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bleachification · 9 months

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⸻ CHAPTER FIVE; ALL MEN ARE EQUAL

pairing: dazai x f!reader (fantasy au)

warnings: mentions/themes of depression

chapter list: this is CHAPTER FIVE of a multi-chapter fic series. PLEASE read the chapters below (in order) before this one or you will be very lost!!

prologue

one

two

three

four

word count: 3.5k

+ + + + + + + + + + + + +

Back in your homeland, at the Imperial Palace, the largest constructed facilities are ones of sport and training. Sharpened swords and polished armour take the place of bookshelves on bedroom walls, and the practice of scripture is seldom found. Higher education, though no less important than warfare, is strictly limited to scriveners, court officials, and the professional erudites of your father’s choosing. In the face of current conflicts, most of your father’s people are far more absorbed in military affairs and bureaucracy than arithmetics, the sciences and the humanities.

Although, when it came to you, it was like a switch went off and all those sentiments were turned upside down.

By a certain age, your tutelage switched from scholarly knowledge to that of etiquette and what he referred to as ‘womanly affairs’. Those usually consisted of things like sewing, music, and art classes. The only one you ever enjoyed was the horseback lessons.

But thankfully, your father’s one track mind meant you were never discovered for—or suspected of—possessing further-education books and studying politics, diplomacy, and military tactics on the days general schooling lessons were cancelled. It is why you find yourself in the royal library, hours before you are due to meet Dazai for dinner.

Hundreds, if not thousands, of marble shelves line the walls from floor to ceiling. Each one is stacked, end-to-end, with leather bound tomes and tea-stained manuscripts. There is a fireplace in the right corner, carved from blackened stone and crackling with warmth. Around it sits a pair of dark-green, thickly-cushioned armchairs, along with a matching sofa that is wide enough to fit at least four people.

You walk further in and are greeted with four arched windows spanning the length and height of the space, each one clear as the summer sea. You squint, momentarily blinded by a sudden passing ray of sunlight. Birds are chirping underneath the morning sky, and branches of a looming willow tree sway in front of the left-most window. You take in the sprawling garden view; a labyrinthine maze of hedges take up the centre, and a large assortment of decorations speckle the grounds. Smaller fountains, rainbow flower beds, and iron-wrought benches are only a few of what you can see.

You look around a bit more, noting the study tables anchored to the floor and the winding staircase that leads to the open-plan second floor. The library is well-kept, as shown by the pots holding blooming flowers along the window sills, but the dust lining the shelves indicates that no one has used the archives in a long time. You wonder why—it is the first and only comforting place that you have found in the cold, lonely palace.

You make your way down the stacks before a section catches your eye.

A Comprehensive Guide on Abilities and a Meta Analysis on their Structural Archetypes;

The Scholar’s Circle’s Codex on Yokohama’s Political Affairs;

North vs. South: A Dynastic Tale of Continental History.

You grab all three and almost lose your balance from the weight of each text. More and more books are added to the pile in your arms until you can no longer see straight ahead.

With a huff, you drop the mountain of pending research onto an oak-stained study table and quickly get to work.

Hours pass, the concept of time long faded as you lose yourself in the world of preternatural powers, warring states, and the cluttered institutions that make up the Kingdom in its most present form.

The striking differences between Yokohama and the Northern Empire are more vast than you had ever imagined. It's a stark contrast—governance, industry, arts, religion and everything else you've come across so far. Not a single commonality to be found.

“How has…? But wouldn’t the roots originate from the dark ages? Let’s see…” you mumble, talking to no one in particular.

“Have you found a specially interesting read?” A particular person asks.

You fall out of your seat in surprise.

“General!” You squeak, reeling from his sudden appearance.

The mild-mannered Fukuzawa gives you a gentle smile and moves to help you up. He hooks two large arms under your own and lifts you back onto your chair. The scene reminds you of a mother cat picking its kitten up by the scruff of its neck.

You drop your head onto the table in embarrassment, refusing to make eye contact until, hopefully, a meteor comes falling onto earth and crushes you to death.

“Good morning, General,” you mutter.

“Hmm.”

You peek up at him with one eye. “What?”

“It is five in the evening,” he replies, bemused.

“What?!” You bolt up, shame long forgotten.

It takes you a second to realize how orange the library is, cast in the hues from the setting sun.

You drag a hand over your face, rubbing the fatigue from your eyes. “Shit, I didn’t realize how late it had gotten.”

Fukuzawa raises a brow.

“What? You’ve never heard a noble cuss before?”

He taps his chin. “I can’t say I have. You truly are a breath of fresh air, Your Highness.”

You grin. “As are you, General. And please…”

He listens, head tilting in curiosity.

“It is [name]. We are friends, are we not?” Your false sincerity coats your words like a second skin.

The sun dips far below the horizon, robbing the world of its light. You take in the storm clouds in the distance, absentmindedly wondering if the Empire would experience the same downpour later in the night.

Fukuzawa ponders your question for a moment longer before answering. “We are, but I am also your subordinate, so I am afraid I must decline.”

“And if it is an order?”

Fukuzawa’s eyes sparkle. “Then I am under aristocratic obligation to comply.”

In a tone laced with authority and bemusement, you proclaim: “I, acting Monarch of Yokohama, hereby order General Yukichi Fukuzawa to act beyond propriety and address me by given name only. No titles, no fancy designations. Just [name].”

“As long as you are willing to grant me that same honor, [name].”

You grin. “See? Isn’t that so much better, Yukichi?”

The General only laughs and turns to take a seat across from you. The armour he dons makes a clanging noise as he settles himself. Patches of dirt litter the surface of the metal while other areas sport minor indents—likely from the force of a blade's flat or hilt.

“Did that hurt?” You nod towards the largest dip in the steel.

He looks down at his left side, around the area between his upper ribs. “Couldn’t even feel it.”

“Of course not,” you wave, returning your attention back to the pages.

“I see you are interested in…” Fukuzawa leans over the table, peering at the emboldened titles of each tome. “Yokohama politics, history, and culture?”

“The pen is mightier than the sword, as they say,” you muse. “And a bright mind is far mightier than those stumbling blind in the darkness of their own ignorance.”

“I do wish more members of the court shared that sentiment. It would certainly make my migraines less frequent.”

You faintly recall the term from a book you finished earlier. “The… inner court?”

“The very same. A parliamentary round table of aristocrats and representatives, headed by the Four Noble Houses.”

“The Four Noble Houses? You mean…” You cringe, an unpleasant memory resurfacing.

Fukuzawa’s eyes gleam with amusement. “Ah, yes. I recall a certain purple-faced duke drenched in the colours of His Majesty’s most favoured cabernet sauvignon.”

You smile sheepishly. “I messed up, didn’t I?”

“Formally? Yes.”

You groan and drop your head in your hands.

Fukuzawa lays a palm on your shoulder and gives you a gentle pat.

“But reasonably? Absolutely not. He deserved ten times worse than what he got.”

