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catcake24 · 8 months

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Ughhhhh I came up with this kind of dumb Splatoon AU DLC thing which is basically a rip off of Octo expansion but it refuses to leave my brain so here’s the basics: Salmonlings being scienced into existence and going through levels to try and be able to leave for the city by sinister group.

There’s a fan concept of Salmonlings, which are basically humanoid versions of Salmonids which also have a swim form but tend to be more xeno in design than Inklings or Octolings.

Salmonlings here are a science experiment gone wrong, where some scientists tried experimenting on Salmonid eggs to create extremely tough monsters. However, this ended up creating Salmonlings by combining Inkling CNA with Salmonid.

Salmonlings can swim in water, unlike Inklings, but loose their main Salmonid form in favour of something…. Fresher. Their swim form is more in line with the appearance of inklings and Octolings swim forms, and they’re able to take on ink like them.

They also can be splatted by enemy ink, as their skin may be able to resist water but can’t handle too much enemy ink.

The dlc follows some of these experiments soon after they emerge from their test tube, being tested for mental and physical capabilities. (Somewhat similar to Octo Expansion or Alterna format). The Salmonlings are promised that if they complete all the tests, they’ll be able to leave the facility; and are then dropped into their hub area which is a barracks/common area for the Salmonlings.

Ideas

- The whole vibe of this dlc is kind of grimy and inspired by the sea a lot more directly - with the music themed after rock and roll, and everything being a little dirty. There are fishing nets everywhere, dark spots on the walls and floors, and water is leaking in from the ceiling.

- The vibe is also supposed to invoke how the Grizz Co hub area feels like, with oranges and greens everywhere.

- The person who takes you in your tests is also a pre-recorded and distorted voice coming through a radio, though it isn’t Mr grizz.

- Salmonlings come out in batches, the batch with the protagonist (and most recent batch) is batch 10 also known as Iota (each batch is given a Greek numeral nickname)

- Other batches of Salmonlings are there, as far back as batch 6 (or Digamma) However, if you are unable to pass their tests in an amount of time, or flunk out, you’re assigned to work in the underground facilities of this place.

- Salmonlings are different from salmonids for many reasons, but Salmonids can somehow tell they are somewhat kin so they don’t attack Salmonlings and even help them on occasion if the situation permits it.

- At the end of every level, there is a pin that can be collected and has a description which reveals a small bit of lore or the feelings of the protagonist through the description. Example: This depicts a Salmon, which were the ancestor to Salmonids. Could they still swim across the seas?

- Every boss level, which there are 5 of them, has a gold pin which is added to the protagonist’s backpack.

- Each boss is a powered up Boss Salmonid: one is a Steelhead with multiple exploding sacks instead of just one, another is a rainmaker and fly fish combo, etc.

- Each test happens on the surface on some kind of shoreline, and the enemies being fought are robot duplicates of the octarian enemies we are familiar with (they don’t resemble them in appearance, they just act like the general enemies).

- One of the other Salmonlings is an npc named Kipper. She acts as an upgrade station, she can sneak in additions to your main weapon and extra sub weapons you can equip to your character. To upgrade you need to collect power eggs from the tests themselves

- As you progress, you have conversations with Kipper about how little we actually know about this, and why they were brought into existence at all. Over time, she becomes basically a big sister to the protagonist and is proud of them when they succeed.

——

When the Protagonist completes all the tests, they are led into a chamber and is almost forced into a weird machine before Kipper comes to rescue them. She reveals that she was suspicious of these tests, and came to our aid as soon as she could and that they have mind controlled a ton of other Salmonlings and made the others work on weapons.

To escape the protagonist needs to go through these weapon facilities, showing they are making war machines and the robotic enemies try and stop the protagonist, as Kipper guides them out of this facility with other Salmonlings escaping behind us (not viewable on screen, but shown in cutscenes after finishing a segment).

After they get out, the Salmonlings are attacked by Lil’ Judd in a huge Mech suit.

He reveals that this whole thing was, of course, a front to make Salmonling soldiers for Lil’ Judd. After he took over Grizz Co, he decided he wanted to start selling golden eggs to other groups. One group of amoral scientists wanted to experiment with them, and Lil Judd agreed to it and oversaw the project. Once he realized how tough the Salmonlings were, he concocted a plan to take over Inkadia by force to permanently upstage his brother who won on the inkling’s side of a war.

Now he’s prepared to attack the escaped Salmonlings, and they quickly take cover. Kipper then rallies the escapees for one last charge against Lil’ Judd, and she will sing the song from her dreams as hard as she can to help them despite her own weakness. She sings a melody not familiar to the Salmonlings, but familiar to us players - the Calamari Inkantation Solo Remix.

Lil Judd summons a bunch of Enemy Salmonlings, and the player has to fight them in four total waves with more and more coming each time. (One optional idea I had but I wasn’t sure was even realistic was having three other Salmonling AI fight alongside you. On one hand it would be a cool subversion of fighting the rivals in splatoon, on the other it would be hard to make balanced or fun in an actual game.)

After the waves are defeated, Lil Judd throws the Salmonlings off himself and boasts that even if his army could be defeated, he won’t be going down!

Then a heavy base comes from the distance, and a twinkle in the sky is then revealed to be DJ Octavio crashing in with Neo Agent 3 and Agent 8 riding on his Mech. Octavio reveals they were brought here once they heard the echoes of the heavenly melody. Neo 3 and 8 handle the army now, and Kipper volunteers us to go and help pilot the Mech to fight Lil’ Judd. We do in an epic Mech fight, with DJ Octavio remixing the solo Inkantation as they fight, and end up winning in a fade to white.

In the ending, the rest of the Squidbeak Splatoon catch-up and decide to help settle the wayward Salmonlings in Inkopolis. The credits roll as the protagonist and Kipper look out at the landscape outside as they travel towards Inkopolis in a bus ending with them leaving and the protagonist giving a small wave before leaving the bus.

In my dreams this would also open up a new area to explore, called Inkadia Harbour which is located next to the sea where the Salmonlings decide to settle in due to how close to the water it is. The player would then be rewarded with being able to play a Salmonling in the game.

And there it is. It’s just a bunch of basic ideas for story and themes, but it appeals to me as something I made up in my head. Now you have to struggle with this not being real too.

#Salmonids #Salmonling #Splatoon au #Splatoon ideas #this is basically just a fanfic written as a dlc lol #splatoon 3 #splatoon #fanfic #salmonid #long post #lil Judd #splatoon fanfic #splatoon salmonid #splatoon Salmonlings #salmonling dlc #might post more later idk

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coopsgirl · 11 months

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The Shadow and the Sunrise

Here is the final chapter. Thank you all for reading and I hope you will enjoy it! Read at AO3 here.

Summary: The elves complete their move across the river and away from the encroaching darkness while Thranduil and Ranyare prepare for their wedding and new life together (safe for work)

Work on their new homes continued into Autumn and before the first snow of Winter fell, all the elves of the Woodland Realm had moved across the river. Scout troops continued to monitor the progression of the darkness into their forest and by the time the move was completed, it had engulfed nearly the entirety of the Greenwood. As Thranduil had hoped, the malevolent force did not cross the water and while the size of his realm had greatly shrunk, he did not mind as his people were safe. Extensive work had been done on the caverns to make them into livable quarters and the king beamed with a great sense of pride as so many of his kind had lived in similar abodes throughout their long history.

“I know these halls are not as grand as Nargothrond or Menegroth, but they are still a beautiful wonder” Thranduil said as he and Ranyare toured their new home. “It is amazing how much this space has been transformed. My room is so lovely and instead of the stone feeling cold and lifeless, it actually seems warm and inviting” she explained as they walked along one of the corridors that led to a small waterfall. “I hope you will not get too attached to it. Come Spring, we will move into our shared chamber” he said as they were both living in what were meant to be guest rooms as work continued on their expansive suite. “I am counting the days till then dear one” she said wistfully as they paused and stood hand in hand watching the clear water that fell from a small shaft down into a pool and then out again down a stream flowing through one of the tunnels. Sunlight glittered on the water making it appear as if diamonds instead of water were falling down before them. Thranduil smiled at the magnificent sight and mused, “This is my favorite place in all these caverns. It makes me think of you, and the change you have brought about in my life. Knowing you, loving you, has been like the sun rising and wiping all the darkness and shadows away.” He raised her hand to his lips and tenderly kissed her knuckles. Her eyes teared up as she echoed his beautiful sentiment. “My life for such a long time has been lived in the shadows, hiding away and running from the pain of the past. You helped me face it and overcome it. I will never be able to thank you enough for that and for your love. I love you so deeply nin galad (my light).” They embraced and Thranduil replied, “And I love you, Nendil.” “Nendil?” She was a bit confused by this until he explained. “I thought it was time for you to have a new name for you are no long a wanderer. It means lover of the lake and that seemed fitting for you. You do not have to use it if you do not like it.” She looked up at him with a big, beaming smile and said, “I love it and so Nendil I shall be from now until the end of days.”

Invitations were soon sent to Imladris and Lothlórien regarding the upcoming royal nuptials. Nendil attached the invitation along with a letter she wrote to the carrier bird that would travel the long distance to the Grey Havens. She let it go and watched as the bird rose higher into the sky and further away until it could no longer be seen. “Do you think she will make it?” she asked Thranduil who stood beside her on the hill. “Let us hope she will. I know how much you would like to see him again.” “It is such a long way. I will understand if he is not able to come.” Nendil tried to put on a brave face but Thranduil knew how disappointed she would be if Círdan was unable to attend their wedding. “Come now, let us go on our picnic and enjoy this beautiful day” he said as he picked up their basket and took her hand. Though still in the grip of Winter’s icy fingers, a few sunny days had melted much of the snow and Thranduil meant to take full advantage of this.

“You spoil me too much nin galad” Nendil said as he spread out a blanket and then filled their glasses with wine. He also laid out the food including her favorite cheeses, crackers, and honey cakes. “I do not believe I have yet spoiled you enough nin anor mír (my sunshine).” He reached into the basket and pulled out a small black velvet drawstring bag and handed it to her. “Thranduil, another gift?!” she said with delight and surprise. Ever since she accepted his proposal, he had bestowed many gifts upon her including new dresses, perfumes, vanity items, and jewelry. “It is not much, but I thought you might like it.” She opened the bag and pulled out a roughly oval shaped stone. Her mouth opened in awe as she held it in her palm and admired its beautiful blue-green color. “I remembered your description of Cuiviénen and the color of the water. I found it near the edge of the pool under the waterfall and thought it might be a good match.” “It is perfect” she said unable to take her eyes away from the thoughtful gift. “I shall keep it with me always.” She put the stone in the specially made pocket of her gown where she also kept her knife. Thranduil chuckled and noted that the tailor may need to make her clothes with larger pockets in the future. “Only if a certain ellon continues to give me such wonderful and heartfelt gifts” she jokingly retorted.

“Trust me, nin anor mír, you have no cause to be uneasy. Everyone who meets you cannot help but be taken with you.” Thranduil’s words did help to calm Nendil’s nerves about meeting their wedding guests who would soon arrive but a part of her still felt hesistant. “I may be about to marry a king but I do not quite feel like a queen. What if they do not think I belong with you, or with them? They are descendants of high kings and Maia and you are not only a king but a brave warrior of the highest skill. I am a simple Nelyar elf who is special do only to my advanced age.” Thranduil tenderly brushed her cheek with the back of his fingers and then moved his hand down to caress her shoulder. “Your age alone is not what makes you special. You have a gentle, calming presence and a quiet inner strength that shines out through your lovely eyes. Eyes that have seen both good and evil and that look out into the world with renewed hope instead of despair. No one would dare to question your worth or place as a queen.” “How do you always know the perfect words to say?” she said as she put her arms around his waist and pulled him close in a warm embrace. “Because I love you.”

Nendil’s fears were completely unnecessary as their guests found her as enchanting as her soon-to-be husband did. Elrond, his wife Celebrían, their daughter Arwen, and Glorfindel made up the delegation from Imladris. Their sons were left behind in Lord Elrond’s place, to guard over their realm. Galadriel and her husband Celeborn, Celebrían’s parents, came from Lothlórien where they had recently become the Lord and Lady of the Golden Wood after the disappearance of King Amroth who had gone in search of the elleth he loved. Their first dinner together was held out in the courtyard built for just such a gathering. The early Spring weather was cool and the scent of the first blossoms of the season sweetened the air.

Throughout dinner, Nendil noticed that Glorfindel took a few glances at her wrists. She no longer hid her scars and although they were quite faded, they were visible as her gown had elbow length sleeves. She was beginning to feel a bit self-conscious about them but once, when she caught him eyeing them, he gave her a smile and she felt as if he understood. After dinner, Nendil seeing they were low on wine, said she would go and fetch more bottles. Glorfindel offered to go with her. “I hope you are not intending to steal my fiancé away” Thranduil joked as the golden-haired elf was quite handsome and very charismatic. “I can clearly see she only has eyes for you, although I cannot imagine why” his old friend said with a laugh and twinkle in his grey eyes.

“Thranduil, you have found someone quite wonderful and I am very happy for you” Elrond said sincerely. “Thank you mellon nin. I hope we will have as happy and loving a marriage as you and Celebrían and as long and successful as you two” he said directing his last comments to Celeborn and Galadriel whose marriage had already spanned thousands of years. “When you have the right partner, they give you strength making it easier to navigate the ebbs and flows of life” Celeborn said looking lovingly at his wife. “We will all need strength going forward as I fear the stability and safety we have enjoyed for centuries is waning. I am loath to dampen our happy mood but as you are all aware, something evil has overcome our forest and it may not stay contained with the borders of the Greenwood.” “I was very sorry to hear about this change as I have always enjoyed our visits here. The mountains are, or rather were, so beautiful” Arwen explained as she and her brothers had traveled many times between the two neighboring elven realms of Lothlórien and Greenwood. “Future travel may have to be limited as our focus will need to be on the protection of each of our realms.” Galadriel’s words were true, and they cast a sad pall on the gathering of old and beloved friends. “Sadly, I agree. I would not feel comfortable leaving my realm for an extended period of time and I understand that each of you feel the same” Thranduil explained. “Then I am glad indeed that what may be our last gathering for some time is for such a joyous occasion” Celebrían said as she raised her glass in a toast.

“I beg your pardon for my staring earlier” Glorfindel said as he and Nendil walked together to the king’s personal wine cellar. “No apology is needed, but thank you.” “You and I have something unfortunate in common. We have both been in close proximity to the ultimate evil and have lived to tell the tale.” She looked up at him and saw real understanding in his eyes and expression. “It is a terrible burden, one that time had only slightly lessened, until I met Thranduil.” Glorfindel smiled and said, “I may tease my friend but he is a good ellon and will surely be a good husband. It is quite obvious how much he loves you.” “I was nervous to meet you all but you have been so kind and I am very happy that you are all here to celebrate with us.” “I am as well. I love a good party and feast” he said as she retrieved a couple of bottles and handed them to him. “I hope you do not mind me asking and if you do not wish to speak of it, please do not feel that you must, but I am very curious what it was like to defeat a balrog.” Her words were a bit timid as she realized that was a traumatic event that led to his death and he was only there now as he had been rebodied and sent back to Middle Earth. “I do not mind speaking of it,” he said reassuringly before he continued. “If I could not defeat Morgoth himself, I am glad to have killed that foul creature who was bent to his will. I would willingly give up my life again to stop anymore of his minions who remain.” “I do wish I could have done more. I did kill an orc after I saw Amon Lanc had been taken by them.” “We each do what we can. I believe the best way to defeat the dark is to not let it overcome your light.”

