#warhammer 40000 darktide
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There's something I absolutely love about the eggs' sibling dynamics is how they've changed.
Tallulah went from being the little girl that everyone had to look after and protect to one of the most emotionally strong and strong-willed eggs. I won't forget how after Creation showed up at Philza's house on Valentine's Day Chay became deeply upset, I don't have the clip but you can see it from Phil's POV
We can see how Tallulah is armed, with her shield raised, on the defensive and stands between Creation and Chayanne. protecting him.
Let's remember that although Tallulah is not considered one of the veteran eggs, she is undoubtedly one of the first. I consider that Tallulah is one of the best eggs, she has her own personality, she has her changes, her defects and her virtues
I still remember how I went from being the little girl who had to be protected, to being a truly emotionally complex post-purgatory one.
Tallulah is still the heart, don't get wrong, she's just grown up and matured (she had character development xd)
But my favorite case is without a doubt Ramon-Leo-Dapper. They are triplets, they were really united eggs, Ramon and Dapper were generally seen playing (hitting each other) constantly and Leo was seen with them. Leo found comfort in her brothers after the death of Trump.
But not everything can last forever.
They are still triplets and they still love each other.
But Leonarda has her nephew Pepito, and her brother Roier and her dad Foolish, maybe even Richas because he is also her nephew (And she is currently among them + Sunny and Tubbo in the city of Fobo) she is no longer the extremely rich and a bit lonely one, she is still iconic and happy but now things are different. She has a lot more people around their.
The same with Dapper, the most important thing for him now is his newly revived father (which is not shocking at all, nope) and his little sister Pomme whom he loves with all his heart. Dapper is one of the eggs that has gone through the most screwed things (this egg has a longer list of kidnappings than hats) and therefore one of the strongest but above all hopeful with the idea that it will have peace in this new beginning.
Ramon, oh Ramon, you could make a bible just about Ramon, the relationship he had with Spreen and the impact that had on his relationship with Fit. How now he is no longer alone; he has two little hermanitas whom he adores; Sunny and Empanada, a big brother figure in Tubbo and two loving parents who love each other.
He went from being locked up to having sleepovers every night with his dear little sisters, spending the mornings in Tubbo's factories, learning single words in Portuguese with his dad Pac and going on adventures with his dad Fit.
If Leo were to place Pepito over his brothers (because sometimes he feels that Pepito is very coded as a little boy) it would hurt her bad, but they would understand because Pepito is Leo's family.
When Ramon came between Leo and Sunny, he didn't do it out of choice, he did it to protect his little sister, Diamond Girl, because Sunny is Ramon's family.
If Dapper could have chosen an egg to be freed from purgatory, he would not have chosen himself, he would have chosen Pomme, because Pomme is Dapper's family.
and that doesn't stop them from being family to each other.
#qsmp#qsmp chayanne#qsmp tallulah#qsmp eggs#qsmp creation#qsmp sunny#qsmp sunnysideup#qsmp leonarda#qsmp dapper#qsmp pomme#qsmp ramón#qsmp ramon#qsmp pepito#qsmp richarlyson#qsmp foolish#qsmp tripletes#roses family#analisys
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"Bob Kling makes a final touch to his Furby creation at the butter cow display at the Ohio State Fair in 2000. Kling is director of Sculpting for Hasbro."
Source
Article From The Cincinnati Enquirer (newspapers.com transcript)
Date: August 13, 2000
Hasbro butters up the fair
How do you bring butter to life? Mix toy-makers with the dairy farmers during the Ohio State Fair. Eight Cincinnati toy sculptors from Hasbro went from designing action-figures to spending four days in a refrigerator sculpting butter. The local design team is behind this year's butter sculpture, the largest ever at the fair on display through Aug. in Columbus. Accompanying the annual cow and calf are depictions of Hasbro's Mr. Monopoly, pet Furby and a Tonka Truck.
The Hasbro designers approached the American Dairy Association (ADA) of the Mideast after their veteran butter sculptor of 36 years retired. The ADA Mideast liked the idea. There aren't a lot of skilled butter sculptors in the area to carry on the century-old tradition. "The dairy industry and Hasbro have a lot in common children," said Jenny Wilson, director of communications for Mideast ADA, who pointed out that the "milk mustache" ad campaign is aimed at children.
Some choice details, such as the folds of skin in the hind quarters, a big vein on the udder and the slope of the cow's back, 'were pain painstakingly patted into place. Contrary to popular opinion, butter is no easy medium. "It's slimy," said Mr. Kling "Butter responds a little bit like bad clay," he said. Although the team worked in a 45-degree walk-in cooler, they found that their body heat would still melt the butter that ran down their arms.
"At the end of the day we would shower and even then, we still smelled like butter," said Mr. Kling. However artfully successful the sculptures are, they'll last only as long as the fair. "They'll turn off the cooler and pressure wash the frames," said Mr. Kling, who said it would be too expensive to try to preserve the butter art in another medium.
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this has been in my drafts for a while, but it's honestly more of a criticism of a singular person's actions than the show, so i've hesitated in posting it. but i feel like it needs to be said perhaps, and i don't feel like i'm being unfair (though you all can judge that)
let me be blunt: i hate the attitude that riordan has towards the movies.
this isn't in any way a defense of the movies, by the way. I saw that movie when it came out with my dad (who was not impressed) and i remember ranting the whole way back in the car about how the movies had failed in their adaptation.
but they could have just been forgotten after a few years. it's been fourteen years, and in that time, i've made my relative peace with them - they weren't percy jackson at all (i disowned them from my headspace relegated to pjo) but they exist. and that's fine.
and this isn't to say that i don't understand the reaction that riordan had to the movies. the books were his creation, and the movies fundamentally betrayed them. he, of all people, has the right to feel disappointed and angry.
but a movie is more than just a director. or a screenwriter. a movie contains so many myriad parts - when logan lerman congratulated walker scobell, i realized that the first emotion that i'd had towards the movies had faded into general bemusement, and i thought that it was very sweet that a (disowned maybe) percy had passed on the torch. there are some parts of the movie that are done well - i find that almost none but the most irredeemable pieces of media have no good parts.
but riordan, from his tweets, constantly makes jabs at the movies. "normalize bad movie erasure" but, oh, riordan, if you could only take your own advice? if you had erased the movies, they would not be so prominent in your mind as you're thinking of the show. it is clear that riordan still hasn't let go of a movie now 14 years old, and i find that unfair to those people who worked on that production in good faith, to the places in the film where the fandom laughed along to.
in wholesale, emotionally rejecting the movies, riordan excises the possibility of learning something about the art of a visual medium from them. riordan, from my knowledge, has never worked on a film or tv show before - and say what you want about the movie but they had some veteran showrunners (which makes the end product more disappointing but i digress). riordan thus refuses to acknowledge the movies while clearly being affected by them (note: someone else has already pointed out that the lotus flowers being food was a movie change and not from the books). even the choice of levitating is contrasted by him to the movies. but the idea of a hit pop song in the casino is from the movies themselves.
#rr crit#i'm not tagging this with the show bc#it's ultimately not a criticism of the show really#it might be a criticism of the author and of some aspects of fandom#but i digress#.
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If you had to pick one film that was your favorite from each unit of your Queer Cinema Syllabus, which ones would they be and why?
The Queer Cinema Syllabus grew out of a conversation that @shortpplfedup and I were having about what queer works I would show to a prospective BL fan, which eventually led to the creation of @the-conversation-pod. Captain Hands here has decided to run the gauntlet and has reached Unit 2.