“Someone needed to stand up to him,” you point out.

“Sadly, there are not many people who can.”

You sigh at that and go back to your research. The moment you set your eyes back on the book, the pages in front of you begin to blur and mesh into a whirlpool of ink.

“Maybe it is time for a break…” you murmur.

Fukuzawa leans forward and studies your fatigued expression.

“What have you learned so far?”

You snort. “You mean other than our sordid history? The decades of hatred and conflict brewing between our countries?”

“Ah, yes. Besides that fun little facet of our politics.”

You run through the miles of information you had just absorbed, each little bit coming together piece by piece to paint a very clear picture of the modern world—one where mystic abilities, gods of old, and monsters coexist in disharmony.

‘Abilities’ as you have come to know them, are practically non-existent among the lower caste in the Northern Empire. The only ones who wield them are of noble blood, aside from the rare few commoners—unfortunate individuals who would be executed for merely holding power outside of their status. Even then, barely anyone manifests one. In recent years, the only ability-user you know of is Chuuya.

In Yokohama, these powers are respected, admired, and much more plentiful. In your textual observations, it is noted that the military and governing leaders are chosen for their abilities.

“Hm… what is yours?”

You are curious. What sort of fate-bending, death-defying power could this seasoned warrior have?

“Mine?”

“Your ability. You must have one, being the head of such an elite corps.”

“My ability…” he pauses.

You raised a teasing brow. “What? You’re not going to tell me?”

“Just considering the risks of doing so. You have proven yourself to be both smart and deceitful. A deadly combination.”

“Are you saying you don’t trust me?” You place a hand on your chest in mock offence, scoffing in indignation.

Fukuzawa laughs—that familiar smooth rumble that you have come to find placating. “Would I be wise to?”

“Of course not.” You wave a dismissive hand. “But you should tell me anyway because I am curious and stubborn and will likely find out on my own regardless.”

The general’s gaze is filled with a kind of warmth that is unknown to you, only interrupted by a flicker of a melancholy that twists his expression momentarily." It happens so fast you almost mistake it for a trick of the light.

“You remind me so much of her…” He mumbles under his breath so softly you pass it off as a whisper of the wind. “Very well. I will tell you.”

The sun has all but disappeared from the horizon, the shimmering moon slipping in its place. The dark, glittering night falls onto Fukuzawa’s features beautifully, making him seem a little more weathered and a little less mundane as he explains his decidedly non-mundane powers.

“It allows me to control my soldiers’ own abilities. I am able to manipulate their capabilities, help navigate their potential, and expand the boundaries of what they can do. That is my ability,” he explains.

You mull over Fukuzawa’s words, a bit surprised at the nature of it all. The powerfully built military veteran looks at you like he knows what you are thinking—knows that you are confused on why someone with his battle prowess has such a passive skill.

“You forget, Your Highness, that before I am a warrior, I am first and foremost a leader. Without my men, I am nothing, and without me, many of those men would not have survived until now,” he states. He says it like a fact, and perhaps in some ways, it is. It makes more sense the longer you think on it, his ability is almost perfectly suited to his position. You wonder what yours would be if you manifested one. What about Dazai? Would his ability reflect bloodthirst and coldness? Or would it be the opposite of what you know him as?

You make a mental note to come back to that question later, and direct your attention back to the conversation at hand.

“[Name],” you correct.

Fukuzawa blinks. “Sorry?”

“You called me ‘Your Highness’ just now.”

“I apologize. Force of habit,” he drops his head in a slight bow and the moonlight streaming through the open windows reflects off his gray hair, transforming it into a silver mane.

Fukuzawa apologizes to you a lot, like a father fumbling for words in front of his newborn, careful not to be anything but kind. If anything, you find it endearing. As well as a little… disappointing.

“General.”

Fukuzawa’s smile drops at your change in tone. The worry in his eyes is clear. “Is something wrong?”

You give him a small smile, a tad tense. “No. Not really. Though, I would like to ask you something. Would you humour me?”

“Of course. I will answer anything within reason,” he reassures.

You rest your cheek against your palm, curiosity and wariness burning bright.

“Why are you so kind to me? I know how this country views the Empire—views me. I am not blind to the scornful glances nor hidden insults thrown around. I am numb to them. But you… Kunikida… that peculiar doctor as well, you are all much too cordial with a sworn enemy. Is it pity? Some misplaced sense of duty? Or perhaps it is all fake and you are all laughing behind my back as we speak.”

Silence spreads through the empty library, the only noises are the crackling of the fireplace and the gentle swishes of the willow branch behind you. The only thing you hear is your pulse thrumming against your skull.

If Fukuzawa is taken aback by your bluntness, he does not show it. Despite only knowing you for this short period of time, he is probably already used to your brusque manner of speech. He folds his hands in front of him and leans backward, taking some time to come up with a suitable answer. You can practically see the gears turning in that head of his.

A few moments pass before he finally speaks in a serious, yet gentle, voice.

“Do you think yourself undeserving of our respect?”

You shake your head and answer: “Not at all. I am only surprised you would willingly impart it to me.”

“I cannot speak on Sir Kunikida or Dr. Yosano’s behalf—although, I imagine they share the same thoughts—but I am kind to you because it is common sense. I am kind to you because I am honoured to serve under your reign,” Fukuzawa assures. His expression softens. “I am truly sorry about the harassment you have had to endure. I will do my best to keep them in check, but if it happens again, do not be afraid to use your status. You are their ruler. Do not let them forget it.”

A lump forms in your throat and you force yourself to swallow it down. The support eases your heart, but the anxiety does not fully disappear, nor does the cold tingle of resentment in your chest. They probably never will. For now, you will accept his words, but with caution, as you are still very much in enemy territory. You will need to lead with your mind to survive, not your heart.

And Fukuzawa? The gentle general is merely a stepping stone, not a friend.

“I… am grateful. Tha—”

“General Fukuzawa!” In a very familiar fashion, the doors to the library burst open to reveal a man, effectively cutting you off.

Kunikida stands beneath the frame, face alarmingly red and breaths coming out in short, laboured puffs. Out of the corner of your eye, you catch Fukuzawa grimacing.

“What. Are. You. Doing. Here?.” The minister spits out each word with barely contained anger—more accusation than actual question.

“Chief Minister.” Fukuzawa bows and slowly inches himself towards the door, closer and closer to the fuming blonde. “I see you are… upset.”

Kunikida’s eye twitches. “Upset? Upset?!” His voice hits an impressive octave and you briefly wonder if he’s ever considered a career in opera. He certainly has the knack for it.

“I—”

“The outdoor arena is on fire.”

The general clears his throat.

“Right. I did tell them not to try out those new techniques without me around, though His Majesty’s soldiers were never ones to adhere to the rules.”

“A black hole opened up in the ceiling and swallowed three stable boys. They were… fully nude when they fell out an hour later.”

Fukuzawa blinks.

“That’s… new.”

“You have five seconds,” Kunikida says flatly.