“I simply cannot wait until the wedding day. Naneth and I made this for you both.” Arwen said after Nendil had returned. She had retrieved the gift while waiting for the pair to return with the wine. Thranduil took the large box tied with a green silk ribbon and opened it. He pulled out what appeared to be a tapestry and when he unrolled it, he and Nendil were both in awe of it. Celebrían and Arwen had used their impressive needlework skills to recreate the sketch Thranduil had sent them of Lake Cuiviénen. “It is beautiful. Thank you both” Thranduil said as he continued to marvel at his sketch in this different medium. Diamonds made up the stars that sparkled above the trees and fine threads of Mithril woven through the blue-green water gave it a truly ethereal quality. “I do not believe I have ever seen such beautiful work. This shall hang in our chambers so we will be sure to see it every day. Thank you so much” Nendil said. Mother and daughter were happy that their gift had been so well received and the group spent the rest of the evening enjoying the wine and jovial conversation.

Thranduil walked Nendil to her room and as had become their custom, they kissed goodnight. Thranduil was in such a good mood however, he was not quite ready for the day to end just yet. She opened her door and he asked, “May I come in?” “I am sorry. Only my husband is allowed in my room” she said with a sly smile and teasing tone. “I shall be your husband in a few short days.” He caressed her cheek with his hand as he pulled her towards him and kissed her again. “But you are not my husband yet.” Nendil moved her head to the side to give him greater access as his kisses moved down her neck. “That is but a mere technicality” he said breathily between kisses. She smiled and took his hand as she pulled him into her room and closed the door. “Now what shall we do my soon-to-be but not quite yet husband?” He did not answer but instead gave her a smirk and picked her up and took a few steps toward her bed. “Oh! Thranduil, put me down!” she protested while laughing. He set her feet back on the ground but not until they were next to her bedside table. “I suppose I can wait a bit longer” he said taking her hands in his. He noticed a ball of nettle yarn sitting on the table by the oil lamp and he let go of one of her hands so he could pick it up. “Are you going to knit something?” he asked as he was curious why she had that as she now wore clothes made of fine silk and velvets. She took the yarn ball from him and looked at it, and then back to his eyes that glowed with so much love and admiration for her. “I keep it so I will not forget what my life used to be. It is not just our joys but also our pain that makes us who we are. They are both a part of life. I never want to take my new happiness for granted; I never want to take you for granted.” “Every day I wake up and thank Eru that you will be my wife. It is good to have friends and while they may bring much comfort, you have made me feel whole again after so much loss. Goodnight nin anor mír” Thranduil said sweetly as he kissed her forehead. “Goodnight nin galad” she said softly as they reluctantly parted.

It was now the day before their wedding and Nendil was sitting in the garden of Thranduil’s mother’s plants that flourished in the Spring sunshine as she and Galadriel, Celebrían, and Arwen worked on the flower and ribbon garlands that would decorate the courtyard. Thranduil and Celeborn joined them and after a bit of small talk the king said to his fiancé, “I have a surprise for you.” He then gestured for someone to join them and an ellon with long silver hair and a short white beard stepped out from behind the tall hedge that encircled the garden. “Nowë!” she said with a gasp as she used the name she had known him by so long ago. “Dear Nórime” he said walking towards her and she rushed to him as well and as they embraced, neither one could stop the tears from flowing at such a long-awaited reunion. He leaned down to whisper to her, “We never blamed you for what happened. You did the best you could.” She squeezed him even more tightly and the tears she shed then would be the last that old pain would ever cause her.

For a moment, it was as if they were back at the shores of the lake without a care in the world. The others were anxious to speak to him as it had been a long time since they had been in each other’s company. They were happy to let the pair have as long as they needed and once they finally parted, they walked hand in hand to join their friends. Galion brought them some tea and cakes and then work continued on the garlands as they spoke of many things. “I distinctly remember your hair being as black as a raven’s wing” Círdan said. “I do not recall you having a beard mellon nin.” “I suppose time changes all things, including ourselves” he chuckled in response. Galadriel looked at her husband and teasing him said, “I wonder how you shall look with a beard meleth nin?” They all laughed as Celeborn retorted, “I have many years to go before we may find out.” “Celeborn is going to speak for Thranduil and I want to ask if you would you speak for me tomorrow and give your blessing over our union?” Nendil asked her dear friend as it was custom for the couple’s parents or close friends to do so during weddings. “I would be honored. The only thing that would give me more joy would be to one day see the blessed shores of Aman” he said with a warm smile.

The time for the ceremony had come and Thranduil waited for his bride in the sitting room. “I am ready” she said causing him to turn and stare at her with wonder. The sleeveless light pink gown accentuated her figure and looked beautiful with her silver hair and violet eyes. Darker pink flowers and greenery had been embroidered along the bodice, down past the waist, and along the hem.

“I have never seen anyone more beautiful” he said stepping towards her and taking her hands in his. “You look wonderfully handsome” she replied as his silver tunic with charcoal grey leggings and knee-high black boots made him quite a sight indeed. “You are missing something” he said with a grin as he reached for a box and opened it revealing a silver circlet that matched his own. Nendil bowed slightly and he placed the symbol of her queenship on her head.

When they walked out into the courtyard hand in hand, a great cheer erupted from the gathered elves. The couple smiled and waived as they made their way to a small dais at the front of the crowd where Celeborn and Círdan were already standing. Celeborn began the ceremony as the sun shone bright overhead. “We are gathered here today to celebrate a most joyous occasion, the joining of Thranduil and Nendil in marriage. I have known Thranduil his entire life and am proud to call him my friend. As a child, he would often play in the forest until the late hours and his parents would have to send soldiers out to find him.” The crowd chuckled and then he continued. “I remember a time when Oropher confided in me that he was concerned his son seemed to show no interest in leadership or learning about diplomacy and other skills necessary to be a good prince and maybe someday a king. Of course, Thranduil was only 16 years old.” This got an even bigger laugh. “Those worries were completely unfounded however as you all can attest to his strengths as your king. I am confident his parents would be proud of the leader he has become and of the wonderful elleth he has chosen to be his queen. May the blessings of the Valar and Eru himself make your marriage a strong and happy one” he said concluding his speech as everyone clapped. When the applause died down, Círdan began his blessing. “I cannot express to everyone here how much joy I feel at the happiness my dear friend has found. I can think of no one who deserves it more that she. She has at last found a home and will wander no longer. Thranduil, you are not simply getting a wife or even a queen, but a loyal force of nature who will selflessly fight for you and your people. Cherish each other and let your love be a source of strength for whatever may lie ahead. I second my friend Celeborn’s sentiment in wishing the Valar’s blessings on you both.”

The crowd cheered again as the bride and groom now prepared to share their vows and exchange rings. They were both a bit overcome with emotion but they gathered themselves and began. “Nendil, I Thranduil pledge to you my love, respect, protection, and fidelity all the days of my life.” Celeborn handed him the ring, a gold band with leaves carved into it, and he placed it on her finger. “Thranduil, I Nendil pledge to you my love, loyalty, devotion, and counsel all the days of my life.” Círdan handed her a matching ring and she slid it onto Thranduil’s finger. “To the king and queen!” Celeborn exclaimed as the coupled kissed and the elves boisterously cheered.

The celebration included a wonderful dinner, plenty of Thranduil’s favorite wine, and dancing. Nendil felt as if she was floating as she and Thranduil danced under the setting sun. He whispered something to her causing her to blush and smile from ear to ear. She nodded ‘yes’ and then they snuck away from the crowd and back to their shared chambers. “I hope our guests will not be upset that we left early” she said as Thranduil poured them one last celebratory glass of wine. “I would guess they are surprised we stayed as long as we did” he said matter of factly as he handed her the glass. She giggled as they toasted each other and then drank the sweet, fragrant wine. “I have never had anything like this” Nendil said as she savored the taste. “It is a very special wine that is only produced in small batches. I have saved it for only myself but now, everything I have, everything I am, is yours.” “Nin galad, I love you so very much” she said stepping towards him and wrapping her arms around his neck and he wrapped his around her waist. “Would you care to show me exactly how much you love me?” he whispered into her ear, his breath warm and soft against her skin. “It would be my pleasure aran nin.”

The End

Notes: Naneth = Mother

#the shadow and the sunrise #thranduil fanfiction #thranduil fan fic #thranduil fluff #thranduil #elvenking #greenwood #mirkwood #tolkien tag #expanded middle earth history #ao3 #thranduil x elvenqueen #elrond #celebrian #arwen #galadriel #celeborn #cirdan #glorfindel

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seeyouafter · 5 months

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SYA Extended Notes Ch. 29

Notes for "See You After" Chapter 29: July 4: Shouto - Fujitani Hospital Discharge Summary

There are quite a few things I've alluded to in this chapter, in regards to Shouto's issues with his quirk and his mental health. I decided to leave things a little vague for a few reasons:

Just as there is a link between physical health and mental health, I think there would probably be a strong link between quirks and mental health, especially for people like Shouto whose quirk is a big part of their identity. However, there isn't a straightforward answer as to how these things are linked and they're still trying to figure things out.

Therapists have different views on whether a diagnosis is important for treatment. In this case, I feel like there were more pressing things for them to focus on with Shouto's situation, and while his therapist obviously has reason to suspect certain things, I think she doesn't want to put an official label on it yet, especially since Shouto probably isn't ready to hear it at this point.

The main reason I didn't give him a concrete diagnosis is that I don't feel comfortable doing that since I'm not a mental health professional. I will end up portraying certain things in more detail as the story progresses (hence the tags on the fic), but I'd rather have that speak for itself instead of having it seem like a checklist of relevant traits associated with a specific diagnosis.

Also, I am not familiar with how the mental health system works in Japan and am basing most things on personal experience and research from English-speaking sources (mostly American).

(wow, that was an unnecessarily long explanation)

As I mentioned in the notes for Ch. 16 (Katsuki's discharge summary) I spent a bit too much time coming up with names for the doctors. Details on name etymology and their specialties below.

As usual, the names are given in the Japanese order (family name, then given name)

Tomone Naho, Psy.D., M.D. - Psychologist, Quirk Medicine 知念 (Tomone): 知 = knowledge, understanding, wisdom; 念 = wish, feeling, thought 和歩 (Naho): 知 = harmony, peace, Japan; 歩 = walk PsyD = Doctor of Psychology (she also has a general medical degree, hence the MD, which I headcanon is some kind of quirk-medicine specialty)

Shouto's therapist at Fujitani Hospital. Nothing too significant about her name, other than wanting to include the kanji for feelings/thoughts (念) and peace (知) since it seemed appropriate for a therapist, so I just tried to find names that used those kanji that sounded good together. Naho is also the name of the main character in "Orange" (the manga that was referenced in the letters in Chapters 6 & 7), although it's written with different kanji.

Kitayama Kazuhiro, Psy.D., M.F.C.C. - Psychologist 北山 (Kitayama): 北 = north, 山 = mountain 和浩 (Kazuhiro): 和 = harmony, peace, Japan, 浩 = wide expanse, abundance M.F.C.C. (Marriage, Family, and Child Counselor)

This was the family counselor they were referred to in Furano. Again, I went with a name that used the kanji for harmony/peace (和). I didn't have much in mind for his last name but figured that they'll be in the north (北) and mountains are steadfast and reliable, which are probably good qualities for a counselor to have.

Shizume Yuko, Psy.D., M.D. - Psychologist / Quirk Psychology Specialist 静目 (Shizume): 静 = quiet, stillness, peacefulness; 目 = eye, insight, care 優心 (Yuko): 優 gentle, soothing; 心 = heart, mind, spirit her quirk allows her to calm someone down if she looks them in the eye

Her name was the most interesting for me. The reason is pretty self-explanatory if you look at the meanings of the kanji, and I went through a similar selection process as the others. But because of the inclusion of the kanji for eye (目), I decided that she has some kind of calming quirk that activates with eye contact, which would probably be useful in her profession.

#sya extended notes #sya: bridges #see you after fic #dancing girl writes

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serenebeasts · 1 year

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This will probably have been in the drafts for a while by the time it’s posted because there’s a lot and I get tired SDKFJSFDKS but without further ado: the WIP rundown no one asked for.

Organised at the very least by subject matter, because while I may be out of control, I’m not a heathen.

WARNING: these won’t be spoiler-free.

Also, I’m noting this here because otherwise I’ll one hundred percent keep restating it with half the items on the list: I like angst I like to have fun :)

This is about to be so long. I apologise in advance if you’re of a mind to read the whole thing, and I thank you if you manage it.

Akash: Path of the Five

Ignatius/Aurora body painting – Ignatius asks Aurora if he can practice the art of body painting on her! Body-painting ensues, and also kissing. Aurora flirts with her man, her man loses his composure several times. Post-game, maybe post-wedding but I haven't decided that yet.

Andromeda Six

“I loved you, Vexx.” – f!Traveller/Vexx. You know that one scene in the storage room where the Traveller is supposed to interrogate Vexx but then you have the option of making things a bit emotional? Yeah.

Post-episode 5 – Because for some reason I wanted to sit in the feeling of terror and panic after Vexx gets shot. There will be content warning tags for medical procedures. I’m undecided on whether it’ll be Vexx route or Damon route, but either way Reba has a lot of love in her heart for Vexx and she is very worried for him.

Wereshark Vexx – More of a general AU idea than an actual work-in-progress at this stage, but it’s horny. Safety-for-work to be determined. Also, it has “wild stallion tamed by a teenage girl” energies, but instead of an untamed herbivore it has Vexx with some kind of metamorphosing virus, and instead of an adolescent schoolkid it has 20-something Princess Reba.

Blooming Panic

“Make me.” – xyx and lovelylola experience everyone’s favourite ‘challenge your significant other in a loving but definitely not god-honouring way’ trope, with LL as the perpetrator. A series of little moments, all inspired by the appearance of that line in the actual game.

Changeling

Ewan/Nora Build-A-Bear – Ewan and Nora go to the aforementioned store. Nora is an agent of chaos and somehow manages to create the perfect Ewan Bear despite the fact that there is no such real-life thing as Headless Teddy (trust me, I scoured the website. But you bet I'm making it work). I’m having maybe too much fun using the Build-A-Bear creation process as a narrative device.

Dragon Age

A Weakened Mind – Fenris/f!Hawke. DA2 Fenris + a combination of canonical spells that have an effect which is similar to the Feeblemind spell from D&D 5e = pain.

Gang AU – f!Cousland/Zevran. It's an Origins gang AU. She has bits of a fic but no plot, your honour.

Post-Enemies Among Us – Hawke being like “Ah. Mind control. These are the continued consequences of me not minding my own business. We love purposely not sleeping in case we were going to have nightmares.”

Twinblades – f!Cousland/Zevran. You know how in Awakening the flavour text for these default daggers equipped to a rogue Warden is like “these belonged to some guy from Nevarra for like a day but then they were nicked”? Here’s a concept: Zevran took them for his babygirl (gender neutral). Unclear how integral the daggers are to the plot as a whole, but they are very important to the beginning of the fic.