Unit 1: Coming of Age Post-Moonlight
It's definitely Pariah (2011). This movie and Moonlight (2016) are having a complex conversation about Blackness and Queerness that feels so resonant to me. It's so rare that we see lesbians of any sort treated with this much complexity and sympathy in a contemporary setting. The complex web of lesbian interactions here isn't matched that often, and the only other movie that comes to mind it The Watermelon Woman (1996).
Unit 2: Race, Disability, and Class
Probably The Way He Looks (2014) because it's an easy layup to introduce folks to the genre. The intersection between Leo's blindness and his queerness gives the newer person multiple things to think about and forces them to consider how queer people are more than just their queerness. I also feel warmly about this film because it was a project we followed all the way from short film to movie, and I love that we were able to get the entire cast back.
Unit 3: Faith and Religion
You haven't gotten here, but this is where things start to get especially heavy. I think for this section I'm going with The Wise Kids (2011) because I really like the way Stephen Cone approaches the struggle with faith queer and non-queer people have in evangelical spaces. There's an honesty that I really admire. This is not an easy film, but it's lingered with me for over a decade.
Unit 4: Heartbreak Alley
This is the section of straight losses. I don't know that I ever want to watch it again, but I would probably select Bent (1997) as my favorite because the idea that we could still love even in the greatest of horrors spoke to me. I also think the performances in this adaptation are phenomenal.
Unit 5: Lesbians
I think we just passed Lesbian Visibility Day, so happy birthday, lesbians! This is actually a difficult selection because there are so many great films in this section. I think, today, I'm giving it to The Handmaiden (2016), but I almost chose Bound (1996).
Unit 6: Gems
I don't even need to look to know Big Eden (2000) is in this section. This section whips ass all around, but Big Eden is my favorite because there's just so much love all over this movie, and every new fact I learn about the BTS of it makes me love it more. Arye Gross and Eric Shweig did not have to go as hard as they did in this movie. The director left that choice to them a veteran actors and they did that 23 years ago. Nothing but admiration and respect. This is one of my most beloved films.
Unit 7: Asian Film Warm-up
This is a difficult selection because I think it depends on my mood, but for now, I'll go with The Stranger by the Shore (2020). This is a very Japanese take on second-chance romance. I like the way Japan approaches the quiet internalized homophobia that grips us. Some of the same things in Minato's Laundromat can be found here. It's also gorgeous and approaches sex in a frank way that I really loved.
Unit 8: Yaoi
Once again I don't even need to look to know that it's Yuri!!! On Ice (2016). This show is so goddamn gay. I know people feel like it was censored because of the kiss, but these two proposed to each other. It's what sports anime wishes it could be with the open queerness on display from so many characters. It's beautiful and so much fun.
Unit 9: Boys Love
I will not be selecting a favorite BL, but I will say that I really love The Boy Foretold by the Stars (2020) and it's a movie. I loved that we had a femme lead for once and that they explored what faith meant for femmes. It's a film that took the romantic lead's gay awakening very seriously and explored what being together might look like in a sequel called Love Beneath the Stars.
I'm looking forward to you completing the syllabus!
#answered#lgbt film#pariah#the way he looks#the boy foretold by the stars#the wise kids#bent#yuri!!! on ice#the stranger by the shore#big eden#the handmaiden#queer cinema syllabus
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The Urbanmech UM-AIV
My ✨non-official✨ mini of the funniest Battlemech to ever exist.
The Urbanmech UM-AIV. The Nurbie. The Nuclear Trashcan. Metal Gear R2D2. But the best part?
It's CANON.
This is the original Nurbie. The stark white paint scheme and inspired choice of atomic weaponry should point to its canonical faction of origin (at least to BT veterans). And the story behind its creation and canonization is amazing:
But, now that the Nurbie was canonized, it needed an official Record Sheet, one more official they the one quickly mocked up for the GenCon games. So one was duly created, and added to a canonical reference book of unit Record Sheets (Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Old is the New New):
To non-BT fans, this is probably all gibberish, but basically, pretty much everything on the original base 'Mech was changed or sacrificed to make room for a giant "Arrow-IV" cruise missile box launcher and ten reloads for it - in this case, all with "Davy Crockett-M" .5 kiloton nuclear warheads. The range of the Arrow-IV is not, like many BT weapons, measured in hexgrid hexes, but ENTIRE MAPSHEETS. It can nuke battlefields from across the room, like the Deathstrike from 40K used to be able to do.
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In a Flash Creation Challenge
This time we come to you with an invitation to a Challenge unlike any other. Strap in, because this is bound to be fun! >:)
What is the Challenge?
In a Flash CC is an event we host along the Ikemen Flash Exchange. Not all ideas can become gifts, however, they aren't any less worthy!
We aim to enable creativity, open up opportunities for collaborations, make obtaining support easier, and for everybody to simply enjoy themselves. The goal is the joy of creation!
We welcome any seasoned fandom veterans as well as all newly emerged creators! :) Make as many or as few things as you'd like, combine prompts, brainstorm with others -- sky is the limit! There's something for everybody here.
How does the Challenge work?
The In a Flash CC is hosted in IFE discord server. The event lasts from October 6th 2023 until the end of January 2024.
The participants gain access to a channel containing all the relevant event information, a support chat, and a channel for sharing their creations.
Participants are not obliged to post their works to any social media. If you choose to do so, however, please let us know -- we'd like to shine the spotlight on them! :)
What prompts can I expect to see?
[Prompt teaser transcription below the cut.]
And many, many more ;) The prompts will be gradually revealed throughout the duration of the challenge -- expect to see all kinds of themes!
The last prompt drop may or may not give you some idea on what we're brewing for the next edition of the Exchange. >:)
What sort of works can be submitted to the Challenge?
Writing: 450-650 (+/- 50 words)
Art: anything that would count as lower effort than your usual work; colour is okay
We don't exclude the possibility of people creating moodboards, wallpapers, playlists, videos, etc. When in doubt, contact our staff.
Additionally, for legal adults only, we've prepared a space to create NSFW and suggestive works. That being said, we have chosen to blacklist certain themes (more details below the cut). We also reserve the right to refuse submissions.
How do I participate?
Ask for an invite link to our server. :) You must be off anon. Then, follow the steps written in #announcements channel.
We’ll be waiting for you! >:)
Got any questions? Do not hesitate to shoot us an ask!
Boosting would be appreciated! 🙏
Prompt teaser - transcript
October
Fae AU
Magic Apprenticeship
???
???
Inspiration Flash: Make a work inspired by a mythology / demonology of your choice
November
???
Mysterious Invitation
Mad(ness) Hats
???
All-Flavours-Of-The-World Cookies
December
?
January
?
Works - Blacklist
Age play,
Consensual Non-consent, including rape play,
Dead Dove Do Not Eat,
Dub-con of any kind,
Gore,
Incest,
Necrophilia,
Non-con of any kind,
Paedophilia,
Somnophilia,
Vore.
#ikemen series#ikesen#ikemen sengoku#ikevamp#ikevam#ikemen vampire#ikepri#ikemen prince#ikerev#ikemen revolution
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Describing a people/tribe questions
Physical description
Eyes (shape, color)
Skin (color, texture)
Hair (color, texture, style)
Body (shapes, sizes)
Other (wings, tails, anything not on this list)
Culture
Traditions
Rituals
Death
Birth
Marriage
Etc.