“Well. Duty calls. I shall have to put out some fires… er… literally.” Fukuzawa makes his way to the open doors and is about to leave when he adds: “Have a wonderful night, [name].”

“Good luck,” you laugh.

He gives you a small wave before disappearing down the hall.

You turn your attention to Kunikida who is now slightly less red, though still glowing a nice shade of pink.

“Good evening, Chief Minister. To what do I owe the pleasure?” You ask.

“I am here to bring you to dinner service. Perhaps you have forgotten? You seem to be engrossed in our literary offerings,” he answers plainly.

Kunikida stays standing, but has walked further into the room, hands clasped behind him as he studies the books you chose with furrowed eyebrows.

“I enjoy reading. Is that such a crime?”

“I am only surprised you were able to find this place. After His Majesty banned entry, most just ignore it as they pass by.”

You cock your head to the right. “I was curious about that. Why? It is a beautiful library—a sunlit treasure trove of knowledge. I would imagine most people would be clawing at the doors for just a glance, yet it is as barren and untravelled as the deserts in the West,” you muse.

Your curiosity is only a mild interest until Kunikida’s gaze sharply turns away from yours, blatantly avoiding your poking and prodding. His averted eyes cause what little inquisitiveness you had just felt to balloon into a wave of eager investigation.

“Kunikida.”

He adjusts his glasses and nervously glances at his timepiece. “We are going to be late if—”

“Kunikida.”

He sighs, relenting.

“If nobody uses this place, why is it so well kept? There are no dirt patches or cobwebs, but the dust between pages suggests that no one has opened them for many years. ”

“If I were to make an educated guess…” Kunikida stops for a moment to think. “I would wager that His Majesty misses what it used to be, and is only trying to preserve the last of that magic. Though the memories here are much too vivid and much too painful for him to come back to.”

What it used to be…

A flicker of something… a fleeting feeling… No. A memory. At the very back of your mind—

“But I do not think he will continue to do so.”

It vanishes, and you fall back to reality, grasping at nothing and nowhere.

You shake yourself out of your daze, a bit peeved at the interruption, but curious all the same.

“Do what? Preserve this place? You believe he will let it just… crumble to ruins?”

Kunikida takes a seat and folds his gloved hands together. The lines on his forehead appear as he tenses, preparing his next words with careful precision. He works his jaw, tension releasing and forming with each movement, as if he is warring internally, fighting to either let the words out or keep it in.

You hope he chooses the former. The more information, the better.

His expression settles and a stern look replaces his calm visage. Whatever he has to say must be serious.

You catch yourself tapping the side of your thigh anxiously under the table and clamp your fingers down on your leg… hard. Your father did always say that a royal must be poised and perfect, and he made it extremely clear that such emotions were to be erased and forgotten.

And if they weren’t…

A chill runs down your spine at the memories.

“I am well aware that you are, and pardon my candor, untrustworthy.”

You almost snort. Not the first time you’ve heard that and it certainly won’t be the last.

Kunikida continues. “But I believe it is only right to tell you as His Majesty’s spouse. King Dazai is… he is…” Kunikida pauses as he fumbles for the right word.

A clock ticks. Kunikida settles on a phrase.

“Unwell. A disease of the mind and heart that has stolen his will. He is here only to serve a purpose and that purpose is not to live out the rest of his life. He exists, but for years now he has not been… here. Almost as if one wrong move and the line His Majesty balances upon disappears and takes him with it.”

Time slows. The air thickens. Are you breathing?

“Slowly but surely, he is fading away,” Kunikida pauses and swallows as he tries to work out his next words.

“Some days I believe he is better. Most days I do not allow myself to indulge in such a lie.”

—

˚ · . tags: @zjarrmiii @aiizenn @emyyy007 @letsliveagaintoday @bejeweledgirl @nat-the-gayass-down-bad-mf

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coarsely · 6 months

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(art; x x)

Anti-Chronicles; a WIP introduction

Set between the warring states of Bronze Eden and Nod, Anti-Chronicles is a non-linear, non-chronological anthology of stories taking place in these respective lands, aiming to explore the culture, history, politics and society and how they have changed over the years. Bronze Eden is a heavily controlled theocratic state filled with forced surveillance and religious fervour, led by the Potentate Dynasty who have been ruling Eden for millennia. Nod is the neighbouring anarchist state, post-apocalyptic and is completely free of any organised government or laws, dealing with the fallout of a nuclear weapon that distorted local time and space dropped on them by Bronze Eden.

STATUS; 1st draft, lore-building.

P.O.V.; 3rd person limited, with occasional chapter-specific exceptions.

GENRES;

Fantasy

Steampunk fiction

Post-apocalyptic science fiction

THEMES;

Religion as a tool of survellience and power

The politics of monarchies vs anarchism

War's impact on citizens

Nuclear post-apocalypse

Time-travel

Human connection in spite of hardship, violence, and colonialism

POTENTIAL TRIGGER WARNINGS;

Violence

Swearing and derogatory language

Sexuality

Religion and religious trauma, specifically Catholic based

Puritanism

Disordered eating

Child abuse

Cultural homophobia, misogyny, racism, etc

Death

Ableism

Potentially more which will be outlined when relevant.

INSPIRATIONS;

Love, Death + Robots

I, Robot by Issac Asimov

Æon Flux

Dishonored (video game series)

Bayonetta (video game series)

Akira

The Real and the Unreal by Ursula Le Guin

CHARACTERS;

by nature of being non-chronological and non-linear, we have a lot of characters! some are kept to their own corner of the world, others move around. here is a short list of the more familiar faces, but there are many more you'll meet as we develop. To meet the entire cast, please refer to this post!

The Potentate Dynasty, the rulers of Bronze Eden who are said to be descended from the Empyrean Itself. Currently ruled by the aged Potentate Magnus, who has fathered six children during his reign. Living in the floating palace in the center of Bronze Eden, they keep to themselves, but their power is absolute.

The Imperators are the divine soldiers of Bronze Eden, also with a link to the Empyrean who are trained from a young age to be the protectors of the Temple and of the Potenates and priests who live within.

Sal Soloman and Ed Edwards are two scientists in Bronze Eden, who's meeting and relationship is both legendary and tragic.

Nod's warriors are disorganised and many, but by far the most prolific is Ucalegon, a native of Old Rhapsody. She works with her own agenda in mind, but nontheless has Nod's best interests in mind... for the most part.

Lady Jezebel is a radio presenter, activist and DJ who's voice has become synonymous with the Land of Nod. She is a pillar of Nod culture and beliefs, hugely influential though nobody knows her face or who she is outside of her radio work. If you want to know of the latest news or listen to the blossoming music scene, her radio is who you tune in to.

Vítor Cadogan is a resident of Golden Glimpse, one of the cities in Nod. Known for running a youth center, he was once a vigilante detective who sought to fight the crime that grew in the golden city's underbelly. He's had a change of heart and has dedicated the remainder of his life to supporting the youths of Golden Glimpse, but many hold his crimefighting past against him.