Fire Emblem

“Who is that?” – Gaius/f!Robin. An expansion on Robin and Gaius meeting in the Shepherds’ base camp, because in game it’s (I think?) Chrom who has to speak to him to recruit him, and I was like “But how does the tactician who now has to fit another moving part into the battle plan feel about this? And how does Gaius feel about the strange-looking but also very pretty tactician?”

Jeralt is Dead – Pain! Grief! Academy phase Byleth struggling to process her father’s death, the Blue Lions not knowing how to help her process it!

Kill Miklan again – Sylvain/f!Byleth. Post-game, some mage somewhere finds TOWSITD’s necromancy handbook and goes “You know what we should do with this? Bring back the Ashen Demon’s husband’s piece of garbage brother. Great plan, team! We won’t be hunted down and made to pay for our crimes at all!”

Lorenz/Marianne first date jitters – Post-game. Lorenz Hellman Gloucester puts his big boy boots on and woos Marianne von Edmund, like the newly-realised Actually A Genuinely Nice Man that emotional maturity has helped him become. We all clap for him.

Student Byleth AU – More of a collection of ficlets than one whole piece, but all of them feature Byleth as a student at the Academy rather than one of the teachers.

Sylvain/f!Byleth Hanahaki AU – The general storyline probably speaks for itself, but I ask the additional question: what if mutual pining meant double the sickness?

Sylvain/f!Byleth modern jousting performer AU – Sylvain Jose ‘I embody the Showy Horseman knightly archetype’ Gautier works for an entertainment company which I’ve described in my notes as being Medieval Times mixed with WWE. He flirts with Byleth ‘I’m a world-famous pop star but I also like swords so I have a season pass to the fake joust show’ Eisner a lot. Also, Jeralt says ‘canoodling’.

Sylvain/f!Byleth smut – There’s a bit of background to set the scene, but not much active plot once things get rolling. Sylvain has been in Fhirdiad, Margravine Byleth has been running the show in Gautier. Reunion time!

The Cat – I’m not sure if I want to finish this one, but the gist of it is that in academy phase there is this one very large tomcat which has decided to hang out in the Blue Lions classroom, and he’s in a bit of a state because he’s unwell. I’ve mostly been pantsing so I don’t know what the fuller plot is, but there will be a time jump to war phase and the big fluffy guy will come back looking strong and hearty. Something along the lines of ‘parallels between Dimitri Then and Dimitri Now, but with contrast provided by the physical wellbeing of a domesticated feline’.

The Grand Cathedral of Garreg Mach – Azure Moon. Getting fancy with the metaphors again to compare the absolute state the cathedral is in at the beginning of war phase to the absolute state of one Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd during the same time period. The cathedral gets repaired as time passes; Dimitri's mental health improves with some care and patience from those around him. Hints of Sylveth.

Greedfall

“Governor’s legates aren’t quite the same as Naut captains, my love.” – A fun little drabble about my De Sardet and Vasco having morning snuggle time and debating whether she really needs to get out of bed and attend to paperwork right this minute.

Dearest Constantin – De Sardet writing a letter that she'll never send, because she killed her cousin for the greater good.

Hades

“Am I a monster, Achilles?” – Zagreus asks Achilles for some good old-fashioned father-figure-brand reassurance because he just got his ass beat by Theseus, a.k.a. The hero king who did all of that neat stuff with killing bad guys and was granted Elysium, and his self-esteem is not high.

Hypnos/Zagreus smut – Barely any background and no plot to speak of.

Mass Effect

“Tell me something about you, Commander Shepard.” – Garrus/f!Shepard. We start during 1, with Garrus querying Shepard in an effort to foster a positive relationship between them, because at that stage he’s one of exactly two non-humans on the Normandy and it seems wise to make friends with the commanding officer. ‘Tell me something’ quickly becomes A Thing That The Commander And Garrus Do at incidental points across the trilogy.

“There are aliens on deck.” – My humble contribution to the classic ‘Shepard squares up with someone being less than polite about her alien crew’ scenario, but this time the perpetrator is also a Normandy crew member. No xenophobes allowed on this starship.

Alchera – The requisite expansion on Hackett’s assignment to collect dog tags and sight out a spot for a memorial on that one particular ice planet where Shepard, y’know. Died.

Banner of the First Regiment – Inspired by the turians in Purgatory who are looking for the titular artefact in 3. Shepard finds the banner and returns it, as one does when one is doing a playthrough where one is trying to do all possible assignments, and the officer buys her a drink, which turns into a drinking contest. As I was brainstorming ideas for it, I started drawing connections between the implied situation of the First and the Tennyson poem The Charge of the Light Brigade, so that will probably have some significance.

Everyone has heard of Commander Shepard. – From the POV of an as-yet nameless and faceless Alliance marine assigned to the Normandy after the Reapers first hit Earth. It’s had a few facelifts since I first started drafting it, but the core of it is a third-person perspective of Shepard at the beginning of 3 with a few hops forward in time up to and including the pickup of a certain turian sniper at Menae.

Garrus is… – Garrus/f!Shepard. The classic ‘using repetition to show something evolving while having a constant at its core’ technique.

Hell hath no fury like Shepard defending her crew. – Another one with not much of a plot yet; thus far it’s pretty much just some sections of one scene and that’s it. A rando on the Presidium starts trash talking the Normandy crew, and my dear darling Aspen Shepard reacts as any self-respecting Australian does when overhearing baseless trash talk about her friends: immediately starts shit with said rando about it.

Home – Garrus/f!Shepard. Truly disgusting fluff about Shepard having a bricks-and-mortar home that she owns for the first time in her life, thanks to Anderson’s gift. Kind of a collection of moments rather than a full narrative, but what’s important is that one of them involves Shepard asking Garrus to move in.

Lost But Not Forgotten – ME Andromeda. If you’ve played Andromeda then you’ll probably recognise the title because I lifted it directly from the questline about searching for the turian Pathfinder. In my outline notes I’ve written, and I quote, “I wonder if Ryder and Avitus would trauma or grief bond about them being Pathfinders for their respective races, and having become such Specifically because the previous Pathfinders intentionally put Ryder and Avitus before themselves because they loved them”, so that's more or less the gist, with a side of ‘Avitus was Macen’s second, but Ryder was just Alec’s kid’.

Post-EC ending – Shepard lives (😤) and, after a period of recovery and a lengthy negotiation during which she has every right to ensure her requests are met with no conditions, she gets a cruiser and a small crew and goes off to do something I haven’t plotted yet because all I have written is the emotionally compromising first chapter, post-game, from Garrus’ POV.

Sole Survivor – Everyone loves a good bit of pre-canon speculation on what kind of hell a character went through during XYZ backstory element, right?

Monster Hunter

Rider and Kyle being enemies – In context of the story progression of Wings of Ruin, the main character and Kyle resolve their differences fairly quickly. But what if they were only allies for the sake of saving the world, didn’t actually like each other or get along outside of world-saving tasks (although Kyle makes a half-hearted effort at first), and continued to butt heads for several years afterwards?

Pokémon

Crime de la Crime – Guzma/OC. The providence of this one can be traced directly back to the fateful day I entered my local cinema and watched ‘Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)’, to use that masterpiece’s full government name. Chaotic ‘hero versus… villain, question mark?’ AU, where Casey is the super-powered Spitfire and Guzma is the master thief known as Shadow.

First date – Guzma/OC. This is by no means their ‘canonical’ first date, as it were; it might end up being so, but I need to write out everything that comes before it in their timeline of events (specifically We Are Kings and the Kalos arc) to be confident it would go this way. As it stands, Guzma takes advantage of the fact that Casey thinks the occasion is special enough for a dress rather than her usual shorts-and-a-graphic-tee fare and makes a dinner reservation somewhere fancy enough that reservations are encouraged.

Grim Reaper AU – Guzma/OC. Fairly self-explanatory. Guzma is the Reaper, Casey is a recently deceased whose soul Guzma is responsible for safely escorting to the afterlife. I couldn’t just let it be simple, though, and there’s action and adventure involved as well as some ‘past lives’ flashback shenaniganry.

We Are Kings – Guzma/OC. The piece of writing which explores how Casey and Guzma get to know each other and catch feelings. Follows the broad timeline of Sun/Moon. One of the things about this one is that I started drafting it during a time when I was dealing with Stuff, so I used the original version as a way to vent my frustrations. Casey was only sparsely fleshed out at the time, but she’s much more so these years on, so I’ve been wanting to give the fic a major overhaul—i.e., demolishing the whole thing and maybe keeping a few scenes that would still work in an entirely reimagined version of the piece that allows Casey to shine more as a developed character rather than just as a Face for Audrey’s Self-Insert Guzma Fantasies. I had been posting the original version on AO3 until I decided to rewrite, and it’s still accessible (incomplete) Here. I might even leave it up once I get the reboot sorted, just as a fun point of reference.

Kalos University arc – Guzma/OC. I’m making myself keep this mostly in the planning phase because how it pans out is directly related to how We Are Kings goes. But, in summary: Casey, having figured out roughly what she wants out of life, decides to do her undergrad at an entirely made-up university campus back in Kalos. Guzma stays in Alola. It’s kind of a ‘long-distance situationship’ thing.

ME Casey AU – Vega/OC as well as Guzma/OC (with a side helping of @fightfortheusers' Makai), so it really could have gone either under this heading or Mass Effect, but she was a Pokémon OC first, so that’s where I’ve decided to keep the folder. Another which is more a collection of scenarios than a fic, but there is this whole thing about Casey being one of the Normandy crew members abducted by the Collectors in 2 which could probably be refined into a proper work with the amount of content it has.

Paramore The Only Exception – Guzma/OC. Requisite ‘but what if it wasn’t mutual pining’ fic, as per the angst fic writer playbook. One-sided, with Casey as the ‘side’.

Plumeria glances at her – Plumeria/OC. Just a Plumeria/Casey drabble, because Casey is my little bisexual angel baby.

Small-time Rock Band AU – Guzma/OC. Me being a dirty rotten former 5SOS diehard, I wouldn't be myself if I didn't have at least one of this flavour of AU. Casey is the guitarist in a locally renowned band of which Piers Swordandshield and Olivia Sunandmoon are also members. Guzma is in the audience one night. That's as far as I've got so far, but if I know my own mind, I'll come back to it shortly.

That being said – Raihan/OC. This one stars my Galar OC, Lottie. There is some sort of red carpet event pre-relationship, and the gym challenger whom Lottie manages (@fightfortheusers' Matteo, icyww) has managed to wrangle her an invitation to said event as Raihan's plus-one. She wants to strangle the kid, it's very funny.

Redacted Audio

Inversion – Milo/Sweetheart. The contents are pretty self-evident; I’m subjecting everyone to Inversion fic. While what I’ve drafted thus far is from Sweetheart’s POV, I think it would be fun and not at all upsetting to include the rest of the listeners whose partners are involved in the storyline. The opening will be the aforementioned Sweetheart POV, including them getting a situation report and proceeding to shit themselves in worry without reprieve until they see that Milo wound up on the outside of the ward.

Helping your feisty werewolf boyfriend shift again – Milo/Sweetheart. This one came to me before the Inversion fic, so I guess I’m working backwards? Stay tuned next year for Freelancer & Caelum baking fic, if the trend continues. With this one the intent is to put an actual written voice to how Sweetheart might have reacted to Milo “I am at my limit” Greer having a very understandable breakdown about his damaged core and unresponsive shifter magic.

When The Night Comes

“Gods above and below.” – Omen/Alkar/Hunter. Zeina has been out of town on a solo assignment, but the day she was supposed to get back has come and gone with neither word nor sign of her. Alkar is freaking out, Omen is only freaking out a bit less. But oh, what’s this? Here she comes, stumbling through the woods concussed and bleeding profusely! Basically, it’s an injury recovery fic.

The novelty hasn’t quite worn off – Omen/Alkar/Hunter smut. Without going into too much detail for the sake of the timeline, this work is Zeina being disgustingly in love with her partners while also trying very hard not to give them the satisfaction of having reduced her to begging.

Zeina dress – Omen/Alkar/Hunter. It’s midwinter, there isn’t much work to do because most creatures dislike the cold, and Zeina is losing it a bit so she decides to make herself a pretty outfit to cope.

Honourable mention for media where the fic ideas I have are languishing in the brainstorming stage: Errant Kingdom.

There are also. Several original works. I might make a separate post for those, if anyone is interested in more of my half-baked fictional projects?

@ejunkiet

#I feel you can very much see each place where I would've been like #remember how I said I like angst? yeah :)#but yes here it is #thank you and I'm sorry #personal

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chrono-the-babe · 2 years

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What are your thoughts on if chrono trigger got a pixel HD remake, so it was in the style of the new live a live remake, or octopath traveler/triangle strategy?

Hey! Thanks for the question >:)

Going to be totally up front with you, I've only heard of octopath traveler via the release on switch, and didn't know live a live or triangle strategy until I tried to quickly look up what they were for this haha. I watched a few reviews/demos for all of these, but please feel free to expand upon or correct anything I've misunderstood!

After watching a comparison video for live a live, on initial view that's pretty gorgeous. If ct were to get the same treatment, it could be really beautiful! I gotta say tho, totally nitpicky, but I don't think I'm a fan of having 'realistic' elements like the sand and water right against the pixel textures.. I'd be interested to see what those elements would look like with the same pixel style - I just feel that they stand out a bit too much and clash with the style that they're going for in the rest of the environments. Tho I say that with a pinch of salt (or grain of sand haha) cause I'm only watching videos and not playing the game myself. Honestly, as long as it's not the 'HD' pixel art that the steam port had, that smoothed the pixels and ruined it all by creating seam rips in backgrounds that were seamless in the og, it can't be THAT bad.

In regards to the battle system.. I think I'm less inclined to have it changed - or at least, if they DO change it in a potential remake, there needs to be the option from the get-go to have the original battle system in place. The way that ct battle is already built is simple to learn and fun to master (at least until you've maxed everyone out to 999, then you barely have to think about it until lavos :p) and the first play through is paced really well in regards to how strong you are in battle. I'm not a fan of the cc battle system and I'd feel like I've had my ass kicked to the moons if the ct battle was adapted to reflect that more... Ct battle as it is should generally stay untouched because it's already well crafted.

I don't know if you've heard of the fan sequels crimson echoes/flames of eternity, I tried to complete ce a year or two ago; but because they had changed the battle system/lvl points to make it 'harder,' it was completely broken, and not in the players favour. I have a few things to say about ce, but they're not all nice lol so I'll leave it there - but that's part of the reason why I feel it's best to NOT mess with the battle system as a whole. I don't know how adding more things to think about in battle would help, and I worry that it'll break that battle progression that's paced well and easy to understand if you're a newbie/don't care about the battle system.

However, when I was 'researching,' I did see that there were parts of the battle in octopath traveler that kind of looked timed? I'm not sure if you've played paper mario 64, but in battles there's a slight timing element and it made me wonder if it was similar to that? In paper mario, if you press the action button just right while you land your attack, you get an increased chance for critical hit/double jump ect, I feel that maaaaaybe if a slight time based thing that was lenient like that was introduced to battle (or maybe was an expansion to battle in the way accessories like the rage band are?) that it could be fun without feeling hostile!