Clothing
Color
Material
Style
Food
Celebrations
Clothing
Food
Stories or games
Stories/lore
Games
Religion
Gods
Divine topics
Objects/places of power
The people
How are the different genders treated? How do they act?
Coming of age stuff?
Who's in charge? Why?
Are the people human?
How do they raise their children?describe a family unit.
Pets? Livestock?
Describe some of the people in your tribe. How do they interact with the rest of the tribe?
Taboos/rules/forbidden topics?
Geography
Where do they live?
What do their houses look like?
Have they adapted well to their environment?
Describe the land around them and how they interact with it. Are they using their resources efficiently?
Are they near other tribes? If so, what are the relationships between the tribes? Are they allies?
Trade and economy
Do they trade? With whom?
Do they have a currency? Describe how it works.
Describe the technologies, if any. This includes farming equipment and simple tools!
Transportation
Animals/beasts of labor?
Vehicles?
Paths and roads?
Which locations are the least accessable? The most accessable? Why?
Language
What languages do they speak? How many? What types?
What Earth languages are most similar to their languages, if any?
Are they literate? Describe.
Describe body language, if any.
Describe curses or rude gestures.
What are some phrases? What do they mean?
Law
What are some laws?
Taboos?
How are wrongdoers punished?
Who's in charge of punishment?
Are wrongdoers tried?
How do they fight?
Describe the last war, if any. Who was it with? Who were they fighting against? Who were their allies? What was the cause/reason for the war?
Describe their fighting methods. Are they martial?
Describe their weapons. Melee or range? Both?
How are veterans and soldiers treated?
How successful are they in war?
What are the requirements to fight, if any?
Describe some myths or lore.
What is your favorite myth from this culture?
What are some recurring themes?
Who are some recurring characters?
What is the most famous/well known myth from this culture?
Describe a normal day in the tribe.
Describe a house or building built by/used by the tribe.
Food
Normal meals
What do they eat?
Delicacies, if any?
Mealtime etiquette?
Do they eat alone or together? In big groups or small groups? Who do they eat with?
Crafts? Arts?
Jewelry
Metalworking
Textiles/fabrics
Pottery
Sculpture
Painting
Drawings
Recurring colors or patterns?
Recurring figures or objects?
Recurring characters or themes?
Symbolism
Gods/deities
Do they believe in gods?
What type of gods? Destruction or creation gods? Nature gods?
Is there a ruler of the gods? Who? How did they become ruler?
How does one become a god, if possible? Can anyone become a god?
How do the gods work?
Is there an afterlife? How does it work?
Describe some gods. What are they the gods of? Who are they the patrons of? What are their goals? Do they have many worshippers? Why or why not?
What pantheon are your gods based on, if any? Why?
Where are the places of worship, if any? Why?
Other deities?
Color scheme
Main colors
Accents
Metal color
Glow/magic color, if any
Tone range
Reasoning behind color choices
Clothing
Material
Weave, if any
Colors
Patterns
Styles
Comfort, fashion, or work?
Reasoning behind those choices
(This is a wip and needs to be reorganized.)
#flockofcrows#flockofcrows workdbuilding#worldbuilding ideas#worldbuilding#worldbuilding tips#writing tips
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Pitch for a Supermassive Games storyline:
1) The Title
RADIOACTIVE
2) The Prologue
1945, Los Alamos, New Mexico. The Trinity test is a success, resulting in the creation of the first atom bomb. However, a few months later, Dr. Carl McGregor (the red herring protagonist) is called to Los Alamos to investigate a mysterious set of events plaguing the area. Reports of people going missing and residents going crazy have the Pentagon spooked.
One night, Dr. McGregor and his staff are attacked by mysterious shadowy figures. Despite Dr. McGregor’s attempts to flee, he is eventually cut down by what appears to be a “glowing” creature.
(Basically, the villain of this game is some kind of creature that was mutated by the nuclear testing. So, a riff/homage to Godzilla. However, instead of creating kaijus, the monster is much smaller and comparable to the wendigos in “Until Dawn” and the werewolves of “The Quarry”)
3) The Main Story
In the present day, we follow the Proudstar family who live on the G. A. Romero Reservation, which is a few miles away from Los Alamos. The area has become the center of ghost stories due to people still going missing. Of the ghost stories, the most infamous one is that people are being kidnapped by “the skinwalkers”, who in Navajo culture are witches that have the ability to turn into, possess, or disguise themselves as an animal.
(Obviously, the skinwalkers are the radioactive creatures from the prologue. The introduction of the skinwalker legend is meant to be a misdirection)
The Proudstars, who run the local market, have to frequently deal with tourists who want to see “the skinwalkers”. The Proudstars usually dismiss these tourists, especially since a great deal of them tend to be obnoxious (and borderline racist/ignorant). The family, although they’re aware of the legends, aren’t too concerned since they haven’t encountered the supposed skinwalkers.
Around this time, two groups of outsiders arrive at the reservation. The first is a group of ghost hunters who are trying to capture footage of the skinwalkers. The second is a group of ruthless gangmembers that take the Proudstar family hostage.
The first 4 chapters focus on the Proudstars dealing with the gangmembers. Simultaneously, the ghost hunters encounter a “skin-walker”, which turns out to be one of the radioactive creatures from the prologue. The ghost hunters flee the radioactive monsters and make their way to the Proudstar market, putting them in the middle of the hostage situation. They also unintentionally bring the monsters to the market, thus leading into the 2nd half.
The remaining 6 chapters focuses on the Proudstars, the gangmembers, and the ghost hunters trying to work together as a team to survive the radioactive monsters (the fake skinwalkers). Similar to “House of Ashes”, either the groups can put their differences aside or tear each apart. Depending on your choices, either everyone makes it out alive…or everyone ends up meeting the same fate as the scientist from the start.
4) The Playable Protagonists
* Gustavo Proudstar (ABRASIVE, COMMANDING, RATIONAL): The patriarch of the Proudstar family. He is an army veteran and the most skeptical of his family. He is portrayed by Zahn McClarnon.
* Miriam Begay-Proudstar (CONFIDENT, RESOURCEFUL, PERSUASIVE): The matriarch of the Proudstar family. She runs the family’s market and is the most superstitious of her family. She is portrayed by Irene Bedard.
* Jason Proudstar (INSECURE, UNMOTIVATED, INTELLIGENT): Gustavo’s younger brother who he doesn’t have much respect for. He’s smart, but is lazy and fine with mooching off his brother and sister-in-law. He is portrayed by Michael Greyeyes.
* Dante Begay (CONSERVATIVE, METHODICAL, PROTECTIVE): Miriam’s younger brother who works as a tribal police officer. He generally gets along with the Proudstars, but frequently disagrees with his niece Eliza over her political beliefs. He is portrayed by Martin Sensmeier.
* Eliza Proudstar (DRIVEN, COMPLEX, IRREVERENT): The eldest daughter of Gustavo and Miriam. She is a progressive political activist who moved out to the city, but visits the family from time to time. She is portrayed by Q'orianka Kilcher.
* Wenona Proudstar (INNOCENT, AMBITIOUS, ADVENTUROUS): The youngest daughter of Gustavo and Miriam. She is a college student but secretly dreams of being a famous actress. She is portrayed by Amber Midthunder.
* Freddy Kim (FOOLHARDY, RELAXED, LOYAL): The only playable character from the ghost hunter group. He is his group’s camera man and the one who doesn’t take the ghost stories seriously. He is portrayed by Steven Yeun.