Other names you'll want to remember are Saccade, Helene, Ive, Cerebellum, Hendrix, the Praeceptor family, and Niles Clarke.

Please feel free to ask in the replies, my inbox or my dm's if you would like to be added to the tag list. This means being tagged in snippets, character profiles, lore dumps and graphics, and anything else related in a major way! I will not tag you in ask games, picrew chains and the like, as I wouldn't consider these notable to the actual tangible lore. You can ask to be removed at any time.

#brieuc.txt #anti-chronicles #wip intro #wip introduction #fantasy #steampunk #post-apocalyptic #science fiction

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inbabylontheywept · 11 months

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Master Post of Writings and Series

HFY Science Fiction That Isn't a Ship, It's a Cannon with FTL! Military fiction revolving around space pirates and a railgun someone strapped an FTL drive to. There are three parts, the link above should let you scroll through the whole series. Like Sharks A short fic based on the prompt "Humans are the only ones to actually develop FTL. Everyone else just uses wormholes." The Scattering Experimental piece. I normally do prose, but I tried a poem. Inspired by the Dark Forest Theory. "So...What's the biggest gun you've ever made?" First installment starring Earl, a weapons designer. In this episode he explains the basics of fission-based fusion weapons, their applications in throwing things into orbit. Also stars a horny lobsterman. "R&D? More like R&Deez Nuts" Second installment starring Earl. This is a laser tag fight starring the R&D division, accounting, and sales. There will be male bonding. Or else. "Yeah, sure, and I shit thermite. Be serious." Earl drinks until he pukes. Aliens learn that humans produce hydrochloric acid for digestion. The Vengabus is Coming! A pinned down group of soldiers has to call in a human tank for backup. Shock and awe does not begin to describe it. Hold Your Breath and Burn The bad news is that he's gonna die in space. The good news is that he can make it count. "I will solve you if I must." The last tool of diplomacy is threats. Burning Bridges You don't have to kill a soldier to keep them from being a combatant. "I think we underestimated the scale of the human species by eight or nine orders of magnitude." In which humans turn out to be the swarm. Party Favors Humanity solved mortality. It did not solve boredom. Now it's everyone's problem. Starring my creepiest humans, a lot of drugs, and the leasy sexy descriptions of sex I could make.

HFY Fantasy Small, Fragile, and Destined to Die There's something to be said for spitting in the face of death. Sometimes, literally. "Healing+Lightning=Wizard Launcher" Unconventional spell uses let a wizard punch above his weight. And bite. And kick. Human wizards make a lot of ruckus. An Honorary Troll A wizard fights a troll. It is not a very wizardly fight. I considered it a very loose sequel to the story above it, but both can absolutely be read separately. Dale of the Dales A two part series about a human protecting a town of halflings from an army of gnomes with the power of hospitality, and also being comparatively massive. Why Human's Can't Cast On the properties of superconductors and golden gods. The Thunder God of Honnillee A human is adopted by a halfling. What Talon and What Dreadful Claw Tragedy with a man and a spynx.

Unsorted Fictions Leviathan A necromancer scours the depths of hell for a soul worthy of his creation. He finds more than he bargained for. Odysseus in Space (It's very, very good) Biographical Pieces The Kitchen Labyrinth of Missile Science Why does a classified facility with 30 people at it have 7 kitchens? What would you do if I told you it has seven of every kind of room? The Fridges. Oh my God, the Fridges. It also has 20 fridges in it. Obviously. Kevin vs. Intro to Quantum You would be surprised at the kind of intellectual challenges random bystanders can take. I certainly was. Layman walks in and becomes the class mascot. The Condom Bomber In which I fuck up. Videos None of these are narrated by me, but I thought I'd list them here for anyone that prefers listening to reading. Like Sharks, read by Grey Voice. He focuses on smooth reading. Like Sharks, read by Aggro Squirrel. He has a theatrical voice. Like Sharks, read by NetNarrator. He has a fast, clipped style. The Vengabus is Coming & Burning Bridges 2 for 1 by Aggro Squirrel. "Yeah, and I shit thermite. Be serious." by Net Narrator. "So, what's the biggest gun you've ever made?" by Aggro Squirrel.

#InBabylonTheyWept

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thydungeongal · 10 months

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Hey, love your blog! I've been following you for a while now and learning a lot about the world of ttrpgs outside of DnD. I hear a lot about how rule heavy and difficult DnD is to learn, not to mention that I am rather 'sheltered' when it comes to the genre. I always assumed that DnD was like the ONLY ttrpg until I followed you haha. So I have a quick question for you, I have been interested in trying out the Werewolf: Apocalypse ttrpg, have you ever played it? Do you have any advice or opinions about the best ttrpgs for someone who has only ever played DnD, but is looking to try something new? Thanks! Sorry for the long ask, I'm notoriously bad at condensing my words😂

Hello! First of all, no need to apologize. As you may have noticed from some of my really long posts, I have something of a problem with writing tersely as well. :)

I have sadly not played Werewolf: The Apocalypse, but not for a lack of trying: there was a period in my life when I was obsessed with the game but could never get anyone else interested in trying it out, so that never amounted to anything. Here's my unfiltered opinion on Werewolf: The Apocalypse: it's silly, reductive, and even within the context of World of Darkness it is extremely culturally insensitive, but I still kind of love it as a game. It's an extremely flawed game but one that I can't help but think fondly of in spite of its flaws. It is very mired in 90s and early 2000s caricatures of indigenous peoples and even more so than any other World of Darkness game weirdly fetishistic about bloodlines, but if one is willing to treat it as a problematic fave there's a lot of good in that whole mess. Like, you get to play as strong as fuck werewolves with magic powers who fight to protect the Earth from a rogue's gallery of enemies that are basically caricatures of the corrupting effect capitalism has on communities and the Earth itself? That shit owns.

Having said all of that, the information that has come out about how the upcoming 5th edition of the game has been handled does not fill me with hope and I'm not sure if I want to support the current direction of the game. You can find more about what I'm talking about here.

To your next question, sadly there isn't a single definitive answer I can give to someone looking to branch out from D&D: it all depends on what kind of game you're looking. But the good news is, whatever kind of game you're looking for it's probably not going to be as much of an investment as D&D. D&D is kind of an outlier in the sense that it requires three whole-ass books, whereas most games fit into just one. But since you asked, I'm going to list a couple of games that I think are neat anyway. :)

Hard Wired Island. Indie cyberpunk RPG. Easy to learn system, setting heavily inspired by 90s anime, actually uses its setting to present questions relevant to the role technological advancement plays in marginalization instead of simply using cyberpunk as dressing for another cops vs. robbers RPG.

Esoteric Enterprises. Since you asked about Werewolf: The Apocalypse chances are you're interested in urban fantasy, yeah? Esoteric Enterprises is dark urban fantasy where you play as an occult gang in a modern city. The system is based on D&D, albeit one of the older editions, and it plays much more grim and gritty than 5e. While characters default to humans it has rules for supernatural characters. It'll be a very different beast from Werewolf, but it'll have that same grimy urban gothic punkness to it.