I also looked into triangle strategy a bit, but the battle looked more like chess meets turn based rpg battle to me... I don't think having an actual grid to fight across like that would work in ct's favour. I know an aspect that might appeal to that format would be the proximity to counter attack, but to suddenly have a battle grid would (in my opinion) take away the charm of the 'real time battle' that ct had, and I don't think it's needed as the party can move to attack whatever enemy they like via selection, and the enemies often move around the screen anyway in ct as is. Adding a board might become a redundant hassle... To bring up paper mario again lol, in the most recent game, origami king, the battles all take place on a circle arena that you turn, literally turn based battle. It gets old real quick and isn't very fun, when the more traditional rpg battle style of previous games worked perfectly fine.

Another example that might help illustrate my concerns with adding too many things to the battle system would be Mario kart 8. It's a decent kart game, but the system for both weight class and the body/wheel/paraglider kart build is INSANE and I hate it tbh. It's Mario kart, I just wanna race, and being forced to build a kart that majorly impacts the way in which you drive sucks ass. And they took out wheelies for motorbikes where the point :'''( I don't wanna have to think about whether I need to build something with inside or outside turning and consider if my heavy character is a light-heavy or heavy-heavy, that detracts from what I came to play and makes it a lot of screens to pass through before I can actually start racing. There also isn't any clear indicators for these weird stats you gotta consider, so you might just try to build a kart that seems balanced and start racing and then find you've fucked yourself over as soon as you start to drift. To me, that is a classic instance of hostile game design - it's only there for the people that REALLY care and is completely overwhelming and useless to players who don't care. If ct were to have things like job classes or battle grids or anything else added... My main concern is ruining the balance that's already in ct, but the other big concern I have is this ^^ I don't want layers upon layers of convoluted and potentially poorly explained systems to be crammed in cause it worked for other games. Ct is it's own game, and what works really well in octopath or triangle strategy might be nothing but a detriment outside of those games.

To tl;dr, I think that the HD Pixel style of these games would be awesome to see a ct remaster in (with perhaps a few tweaks) and I think the battle system should be left alone, perhaps with only minor qol tweaks to modernize it.

Thank you so much for the question, and please feel free to expand upon or correct anything I've misunderstood!

#chrono trigger #chronotrigger #クロノトリガー #asks #athetos #discussion #rads talks #all these games look pretty interesting so thanks for pointing them out #dunno if I'm interested in playing them myself (plus I'm pretty busy these days haha) but i may watch some playthroughs if i get a chance #it would be super awesome if ct got some modern love soon huh?#sorry if it's rambly i just love talking about video games and especially ct LMAO

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witchofthescions · 2 years

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𝟎𝟔. 𝐉𝐔𝐏𝐈𝐓𝐄𝐑 !

Planet Headcanons

is your muse a lucky person ? do things randomly tend to go their way without much effort, or do they have to work for bad luck ?

((Erna's been pretty lucky so far, even despite literally getting killed at one point lmfao. That's not to say she doesn't have to put in some work to get the things she wants, it's just that luck has also been a significant factor in her successes too.))

when was the moment in your muses life that they had to grow up, a situation where they just knew it was time for them to mature ? perhaps a traumatic event, maybe even an exciting one !

((Honestly, the moment that really made Erna stop and reevaluate her approach to things was the Naadam, and all the destruction she wreaked there. That's kind of been the turning point for her.

For Lenar, his personal turning point is what spurred him to leave Ishgard in the first place. In a sense he kind of kicked himself out of the nest and forced himself to start really maturing, even though he didn't even feel fully prepared for it. And he's definitely come a long way since then.))

has your muse found their happiness in life ? their purpose ? if so, when and how did that happen ?

((Erna's definitely pretty happy with her life as an adventurer, even if the events of Stormblood were considerably less fun than her previous adventures and the next two expansions are going to put her through the wringer too.

Lenar's happier than he's been for... most of his life, really. The moment he picked up the Scholar soul stone and summoned Eos/Lily for the first time was when he finally found his purpose. When the stone whispered the secrets of ancient Nymian healing techniques to him, that's when it all clicked. He didn't have to fight and kill, he could soothe and heal instead.))

what gives your muse confidence, what makes them optimisitc ? or are they pessimistic ?

((Erna's a very optimistic person to begin with, and it's kind of a catch-22 situation for her. She's succeeded at So Many Things so far, of course she's going to keep succeeding! That's why Stormblood was such a stumbling block for her. Because for most of it, she failed. And she kept failing. She was struggling to make progress and keep going forward. So she kind of ended up falling back on her own general stubbornness to fuel her optimism; "what the hell else are you going to do," anyone?

Lenar is much more pessimistic, often struggling to find the resolve to keep going like Erna does. He's getting better, though, and gaining enough confidence in himself and his abilities to basically compensate for his general pessimistic outlook. More of a "we've done impossible things before, we can pull it off again" sort of outlook.))

what makes their life purposeful ?

((Erna likes helping people! Seeing other people happy and thriving because of her actions really lifts her spirits. Knowing she's made a positive difference in someone's life is nice.

Lenar has a similar drive to help others. For him, knowing that he's saved someone's life is really rewarding. He's seen so much loss and devastation in his life that preventing it for once is just... indescribable.))

#Anonymous #informal inquiries (asks)#!meme responses #!headcanons

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ariamoonfox99 · 9 months

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I have recently gotten obsessed with Jujutsu Kaiden and I’m all for it. Though making on oc, was it worth it, maybe. Going through the trouble of creating a whole background and technique for her is challenging to say the least. She’s still a work in progress. I need ideas. 😭😭😭

All I can say is that her name is Yamabuki Tomoe, a young semi-grade 1 jujutsu sorcerer who poses as a shrine maiden at temples to exorcise curses.

Personality

Yamabuki is an introverted girl who has little to no social skills but acts like she’s not bothered. However she has her ways of showing kindness and despite being shy around new people and even people she knows, she ends up putting on a professional front when greeting others, seldomly speaking in one word responses. Others who know her for a while have experienced a softer side, sometimes tugging on the hem or sleeve of a person’s clothing to get their attention.

During missions- solo or with a partner or group- she’s completely focused on exorcising curses, a devoid expression is usually on her face when she’s tasked with keeping lesser curses at bay if there’s a larger curse on a group mission. Solo and partner missions is where she really lets loose a bit of an unhinged side when it comes to curses at her level. She makes sure to tell her partner beforehand to stand back since her technique might accidentally target them too. She may come off as cold but she generally does care for her partner’s safety, the last thing she wants is for them to be injured because of her cursed energy suddenly going out of control that it not only affects the curses in the area but as well as her partner. In the end when the job gets done, she’s immediately fawning over their injuries and making sure nothing happened while she was fighting. Once they arrive back at the school, her professional act is back on for the report.

Her technique is somewhat flower based but her main motif is spider lilies. Albeit similar to Hanami but more based on flowers than plants altogether. While Yamabuki cherishes her technique, she’s also afraid of it because of how much damage she does to a curse that she can’t help how painful it feels and wondered how it would feel for her if it was used against her. Thinking back to when she first used it on accident when her cursed energy burst, she was scared half to death afterwards that she ended up locking herself up in her room after recovery but in the end, mulled over everything Gojo had said to her and to what she can do to use her technique without restrictions and for good instead of on impulse. So here she is now trying to master her technique without worry of losing control of her energy.

Innate Cursed Technique: Foreboding Garden

Flower of the Reaper

-Scatter (Chirabaru)

-Embed (Umekomu)

-Bud (Tsubomi)

-Bloom (Saku)

Dreamy Opium Poppy

-Releasing what appears to be a dust cloud from her kosode sleeves when in actuality, is a cloud of pollen imbued with cursed energy that smells like opium poppies. This is meant to weaken or disorient curses that breathe in the fumes and possibly sorcerers.

Domain Expansion: Garden of Hell (Jigoku No En)

-A black void that houses a field of red spider lilies, an illusion of the caster being consumed by their opponent’s attacks or techniques will appear but what is really happening when they move is that they step on the minefield of spider lily bulbs and the bulbs are small enough to not be noticed until the maturing process nears completion. That is when the victim will start feeling a crawling feeling until it’s too late and their body breaks out in dark veins that look like roots and soon the signature flowers forcibly break the skin with white buds that drain blood from the victim to gain their vermilion color and bloom. The petals scatter towards the caster all the while keeping the victim alive to feel that pain until their inevitable demise or until their body is a mess of red petals and blood, works on curses, sorcerers and non sorcerers alike.

-The domain started out as incomplete with just half the size of a rugby field when Yamabuki accidentally first used it and her cursed energy overloaded her body to the point where she activated it without warning that it took out a small horde of curses as well as a grade 2 curse that tried to attack her only to be consumed by the flowers as they sprouted and bloomed inside and outside its body. Only then did she collapse until she was found by Gojo who took her to the hospital and talked her into becoming a jujutsu sorcerer to help her control her waterfall of cursed energy and her technique.

Nowadays she can create a complete black void that depends on her target and the amount of spider lilies and other flowers she can produce as a medium, this ranges from a simple domain to the size of a train station or an elementary school. The most common form is for spider lilies to bloom on the body or the toxins of another flower to weaken her opponent as a guaranteed to hit.

Reverse Cursed Technique

(You get the gist of it)

#jujutsu kaisen #jujutsu sorcerer #jjk oc #jjk ocs #jjk fanart #self insert

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miloscat · 9 months

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[Review] Dead Cells (ATV)

I'm not sure if it's the first "RogueVania" but it's a cool one.

Another recent Apple Arcade addition, this roguelite platformer from a small French studio hooked my interest with the recent announcement of a DLC pack crossing over with Castlevania. When that made its way to this port it was on. As always this version has touchscreen support but I played it on Apple TV with my trusty Dualshock 4.

The teething problems began when the game refused to save my progress on shutdown. The system had neglected to log me in on Game Centre, so my initial few hours were lost. Forcibly closing the app was also a necessary part of my experience at times, due to a strange audio bug that interpolated rhythmic interruptions into the music. Not ideal when the Castlevania rearrangements were a selling point of that expansion. I could turn the music off in settings, but it also affected jingles which were tied to sound effects volume, and I relied on audio cues for gameplay. The audio hitching also got worse over time, and additionally caused stuttering in the game itself. Yikes.

When I got around these issues my experience improved. There's a huge variety of weapons and abilities, and you're always unlocking more. Since the weapons can handle quite differently, it keeps your basic combat mehcanics fresh on repeated runs (although none of the passive "mutations" seemed very powerful or interesting to me). Having all the DLC enabled straight away in the Apple Arcade version also gets you a lot more stuff as well as levels to pass through. Between each stage is a rest zone where you can power up, and use your "cells" (the higher tier currency) to unlock permanent stuff. I had a much better time with the meta-progression when I realised you could partially invest these in things rather than saving them up (and in my case, often losing big chunks of them).

I did lose motivation at times thanks to how easy it is to suddenly die. Losing an hour-long run with a decent build before getting to my goal was a bummer, especially towards the end when all I wanted to do was finish the Castlevania content. The randomness factors into this too: the procedurally generated levels work well, but the heavy luck quotient on whether you get a decent weapon or synergies gets old. Naturally it's the nature of this kind of game to be that way, but that doesn't mean I have to like it.

Castlevania was a good fit for guest-starring in this game. The basic gameplay is kind of similar, the areas having that bit of exploration and mapping. Combat here is based around having two slots for melee and ranged weapons (one of each usually works well), along with a powerful dodge roll which should get a lot of use, as well as two skill slots for deployable traps/grenades/pets/buffs/etc.; the crossover items fit into these in fun ways. The rich, moody pixel art environments acquit themselves well, with series regular baddies making for cool reinterpretations into the game's exaggerated, pseudo-pre-rendered style for enemies. The jokey tone to interactions nicely balances the legitimate worldbuilding.

Although it's rough going at times, there's a lot to like in Dead Cells. Even if it's just pointing at the screen and saying "I recognise that" when they do little shoutouts to other indie hits. (This actually makes for some particularly cool gimmick weapons too.) The Apple Arcade port seems to be a bit buggy on my setup unfortunately, but having all the expansions included—even the brand new Castlevania one—is a big plus. It's the sort of game you could sink a ton of time into and still be finding new things, or just have a few successful runs (eventually) and call it a day like I did. I do recommend using a guide to find the permanent movement unlocks first though.

#dead cells #motion twin #review #indie #atv #apple arcade

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malarki · 3 years

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Harry Potter FanFiction I greatly enjoy (it’s just tomarry and sevitus)

Fair warning, I’m not good at describing stuff, and most of these are not complete (yet) but if you have similar tastes as I do then you’ll definitely like these stories.

Meddling of a Mischief Maker - by Athy

https://archiveofourown.org/works/5380535/chapters/12427268

I enjoy this fic because it shows a more human Voldemort with him still being an asshole as per usual. They do a good job of having Voldemort believably change into a not crazy murderous bastard haha. It also has Sirius interacting with Voldemort and for some reason I find those scenes hilarious in any fic I read.

“Harry's being a horcrux is a bit reworked here in this AU Story set during the summer after 5th year. A Mischief Maker intervenes in the Ministry during Voldemort and Dumbledore's duel, changing the course history. MorallyGrey!Dumbledore, Sirius, Restored Souls, HP/TR”

Draw Me After You (Let Us Run) - by ToAStranger @toast-ranger-to-a-stranger

https://archiveofourown.org/works/22327684/chapters/53334382

This story is a delight, it’s tone is very good and they do a great job of writing in the characters ‘voices’ for their pov’s. I especially like the posh way Voldemort talks and acts. This story is also hilarious on top of just being a very good slowburn, AND it has Sirius, which as you might have guessed, I love dearly. They also don’t bash any of the characters, and instead make them well rounded but flawed individuals, which I really appreciate.

“Harry Potter,” comes the soft, sibilant hiss of a voice he has heard in his dreams, in his nightmares, in his waking hours for years.

Slowly, carefully, Harry twists over and pushes up onto his hands and knees. He stays there, short breath fogging in front of his face, and his pursuer lets him. Harry has no doubt of that; he’s being allowed this respite. This small moment to catch his bearings, heart pounding in his ears, blood singing.

“It seems I have finally caught you.”

Consuming Shadows - by Child_OTKW @childotkw

https://archiveofourown.org/works/7040089/chapters/16011331

I’ve read two of childOTKW’s fics and both of them are fantastically written and attention grabbing stories. This one was the first one I read, and it has a very interesting take on lily Potter (one which I really enjoy) and the plot can leave you on the edge of your seat at times. The characterization is great, and the process of Harry and Tom getting to know each other is done very well.

“His attention skipped passed the students and moved to the politicians’ pavilion. His gaze locked with crimson, and he nearly faltered under the sheer hunger in those eyes.

It unnerved him how fixated the man was on his dirtied, exhausted figure.

But what troubled him more was the slight smirk he could make out on the man’s lips. It was almost pleased.

On the night of the attack, Lily managed to escape with her infant son, but at the cost of her husband’s life. Distraught and distrusting of her friends, she fled to France with Harry, to raise him away from the corruption in Britain and the rising influence of the Dark Lord. She trains him to the best of her abilities, shaping him into a dangerous, intelligent and powerful wizard.