* Melissa Frost (RUTHLESS, DETERMINED, COURAGEOUS): The only playable character from the gangmembers. Although she is a ruthless thug, it’s slowly revealed that she has a heart of gold. She is the gangmember who suggests a truce with the Proudstars. She is portrayed by Victoria Pedretti.
5) Significant Non-Playable Characters (note: I’m not covering every single character in this hypothetical game)
* Samuel Fulci: The leader of the ghost hunters. He is obsessed with viewership and clout, to the point he ignores warnings about potential danger. He is portrayed by Bruce Campbell.
* Lars Waingrove: The leader of the gangmembers. He is a ruthless sociopath and the most dangerous person in the survivor group. Because of this, Lars can be considered the secondary antagonist of the game (sorta like Josh Washington or Travis Hackett, but less sympathetic). He is portrayed by Leigh Whannell.
* The CIA Agent / The Man in Black: An unnamed agent who is interrogating the player about the events of the story. Basically, this game’s version of the Psychiatrist/the Curator/Eliza Vorez. He is portrayed by Michael Biehn.
#supermassive games#until dawn#the quarry#man of medan#little hope#house of ashes#the devil in me#dark pictures anthology#the dark pictures anthology#story ideas#horror ideas#game idea#zahn mcclarnon#irene bedard#Michael greyeyes#martin sensmeier#Q'orianka Kilcher#amber midthunder#steven yeun#victoria pedretti#bruce campbell#leigh whannell#horror games#horror video games#video game#video games#skinwalker#oppenheimer#michael biehn#the curator
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'When renowned screenwriter Steven Knight set about formulating what would become one of his best creations, the modern gangster classic television series Peaky Blinders, he had a very important choice to make. He already had his main character fully fleshed out: Thomas Shelby, an ambitious, emotionally shut off war veteran who conducts himself like he's already dead and living on borrowed time. Knight was deliberating between two very different actors when deciding who best had the skills to embody Shelby. One of these men was an icon of the Irish acting scene, able to be in almost any kind of film you can imagine. The other was an icon of the rough and tumble action film scene, equally capable of fighting off sharks and jump-kicking down doors. It was the matchup nobody could have foreseen, Cillian Murphy vs. Jason Statham.
A Text to Steven Knight Gave Cillian Murphy the Upper Hand Over Jason Statham
Knight has told the story that he was torn between going with either of these two masters of the brood and the grumbling voice. According to The Independent, he said that he "met them both in LA to talk about the role and opted for Jason...because physically in the room Jason is Jason." You have to imagine that what he means by this is that Statham is a very impressive physical specimen in person, and that his tough guy persona is not entirely an act. Knight followed up by mentioning how Murphy "isn't Tommy, obviously, but I was stupid enough not to understand that." In his defense, Murphy is an incredibly soft-spoken and gentle soul, leagues away from the calculating killer Knight was looking for.
Seemingly sensing a disturbance in the Force, Murphy decided to pull a true giga-Chad move to ensure he'd get the role. Knight said that one day he received a text from Murphy, and what did that text say? "Remember, I'm an actor." At that moment, Knight realized that Murphy "can transform himself. If you meet him in the street, he is a totally different human being." Knight was finally able to see past Murphy's introverted exterior and realize he had what it took to live up to the Peaky Blinders standard.
Jason Statham Is Best as a Likable Action Star
This is no shade whatsoever to Statham — who has his own certain set of skills he brings to the table — but he could not bring to Thomas Shelby what Murphy did. While it's true that Thomas is a ruthless man who's killed before and has it in him to kill again, he is above all else a politician at heart. He is strategic in his methods, completely closed off in his emotionality even to his own most beloved family members, and ruthless in who or what he will use as collateral in order to get what he wants. If ever there was a modern anti-hero of deeply questionable morality to rival the likes of Tony Soprano or Walter White, it's Thomas Shelby.
While Jason has played his fair share of guys who aren't afraid to kill people or do continuously insane things just to stay alive, he is almost always portrayed in a totally positive manner. He is the modern day equivalent of a Charles Bronson or a Steve McQueen, the likable gruff hero who is always up against meaner, more overtly evil enemies. Don't get it twisted — he's great in these roles, as his combination of street knowledge and his comfort with quips make him the rare action star that feels equally at home in both types of flicks. He can be both the hardened badass in Parker or Wrath of Man, but also be a more humorous and slapstick version of his persona in films like Spy or The Expendables.
There are two downsides to the image he's maintained. For one, there's a noted pressure for action stars to continue to do roles that keep their core fanbase happy. People like Jason Statham because they want to see him do Jason Statham-type roles, and taking a chance on a more outside-the-box character like Thomas could be seen as a risk for his career. Second, there's always an underpinning of likability to his characters — almost to a fault. No matter what he does, we always feel like the movie is approving of his actions, with rare exceptions. Even his most prominent villain role, Deckard Shaw in the Fast and Furious saga, had to become a full-fledged good guy at some point because audiences loved seeing him on-screen and interacting with the main cast so much. Audiences feel compelled to be on his side, regardless of the consequences.
Cillian Murphy Can Better Embrace the Small Scale
As Murphy himself professed, he is "an actor," which is an understatement if ever there was one. Cillian Murphy has steadily built a reputation for himself as one of the consummate actors of our time, slipping from super villain, to Irish freedom fighter, to space captain with an impeccable ease. Plus, despite Knight's hesitations over picturing Murphy as such a tough threat like Thomas, Murphy has actually had a great history of playing men of imposing force. Think of his terrorist Jackson Rippner holding Rachel McAdams hostage and surviving getting stabbed in the throat with a pen in Red Eye, or the steadily increasing violence and chaotic behavior of one of his earliest roles in Disco Pigs, or even the coke snorting, gun toting, walking red flag that is Tom in The Party. These may not be muscular bruiser types that can knock heads together with ease like Statham can in his sleep, but they are men who are all full of murderous drive, and know how to keep themselves composed and proper in various social circles, while also projecting a sense of constant calculation and the ability to hide true emotions from everyone in the room except the audience.
To make a long story short, Murphy can carry a scene in a smaller scale register than Statham can. If we see Murphy sit like a stone for an entire scene watching everyone else, we read this as him gathering knowledge, playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers. If Statham does the same, we expect him to find the right time to interrogate someone or get what he wants through sheer fisticuffs, or perhaps even find a way to witty banter his way out of the situation. While Statham can be a quite stern actor himself, his is more a barreling full force kind of focus, like a determined dog chasing a car. The ambiguous and slippery nature of Murphy's temperament is much more fitting for the kind of expert power player that Thomas Shelby winds up being.
Thomas Shelby’s Casting Came Down to a Matter of Fit Above All Else
None of this is to cast any aspersions on Statham's abilities as an actor, but instead to highlight that he simply wasn't as good of a fit as Murphy. Statham bringing a lot of charisma and physical threat to a starring role is great for a slice of pulpy fun like Safe, but not as fitting for a multi season character study of a broken man manipulating the world around him to do what he thinks is right, even if that means potentially turning against his own trusted allies. That kind of moral confusion and ping ponging of conflicting motivations and actions is much more suited to an actor like Murphy, as there's simultaneously no audience pressure on him to fulfill the role of a standard likable hero and more freedom for him and the writers to explore the darker potential of the character in a way that feels honest to the material. It's important to keep in mind that ultimately, it's not a matter of getting the biggest actor for the role, but the right actor. Cillian Murphy was the right man for the job, by order of the Peaky f***ing Blinders.'