Break!!. Science fantasy RPG inspired by video games and anime. Was Kickstarted recently but even if you missed the Kickstarter it's not too late to preorder! I've got my hands on the Beta PDF and my first impressions thus far are that even though it's still very much in the wheelhouse of D&D (It's an action adventure RPG in a fantastic setting) it has amazing presentation and is wonderfully condensed. Absolutely worth checking out if the aesthetic appeals to you.

Voidheart Symphony. This one's a bit from the left field, but I like Voidheart Symphony. It's a game about playing psychic rebels fighting against corrupt people in positions of power. Explicitly inspired by the Persona games, but with a more openly revolutionary stance. Where Esoteric Enterprises leans more on the urban occultism and gothic punk, this one is more about fighting against the Man with your Stand.

Anyway, if you have any further questions, don't be afraid to ask. :) For an example, if you feel like you have a specific wish in mind with regards to an RPG system let me know and I'll see if I can think of something more specific.

#long post

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historyhermann · 2 years

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"RWBY": The Captivating YA Animated Series

Yang, Penny, Weiss, and Blake at the end of Volume 8

Last year, when looking for another animated series to watch, I came across RWBY, a young adult animation, and one of Rooster Teeth's flagship series. While I wasn't sure about it at first, as I watched all eight seasons, I became invested in the characters, especially the protagonists, and a fan of the show itself.

Reprinted from The Geekiary, History Hermann WordPress blog, and Wayback Machine. This was the fourth article I wrote for The Geekiary. Before this got published, they said I would be kicked off the publication if I don't start writing, if I remember right. So, I started writing this post and many others. This post was originally published on October 8, 2021.

RWBY is the brainchild of the late Monty Oum. It is known for its captivating stories and a theme song, sung by Casey Lee Williams, which begins every episode, foreshadowing what happens in the season/volume. Although the series has the classic conflict of good vs. evil, there are well-developed characters with intricate storylines, elements of horror, and good character development. Some characters are even morally grey, like General James Ironwood or the Ace Ops. Other villains, such as Cinder Fall, don't want to strictly follow their leader.

Ruby in Volume 9 preview

The anime-inspired series is named after the four main protagonists: Ruby Rose, Weiss Schnee, Blake Belladonna, and Yang Xiao Long. They stand against villains, such as Salem and her enforcers, like Cinder, Arthur Watts, Neopolitan, Tyrian Callows, Mercury Black, and the Grimm monsters. On the other hand, Ozma/Ozpin/Oscar Pine, Lie Ren, Nora Valkyrie, Qrow Branwen, Robyn Hill, and Jaune Arc, among others, help Ruby, Weiss, Blake, and Yang fight against the forces of evil.

The show is clearly mature as it features its share of blood and gore, and the death of some characters, with the antagonist, Salem, even engaging in human experimentation. On the other hand, this science fantasy/adventure/action series has a large focus on magic, and sci-fi elements like the cyborg girl, Penny Polendina, and scrolls which can receive and record messages. Each of the protagonists, like those on RWBY, have a semblance which derives from their aura, helping them battle against the Grimm and other villains, either including powers such as object manipulation, disorienting people, or super strength.

I don't want to give away too much of the plot but I will say that the show features various supporting LGBTQ characters. In Volume 6, Saphron and Terra-Arc, a lesbian couple with a son named Adrian, as confirmed by Lindsay Jones, the voice of Ruby, who the protagonists, and their friends, stay with on their journey to another kingdom. Additionally, in the Volume 5 episode "Alone Together," Ilia Amitola confessed her romantic feelings to Blake, and was later confirmed by show writer Miles Luna as a lesbian in a Reddit AMA.

Most prominently is May Marigold, a trans woman. Unlike other trans characters in animation, she is voiced by a trans female voice actress, Kdin Jenzen, and her character came out as trans in the Volume 8 episode "War," which she described as "something so wildly powerful & meaningful."

LGBTQ characters in RWBY so far

There is a lot about the series which is wonderful. There is a strong possibility of confirmed LGBTQ representation in the main cast, especially since the voice actress for Blake, Arryn Zech, confirmed her character as bisexual in May 2020, and some even have argued that the shipping between Blake and Yang, known as Bumbleby, will come become canon in the show's next volume.

Even if this doesn't happen, the show is still powerful, from its music to the characters, the voice acting to the visuals, which have improved from the earliest seasons to the present-day. Although the fandom may be toxic at times, the show is unique in its colorful ship names, especially the femslash ones, like Baked Alaska (Yang and Neopolitan), Blood Mint (Ruby and Emerald Sustrai), Freezerburn (Yang and Weiss), Ladybug (Ruby and Blake), or White Rose (Ruby and Weiss) to name a few.

So, if you haven't seen RWBY yet, whether on VRV, Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime (in some locations), YouTube Movies (for purchase/rent), or on the RoosterTeeth website, now is the perfect time during the show's hiatus, before Volume 9 begins again sometime in 2022.

#rwby #young adult animation #vrv #crunchyroll #lgbtq #femslash #bumbleby #amazon prime #youtube movies

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elliepassmore · 28 days

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To Cage a God review

5/5 stars Recommended if you like: fantasy, magic, Russian Revolution, disability rep, multiple POVs

This was one of my anticipated reads of the year and it did not disappoint! There's a good mix of action, magic, and politicking going on throughout the book and I flew through this book. I will say though that I would've appreciated a map so I could better understand where everything was situated since I had kind of a hard time figuring it out on my own and there are a lot of places mentioned. This is Russian inspired and I loved that May included the multitude of nicknames that are common in Slavic languages! A lot of the time I see Slavic-inspired fantasies only using one nickname, but in reality the languages use. So. Many. Names. And it was great to see that here.

I was fascinated with the world. The nobility are called alurea and are the ones who have gods (dragons) caged in their bodies. There is some mention of how this works and why only the nobility have it, but this book is kind of sparse on the details, I suspect book 2 will deal with this a little more. Everyone else (i.e., commoners) are called supplicants and not only do they not have gods, but it's also thought impossible for them to have them. Enter Galina and Sera, who I'll get into more below. I thought it was interesting to see how alurea vs. supplicant relations played out and by and large found the alureas to be very unsympathetic. They go beyond typical royal, rich person disdain for the common folk and straight into disregard for their lives. They literally don't care if supplicants die due to their actions, it's not even something they consider pause worthy.

This also plays out in how the rich-poor divide is structured. The alureas live in opulent palaces and have gorgeous silk gowns while the supplicants live in tenements that threaten to collapse with them inside. Many are forced to go with too little food, and one of the book's narrators recounts how alurea threw cake onto the ground to watch starving supplicants lick it off the cobblestones. This, of course, makes great breeding ground for revolution, with the rebels being called 'faithless.'