But when Britain re-establishes the Triwizard Tournament, and Harry is forced to return to his once-home, he finds himself questioning whether he really wants to kill the Dark Lord. Voldemort finds an unexpected challenge in the child, and as his intrigue and amusement grows, so too does the desire to possess the spark in those defiant green eyes.”

A story that is kind of similar but not really: The Train to Nowhere

You Belong To Me (I Belong To You) - by child_OTKW

https://archiveofourown.org/works/11270490/chapters/25203408

This is a story inspired by the manwha ‘At The End Of The Road’ by Haribo. A comic I read before reading this, which is very good I recommend it. They do not take the exact plot from the comic though, obviously changing significant details for it to work properly as a Tomarry Fic, but one main thing stays the same, which is that this is a body swap. Honestly I really enjoy childOTKW’s works, and this is no exception. The characterization is wonderful as always, and Harry is Fantastic. Plus I’ve always been a fan of time travel fics. (Fair warning this is another slow burn and Harry centric)

“What I find absolutely fascinating,” Riddle said, stalking closer, “is you.” He marched forward, backing Harry up until he was pinned to the cool wall of the common room. “Do you know why?”

“No. And I’ll be honest here, Riddle, I don’t particularly care.”

The taller boy grinned at him, small yet infinitely pleased. “That. Right there.” One hand rose and brushed some of Harry’s fringe from his face. “Nathan Ciro was a spineless little boy too afraid of his own shadow to dare even glance in my direction. But you…”

He leaned closer, “You look at me like you want to stab me.”

“After an accident, Auror Harry Potter wakes up in the body of fourteen year old Nathan Ciro, a tormented Slytherin who recently tried to end his own life. Seeking answers to his strange predicament, Harry returns to Hogwarts, and causes quite the stir through staff and students - especially when they come to realise he is not the same boy as before.

He tries to avoid suspicion, but as his quest for the truth draws more and more attention to him, Harry begins to think that he might not like what he will discover.”

Some Bonus AU tomarry

A Thousand Paths Among The Stars - by Haplessshippo @haplesshippo

https://archiveofourown.org/works/12015060/chapters/27191238

This is a star trek au and it’s honestly my favorite tomarry au fic. Granted, I am a huge sci-fi fan. There’s also a bit of a twist at the end, or at least it surprised me, due to the way we usually expect tomarry plots to go.

“Harry Potter, newly appointed Captain of the Marauder and son of the famous Captain James Potter, was falling apart at the seams. His crew didn’t respect him, he was lost in the empty expanse of space, nightmares plagued his sleep, and his Commander deserved the Captain position more than he did. Good thing multiple attempts on his life and a vicious warlord after his head was all it took to turn it all around.

Alternatively, that space fic in which Harry Potter almost dies too many times, Tom Riddle slowly becomes the most smitten fool on the ship, and the rest of the crew are all just a bunch of assholes with popcorn watching the show. And exploding ships, don't forget the exploding ships.”

The Matchmaker - by TanninTele

https://archiveofourown.org/works/16507676/chapters/38664089

I am ALSO a huge true crime fan, and this story has a criminal that kinda reminds me of one that might appear in Hannibal (but with less murder). I enjoy the characterization, though tom is pretty tame in this compared to more cannon fics, considering he’s not the criminal and instead an investigator. Harry is also different from how people usually portray him, but I still like it.

“'The Matchmaker' is a serial abductor whose modus operandi consists of pairing two same-sex individuals together in a coffin, six feet underground - buried alive. He isn't a killer. He's a kidnapper with morals, and Detective Chief Inspector Tom Riddle finds himself obsessed with solving the case.

Unfortunately for Tom, the Matchmaker is just as intent on knowing him.”

And on to the Sevitus Stories

Far Beyond A Promise Kept - by oliversnape

https://archiveofourown.org/works/547431/chapters/974693

A classic, Harry stays with snape and unintentionally proves all his assumptions wrong and makes snape care about him. Both the stories have this aspect, but this one has snape a bit nicer from the get go. Probably because it takes place during the third book, so they’ve only known each other two years. It’s quite wholesome though, and I rather enjoy the progression of their relationship.

“Snape never wanted anyone to know of his promise to Dumbledore, but has realised that he can protect Potter much better by taking a less passive role in the boy's training. Actually liking Harry Potter has never been part of his plan. mentor/guardian.”

Crime And Punishment - by melolcatsi

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24102232/chapters/58018174

Snape and Harry have way more of a rocky start in this one, and Snape having to pick Harry up from the police station Really Doesn’t Help Snape’s opinion of him. This story very realistically shows the progression of their relationship, going from enemies to family, and near the ‘end’ (it’s not finished) it becomes very wholesome with Snape trying to help Harry with his mental and physical health after years of abuse/ neglect.

“Harry is accused of burglary. The Dursleys leave him to rot. Dumbledore sends Snape to remedy the situation. Harry finds himself in the care of an irate Snape. Not slash, gen-fic w/ focus on Sevitus relationship. Angst galore. Warnings: coarse and suggestive language, mentions of abuse/neglect. Un-betaed and un-Britpicked.”

#tomarry #tom riddle #harry potter #sevitus #severus snape #fanfic #fanfic reccomendation #ao3 fanfic #ao3 #archive of our own #tom riddle x harry potter

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laelior · 2 years

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Finished Leviathan Falls today and have some thoughts on it in the context of the end of Mass Effect 3.

Spoilery as fuck for both The Expanse and Mass Effect below the cut.

The contrasts between how the series handled their endings are fascinating. There are some similarities in the series’ stories. Vast networks of ancient alien technology that no one alive truly understands. Incomprehensible beings that wiped out the architects/previous users of the alien technology and are poised to do so again to the current galactic inhabitants.

But the thematic elements in the finales are where I think it gets interesting. They both involve choices between co-opting the alien technology or destroying it. In the Expanse, it’s a choice between using the ring gates to alter humanity to fight back against the Vandals, or destroying the ring gates altogether. In Mass Effect, it’s between destroying, controlling, or synthesizing organic and synthetic life.

Synthesis is my least favorite ending for ME3. Narratively, it’s presented as the “best” option, the reward for working hard to get enough war readiness points to unlock it. There are a lot of reasons why it fails as a “best” option. It relies on the idea that the only way organics and synthetics can get along is for all beings to become both, which ignores any progress made with the geth/quarian conflict and ignores EDI entirely. More importantly, it alters peoples bodies without their consent. If choices are one of the big thematic elements of the games, and the Reapers represent a lack of choice, then Synthesis as a “best” or even “good” option makes no sense.

Leviathan Falls provides the best counterargument for Synthesis. Duarte’s attempt to force all of humanity to share a single mind is explicitly labelled as a violation. The psychologist Tanaka goes to see calls it an intimate assault. (Sidenote: if they do end up adapting the last three books, Rachel House gets my vote for Tanaka). Duarte may be trying to save humanity from the Vandals, but he does it in a way that removes choice and agency for everyone else.

One of the most constant aspects of Jim’s character is how he believes in giving people choices, for better or for worse. It’s how he bumblefucks his way into trouble most of the time. Jim using the ring station to destroy the gates felt like an entirely appropriate ending both for him as a character and to wrap up the themes of the series.

To quote the man himself:

“I absolutely believe that people are more good on balance than bad,” he said. “All the wars and all of the cruelty and all of the violence. I’m not looking away from any of that, and I still think there’s something beautiful about being what we are. History is soaked in blood. The future probably will be too. But for every atrocity, there’s a thousand small kindnesses that no one noticed. A hundred people who spent their lives loving and caring for each other. A few moments of real grace.”

#the expanse #mass effect #leviathan falls #spoilers #mass effect spoilers #the expanse spoilers #i am emotionally compromised after finishing the series

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celepeace · 3 years

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A monster-taming game recommendation list for fans of Pokemon

Whether you're a pokemon fanatic obsessed with all things pokemon past and present, or a veteran fan disillusioned with GameFreak's recent adoption of monetary philosophies and strategies reminiscent of other major game publishers, or looking for a monster-taming fix as you await new Pokemon content...

I'm compiling here a post of little-known games in the genre that Pokemon fans are likely to enjoy!

Under readmore cause long, but some of these games really don’t get the attention they deserve, so if you have the time, please read!

(I am also likely to keep updating and editing this post)

First up is Temtem!

Temtem is a game made by and for Pokemon fans, from the spanish indie developer Crema. Temtem is currently in early access on Steam and PS5, and is likely to remain in early access until sometime late next year. Full launch will include a Nintendo Switch release, too. Despite this, it has plenty of content to explore before full release. The developers are active, release new content on a semi-regular basis, and are responsive to the community as a whole and individuals if you happen to come across a bug you want to report.

Temtem boasts a wide variety of monsters to collect and train. It takes place in the Airborne Archipelago, a system of floating islands that orbit their star, the Pansun. The monsters inhabiting the archipelago are called Temtem, or tem(s), for short.

As far as game mechanics go, it has many similarities to Pokemon, but also many important distinctions. The biggest one, in my opinion, is that the element of chance has been removed from battle entirely. Moves cannot miss, have the same power constantly, and status afflictions have an obviously displayed countdown to when they will wear off (for instance, sleep lasts as long as it says it will last. Not 2-4 turns). PP does not exist, either. Your tems can battle for as long as their HP holds out. In place of PP, a new system called Stamina exists. Stamina is an individual stat, like HP and Attack. Each move costs a certain amount of stamina. If you go over the amount of stamina your tem has, the deficit is detracted from your health instead, and that tem cannot move next turn. Stamina passively regenerates a certain amount each turn, and items and moves exist that can heal stamina. All battles are also double-battles, you and your opponent will typically have two tems on the field at a time. This is just a few of the differences Temtem has from Pokemon, but they're some of the biggest ones.

Temtem is also a massively multiplayer game. You complete the storyline independently (or with a friend through co-op!), but in the overworld you can see other, real players moving around and interacting with the world. There is also public and area-specific chat you can talk to other players through. Despite this, all multiplayer functions are (currently) completely optional. You do not need to interact with others to complete the game.

Overall, Temtem is suitable for the Pokemon fan who is looking for a more challenging experience. Temtem is not a walk in the park you can blaze through with a single super-strong monster. For one, individual tem strength is more well-balanced than it is in Pokemon. There are very few (if any!) completely useless tems. Even some unevolved tems have their niche in the competitive scene! Aside from that, enemy tamers are scaled quite high, and you typically cannot beat them just from the exp you get from other enemy tamers. You have to do some wild-encounter grinding if you want to progress.

Temtem is a very fun game and I've already gotten over 100 hours out of it, despite only 3/5-ish of the planned content being released!

However, I do feel obligated to warn any prospective players of one thing: the current endgame is quite inaccessible. After you complete what is currently implemented of the main storyline, there is still quite a lot left to explore and do, but much of it is locked behind putting a lot of hours into the game. You kind of have to get perfect temtem to do the current PVE (and this is also somewhat true for the PVP too). By perfect I mean you have to breed a good tem and then train it to get the preferable EVs (called TVs in temtem). This takes... well, for a whole team... tens of hours. Of boring grinding. Some people enjoy it! But I don't. Regardless, the game was still worth buying because the non-endgame content is expansive and fun.

So overall, pros & cons:

Pros

Battle system is more friendly towards a competitive scene

Cute monsters

Lots of gay characters, also you can choose pronouns (including they/them) independently from body type and voice

Less difference between the objectively bad tems and good tems than there is in Pokemon

Lots of stuff to do even in early access

Most conversations with dialog choices have the option to be a complete ass for no reason other than it’s fun

Having less type variety in your team is less punishing than in Pokemon due to the synergy system and types overall having less weaknesses and resistances

At least one major character is nonbinary

Cons

Falls prey to the issue of MMOs having in-game economies that are only accessible to diehard no-life players

Related to the above point, cosmetics are prohibitively expensive

Endgame CURRENTLY is inaccessible to most players unless you buy good monsters from other players or spend tens of hours making your own. However I must add that the grind is great if you like that kind of thing and is quite easy and painless to do while watching a show or something.

Here is their Steam page and here is their official website.

Next is Monster Hunter: Stories!

This is a spinoff game of the Monster Hunter franchise released for the 3DS in 2018. If you're anything like me, and you've played the core Monster Hunter games, you've often thought "Man, I wish I could befriend and ride these cool dragon creatures instead of killing or maiming them!"

Well now you can! In Stories, as I will be calling it, you play as a rider rather than a hunter. Riders steal monster eggs from wild nests to raise them among humans as companions and guardians. And yes, egg stealing is a whole mechanic in of itself in this game.

This game works pretty differently from most monster-collecting games. You do battle (usually) against one or two wild monsters using your own, except you fight alongside your monsters too. With swords and stuff. There's armor and weapons you can smelt to make yourself stronger. Type match-ups also kind of don't exist in this game? Except they do? But not in a way you'd expect?

The vast majority of attacking moves you and your monster use fall into categories reminiscent of rock-paper-scissors. Moves can be categorized as power, speed, or technical. Speed beats power, technical beats speed, and power beats technical. The matchup of your move vs your opponent's determines how a turn will go down. If one move beats the other in matchup, then the winner's move will get to go and the loser doesn't get to do anything. If you tie, you both get hit, but for reduced damage. There's also abilities and basic attacks, with abilities basically being the same as pokemon moves, and basic attacks just being "I hit you for normal damage within this category". Also, you don't control what your monster does all the time in battle. You can tell it to use abilities, but what kind basic attacks it carries out is determined by its species' preference. Velicidrome, for instance, prefers speed attacks, but Yian Garuga prefers technical. Stamina also exists in this game in a very similar manner to Temtem.

Overall this game carries over a lot of mechanics Monster Hunter fans will find familiar (how items and statuses work for instance). You don't have to have played a core Monster Hunter game to enjoy Stories though! It's fine and is easy to understand as a stand-alone.

The story has some likable characters and is rather long (it was actually adapted into an anime!), for those of you who enjoy a good story.

I'd really recommend this one especially. If it sounds fun to you and you can drop $30, just do it. I bought it on a whim and I got a few weeks' worth of playing almost nonstop out of it, and I didn't even get to do everything! (I got distracted by Hades, oops)

Stories is also getting a sequel later next year on the nintendo switch! How exciting!

And yes, you do ride the monsters.

Pros & cons:

Pros

Large variety of cool monsters to befriend and raise

Pretty lengthy story

Every tamable monster is also rideable

Deceptively simple combat mechanics, easy to be okay at, hard to master

Incorporates some mechanics from early turn-based party rpgs like Final Fantasy for a nice twist on the monster collecting genre

Cons

Many monsters are objectively outclassed by other ones, making what can be in an actually good team more limited than you’d expect

3DS graphics inherently means the game looks like it was made 7 years before its time

Here is the Monster Hunter Stories official 3DS product page.

And here is Monster Sanctuary!

Monster sanctuary is a game that just had its 1.0 launch- meaning it was in early access and no longer is! Although the devs say they still plan to implement a few more things into the game in future updates. It is available on Steam, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and PS4.

Monster sanctuary is a metroidvania twist on the typical monster collecting game, meaning it is also a sidescrolling platformer in which you use abilities you gain throughout the game to explore the world around you. The abilities in this case are the monsters you get! Every monster has an ability that helps you traverse the sanctuary.