#Cillian Murphy#Thomas Shelby#Peaky Blinders#Jason Statham#Disco Pigs#Steven Knight#Red Eye#Jackson Rippner#The Party#Rachel McAdams#Fast and Furious
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Technoblade and Flower Symbolism: Part Two
Here's Part one: Dandelions
Poppies
There are two main symbolic meanings that are common for poppies: hope for a peaceful future and remembrance (usually remembrance of death - poppies are often used as memorial flowers for war veterans). A couple poppy fun-facts: They were used in poetry about deaths due to war as far back as the Iliad (Greek mythos connection = Technoblade connection, right?), and were often found in abandoned battlefields since mortar rubble provided lime and space for them to grow.
Most people know their role in remembrance of war, but few people use poppies to symbolize hope for a peaceful future. I feel that this represents Techno well. He has his personal drive for peace, and choice, and an end to the violence, but many people see him and automatically think of war.
Another reason that I use poppies for art of Techno, other than the clip where he collects them and the symbolism, is a personal headcanon of mine. I know that we don't know much about Technoblade's character before the DSMP, but even before it was revealed that he only had one life it was already a headcanon of mine that he did. Technoblade's character acted like he had been through war and worse already, and the almost-execution and extra precautions he took seemed to reflect that.
On a less serious note, the image of a field of blood-red poppies, known to represent the fallen of war, seemed perfect for a man that calls for blood for the blood god.
On an even less serious note, poppies are used to make opiates and can cause people to sleep and that pig 100% hibernates like the dead.
Roses
Roses are a big one to me! I didn't gravitate towards roses for their symbolism or role in society, but there are reasons that I think they fit Technoblade well!
The main reason is their thorns. Roses are a defensive plant, with thick briars to ward of threats. I like to think of the curling vine of thorns as a representation of how others see Technoblade, and the delicate petals as a representation of his one life, but also as a representation of his trust. Technoblade gives trust easily, and so very often has it turned against him despite his many physical defenses. There are things that can get past even the thorny reputation of The Blade.
The silly reason that I associate Technoblade with roses is that roses thrive with blood! Unironically, bloodmeal or raw meat is great for a rose bush and I thought it would be funny if someone asked Techno how he grew his plants so well and he just went "blood" in a complete deadpan.
Another serious reason, but not a real-life one, is the association with withers. Wither roses are, to me, a representation of transformation, life, and the trade between life and death. Roses created from the death of something else that have the potential to live on their own through thay death but also have the potential to cause death in the same way they were created? As someone who associates Techno heavily with the exchange of life and death, wither roses are a great symbolic tool to represent the potential for creation that is found in destruction... for instance the creation of freedom and healing found in the destruction of a government...
#not as serious as the other one but still! this is just why i draw these with techno not anything super deep lol#technoblade#c!technoblade#vpoc yells#long post#vpoc writes
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I gotta say I adore Cinder and seeing how Death responds to her traumas in the comics you made has got me wondering....how does she respond to his own?
Most people in the fandom believe Lilith at one point ra*** him, based on convos in the game and the Abomination Vault novel. I have a few other reasons from the game beyond Lilith that suggest this to me, but no need to make this too long. Yes he likely has veteran soldier type ptsd struggles as well I'm sure, but I imagine with Lilith as a self proclaimed 'Mother' there's definitely way more that's happened. I mention this only because I have one morbid curiosity.
Thank you so much for the kind words, and for the ask!
I absolutely picked up on those little tidbits of information, too, and it’s made me hate Lilith all the more.
—
Cinder understands Death’s opinion and feelings on the matter quite well....
Having had a fairly troubling past of being used, manipulated, lied to, black-mailed, and treated less then dirt and like a means to an end by her very own ‘father’ who didn’t give two shits about her, she can have a pretty good idea of what the Reaper is brooding during his overly moody ‘no talk me angy’ moments.
To say the absolute least, she’s learned from her own past mistakes that violence, even if absolutely understandable and justified, gets you absolutely nowhere, even if you’d so dearly wish to rip your abuser in half and burn the pieces left in Hellfire.
Cinder would acknowledge anything Death says that happened to him/ he’d experienced, silently lending an ear at all if he had any centuries-worth of trauma to trust her with gleaning. Getting angry at what he’d gone through most certainly would be part and parcel to the package, but she’d not let him know that. He needs to be heard, not be the cause for more volatile feelings, and what she feels doesn’t matter in the moment.
Cinder wouldn’t overstep her boundaries, and instead would put it out there that she’s there to help him deal with those feelings if he wishes to tread that path; the choice is his to make.
What she would do without prompt, however, are small gestures of kindness, the little ones of comfort. Not to say the gristly pale Rider himself needs comfort, but he needs comfort. Support.
He has to let go of what happened, yes. I don’t think the Reaper himself will ever stop being a sarcastic jerk to most and all, but he also has to learn to accept what happened.
Sharing stories around a campfire, she’d spend hours.
Helping him out with a quarry of demons he needs to take care of but it would be too much alone, her sword is there, free and willing.
Being just a silent presence in the dead of night, staring at the stars, she’ll be at his back.
Having bad thoughts and just being frustrated with every minute detail in all of Creation; she’d remind him that sometimes things are too overwhelming when standing too close, and to just take a step back and breathe for once.
He’s not just a Horseman— terrible enforcer of the balance, dog of the Charred Council who treats all the 4 as nothing more then puppets to throw away once for a lack of usefulness. He is her best friend, an ally, and another living being— as much as he’d protest lacking a heartbeat thereof.
She’s mighty protective of family, where it’s due and appropriate.
And to say the least...
Lilith might not enjoy the next encounter she has with the woman. Not all of Hell, nor Samael’s Black Throne can save the bewitching Demoness from the iron claws of Cinder once her eyes are set on something deserving of her seething ire.
#She also knows what he likes#Her stories are fascinating and he likes listening to them#Her voice is also comforting.#darksiders death#ask#Darksiders oc#cinder
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“BMCR 2020.08.24
Herodotus. Histories. Book V
P. J. Rhodes, Herodotus. Histories. Book V. Aris & Phillips classical texts. Liverpool: Liverpool University Press, 2019. ix, 263 p.. ISBN 9781789620153 £22.99 (pb).
Review by
Charles Chiasson, The University of Texas at Arlington. [email protected]
Professor Rhodes’ edition of Book 5 is the first book of Herodotus’ Histories to appear in the Aris and Phillips series, which aims to accommodate readers with rudimentary knowledge of ancient Greek. (Rhodes plans a companion edition of Book 6 to carry the narrative of Greco-Persian conflict through the battle of Marathon in 490 BCE.) The choice of this book is a good fit for the editor’s primarily historical interests, as it includes Herodotus’ accounts of the Ionian Revolt; the end of the Peisistratid tyranny and the beginning of more democratic rule in Athens; and Spartan attempts to expand its political influence in Greece beyond the Peloponnese. The book also contains some of Herodotus’ most memorable literary creations—characters, scenes, and speeches introduced to underscore important historical moments, such as Aristagoras’ brazen attempt to secure military aid from the Spartan king Cleomenes, and the Corinthian Socles’ pivotal speech opposing the Spartan re-establishment of tyrannical rule in Athens.
This edition includes an introduction with bibliography, a Greek text with facing English translation, and a commentary of approximately 100 pages.