Sera and Galina were raised by the leader of the revolution, who also happened to be a little into human experimentation. Their mom found a way to bind gods into non-royals and was able to bind one into each sister, thus turning them into very effective, albeit secret, tools of the revolution. The book opens four years after their mother's death when Sera and Galina decide to return to their home city and take down the empress for good.

Sera stays in the city gathering information and preparing elixirs to strengthen Galina's god for the final showdown. She's definitely the strategist of the two and plays it a little closer to the edge than Galina does. Her spy network in the city is small but quite effective, and it was interesting to see how she played certain things to their advantage. I liked the combination of her being book smart and street smart. I feel like we don't often get characters who are both, so I enjoyed seeing her master the science lab and knife a few alureans. While Sera does decry violence, her past (and the fact that she seems to have literally invented bombs in this world) indicates that it doesn't always bother her. I think in this case it works out because her plan is better than what the faithless have going, but at the same time I think she should probably acknowledge that violent revolution does work.

Galina is a little softer, though I think she deserves to be considering 1) she lost her family to the empress prior to being adopted by Sera's mom, and 2) definitely got the worse end of the deal with their mom's use of her god. Galina's main job in this book is to spy on the empress and get close enough to her for Sera's plan to work. She has the unique opportunity to get close to the princess too, and that allows her to see some good in alurean power, though she doesn't get fooled into thinking the alureans should stay in power. This book involves Galina healing from her past and recovering from everything that happened. I hope in book 2 we get to see her in action more since it seems like politically she's going to be very involved.

Katya is Sera's spies in the palace and gets a POV of her own. I found her story to be very compelling and am torn between wanting to see more of her and wanting her to be able to rest. Katya serves as the empress' handmaiden, the latest in a string of 16, all of whom end up murdered by the empress. Katya's sister was the handmaiden before her and was killed after a visiting diplomat made the empress angry, and so Katya swore revenge on the empress. Her journey toward being able to throw off the confines of the empress' control was powerful and satisfying.

Vasilisa is the princess and also gets a POV of her own. She's a bit of a mystery at first, and as a result we don't get her POV until we're well into the book. She used to be very active and was even more popular than her mother, but after her father died she became a recluse and there are rumors she isn't even alive. The truth of it is that Vasya has a degenerative disease and is simply refusing to harm her body anymore just to make her family look good, particularly since her mother doesn't want her using mobility aids when in public. She seems to have a better understanding of things than her mother does and while she still lives in the lap of luxury, she utilizes her godpower to try and help supplicants. She's also scientifically minded and is the one who develops most of the treatments for her condition.

Vitaly is the last POV character and he's Sera's love interest and the new leader of the faithless. He and Sera used to be partners in the revolution and would go on missions together to help bring down strategic targets or help provide weapons to other budding revolutions. He has a fairly single-minded focus, which could be annoying at times, but at the same time was kind of understandable considering his past and the fact that Sera wasn't cluing him in to what she was doing (that being said, did he really believe she was a supplicant?? And why not question why she didn't want the 'new' alurean dead?). While Vitaly does come across as the brooding bad boy type, it's clear that he adores Sera and would cross any lines for her, including his own. I did appreciate that he truly seems to care for her (and I do like him as a character), but I feel like some brains behind that brawn and violence would be nice.

Overall I greatly enjoyed this book and found the characters to be intriguing. The world is rich and has a lot of depth to it, and I'm curious to see how this most recent revolution will play out. Interestingly too, I think this book could be read as a standalone as well, if you're looking for a one-off read!

#book #book review #books #book recommendations #fantasy #bookstagram #booklr #bookblr #bookaholic #bookish #to cage a god #adult fantasy #fantasy books #russian revolution #multiple pov #lgbtq characters #disability representation

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kinsey3furry300 · 3 months

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My latest controversial opinion: I have a pick for what I think is the Best Science Fiction Novel of the 20th century, and you’re probably going to hate it.

Okay, and because I hate clickbait pre-amble, it’s Watership Down. And while I’d not put it up there with Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein, or Verne or early H G Wells, I would maintain that it does Science fiction better than pretty much any book written between 1900 and 2000. But wait, I here you cry, Watership Down has no technology to speak of, and it about fucking rabbits, some of which are magical: it’s clearly Fantasy and not Science fiction to which I say…. No.

Watership Down has one, one fantastical element, accurate prophecy, that effect the story exactly once, right at the beginning: Fiver’s first prophecy is the inciting incident for the plot, and despite being 100% correct in all of his visions, our gender-flipped lapine Cassandra suffers the OG Greek prophetess, and it never listened to again: both Bigwig and Hazel walk right into traps he’s clearly warned them about. All the other problems, every major conflict with the plot, is solves with either science, or humanist philosophy. The presence of magic has no actual outcome on the plot once it’s got rolling (except for tangentially inspiring the stunt with the dog at the end). Blackberry and Hazel grasp buoyancy, a concept too advanced for any other rabbit to grasp, and use to to save themselves not once, but twice. Hazel’s insistence on solving problems with diplomacy first wins over Bigwig, the OG Riker, and then makes multiple allies from entirely different species, alien cultures allied to him via his humane and rational approach, and these allies provide his early warning agasnt enemy attacks and his muscle in a lot of fights. Hell, Hazel wins the final battle by using rationalism and a progressive, gentle and enlightened leadership style to win over the biggest and baddest rabbit around (Bigwig), using espionage and psychological warfare on the second biggest and baddest (Woundwort), and weaponizing natural phenomena outside of his enemie’s comprehension (buoyancy, trains, dogs, humans) to achieve a final victory over a militarily superior foe through diplomacy and science. By contrast my other pick (Dune) is structured as a fantasy and not a sci fi: problems cased by science are fixed by a special destined individual with semi-fantastical powers who leads a religious uprising against an evil empire.

Narratively, in how the story approaches problem solving, and thematically, in how it approaches faith vs rationalism, destiny vs free will, Watership Down isn’t Lord of the Rings, it’s fucking Star Trek.

#science fiction #watership down #star trek #Lord of the rings #richard adams #sci fi #sci fi and fantasy #fantasy #humanism #the second most important is “Roadside Picnic” btw #roadside picnic #Lovecraft was a short story writer not a novelist get of my back #Howard too #Dune #frank herbert #Lort #j r r tolkien

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dankxsinatra · 1 year

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What's your opinion on science fantasy?

Underutilized for great stories but overutilized by Disney for it's special effects orgies they call movies.

Most of my writings usually end up dealing with space, aliens, and cosmic entities, be it scifi or fantasy. I tend to have my head in clouds, case in point my idea for ancient dragon stars.

If you consider star wars science fantasy, it's one of my favorite examples. Or more specifically, the setting. Again, not a fan of movies that waste time and energy on flashing lights when the story suffers (sequels). But warrior monk peace keepers that have an evil twin order that seeks to subjugate everyone under their control. However, the warrior monks love of smelling their own farts was used against them to lead to their downfall is great. Plus, the force has so much potential for some fascinating stories. It's a shame we can't properly explore some deeper themes within the force itself outside of Buddhists vs Nietzscheans

With the way it ended, Battlestar Galactica I would say is somewhat of another example. Humans and cylons alike were the plaything of a deity that lead them to another opportunity to co-exist peacefully if they could manage.