Speaking of the sanctuary, the game is set in one. The monster sanctuary is a magically shielded area, cut off from the rest of the world, created by an order of monster keepers, people who befriend and protect the mystical monsters inhabiting the world. Humankind encroached too far on the natural habitat of monsters and were hostile to the native wildlife, so the keepers created an area of varied environments to safely protect and preserve the remaining monsters of the world.

Unlike many other monster collecting games, this game only has 5 types: fire, water, earth, air, and neutral. However, the types themselves do not possess resistances and weaknesses. Instead, each monster has its own assigned weaknesses and resistances. And yes, this can include things like debuffs, physical vs special attacks, and the typical elemental types.

All battles are also 3 vs 3! And unlike in pokemon, where you can only hit the enemies nearest, all monsters have the ability to hit any opponent they want. Turns also work a little differently in that speed doesn't exist, you just use 1 move per monster in your turn and then it goes to your opponent's turn. Your monsters hit in whatever order you want them to.

There is also a quite important combo system in this game, where every hit builds a damage multiplier for the next. Moves often hit multiple times per turn. Healing and buffing actions also build this combo counter. So what monsters you have move in what order really counts!

But the main mechanical difference between this and other games in the genre is how it handles levels and skills. Instead of learning a set move at a certain level, this game incorporates a skill tree, and you get to allocate points into different skills as you grow stronger. And jeez, these skill trees are really extensive. Monster sanctuary is a theorycrafter's dream. Each monster has a unique, specially tailored skill tree, making every monster truly able to have its own niche. You can make use of whatever monster you want if you just put thought into it!

And like Temtem, this game is not made to be beatable by children. I'm sure a child could beat it, but it's not made to be inherently child-friendly like pokemon. It's honestly quite difficult.

On top of that, you are actively encouraged to not just be scraping by each battle. Your performance in battle is rated by an automated system that scores your usage of various mechanics like buffs and debuffs applied, type matchups, and effective usage of combos. The rating system directly influences the rewards you get from each battle, including your likelihood of obtaining an egg from one of the wild monsters you battled (no, you don't catch wild monsters in this game, you get eggs and hatch them). If you're not paying attention to how the game works and making good, effective use of your monsters, you'll have a hard time expanding your team!

The music is also really good, it's made by nature to be able to play over and over and not get old as you explore each area, and the composer(s) really did a good job with this. Some area songs, namely the beach one, I especially enjoy, so much so I've actually played it in the background while I do work.

This is a game I would really recommend. If I made it sound intimidating, it is by no means unbeatable, you're just gonna have to put some thought into how you play. At no point did I actually feel frustrated or like something was impossible. When I hit a wall, I was able to recognize what I did wrong and how I could improve, or I could at least realize something wasn't working and experiment until I found a solution. It's challenging in a genuinely fun, rewarding way.

Pros & cons:

Pros

Extremely in-depth combat system

I genuinely don’t know if there’s an objectively bad monster in this game

Evolution exists but is completely optional, as even un-evolved monsters can be great

Entire soundtrack is full of bangers

Large and diverse variety of monsters to tame

Cons

Story is a little lackluster, but passable

That’s the only con I can think of

Here’s a link to their Steam page and the game’s website.

A kind of unorthodox recommendation is the Pokemon Mystery Dungeon series!

Likelihood is that everyone reading this has heard of this series already, but just in case anyone hasn't, I thought I'd include it! I would categorize this as a hybrid between the mystery dungeon genre and the monster collecting genre, because you recruit pokemon as you play and can use those pokemon on your team!

If you're unaware, the mystery dungeon genre is a small subset of dungeon crawler games where you progress through randomly generated levels called mystery dungeons. Throughout the dungeons, there will be enemies to fight and items to collect. The challenge of these games is mostly due to the stamina aspect of them, in that you have to manage your resources as you progress through the level. If you go all out in each fight, you will inevitably lose quite quickly. You have to learn to win against enemies while balancing your use of items and PP, so you have enough for the next fight, and the fight after that.

Pokemon mystery dungeon in particular is famous for its stories, the likes of which isn't seen often in Pokemon games. They are hugely story-driven games and are notable for the emotional depth they possess. It's pretty normal for the average player to cry at least once in the span of the game. There's lots of memes about that specifically.

This entry in my list is also unique for being a series. So, which one should you play first? It actually doesn't matter! Each storyline is entirely self-contained and requires no knowledge of prior entries. The quality of each entry varies and is a point of contention among fans. I say you should play all of them, because they all have their merits (though some more than others.... coughgatestoinfinitycough). They're mostly distinct for the generation of Pokemon they take place in. Rescue team is gen 3, Explorers is gen 4, Gates to Infinity is gen 5, Super Mystery Dungeon is gen 6, and Rescue Team DX is a remake of a gen 3 game but has the mechanics and moves of a gen 8 game.

My only real caution is that you play Explorers of Sky, not Darkness or Time. Sky is basically a combination of the two games with added items and content. It's an objective upgrade over its predecessors, and I honestly wouldn't waste money on the other two.

I’m not going to include a pros and cons list for the PMD series because I’m incredibly biased and it wouldn’t be an honest review.

Next is Monster Crown!

Monster Crown is a monster collecting game that seems to take heavy inspiration from early-gen Pokemon games in particular. It is currently in early access on Steam and is not expensive. I learned about it through the developers of Monster Sanctuary, when they recommended it on their official Discord.

The game has lots of charm and interesting creature designs, and an entirely new take on monster typings as well. Instead of monster types being based off of natural elements like fire, water, electricity, etc. Monster Crown uses typings that seem to be influenced by the personalities of the monsters. For instance, Brutal, Relentless, and Will are all monster types!

It also captures a lot of the charm many of us look fondly upon in early GameBoy-era games. The music is mostly chiptune, with some more modern backing instruments at times, and the visuals are very reminiscent of games like Pokemon Crystal in particular. Monster Crown is definitely the monster collecting game for fans of the 8-bit era!

The thing that stands out the most to me about this game is the breeding system. Instead of one parent monster passing down its species to its offspring, you can create true hybrids in this game.

However, it is very early access. I would consider the current build as an alpha, not even a beta yet! So temper your expectations here. I have not encountered any major bugs, but visual glitches here and there are quite common. The game also could definitely use some polish and streamlining, and is quite limited in content currently. But the dev(s) seem quite active, so I fully expect these kinks to be worked out in time!

The reviews are rather positive, especially for being in early access. I'm all for expanding the monster collecting genre, so if you're looking to expand your horizons in that sense, I would recommend you at least give this one a look! I personally had quite a bit of fun playing Monster Crown and am going to keep an eye out for updates.

Pros & cons:

Pros

Charming artstyle, appealing monster designs

Faithful callback to a bygone era of gaming

Controls are fairly simple and easy to get the hang of (and are completely customizable!)

Cool breeding and hybridization mechanics

There's a starter for each monster type!

You can choose your pronouns, including they/them!

Cons

Inherent nature of being very early access means can be clunky and unpolished at times

Also not much content as of right now, see above

User interface could use some redesign in places

Here’s their Steam page and the official website!

Here’s an oldie but a goodie, Azure Dreams!

This is one I actually haven’t played, mostly because it’s really old and therefore only practically accessible if you play it on an emulator, unless you're one of those old game collectors. Azure Dreams was developed by Konami and released for the PS1 in 1997. My impression of it was that it either didn’t sell well or only took off in Japan, because it’s actually really hard to find any comprehensive information about it on the internet.

Azure Dreams is a monster collecting - dating sim hybrid. You can build relationships with various characters and can pursue some of them romantically, although that isn’t the main draw of the game. There is also a stripped-down version that exists for the GameBoy Color, which forgoes the dating portion of the game entirely.

Azure Dreams is kind of like a mystery dungeon game in that you progress through a randomly generated, ever-changing tower using the help of the familiars you have accrued throughout your adventure. Similarly to Monster Hunter: Stories, you yourself also take part in the fighting alongside your monsters. Each time you enter the tower, your character’s level is lowered to 1, but your familiars keep their experience. Thus, progression is made through strengthening your monsters. To obtain monsters, you collect their eggs, just like in Monster Sanctuary (which, turns out, was at least partially inspired by this game!)

Due to this game being very old and on the PS1, the visuals leave a lot to be desired... but if you can get past that, Azure Dreams has lots of replayability and customization to how you play the game. To this day, it appears it has a somewhat active speedrunning community!

If you don’t mind the effort of using an emulator, and like old games, Azure Dreams just might be that timesink you were looking for in quarantine.

Honorable mentions:

Pokemon Insurgence (or any Pokemon fangame/ROMhack, really!) is a Pokemon fangame that introduces Delta Pokemon, which are really cool type-swapped versions of existing Pokemon. It’s sufficiently challenging and has a lot of variety in what you can catch in the wild, so you can pretty much add whatever you want to your team! The story is quite good, and the main campaign is multiple times longer than a typical Pokemon game’s campaign. Download it here!

ARK: Survival Evolved is NOT a monster collecting game BUT you do get to tame and fight alongside a lot of really cool extinct species, including but not limited to the dinosaurs we all know and love. This game is genuinely fun as hell, especially with friends, but I must warn you: never play on official servers. I highly recommend singleplayer, playing on a casual private server, or making your own server. Here’s the Steam page.

#pokemon #temtem #monster sanctuary #monster hunter stories #monster crown #azure dreams #pokemon mystery dungeon #pokemon alternatives

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dailyadventureprompts · 3 years

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So after a war ended against a demon lord some years ago, my players are on a mission to scout and guard from monsters during the construction of a road between the last remaining cities in a monster-of-the-week type of campaign. Any ideas for hijinks along the way? (Thank you!!)

Adventure: Doing Good in the Badlands

“ In my limited experience, Demons are like drunks or rowdy children, throwing things everywhere and leaving it to the rest of us to clean up. Speaking of, could you hand me one of those silver-infused slugs? I think I see another “mess” skirting about in the underbrush and I want to let it know what we’re about before it tries pouncing on us while our backs are turned.”

-Colbin Tanner, Fenland outrunner.

Setup: Even decades since their climactic end, the demogorgic wars have left deep scars on the land, rendering vast swaths of wilderness impassable and civilization clinging on in isolated enclaves. Still staggering from a century and a half of brutal conflict with the demon lord of savagery and their horde of monstrous minions, the people of the Kalmir valley have begun the process of reclaiming their home, one mile marker at a time.

One of these projects is the reestablishment of the great eastern viaduct, a raised road that will allow passage across the fens ( once prosperous farmland), reconnect settlements of survors, and eventually connect to a similar roadway built by a neighboring citystate hoping to bridge the wayward peaks. This undertaking will take years, and will require the establishment of fortresses and outposts along the route, both to house the workers and to guard against the demonic remnants. To staff these outposts, and watch over them as they are built, the people of Kalmir have created the Outriders, a loose organization of scouts, surveyers, and soldiers who guide the progress of their eastward expansion.

Adventure Hooks:

There are three major geographical hurdles to the viaduct’s expansion, each possessing its own engineering challenges and inhabited by its own breeds of monsterous impediment. That said, these challenges have a tendancy to spill over into one another, so outriders and engineers both are forced to jump far ahead of the road’s actual production to circumvent later problems.

While they once possessed a more wholesome name, the “fiendbreaker flats” are the lowland expanses where the defenders of Kalmir made their stand against the forces of demogorgon time and time again, rolling hills and plainside dotted with the ruins of settlements, crumbling fortresses, and the bones of titanic beasts only now beginning to weather away. While the viaduct’s passage through this region is mostly complete, those traveling through it must still be on the lookout for the bandits, crazed wildlife, and demogorgic holdouts who still haunt the region.

While the Fens once provided enough rice to feed a kingdom, their long abandonment during the demogorgic war has turned them into a breedingground of sickness and misery. The Demon prince of Savagery once martialed their armies here, and the mist still hides the last of their feral war machines and profane ritual sites.

They say that since the end of the war, the vultures never stop circling the Wayward peaks, and if you follow them you may be able to find the hidden valley where the demon lord’s colossal carcass fell. Scavengers of all kinds are drawn to these snowy passes now, lairing in the caverns carved out by Demogorgon’s followers, and in the shadow of the half built temple they raised in their honor.

Background: While few can agree exactly how Demogorgon breached the barriers between realms, tales from surviving fenlanders point at the origin being in a cult of fanatical lizardfolk, who slaughtered their kinsmen in a mass sacrifice in an attempt to win the demon lords’ favor and settle some kind of inter-tribal succession dispute. Their ritual worked a little too well, and by the time the people of the villages and cities realized what was going on, their walls were swarmed by packs of fiendish dinosaurs and rabid mutants. While not a “war” in a traditional sense, this wave of savagery gave way to all manner of hellish hordes and cultists looking to draw on the power of the opening demonic rift for their own ends.

Nearly a century and a half later, this rift was closed by the actions of several heroes from across the affected kingdoms, and a coalition effort of allied citystates. While total war was finally at an end, the conflict officially drew to a close when the colossal avatar of Demogorgon that had for so long haunted the landscape was struck down in an act of divine wrath.

Factions:

While all of Kalmir is pushing for the Viaduct’s completion, there are several disperate wills at work within the project that the party can align themselves with.

The Sovereign Kalmiric Musketeers, AKA The Skinners: An elite fighting force founded by veteran monster hunters, the Skinners believe inpart that progress on the viaduct is foolheardy so long as there are still remnants of Demogorgon’s army remaining. Perhaps some of the best skilled trackers and trappers in the world, the Skinners are known for engaging the demonic threat with blackpowder weaponry, and for adorning their uniforms with hides and other trophies taken from their foes. They have remained active since the end of the war and continue to operate from the outposts throughout the basin. Missions for the Skinners invariably involve tracking something horrible and killing it dead, and reward the party with renown and powerful munitions.

The Horrizon Development Corps. A worker organization advocating for those who’s lives and livelyhood are tied to the construction of the viaduct, the HDC holds the interests of the common people and the merchants who profit from them in high regard. Completion of the viaduct means the resettlement of the basin, a process which will return prosperity to the people of Kalmir who have for too long cowered behind the overcrowded walls of their fortress city. Missions for the HDC involve scouting out potential resources, resolving disputes between workers, settlers, and overseers, and protecting supply shipments as they travel to worksites up and down the planned Viaduct pathway.

The Founders: As a republic, the political leaders of Kalmir are prone to factionalism, and one particular faction has entangled itself with the fate of the viaduct closely. The Founders are those who hold land in the Fiendbreaker flats, and above all want to see that region redeveloped and stabilized while also making sure their control is extended along with each new outpost or settlement reincorporated into the Polis’s reach. Missions for the Founders are likely to involve the whims of particular noble patrons, or diplomatic envoys to outlying settlements to ensure they’re ok with the city-state building a road through their backyard.

Vilsuul’s Remnants: Not all of Demogorgon’s minions were mindless killing machines, and many were left in a lurch when their patron was defeated. Once a powerful lieutenant and priestess of Demogorgon, the Yuan-ti cleric Vilsuul suffered a crisis of faith after she saw her god so soundly defeated, and has spent the last twenty years attempting to sway the remaining holdouts to her side, building a coalition of reformed monsters and deprogrammed cultists. On less than friendly terms with her former enemies, reaching out to Vilsuul’s people and deescalating tension between the settlers and the more monsters inhabitants brought along in Demogorgon’s wake can help diffuse a lot of tension in the deepest part of the fens.