The introduction is suitably substantial and covers essential background to orient the novice, although even Herodotean veterans will find points of interest along the way. Rhodes lucidly covers the evidence for Herodotus’ life, the ‘publication’ of the Histories (likely to have involved public recitals before full written publication in the mid-420’s), and Herodotus’ use of (primarily oral) sources. In judging the reliability of Herodotus’ hotly debated source citations, Rhodes advocates a middle course between extreme skepticism and extreme credulity, in the belief that Herodotus probably “wrote what he honestly thought he remembered” (11), although his memory may have failed him occasionally. Rhodes makes an explicit exception of the Persian Constitutional Debate, which he considers (despite repeated Herodotean claims to the contrary) a product of 5th-century Greece rather than 6th-century Persia.
In discussing Herodotus’ language, narrative techniques, and beliefs, Rhodes rightly acknowledges the importance of Homeric precedent: his epics serve as a model for Herodotus’ long narrative, set in multiple locales and enlivened by frequent speeches and occasional epic locutions. Moreover, Rhodes finds further justification for Pseudo-Longinus’ description of Herodotus as “most Homeric” at a deeper thematic level. He endorses John Gould’s view that Herodotus’ focus on the vulnerability of human existence and prosperity, his “sympathetic engagement with human suffering” (18),[1] has distinctly Homeric roots.
Other topics addressed by Rhodes include Herodotus’ political beliefs and the extent to which the Histories acknowledge or allude to political developments in the Greek world that took place after the end of the narrative in 479. Rhodes shares the now popular view that Herodotus is neither pro-Athenian nor pro-Spartan, and in broad terms prefers free constitutional government over one-man rule (whether Oriental monarchy or Greek tyranny). As for the relationship between Herodotus’ narrative of the past and contemporary Hellenic politics (especially the polarization between imperial Athens and Sparta, with their respective allies), Rhodes defends the conservative view that Herodotus’ primary objective is the one he announces explicitly in his opening sentence—i.e., to write about great deeds of the past in Homeric fashion.
Rhodes devotes the second section of his introduction (pp. 34-43) to the history of contact and conflict between the Greeks and Persians, from the Hellenic migrations to the Aegean islands and Asian coast during the Dark Age through the invasion of Xerxes and its aftermath. The introduction concludes with an outline summary of Book 5, which helps the reader navigate the complexities of the text, with its frequent changes of place and time, and demonstrates (inter alia) Herodotus’ enthusiastic embrace of analepsis: almost half of the book consists of flashbacks into Spartan and Athenian history (chaps. 39-97), which help explain the divergent reactions of the two communities when Aristagoras comes calling in search of military aid against the Persians.
The depth and breadth of erudition that Rhodes brings to bear upon the text can be gleaned from his lists of references at pp. vii-ix (collections of inscriptions, other prose and poetic texts, and journals in various languages) and pp. 45-48 (a select bibliography of Herodotean texts, commentaries, translations, and reference works). One work that Rhodes cites often throughout his commentary is R. J. A. Talbert’s Barrington Atlas,[2] which helps to compensate for the minimal cartographic resources available in this volume: three black-and-white maps (a page each for Magna Graecia, Greece and the Aegean, and the Near East) that precede the introduction.
Rhodes describes the Greek text that he prints as his own in “all the substantial matters which seemed to call for a decision” (Preface p. v), while following N. G. Wilson’s 2015 Oxford Text with regard to the spelling of Herodotus’ eastern Ionic dialect. In terms of general editorial practice, Rhodes parts company with Wilson in his greater willingness to defend rather than emend the transmitted text. The text (like others in the Aris and Phillips series) has a minimal apparatus criticus; in his commentary Rhodes often discusses and justifies his choices, persuasively to my mind. True to his conservative textual creed, Rhodes introduces only a single conjecture of his own into the text (at 66.1).
In the Preface (p. v) Rhodes declares that the primary task of his translation is “to express the meaning accurately in good English,” which has resulted in his changing Herodotus’ sentence structure on occasion. To give readers some small sense of the result, here in Rhodes’ rendition is the opening of the speech given by the Corinthian Socles to the Spartans and their allies at 5.92:
”Indeed heaven will be below the earth and earth up in the air above the heaven, and mankind will have a life in the sea and fish the life which mankind previously had, when you, Spartans, are prepared to overthrow equalities of power and restore tyrannies to the cities, something than which nothing is more unjust among mankind or more bloodthirsty.”
For comparative purposes, here is the same passage as translated by Robin Waterfield:[3]
“Whatever next?” he said. “Will the heavens be under the earth and the earth up in the sky on top of the heavens? Will men habitually live in the sea and fish live where men did before? It’s a topsy-turvy world if you Lacedaimonians are really planning to abolish equal rights and restore tyrants to their states, when there is nothing known to man that is more unjust or bloodthirsty than tyranny.”
However brief the sample, the juxtaposition underscores both strengths and weaknesses of Rhodes’ approach. On the one hand, and despite his stated concern about infidelity to Herodotus’ text, Rhodes in this instance (and as a general rule) reproduces the sentence structure of the original almost without deviation. The result is unquestionably accurate if occasionally awkward (“something than which…”). By contrast, Waterfield’s translation is freer and livelier, turning a long single declaration into a series of indignant questions that are truer to the spirit than the letter of Herodotus’ text. Rhodes’ more conservative approach is appropriate, however, given the purpose and the audience of this edition.
In his commentary (as in his introduction) Rhodes claims to have been “particularly but not exclusively concerned with the subject-matter: the history which Herodotus narrates, and how and why he narrates it as he does” (Preface, pp. v-vi). Of course the “history” that Herodotus narrates is famously wide-ranging, which requires that an editor be well versed in a wide variety of fields: not just history in the modern sense but also “deep” history (legend or myth), ethnography, geography, prosopography, epigraphy, and religion, among others. In short, Professor Rhodes has a masterful command of this wide spectrum of knowledge, and a gift for expressing it clearly and concisely. Rhodes serves the needs of readers new to Herodotus in various ways. For example, he consistently notes how Herodotus organizes his narrative by means of ring composition and analepsis. His descriptions of the nuts and bolts of the Athenian and Spartan governmental systems are clear without being reductive. He intervenes as necessary to explain potentially mystifying aspects of Greek religious practice, like the status of the local gods Damia and Auxesia, whose theft explains the origins of the hostility between Athens and Aegina (chaps. 82-86); or the hero cult established for the decapitated Cyprian rebel Onesilaus after a swarm of bees builds a honeycomb in his head (chap. 114).
At the same time, seasoned Herodoteans will appreciate his even-handed citation and assessment of previous scholarship, including frequent references (some approving, some dissenting) to Simon Hornblower’s recent edition of book five in the Cambridge ‘green and yellow’ series.[4] A sample passage where Rhodes must entangle all manner of scholarly problems is the post-tyranny transition in Athens to Cleisthenes’ rule (chaps. 66-81), where his discussion is informed by a wide range of primary witnesses (Thucydides, Plutarch, and the Aristotelian Constitution of the Athenians for starters) and secondary scholarship from the likes of Sarah Forsdyke, Ernst Badian, and Josiah Ober. Rhodes wears his learning lightly, and seldom lets his scholarship impede intelligibility.