Dune, however, is my personal favorite in that it blends mysticism, philosophy, and religion into a scifi setting that explores humanity's future and their ability to ultimately survive their own faults. I think Herbert was eventually going to have humanity's greatest enemy was humanity's lust for power itself, hence the scattering. 9/10 (-1 for beef swelling)

WH40k can be fun but the over the top, parody nature of it undermines it for me. I try to get into it but every story just seems like an excuse for another bloodbath + more models to sell. but gotdamn do I love the models. I should get back to painting some.

And then there is of course Elder Scrolls. Main lore doesn't get into it too much (other than an elf hating cyborg) but kirkbrides expensive word psychedelic diatribe about trees shooting math missiles at time keeper dragons? Just, all of that I'm a huge fan.

Bottomline, if I'm in a fantasy setting, I love seeing ancient robot skeletons or downed spaceships grown over with foilage. Or in a space ship, I'm down for seeing some Gods and magic. Big fan of the overall concept

#probably why I love elder scrolls so much

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moonandris · 1 year

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Should I go the science fantasy route or the modern fantasy route? Heeeellllpppp meeeeee! Ughhh >:(

I’m going to drop the most basic ideas/tropes/plot points in my WIP below. Could you P L E A S E give me some advice and tell me if you think it fits more of modern fantasy world or a scifi fantasy world? Both ideas are set in a modern, secondary world like ours but obviously different.

Science & Magic Are Intermixed (Certain Humans Have Powers)

I’ll either have espers who have psychokinetic abilities or mages with magic (whatever ‘magic’ looks like/is called by in my world). I just can’t make up my damn mind on what would work better. Technically they both accomplish the ‘humans with powers’ role I want for this story. It’s incredibly rare for a human to be born with these powers/magic, so majority of the population is non-magic.

Post-apocalyptic Event that Changes the World (Demon Apocalypse)

We’re talking thousands and thousands of years after said apocalypse, so humanity/society has had plenty of time to rebuild. This catastrophic event drastically changed how society had to proceed going forward in order to prevent it from happening again. Certain organizations systemically euthanized people who were more at risk for demon possession and created safety measures and magical safeguards (but most of this is not not public knowledge). While mages/espers took control after said event and there’s class issues with magic vs. non-magic folk, it’s not necessarily a dystopian setting. Society is up and is thriving.

Voluntary Games to Increase Status, Wealth, and Quality of Life (Maybe)

Colosseum-style games run by a magical empire that offer life-changing rewards for those who participate. No one is forced, but people are heavily encouraged to enter. Games vary and could be anything from a race to a battle royal to hide and seek to a talent show. All games are pubic and televised and aggressively advertised to those on the lower end of the social hierarchy spectrum (non-magic folk).

If I Go the Modern Fantasy Route (My Original Idea)

I’ll be able to include other immortal species besides in my story, like werewolves, vampires, shapeshifters, etc. There’s not a lot of them because when mages took control after the apocalypse, many were hunted down and eliminated as the posed a risk to the survival of humanity. Common folk believe that there’s no supernatural creatures left other than the mages (this is partially true, as their numbers have dwindled drastically). I also like this idea because HELLOOOO I can you even imagine magical schools? Criminal organizations with magic? Humans using magic technology to get ahead in life because they have no magic of their own??? So many possibilities!

If I Go the Science Fantasy Route (More Recent Idea)

The only species in the story are common humans, elite humans, espers, super soldiers, and demons. There’s no such thing as immortality, though through thousands of years of medical experimentation the lifespan of all types of humans has increased exponentially. I also thought of possibly creating a dystopia disguised as a utopia type setting. ‘Magic’ is not considered magic as it is considered a type of science.

What are your thoughts??

#my wips #faye speaks #writeblr advice #wip advice #writeblr wips #help meeee #seeking advice #writing advice #modern fantasy wip

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cat-esper · 11 months

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WIP Intro | The Zodiac Circuit

Genre: Post-apocalyptic science fiction/science fantasy

Themes: Life and death, conformity vs freedom, immortality, enemies to friends, overcoming fear in the face of impossible odds

By the year 2560, humans had achieved their Utopia. It took forty-five minutes to tear it apart. When scientists opened a wormhole to an alien world under siege, it drew the attention of a powerful lich and kicked off the greatest war humanity had ever seen. Only conduits, elite soldiers that combine human tech with alien magic, along with their android partners, stood a chance against the lich's army of wights. The lich was ultimately defeated but it came at a terrible cost, rendering the surface world too dangerous to cross and driving humans underground. Centuries later, the war of the lich is spoken of in hushed tones for there are those who believe the lich might return. Rhys Valencya knows more about that than most; her own family conspires to bring about his return. Only her father knows how to stop them but then he's murdered in front of her and his last act is to give her the key to activating an ancient dormant android. Jonathan once served as a conduit's regulator, programmed to protect him from his own lethal magic. But an android is the last thing Rhys wants. Androids, it is said, betrayed humanity to serve the lich. But with enemies on all sides, they are forced to the surface world, which is as good as a death sentence. Rhys will need to become a conduit herself and forge a bond of trust with Jonathan in order to survive the dangers of the surface and stop her family from finding the last battery they need to resurrect the lich. With time running out for her ruined world, she may need to sacrifice everything she loves. But even that may not save humanity from extinction.

And cue theme song: The Truth Beneath the Rose

#writeblr #wip intro #post apocalyptic #scifi #science fantasy #writing #camp nano july 2023 #writeblr community #writing community #wip #the zodiac circuit

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ambientsoundtrackfan · 1 year

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one of my hot takes is that you don't need to read any literature if you don't want to (re: "great books" debate) the only minimum should be listening to at least one overview of western philosophy and read a book that at least covers the arguments/theories of plato - enlightenment. even if all you read was plato vs. classics of literature, history books, modern philosophy, etc. if you truly took the time to think through just one classic philosophy book that would 10x more powerful than just simply "reading" 100 books with out study, context or critical thinking.

critical thinking is so much more important than just fiction, or listening (not that these things are unimportant) but logic, analysis and developing your own personal skills of argumentation is what people need. the examined life is integral to living in a democracy, and you have to do it on your own, no one can tell you all the answers and everything can be questioned (truth will always hold up to scrutiny).

people get really focused on literature but philosophy, foundational texts of science, sacred texts are criminally underrated when they can be some of the most transformative books out there. in fact many periods of history were anti-literature (Schopenhauer, Napoleon, Plato) because it contains and feeds elements of narcissism, ennui, and fantasy as well as the danger of simply reading not engaging with a text. fiction since it's an art form also contains an element of taste so great art to one is boring to another.