The Zealous order of Olfrid the Devoured, AKA The Zeal: Representatives of a neighboring city state, the Zeal encompass the duties of scouts, mountaineers, builders and monsterhunters, and work with utter dedication to protect their section of the viaduct. Steadfast but perhaps a little overeager, the zeal are primarily concerned with keeping the mountain paths clear of demonic filth, hunting cultists, and proselytizing the basin’s settlements with a vision of a restored and ascendant union between their city states. Quests for the Zeal often involve assisting their agents in a hunt, or in defending their Missionaries as they travel to spread the good word.

Art 1

Art 2

#Anonymous #D&D #D&D adventure #Homebrew Adventure #Adventure #DnD #Faction #campaign #Wilderness #ranger #politics #swamp #mountain #field #demon #mid level #low level #Cultists #frontier

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gb-patch · 3 years

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Ask Answers (March 3rd, 2021)

Here’s our latest batch of anon ask answers! Thanks for waiting for them.

Will there be a 'Our Life' game for each season? Please say we're getting a winter one!

As of right now we’re only planning on making two, summer and fall. They take quite a while to finish and we’re not sure where we’ll be when the second OL is truly wrapped up. But it’s not impossible we can do a third. Though, four Our Life games is probably not super likely, honestly, aha. Maybe the third game, if we make one, could be switch between winter and spring or something.

What engine/engines do you use to make your games?

We use Renpy for all our projects!

For version 1.2 of OL, did you make any changes to the DLC? If so, could you post a changelog detailing what exactly (or at least a general overview)? If it's not too much trouble, could you also elaborate on the bugs/errors you fixed in the base game?

There aren’t really any changes to the DLCs, except for the voiced name DLC getting an expansion. We fixed very few small typos and added a couple extra lines. Unfortunately, we don’t have a list of exactly what all the little fixes were.

I've been playing OL and I love the characters! As soon as Baxter showed up, I knew I wanted to learn more about him! Would you consider adding him as a prospective LI in the future?

Yep, Baxter (and Derek) will be getting his own romance story as an optional DLC late in 2021! Glad you like him.

Hellooo! First off I'm a huge fan of the game and can't stop playing it. However, I was wondering about how much domestic life with Cove we'll get to see in step 4. Meaning the time before the wedding and the time after. In my game Cove and I talked about having children and I was hoping that would be an option in step 4. Either way, I cannot wait for the release and I send my best to everyone working on the production :) thanks!

I’m sorry, there’s no children or scenes after the two are married. There’s sort of endless possibilities for what that future could be like, so we unfortunately can’t depict it. You only get scenes before they’re married and, if you get the wedding DLC, you can see the day they get married. It ends there, though. But thank you for the well-wishes!

Hello! I was just wondering, so step 4 is going to be similiar to the prologue/epilogue scenes of the game. Is the Wedding DLC going to be one long scene too or will that have moments? (I love the game by the way, its ruined all other visual novels for me in the most wonderful way <3 )

Yeah, Step 4 and the wedding DLC will be like the prologues/summer ended parts of the game. There won’t be separate Moments you can play in any order. I’m really happy you like the game so much!

You said that the OL MC's birthday can't be in summer, but what if you headcanoned it to be?

You can headcanon it as being in summer! There just aren’t birthday events in the game even if you do know your MC was born in summer. We had to leave those out, since some people might not want their MC to be born in summer and then they’d miss out on extra birthday scenes because of it. It wouldn’t have been fair.

Hello!😺 I absolutely love your game!😻 I can't wait for DLS with Derek and Baxter. And I wonder if Baxter could have seen Cove and MC at the party during their first failed dance? Or is Baxter only paying attention to who he's dancing with, or is he not dancing with anyone at the soiree at all then?

Baxter isn’t really paying attention to the couples on the floor. He’s just cruising the outskirts for someone available to dance with him. So he doesn’t get any memories of the MC or Cove at that party if the two just dance with each other. It’s great to hear you like the game!

time-wise/step-wise when does the nsfw dlc take place?

It’s not super strict in terms of an exact of weeks/months, but generally it’s sometime not long after the end of Step 3.

Heya! I'm currently obsessed with Our Life (I played through the entire game on Valentine's Day, hahaha– ha... hah), and I have one silly question: if I start playing Step 3 with the less... "romantically inclined" interest levels (Fond & Disinterest), is there still a chance of getting a romantic ending with Cove? Can Cove and the MC realize "they're the one for me" in just one summer? Or... are confessions off the table completely unless at least at Crush level? Thank you in advance!

So happy you’re having fun with it! In OL1 deciding that Cove is your friend means he’s truly only a friend. You can’t decide you have a crush partway through. But we are considering doing things differently in future games.

hey i have some questions about our life

a) is there a way to be friends with that mean bowlcut kid or is he always... like tha

b. what is coves ethnicity?

A. He is always like that, haha. At least as a kid, he does grow up to be different~

B. Cove’s mom Kyra is white, but Cliff’s race doesn’t come up and players are able to headcanon it. So Cove is half white and half whatever you prefer Cliff to be.

how do you get to the two mc cut-in scenes from the new update?

Hiii! I'm doing another playthrough (it's only like my 100th time playing through the entire game) after the 1.2 update, and I was wondering how to get the new art? I also really love all the new stuff, thank you for working so hard and creating such a wonderful game :)

You can check our our CG guide on Steam for that! Thank you for the kind words.

Sorry to bother you, but I have a question about the Patreon moment. Will there be initiative settings there too? And if there aren't, will the MC lead the whole thing or will Cove lead at certain points too? Thank you~

There will still be flexibly in what you’re comfortable with and whether you want Cove to automatically do things or for choices to always be involved :]. And you don’t need to apologize!

Hello!! I wanted to ask a couple of questions about Our Life:

1. Will we able to buy all the DLC via Steam or will there be some of them only available in Patreon? Just to know if I should create a Patreon user XD

2. Will Our Life: Now and Forever be about the current MC, Cove and the other characters or will it be a game with a New MC, new romantic options and new characters?

1. There will be a Patreon-only NSFW bonus Moment. But all the normal planned DLCs will release on Steam.

2. Our Life: Now & Forever is about new characters- new MC, new family, new LI, etc.

just some small bug I noticed: even if you didn't ask Cove to dance, if he asks you at the Soiree in Step 2 later and you say yes to dancing, the MC acts like they got to dance with Cove again even if it was the first time.

Thank you for the report on that! We thought it was fixed, but I guess it didn’t work.

I was messing around with the new update and I noticed that all the hands in the firefly CGs have the same skin tone regardless of what you put in, (with the exception of the really dark skin color) is this a glitch or something?

The skin tones aren’t the same. It’s just because they’re out at night with only fireflies for light that it makes each image look dark and therefore similar. But if you line them up together it’s clear how there are changes in every option.

How long did it take to plan out and write the story for OL? Not including the programming, art stuff, or the DLC chapters, I mean just planning and writing the base game story alone. The base game story seems hefty as is, and then on top of that there's the changes to scenes depending on MC's and Cove's personalities and relationship, I'm curious how long that took

It took basically the full development time, aha. I’m someone who doesn’t fully outline a project before start and instead continues to come up with stuff as a project progresses. There were new parts to the story being created right up to near the launch. So, starting in 2016 or so to later 2020, with some breaks/hold-ups throughout that time.

Hello! I'm really, really enjoying Our Life: Beginning and Always, it was the kind of sweet, wholesome content I needed during these past months. I had a quick question, will you be making any female characters for the MC to romance? In this game or any others like it? I'm a lesbian and I'd love to have a female love interest with such well written romance as yours! Thank you so much.

Thank you for the nice comment! Our Life: Beginnings & Always won’t have a female LI since we didn’t want to treat other gender options as second fiddle to the male lead. But we have just started full production on Our Life: Now & Forever, which will have a starring female LI! There’s a silhouette glimpse of her Step 1 self here~

-------------------------------------------------

Thanks everyone for sending the questions :D

FAQ If you prefer to just see the main posts without all the asks/reblogs, feel free to follow our side account instead: GB Patch Updates Bl

#our life #Our Life Beginnings & Always #ask #gb patch #gb patch games #long post #Our Life: Now & Forever

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lovely-necromancy · 3 years

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A Cure for Insomnia Ch 20

You find yourself in a forest

Odd when did you get here? Had you walked here? Driven? You...you can't seem to remember. How on Earth did you get here?

(The contents of this chapter are sexual in nature please don’t interact if you are below the age of 18)

Oh Gods you hoped you didn't have an episode while driving again. Even under normal circumstances just the thought upsets you but after finding out Toby's life changing accident the thought now left an acidic taste in your mouth. Similar to when you're sick and have the residual vomit in your mouth no matter how many times you brush your teeth. A very unpleasant experience.

A tall figure looms in the distance taking you out of your musings. You've seen him before, haven't you? Long spindly tendrils stretch out from behind the figure, much like the whisps that led you through the shop the other day. Had it not been for their serpent like movements you'd have thought the being was just another tree in this dense dark forest.

This sure didn't look like the Monongahela. You close your eyes for a moment, just resting your eyes. Your head feels so foggy right now.

You're so tired too, have you been sleeping? When was the last time you slept? Why can't you remember?

It's fine calm down, you just need to think. The fog is so thick, it's hard to focus. Why can't you just focus?

Come on YN, you need to focus, focus, focus!

In an instant that figure is right in front of you. They are so much taller, craning your head back doesn't do much to get a good look at them. You can't make any features out on the shockingly pale face. And here you thought Toby was deathly pale, you may as well have been staring death in the face. Given the black suit and red tie you might actually be.

Being dead would explain the fogginess of your memories and why things aren't exactly connecting. Had Toby killed you? No, he wouldn't. Maybe the two of you got into an accident on the drive home.

But where's Toby then? Had he survived the crash? Is it bad to hope he's dead too? That boy wouldn't be able to handle another traumatic event. Hell he seemed one major inconvenience away from peacing out when you'd met him, he still has those moments.

Where are you going to go? This wasn't anything like you were expecting, but the again Hollywood's never given you any sort of accuracy before why would they be the ones reporting on life's biggest mystery?

A tendril slips its way around your throat tilting your head up to stare into the pale face of the figure before you. Squeezing as it does, gently not so much to actually suffocate you.

'You are not dead child, you could not be further from it.' a masculine voice echos in the empty space of you mind. The voice rang so clearly it rattled the walls of your brain.

A literal 'brain goes brrrr' moment.

If you aren't dead then...this has to be a dream. The only other explanation for why everything feels so fuzzy and you have so much brain fog.

'Correct, you are in a dream...of sorts. I've summoned you here to review your progress thus far. I must say you've far exceeded my expectations, no thanks to my failing puppet.' the tendril tightens around your neck, again not enough to choke you out. Just a very firm squeeze.

Firm enough that it has you pressing your thighs together. Haven't you taken care of this yet? This situation is so embarrassing because even though you can't see the expression of the being before you they have an omnipotent air around them.

They sense your hunger building, maybe that's why the appendage around your throat tightens once again. You're left a bit breathless.

'I'm very pleased with both of your results. A reward is in order,'

The figure's head moves slightly as their attention shifts to something behind you.

'I believe he'll benefit from this as well.'

He?

Without a moment to think anything else, not like you could in your current state, you were turned around. Where you came face to face with....another faceless entity? No the man in front of you clearly had a face – had the tall pale being not? The man's face was there but you couldn't really make out what you were looking at like it was pixelated in some way to protect his identity on the evening news.

You could see that he had a mop of brunette waves, unlike the tall one who was to your knowledge completely bald. More tendrils wrap themselves around you, on your legs and around your mid section. Legs are spread apart as you're lifted off the ground.

Open and inviting to the form before you. Just what kind of reward is this?

Before you can protest you quickly become aware of the fact that you are naked.. Bare chest on display as nipples harden in the chill of the air. You squirm to try and get away but the hold the tendrils have is too strong for you to break out of. Your legs are lifted until they are face level with the person in front of you.

Yup totally a dream, just a monster fucker having a wet dream. Normal everyday thing.

'To be quite honest it's less of a reward and more a test. But it should prove enjoyable for both of you.'

Hearing the sound of a zipper you freeze, out of shock rather than fear. You were joking when you'd called this a sex dream. You've never had one before and it's surprising to say the least. Do all sex dreams start this strangely?

A pair of fingers find their way to your mouth. Without thinking you opened up and took them in. Letting them go as far back as they could. They played with your tongue, dancing up and down it. Pressing hard here giving a rub there, shoving it between the two of them making sure your saliva coated every single spare centimeter of them.

You found it a bit difficult to breathe around them let alone swallow. They had a salty with a hint of something metallic, like he had an open paper cut. The texture was rough and very different from your own fingers, you could feel divots near the nail bed and loose hardened skin scrapping the inside of your mouth. Sometimes when you swallowed around the fingers you'd get a sharp thrust in return, like he was trying to hit the back of your throat with only his fingers. You nearly took in his pinkie like this. A harsh groan would follow and you'd moan along.

All the tendrils on your body gave a light squeeze at the show. You heard a whisper of 'Good pets.', this time it was echoed through the forest surrounding you.

“Fuck off.” the man who currently had his fingers nearly reaching down your throat growled out.

Before he he gently grabbed on of your legs, moving your body closer to him. Flutters of lips trailed their way up from your knee to your inner thigh. A playful nip stings a few inches from your core. Involuntarily your thighs press together, squishing the head in between the,. It wasn't long before you felt warm breath blow onto your core. You could hardly keep back the trill when a pair of lips wrapped around your clit and a tongue started to dance circles around it. It was a simple set of motions but ones that seemed to hit just right. You didn't know whether to be thankful or hate the tendrils for preventing you from bucking right into the pleasure.

Taking deep breaths to collect yourself didn't work if anything it made for a pseudo pant which left you even more feverish than the lapping at you clit. He flattens his tongue against you and you shudder as he slowly drags it along your slit giving a flick to the hood of you clit. He angled his tongue so he could carefully dance that line between your clit and it's hood. Toes curling you aren't able to contain yourself anymore. A panting and flushed mess as you moan around his fingers, a trail of saliva runs out from the corner of your mouth and down the expanse of your neck. You can't stop your hips as they weakly buck towards him, still stifled by the tendrils stilling them.

The man between your legs stiffens.

Even with him looking right up at you, you can't see past whatever fog is playing at your mind, but you do know that he's just as much of a mess as you are in the moment. Just from going down on you, the poor boy, now you really want to shove his face deep between your legs and not let up until he can't breathe.

Maybe you can.

Your hands haven't been bound like your legs, so you should have no problem grabbing his hair and pulling him in.

'Oh, he'd like that very much. Give it a go pet.' the disembodied voice says, once again in your head.

Wasn't there a body to go with that voice earlier? Yeah, there was, where'd he go?

Your legs are still bound by the tendrils but the tall man is no where in sight anymore. What a strange dream.

A wet dream you remember as your focus returns to the man between your legs. Might as well make the most of it.