On occasion Rhodes’ historical focus prevents him from acknowledging points of broader narratological and literary interest. I have in mind especially one of my favorite scenes in book five, Aristagoras’ visit to Sparta and King Cleomenes in search of allies in the Ionian Revolt against Darius. In this scene (5.49-51) Herodotus gives his readers yet another reason to dislike Aristagoras: he attempts (unsuccessfully) to pass himself off as an enquirer, like Herodotus, armed with geographical and ethnographical knowledge to inform a crucial political decision. He brandishes a map (recalling Herodotus’ own cartographic interests), describes the various foreign peoples en route to Sousa in much the same way that Herodotus describes non-Greek populations, and even adapts Herodotus’ signature superlative phrase in describing the Phrygians as “the richest in flocks of all whom I know, and in crops” (49.5). And yet Aristagoras repeatedly exaggerates the ease of conquering all of Asia, and ultimately defeats his own purpose by telling Cleomenes that the trip from Sardis to Sousa would last three months. As Herodotus wryly observes, Aristagoras “slipped” in this regard: “for he ought not to have told the truth, if he wanted to lead the Spartiates to Asia” (50.2). Rhodes declines to comment, when he might have called attention to both Herodotus’ humor and the crucial difference thus drawn between Aristagoras’ misleading historiē and its truth-based Herodotean counterpart.[5]
Nonetheless, this scarcely diminishes Rhodes’ impressive achievement throughout. This edition marks an auspicious beginning for Herodotus in the Aris and Phillips series; it provides a lucid and learned introduction to an author whose boundless curiosity requires informed explication by a “wise advisor” indeed, and Professor Rhodes unquestionably fills the bill. It is difficult for me to imagine, on this scale, a more informative historical commentary on book five.
Notes
[1] J. Gould, Herodotus (New York, 1989) 132.
[2] R. J. A. Talbert, ed., Barrington Atlas of the Greek and Roman World (Princeton 2000).
[3] R. Waterfield, Herodotus The Histories, with introduction and notes by C. Dewald (Oxford, 1998).
[4] S. Hornblower, ed., Herodotus Histories Book V (Cambridge 2013).
[5] D. Branscome, Textual Rivals: Self-Presentation in Herodotus’ Histories (Ann Arbor, 2013) 105-49.
Source: https://bmcr.brynmawr.edu/2020/2020.08.24/
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I'm planning to and I may deactivate both my Twitter and Tumblr accounts soon. Not sure if I'm going to keep my IG. But I will definitely remain on YouTube and DeviantArt, mainly for posting, no longer interacting. I've survived in my previous fandom with using just those two.
Due to personal reasons.
I am not posting this for attention or sympathy. This is just to inform you, particularly those I follow, that if ever you notice that you lost one follower, that is likely me being gone.
There have been lots of times that I wanted to quit, that I felt everything was too much, that I felt that I wasn't enough, that I felt like I'm not meeting the standards of creations already out there whether they be arts, edits, fics, videos, etc. I felt I wasn't connecting enough to those people I want to reach. I felt like my works are only good for likes, and not worthy of follows or follow backs. I felt insufficient when I couldn't post content similar to what others do such as merch and other fandom related stuff. Or when I couldn't post more personal and life related things like others do. I felt insecure and felt like some folks just interact with me because they have no choice, since most veterans in the fandom are still on hiatus.
Things happened, also in my personal life. And when my thread finally snapped, I unintentionally hurt someone dear to me.
This was kind of a wake up call, that maybe, there are some things that I may not really be cut out for. That maybe there are things that I shouldn't push for no matter how much I want to be part of it. That I really suck at communicating myself.
This corner of the fandom has been lovely, and it was good while it lasted. Not sure when I'll deactivate. But I will take this opportunity now to thank everyone who supported and encouraged me, appreciated me and my works, and saw the value of me being here. Even if I'm just a small content creator. It has been a pleasure meeting and being with all of you.
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Captain college au Oneshot
((Ft, Melvin and Harold.))
Mentions of alcohol, Terrible decisions, mentions of puking/nausea.
There was a calm, hazy atmosphere in the small city known as Piqua, Ohio. The air smelled of dew and various city smells one only experiences in the dawn of morning. It had rained the night before, leaving the roads slick with water. Cars drove by, kicking up puddles of murky, dirty rainwater and drive into various fast food places to get breakfast. Like ants, they scrambled to get first in line in the queue.
One such car, a white hybrid, pulls into the queue, the pavement cracking underneath the tires, almost sounding like fire and parked just a few feet away from the speaker. The occupants laid in wait, the heating turned on to keep them warm in such a chilly, Wednesday morning. For a while it is quiet, the morning air smothering the car in a gentle hold.
Calm.
…
“You know I heard their pancakes suck.” A low, raspy voice spoke, still slurred and drowsy from the alcohol mischief the night before with merry times of grilled cheese and burnt fingers. “Do you think I could get pancakes but like… with extra syrup? I want to drink it like a shot.” He snickered, leaning forwards and gazed into the others field of vision. This man, Was Harold Hutchins. Local illustrator and certified dumbass of the highest degree.
Known for his pranks against the college, Hutchins is anything but predictable. Asking for a syrup shot is the LEAST of one’s worries when it comes to the blonde sitting next to the resident genius.
“Scoff!”
“I would say given your only recent awakening from that idiotic stunt you pulled yesterday, No. but I’m not sure I can stop you so I suppose go for it.” Melvin, the cars second occupant and local Dumbass wrangler with his own track record for pulling a slight goof or two, replied, leaning back on the car with a look one can describe as pure pain and agony. “Just don’t come crying to me when you get heart problems at 40, Hutchins.” He closed his eyes, a knowing smirk on his pale face only slightly concealing his worry.
Yeah, he knows Harold’s shenanigans by now. If he was still a small, socially awkward and closed off boy, he’d no doubt be concerned and disgusted by Harold’s creations against the world and his stomach which he’s very certain is made of pure iron at this point. The man has the tolerance for road kill at this point.
Sometimes it still icks him out.
Sometimes.
But given the last 14 years with said blonde and flat top in a row? Melvin has since adapted to their odd food choices and choices in general. He knows and trusts Harold not to legitimately kill himself with stupid decisions.
“Oh please, I have Billy to cry to, its fine don’t worry!” Harold beamed, oblivious to the others concern.
Billy, oh man Billy. That man was like a decorated war veteran, dealing with his recently appointed boyfriend’s antics and his friends antics. Right now though, he was in Japan on a family trip, visiting his folks for a week or so.
Harold leaned back in his seat, hands curled into his hoodie pocket, fingers running over various fast food wrappers and a leather wallet. The wallet containing various photos of Billy and himself, a few dollars and one credit card, very much used constantly. He held the wallet with a tentative hold, careful to not crush the delicate cargo inside the worn leather.
He didn’t expect to get reeled in so soon by someone but he’s glad it was Billy. “Heh, Bills would’ve had a fit if he heard me say that. You know? He loves pancakes! Especially syrup!” Harold replied, a grin on his face and a happy tone in his voice, full of mirth. Usually how he looks talking about his boyfriend.
Melvin scoffed, looking ahead at the queue, a agitated expression on his face. “Hah! So that’s why you own so many bottles of syrup! I have been wondering that for WEEKS!” The other groaned, exasperated. He had seen the others rather… interesting grocery choices for their dorm. Though both had agreed to not nark on the other for their food choices given each’s odd diet.
Soy protein and potato chips. Sugar free and 60 grams of sugar. Apple juice and energy drinks. A weird combination.
“Wait really?! Dude, you could’ve just asked!!” Harold replied, giggling at The others such dramatic display of despair. He was very familiar with Melvin’s ‘oh my god what are you doing with that garbage food Hutchins? Are you trying to kill yourself at age 24?’ Face.
The car slowly rolled forwards, each occupant inside swaying as the car suddenly halted behind a blue caravan, littered with various stickers and those silly car decorations single moms have on their vans and jeeps. You know, the eyelashes?