also it doesn't have to be "western" ideas, ideally pick something time tested because there is power in foundational human writing from the Upanishads to Theaetetus. and it could be just one book too, reading one book closely your whole life could be more impactful than speeding through a bunch of watered down pop-philosophy books that keep you in the confines of your "reality".

you should read books that completely change your world so that there is a you before and a you after

#we should bring back being novel-critical #I'd ironically love to write a book on that because I think its interesting #philosophy

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littlemsterious · 2 years

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a few years ago i got to go to this lecture about video games? i think? i forgot what the main point was. but there was a little side tangent part that i thought was super interesting, where the lecturer explained the difference between science fiction and fantasy.

in his terms, science fiction is about exploration, development, and the effect those things have on humanity, as well as being set somewhere in the future from when it was written. there’s less of an idea of right and wrong, and more of an idea about what it means to be human.

on the other hand, fantasy has strong themes of good vs evil, and usually has some sort of unexplained, mystical power. there is a much smaller focus, less about humanity as a whole and more about the journey of a small number, and their connections and relationships to each other.

in this sense, i think Star Trek would be the quintessential sci fi. (i haven’t actually watched that much star trek so someone tell me if that’s wrong.) but that’s also why 20,000 leagues under the sea is still considered science fiction despite it taking place in the past and much of the technology already existing.

fantasy has it’s obvious inclusions, like Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings and Avatar tLA, but this definition would also include things like star wars, most super hero franchises, and even something like stranger things.

#I’m thinking about that fucking hank green tik tok again #where he said star wars is sci fi because it takes place in out universe just a different galaxy #and that fantasy is when it’s in an entirely different universe and science fiction is when it’s in our universe #i was so mad about that #star trek #jules verne #20000 leagues under the sea #harry potter #lord of the rings #star wars #marvel #dc comics #stranger things #fantasy #science fiction #literary analysis #meta #i think about that lecture at least once a month

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chaoticgeminate · 2 years

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Kelly—not a cafe ask but a request:

I would love some game recs. I’m a bit tapped/maxed out on Stardew (I’ve pretty much done everything in it, even with the big updates) but I loved that game, would be really interested in finding more like it (or just seeing what other people who liked that game have also liked)

If you wouldn’t mind sharing, of course 💜

I hope you’re having a lovely day!

Jess! I'm having an amazing day, we have a nice breeze (finally) and the sun is shining (which is a shocker here in England sometimes)!

I am delighted to share some of my favorite game recs with you, though I admit I have no idea what system you use primarily so I'll list some of my top 10 current favorite games (in no particular order) and why as well as what systems they can be played on as well as if they're on PC Gamepass 💙 I'll throw some honorable mentions on there too.

My Time at Portia [PC/Console/Mobile]: This game is a lifestyle simulation in the same vein as Stardew Valley except instead of farming you build new inventions and tech. Its set in a post-apocalyptic time where people are suspicious of a LOT of technology and like Stardew has one of the biggest varieties of romanceable NPCs if that's your thing. There are some light themes of religion vs science, but not to the point that it makes the game too philosophical. It plays okay on console but the company that Pathea hired to do the porting wasn't exactly the greatest so it can get really buggy, if you have a PC you'll get the best experience. (It IS available on Xbox game pass currently)

Catlateral Damage [PC/PS4]: So this game is literally just for fun. It's a game where you run around as a cat and your goal is to just destroy EVERYTHING. You knock things off counter tops, tables, bookshelves... it's one of those games you can turn on and play mindlessly to either kill time or work out your frustrations on imaginary dishes.

No Place Like Home [PC]: So this game is also a lifestyle simulation and like Stardew Valley it has farming as a core mechanic, but like Portia it's set in a sort of post-human scenario. In this one humans left the earth so trash ridden that they fled to Mars, your character comes back to find her grandfather and you recycle trash and actually clean up his farm and the local town (that's as far as I've gotten right now). It's a unique spin on a farming simulation.

House Flipper [PC/Console/Mobile]: As someone who can get lost for weeks if I boot up the Sims this is a very healthy alternative for me. So as you can guess the point of this game is to buy and flip houses, you can renovate them basically any way you want though paint colors and wallpapers are kind of limited. It can be very relaxing or very frustrating but I have fun playing around with designs and layouts with it and I tend to use it if I'm designing houses for fics. (Available on game pass)

Power Washing Simulator [PC/Xbox/PS4&5]: So this is one I jut picked up and only after I'd seen let's play videos on it, it's just an aesthetically pleasing game for me and I love the methodical work of powerwashing fictional things. It's another mindless game of turn it on and get the satisfaction of seeing clean lines carved through fake grunge.

Final Fantasy XIV Online [PC/Play Station]: While I have tried out numerous MMORPG games it is this one that speaks to me the best. The JRPG art style isn't exactly everyone's cup of tea and I get that, and it is a monthly service subscription if you aren't a free account so I won't try and shove it down anyone's throats, but the story for this game is absolutely phenomenal. You can play free up to level 60 and through the Heavensward Expansion, which is the base game and first expansion and still have an AMAZING experience.

Maneater [PC/Console]: Okay so I thought I was going to HATE this one. I have mild thalassophobia so underwater and ocean based games are usually a HARD pass for me. But I think since you are the predator in this game it was a bit easier for me to handle. This one is another mindless destruction game, you play as a shark and eat fish (and eventually people) to grow and level up with a crazy mutation side story and a shark hunter out to kill you. It's where my insane gamer!Pero emote/meme picture was born (I have a pink gaming chair and plan to get the Razer Kraken Kitty headset) (Also game pass available)

Subnautica/Subnautica Below Zero [PC/Console]: Right so these play more like a horror game to me (thanks phobias) but the landscape and the world of both of these games are stunning. I'm playing them very slowly and have watched let's play videos already, as well as tuned into friends streaming it, but the environment of these games are really truly just beautiful. Alien oceans and creatures, base building, resource gathering, and a really deep story in both of them. Below Zero is the sequel so naturally some of the functions are more fleshed out but they're both worth a play even if they scare the pants off me. (game pass available)

Stray [PC/Xbox/PS4&5]: I can't do this list without Stray, it is absolutely a newer game but I'm in love with it. There are some levels that squick me out but don't make it fear inducing, it's very puzzle platformer and one of the coolest dystopian worlds I've seen created. The robots are all unique, the cat is cute, and there's a dedicated meow button!

Raft [PC]: This is another game I thought I'd hate, even if it is a survival/building simulation like Minecraft, because... water. But honestly I actually really love it. You can get absolutely insane with your raft building, you can have animals and bee hives, it's honestly (to me) super fun to just go creative mode and see what sort of zany designs I can come up with to work out into survival mode.

Honorable Mentions: Undertale, Ori and the Blind Forest, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, Strange Horticulture, Among Us, Pokemon Sword and Shield, Pokemon Legends Arceus, Animal Crossing New Horizons, Chrono Cross Remaster, Atelier Ryza, Crash Bandicoot and Spyro Series' remasters

#ask answer #jazzysaurus rex #game recs

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