The man seems distracted as he glares at something behind you, but you know nothing it there – you've just checked. This gives you the perfect opportunity to grab a fist full of his hair and drag him back down to your puffy lips to finish what he started. He was more than willing as he needed no further instructions and went straight to giving light kitten licks to your aching clit. Frustrated pants and whimpers leave you as he just works you up and pulls back. He's teasing at this point and seems very pleased with himself.

“Pl-please.” you keen when he pulls away for a second time. Instead of answering your plea he massages the meat of your thighs as he stares up at you from between your leg. You can see one hand in between his own legs most likely toying with his cock like he toys with you.

Just the thought of his cock has you bucking into him, but it seems to do the trick. He begins to suck on your bud again. This time you have a bit more mobility and can grind your hips down in time to his sucking. It's getting wetter and sloppier down there by the second, like he's trying to collect all the liquid in his mouth but can't really hold it there.

For a third time the pleasure stops, and you feel like crying. It's so unfair your first wet dream and you're saddled with an edger.

You let out a whimper and raise your hips again in a pathetic attempt to demand his attention back to where it's needed. While his face is still featureless to you there's a sense of smugness around him. Oh joy a sadist. A harsh spit rings through your dream bubble. But you don't feel anything land on you.

A wet squelching sound can be heard. The blood just doesn't know where to go anymore, to your face or to your core? Clearly none of it's going to your brain when you only thought it , 'Oh shit he's jerking off.' on repeat.

You're very thankful that the tendrils are just holding you up instead of keeping you spread now as you're able to squeeze and rub your thighs together. Trying to get any friction to alleviate your ache. All while you cry and choke around thick fingers.

“Pretty mouse.” his voice is a rumbled timber.

Fingers press harshly into your tongue before slowly pulling out and spreading you legs back open for him. His thumb trails your inner thigh, the nail scratching the unmarked skin as it went. Making your breath hitch in the back of your throat as he let out a breathy chuckle.

He began toying around with your folds with his two spit soaked fingers, “Yea, li-ike that? Make some more pretty noises for me.” His fingers twirled around the entrance of your pussy. Lighting the nerves on fire with each passing circle they made.

Gods, he hasn't even been in you and you're already about to cum. But he was ignoring your clit now. Snaking a hand down you settle it above his and before you can even touch it he's smacking your hand away.

“Nuh-uh mouse.” he gives a sharp smack to your bud, making you jolt as you let out a little 'eep'.

He laughs at your reaction, “Don't worry I'm going to-to-to make you feel so good.” he smirks, “in time.”

That'd be a no for you. You can take three edgings but four is just asking too much, especially for a dream. You aren't one to be bratty often but you're already pent up in the waking world like hell you'll let yourself be edged in the dream one too.

“Fuck you're cute, even when you pout.” suddenly a hand grasps your jaw and pulls you down, it's a bit uncomfortable with your bindings still in place. Your faces are just inches apart right now and you still have no clue who he's supposed to be but sometimes faces are hard for brains to make up. He could just be someone you saw in town once and don't remember.

He leans in and kisses you. It doesn't take anything for you to open your mouth and let him in, there's a hint of tang on his tongue. No discernible taste just a bit of tang. He makes sure to glide his tongue across every inch of your mouth, making sure you taste yourself. You can feel his smirk in the kiss as you moan. Can feel the pumping of his hand on his cock now that you're so close together.

The thought of his cock makes your core pulse with need. And as if he can read your thoughts he pulls away, leaving you panting and horny. “Now that's a cute look too.” The tip of his middle and ring fingers are in you spreading the ring of your entrance far apart. “But then this on-one's my favorite.”

As you writhe and moan you can't help but think of how much you hate that boyish lilt in his tone right now. He scissors his fingers and twists them this way and that, occasionally plunging them as deep into you as they can go. And while your panting and whimpers are lovely he quickly figures out that you're much more receptive to the teasing of your entrance. The way just the tips of his fingers work in lighting up hundreds of nerve endings.

How he can leave you right on the edge of orgasm only to take that away by pulling out slightly or diving in further. It's a good game, but he eventually grows bored of just your facial expressions and wants to chase his own release. So, he leans in towards your core to watch the way your walls clamp down on his finger tips as they spread you apart. Trying to squeeze around the foreign objects to eject them out but if he surges his hand forward the walls constrict in a way the feels like they are trying to suck him deeper into your depth. All the while you moan and whine, just for him.

So enraptured with your being he isn't really paying attention to you anymore. You want to end his teasing, you just want to cum. It's not surprising at all that he hardly noticed you grabbed a fist full of his hair. But he certainly notices when you pull him to your core and hold him in place. The pressure on his scalp letting him know just how tightly you have him.

There's a moment when he does nothing, just stares up at you from between you legs. Through hooded eyes he continues to make eye contact as he brings his mouth to your clit, even as you buck into him.

“Good boy.” the words just tumbled from your mouth in a moan.

One that gets echoed by the man kneeling before you. It's a needy little moan, one that changes things.

“Good boy,” he goes faster, not just on your clit but he also starts stroking himself faster.

“Ah – aaah, good boys wai-it oh – wait to cum.” his hand slows and you hear a mumbled 'Good boys wait.' causing your grip to tighten as you pull him up by his hair to look into your face – even if you can't see his.

“Did I tell you to stop?”

“N-no!” you can feel the shiver that runs through him.

Big guy isn't so tough now that you found his kink, damn this dream sure is exploring a lot of your owns though.

“That's right, now you've been awfully naughty. Edging me like that. Doesn't seem like you want to be a 'good boy'.”

“I want to – want to be a good boy, very good boy.” his hand is still going, you'd honestly be surprised he hadn't cum if this weren't a dream.

“Hmm, finish what you started. Then...maybe you'll be my good boy.” a series of moans followed as he bucked into his hand. Apparently you'd said a trigger for him and he came just from that alone.

You want to find it in you to play up being upset with him maybe even play up how he wasn't a good boy after all – cumming like that. But you could tell from the way his shoulders sank in that he felt ashamed that he didn't last until you were done with him.

Sometimes a gentle hand is needed. “Oh my poor baby. I didn't know how excited that'd make you.” you cup his face gently. He's trying to make himself smaller. “Now now of that, you can make it up to me.” He perks up.

“You want to make it up to me right?” you slide back away letting you hands fall off his chin, and he follows your movement leaning to feel your touch again.

You give him a smile and stroke his cheek, “Then make me cum.” it was a breathy whisper as you took the opening to initiate a kiss with him. No tongue was involved this time just an urgent need and movement of lips.

You pull away from him and get a small whimper in return. Pay back would sure be sweet right now had he not riled you up this much then got off himself.

He's sliding back down between your legs, barely giving himself a chance to settle in before twirling his fingers just outside your entrance. Face diving to lick several long stripes along your slit.

'Seems everything is in order here. I trust you both will behave in my absence.'

“What?”

Waking up horny and unsatisfied with the fainest memory of your wet dream fading further and further from memory was definitely one way to start your Saturday. But it wasn't the preferable way or a fun one. Especially when it involved a pair of soaking panties and an hour to even satiate your needy pussy.

#a cure for insomnia #ticci toby #ticcitoby #ticci tobyx reader #ticci toby x reader #creepypasta fanfic #masky x reader #Timothy Wright #timothy wright x reader #timothy wright x brian thomas #masky #Brian Thomas #brian thomas x reader

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lacrimaomnis · 3 years

Text

BRF Reading, 5/7/2021

I am planning to continue reading for the rest of the BRF members on how their July would be, but I had this question popping on my mind when I had my tea earlier today, so I feel like I need to draw on this. I've been seeing allegations and teas of Meghan did this, Meghan did that, she's crazy jealous towards Catherine, she's overly obsessed with William, she is abusive towards Harry, she wants to be the Queen Consort, etc etc yadda yadda. This honestly had me wondering, how does Meghan look at herself? What does she see when she sees herself in the mirror? How does she perceive herself? This is also one reading I'd like to try a new spread of cards, so there is also that.

As written, this is merely a speculation and therefore must be taken with a grain of salt. This speculation is not true until proven otherwise.

Naturally, my question is, how does Meghan perceive herself?

Cards drawn: Six of Pentacles, Three of Pentacles, Five of Wands, King of Wands, Three of Cups, The High Priestess, The Fool, Temperance, The Hanged Man, Knight of Pentacles

Remarks/Comment: I tell you, working with a spread where half of the cards are major arcana is honestly shit. So many energies to read from, so many energies pulling the reading this and that way.

To make it more digestible and bearable to read for us all (and for me to type), I will divide the cards I've drawn into two parts. I will start my analysis with the first part, and then I'll be going over to the second part, and then the conclusion will be an overall overview of the spread.

First part: Six of Pentacles, Three of Pentacles, Five of Wands, King of Wands, Three of Cups, The High Priestess.

This section of the spread is the so-called "the cross" part, where these cards represent the happenings of the subject's life, internally and externally.

Now, the cross part itself can be divided into two parts: the axis and the wheel. The axis is the two centre cards, which are the heart of the matter, the foundation of the reading, the energy of the reading, whatever the semantics are. The rest of the cards are the wheel, the events that revolve around the central issue.

First card: Six of Pentacles. This is the so-called "present situation" card, mostly about what is currently happening at the present time, and also reflects someone's state of mind and how they perceive the situation (or themselves). Now, this is interesting, because this reaffirms what I have been seeing a lot with other readers: that Meghan and Harry are in debt. Six of Pentacles is generally a card of generosity, self-care, sharing wealth, and charity -- but one of its meanings is also unpaid debts and that meaning just jumped out of the cards. As one of the two cards of the axis, this tells me that this is one of the two parts of the heart of the matter. Meghan and Harry are in debt and they cannot pay for it.

Second card: Three of Pentacles. The so-called "problem" card. Generally, this card represents teamwork and collaboration, but because of its place, this card tells me that Meghan perceives herself as working alone and without allies. There are disagreements, or to be more Shakespeare-ish, disharmony. Combined with the Six of Pentacles, this tells me that Meghan and Harry are in disharmony, probably because of the outstanding debts that they cannot pay.

Third card: Five of Wands. The card of fighting for the sake of fighting. This is the "past" card, and as such, this is also similar to the card of "past influence". There have been fighting in the past. There is a change. There is tension. This card tells us that everyone is fighting to be heard, but no one is listening. This is how Meghan viewed herself: that no one is listening to her. She has told herself in the past that she was a victim, that no one listened to her when she spoke, and she used it as a weapon in public. Remember how she told Oprah in that interview that she was not "heard"? That she was "belittled" and "bullied"? That the Royal Family "bullied" her by allegedly asking what Archie's skin colour would be?

Fourth card: King of Wands. This is the so-called future card. Along with the tenth card, this usually speaks about how the near future would impact the final resolution/the outcome. King of Wands is a card about someone who is a natural-born leader, a visionary, honoured, and an entrepreneur. So, this card could mean that in the future, Meghan perceives herself and wants to be perceived as all these good things. But in reality, she is someone who is impulsive and ruthless. She doesn't think things through and cannot decide which lies to keep feeding the public with, which is why her stories are riddled with lies and holes. And the more she gives in to her impulsiveness, the more that everyone can see those holes in her stories. And even if she decides on one lie to keep and feed the public with, that can be debunked. Very easily.

Fifth card: Three of Cups. This is the "conscious" card of the cross part, talking about assumptions and desires. Cups are the suit of emotions, and Three of Cups is strongly associated with celebration, and it is an interesting card to come up with, to say the least. She desires to be celebrated. The centre of attention. But, this could also say that she's been partying very hard or is just overspending in general, which could answer why she had those outstanding debts she cannot pay.

Sixth card: The High Priestess. This is the so-called "unconscious" card, the underlying reasons for the manifestation of desires/assumptions seen in the fifth card. The High Priestess is a feminine card, speaking about intuition, the subconscious mind, secrets, withdrawal, and silence. This is interesting because at least for me, the cards do not match. When we celebrate something, it is because of something that has been answered. A birth, a promotion, a big event that brings such joy that it is worth celebrating. The High Priestess is the card of being quiet, trusting your intuition, and discarding all the unnecessary influence in order to understand your mind and what your intuition is telling you. This tells me that Meghan's desires and her underlying unconscious, the things she cannot control, are not matching, meaning she does not even understand what she wants.

But, as I am not confident in this interpretation, I decided to draw a clarifier on The High Priestess.

Clarified by: Three of Wands. Man, what's up with the Threes today? This card is about progress, expansion, foresight, but also about the lack of foresight. This tells me that Meghan lacks the foresight to see ahead, and so she doesn't understand what she wants and how to get there.

This part explains the second part of the spread, the so-called "staff" section. This part is given context by the cross-part, and this part is generally about someone's life outside of the situation presented by the first part of the spread.

Second part: The Fool, Temperance, The Hanged Man, Knight of Pentacles.

Honest to god, I do not like working on this part. The energy here is confusing, it feels like four people are pulling me in different directions at the same time. I've tried my best.

First card: The Fool. This is the card of beginnings, innocence, holding back, recklessness and risk-taking. Position wise, this is the card of the so-called "influence of self", so this card shows us that Meghan put herself in the situation represented by the six earlier cards by being reckless.

Second card: Temperance. This is the card of balance, moderation, patience. This is also the card of imbalance and excess. As the card of external influence, this led me to believe that people close to Meghan may have been advising her (and probably advising Harry as well) to not live excessively. To temper their emotions and not to get set off by the slightest of things. Now, as we all know, this is not their forte.

Third card: The Hanged Man. The card of waiting, stagnancy, resistance, indecision, and sacrifice. This is the card of hopes and fears -- so this card can be interpreted two ways. First is the interpretation of hope: this card might be interpreted that Harry and Meghan are hoping that people would be waiting to hear from them (aka positive PR), that everyone would bend their backs and knees at their whim, available at their every beck and call. That everyone would sacrifice everything for them.

The second interpretation would be that the fear of sacrifice. They feared sacrifice, particularly Meghan. Meghan does not want to leave Hollywood and the US, the reason she moved back to California soon after Megxit. I am thinking that she wants to be a non-working royal while she still has those juicy royal connections, something that we are all familiar with. She is asking for benefits but does not want the sacrifice that comes with it.

Fourth card: Knight of Pentacles. The so-called card of "possible outcome", this card is closely tied with the fourth card of the first part, the King of Wands. The Knight of Pentacles is the card of hard work, productivity, routine, self-discipline, boredom, and perfectionism. The King of Wands tells us that Meghan is way too impulsive to be able to be productive and do something more worthwhile other than doing PRs attacking BRF and sending out the same narrative again and again (productivity). She is too impulsive to have any kind of self-discipline and to accept responsibility.

Conclusion: This is one long and exhausting reading. Meghan and Harry are presumably in some kind of situation, money-wise, most probably outstanding debt. But instead of acknowledging that, Meghan still insists on pushing the narratives to make her the Diana 2.0, the People's Princess, the person that BRF throws away because she stands against "injustice", and above all, a victim. She desires to be celebrated, but she doesn't even know why she wants to be celebrated; she doesn't even know what she truly wants. She lacks the foresight to get what she desires. She wants the benefit of being a working royal but does not want the sacrifice that comes with it. So yes, she perceives herself as someone so important that she must always get what she wants, but she doesn't even know what she wants.

#reading: brf #g reads #this is one long ass reading and i am very exhausted #good night everyone

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