They were about the fourth in the queue so they had a moment. Melvin was all in all a fantastic driver! Harold? Not so much. Usually Melvin held reigns over their shared hybrid car, with the exception of Harold driving to the Piqua Pick up and Go super market for their annual monthly grocery trip and various gas station trips to gather food like a bear heading for hibernation or his office in their dorm.
It’s the motion sickness that makes him unable to drive. He usually takes a antiacid before setting a single, dirty sneaker into any moving vehicular vessel, but right now he’s still suffering a hangover and stomach attempting to digest the mass of cheese sitting in his gut. So an antiacid is a no go.
“Man I feel sick…” Harold lamented, hiding his face in his yellow stained hoodie sleeves, groaning. He could feel last nights terrible decisions coming up to haunt him. About a bottle or two of wine and 5 grilled cheeses later brought about a sleepy Harold Hutchins, cared for by one Melvin Sneedly who had just returned to the dorm after a lovely night of working on his mid semester’s project and found his roommate in the midst of creating an abomination of melted cheese and soggy, butter coated bread.
Truly, the peak of college student cuisine.
“Do NOT puke in this car I swear to god!” Melvin snapped, hissing at Harold with a intensity that could rival Benjamin Krupp’s. He had JUST made the last down payment on it!
He loved this car, he will be dammed before Harold ruins the seats with his bodily spewage! Melvin leans over, grabbing a plastic bag left over from various gas station stops and held it out to Harold, “here, puke in this you walking disaster!”
Harold graciously accepted the All-Nite-Day-Rite bag, holding it like a lifeline as the car slowly moved once more and the drive-through radio was now in field of view. “Awhhh, you do care…! There is a heart under all that rock!” Harold mused, teasing the ginger. He knew Melvin did truly care about him and vice versa.
It was still funny to tease him about it though.
“Ah ah! Hutchins! I will kick you out of this car I swear!” Melvin huffed, grabbing hold of his coffee mug from the dashboard, taking a sip of the warm bean brew.
One dash of milk.
No sugar or sweetener.
Just how he liked it.
As the car moved once more, the first occupant, Hutchins, slowly sat up, rubbing his head with a hiss as a wave of pain shot through his head. Yeah, getting wine drunk does that to ya. “Hey Melvin? I didn’t actually apologize for making ya freak out last night… thanks for taking care of me, heh, like always.” He spoke, turning to look at Melvin with a rather clear look in his mix matched eyes. “I’m sorry I give ya trouble all the time.”
“…..” Melvin frowned.
Ah.
Feelings.
“It’s… alright Harold. You and George are the stupid ones of the group and as always I am the one to make sure you both don’t die or something.” He answered, turning to gaze at the blonde with a… relieved look, “but, I appreciate the apology, thank you.”
Harold smiled, leaning over and placing a hand on the others shoulder, comforting. “Heh, what would I do without ya, Sneedly?”
“I dread to imagine the chaos, Hutchins, now Cmon what do you want to order? And no syrup! I swear I will not have you get this car messy with syrup!”
“AWWHH! You’re no FUN! Melvin!!”
#Captain college au#captain underpants#the epic adventures of captain underpants#harold hutchins#melvin sneedly#media.warning.nausea#media.warning.puke mention#first fic ever#yyaaayyy#i wanted to officially write something for this au and I definitely plan on writing more in the future#leave me some feedback in the comments!#i’d love to hear your thoughts
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Clan Spotlight — Chikara
(NOTE: The Chikara Clan and it’s members are Original Creations that we’ve created to flesh out Uzushio better.)
The members of the Chikara clan typically have names that evoke jewels, gemstones, fragile things, or strength. In a general sense, most members born in the clan are tan skinned with sturdy/stocky builds and darker hair colors. They are a matriarchal clan, and have been led by notable figures in Uzushio's history.
Before the village was founded, the women were encouraged to see the men as weaker and were the ones to provide back up while the women were the front line fighters. The men were encouraged to protect the children while the women protected the clan. After the village was founded, the men started breaking the mold of what was typically encouraged and now it is even odds to see men and women of the Chikara on the front lines of a fight.
Traditional Rituals
Before the founding of Uzushio, a member of the Chikara clan had to swim across a river that hosted a school of wild hippos and survive. This was a specific requirement to be an adult and able to enter the battlefield, as it demonstrated the fearless manner of the clan member. After the founding, the trial was deemed too dangerous, and children were considered of age after graduation of the basic Academy. Sometimes especially hot-headed chūnin will still brave the rivers of the monstrous hippos, and emerge with a new summons line.
The clan specialized in pearl hunting / farming and are capable of holding their breath for a surprising amount of time.
Chikara clan leaders were chosen by strength, usually in trial by combat. When a clan head was killed in battle, their second took control and organized a melee of the most successful fighters of the clan. The winner was named clan head. If one wanted to become clan head, they challenged the current head. If defeated, the clan head would step down and pass the duties over to the victor.
In either scenario, killing clansmen was seen as a lack of control and the offender would be exiled from the clan.
Notable Members
Mifuyu (珠冬) A veteran of the Second Shinobi War. She was the Clan Head and she had a contract with the Beachmaster, the boss summon of the hippos. His name was Katsurō (勝郎). Like all Chikara, Mifuyu specialized in Taijutsu. Unlike previous Clan Heads she also developed her Water Affinity to devastating effect, making her a formidable opponent.
Tamajirou (玉治郎) Mifuyu’s younger brother and a veteran of the Second Shinobi War. He was average in the clan’s preferred Taijutsu style but made up for it with his skill in various weaponry. He was a Bukijutsu master, the first in the clan to become one.
Taeko (玉瑛子) A veteran of the Second Shinobi War. She was recently chosen to be one of the Seven Gods of Fortune. She was chosen to be the Bishamonten for her mastery of many Taijutsu styles, exceeding even her clan's expectations.
Sumiyo (珠実代) A veteran of the Second Shinobi War. They held a respected position in the clan. They are the caretaker of the hippos that reside in the river that runs through Uzu and alongside their clan lands. They have a special bond with the hippos that they passed down to their son, Shutarou. Sumiyo and the hippos they cared for protected Uzu against infiltration attempts during the war.
Mitama (みたま) A veteran of the Clan Wars and the First Shinobi War, they were the previous Clan Head. Mitama stepped aside when they felt they were slowing down and settled into their position as Clan Elder and retirement from active duty with ease. They were the last person in the clan that fought in the Clan Wars. They were a master of the clan’s Taijutsu style and favored Iron Rings as their weapon of choice.
Yasakani (八坂瓊) They were a chūnin who aspired to be a Taijutsu and Bukijutsu master and already well on their to achieving their dreams, having graduated and been promoted at a young age. They were one of the more level-headed people to come out of the Chikara in their generation, and surprised everyone when they decided to complete the old coming of age ritual from before the founding of the village. They emerged from the river unscathed and a fresh contract with one of the Beachmaster’s children, Shinobu (忍).
Takara (宝) Zi was an academy student who wished to follow in zir mother’s footsteps and lead the clan to greatness. Zi was a prodigy in the clans preferred Taijutsu style. Zi was also well on zir way to developing zir Water Affinity, taking much inspiration from Mifuyu.
Shutarou (珠太郎) The youngest member of the clan, he hadn’t yet started at the academy when Uzushiogakure was destroyed. Shutarou developed a strong bond with the hippos that reside on the clan land. Shutarou aspired to take after their parent and become their caretaker.
#naruto meta#uzu meta#naruto headcanon#uzushio#text#ours: text#project: uzu no kamigami#ours: meta#fandom: naruto
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