#killed by my own limitations and ineptitude
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Yes there’s “I love reading my writing because this author knows exactly what I like” but what about “this author knows exactly what I like and is ruINIng it (it’s me)”??? wheres the rep for people who write stories they want to read but cannot stick the landing and that makes it worse ???? To feel so close to writing what you want but it is just out of reach ??? devastating. why is it not enough to come up with vague notions of fics why must i be forced (literally no one is asking me to do this at all) to write them. i am living with horrors (the minor inconvenience of not being good at something)
#bean talks#this is incredibly unserious i am just aldhajdd whenever i go back to a wip and am like#hm i liked this idea. what went wrong#and then i read it and it’s like ohhhhhh yeah. i remember. it’s because i was writing it askfhajs#rip wip#killed by my own limitations and ineptitude
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KlubOutside Q&A 501-600 [Translation]
Translated by @reikorun
Q501.
2023.08.14
How old is Riruka? (At the time of the Lost Agent of the Shinigami arc.)
A501.
She's 15 years old.
Q502.
2023.08.14
Sensei, when drawing manga, do you pretend to be the central character at that moment, before drawing? Or do you always maintain an objective perspective?
A502.
Rather than getting into the role of the character, I draw them as if they were right in front of me. When I try to fully embody a character, I feel that the range of the character narrows because there are limits to my own perception.
Q503.
2023.08.21
Why is it called "Karakura Town"?
A503.
The name comes from the mental image of an empty body with a missing soul (in other words, a corpse).
Q504.
2023.08.21
Among the Shinigami, there are some who hide the abilities of their own Zanpakutō, and there are some who remain silent about the fact that they can perform Bankai, but aren't there any rules that require them to declare this information?
A504.
Of course, they have an obligation to report on these things.
Q505.
2023.08.21
With respect to BLEACH, I get the impression that there are few explanations of the situation or a character's abilities which resemble a 'voice from above'. Is there something you're particular about with regard to this aspect?
A505.
I feel like it kills the immersion so I make an effort to avoid using it. Though, I don't particularly dislike this aspect when it comes to reading.
Q506.
2023.08.28
I love the Visored! While there may be differences in the balance of mastery or ineptitude over the Zankensoki, strictly speaking, who is the strongest among those eight when it comes to battle? If the ability of the Zanpakutō is direct attack type, I somehow feel that the user may not have an aptitude for Kidō too, so I would be glad if you could also tell me who is the most adept at Kidō, putting aside Hacchi!
A506.
If we take "adept at Kidō" to mean "a wide range of Kidō variations can be used" then after Haachi, it's Rose. As for who the strongest is, that's hard to say because it depends on the conditions.
Q507.
2023.08.28
How did the Visored previously make a living? Also, Hiyori has a part-time job, but are Love and Hacchi working too?
A507.
Hacchi collaborates with Tessai to develop Kidō goods for use in the Soul Society. Love works part-time at a second hand clothes store.
Q508.
2023.08.28
What specific tasks does Kubo-sensei do when taking on the role of "supervisor" for things like Brave Souls, movies, anime, etc.? For things like Brave Souls, do you check and make corrections to the designs that have been submitted to you?
A508.
The degree of supervision varies depending on the case, and that's the way it is for Brave Souls too.
Q509.
2023.09.04
It was explained within the story that Zaraki Kenpachi took a sword from a Shinigami, but if the Shinigami who had their sword taken were still alive and had achieved Shikai and Bankai, would they end up having a similar ability to Zaraki's Nozarashi?
A509.
That wouldn't happen. Abilities can be overwritten prior to Shikai acquisition (and depending on the person, even after its acquisition).
Q510.
2023.09.04
Rukia and Renji are a working couple, but did Ichika go to nursery school or a daycare center when she was very young, prior to entering the Shin'ō Academy?
A510.
Even though they both took childcare leave, several nannies dispatched by the Kuchiki clan were always stationed at the Abarai residence.
Q511.
2023.09.04
Is the marriage rate low for the Captains and Vice-Captains of the Gotei 13? Are there any Captain class Shinigami we don't know about who are actually married?
A511.
There is no one among the current members. I feel like there aren't many among that lot who seem capable of maintaining a married life….
Q512.
2023.09.11
Previously, in response to a question about the names of Hollows, you answered that "there is a person in charge of naming them", but do they name each Hollow one by one? Or are these names only given to Hollows who have murdered Shinigami, or caused a great deal of damage to the Human World
A512.
It's the latter. Other Hollows are assigned numbers and such based on what is captured.
Q513.
2023.09.11
About Unagiya Kaoru, he is the son of Unagiya Ikumi and who else? My personal prediction is that it's Tsukishima-san!
A513.
What a frightening prospect.
Q514.
2023.09.11
Are all the artwork which appear in Guidelines on KlubOutside drawn by Kubo-sensei while your assistants draw the background and other elements?
A514.
That's right. Characters, drawn lettering and effects are my job, while the background, motion lines and screentones are my assistant's job. I thought that if I continued drawing the motion lines by hand, I wouldn't be able to finish the whole piece so halfway through the series I decided to hand that over to my assistants.
Q515.
2023.09.18
It is mentioned that Urahara created his healing hot springs by imitating Kirinji's baths, but do these baths still remain in Soul Society? Or did he go to the Soul King Palace and analyze them?
A515.
A few still remain in a remote area of Rukongai.
Q516.
2023.09.18
Why does Bakudō #81. "Dankū" possess the anti-Hadō capability to "completely block Hadō numbered 89 and below"? Hadō is meant to be used by fellow Shinigami, in other words, by allies, therefore the anti-Hadō capability is presumably based on the premise of defending against attacks from allies. I speculate that in the past, Shinigami who were skilled in Hadō numbered 89 and below had turned hostile, so Dankū was created as a countermeasure to that.
A516.
That's a good guess.
Q517.
2023.09.18
Why does Orihime call Grimmjow "Grimmjow" but Ulquiorra "Ulquiorra-kun"?
A517.
That's because the atmosphere on their first meeting was not one where she was able to address Grimmjow with the -kun honorific. Though, I also think Ulquiorra is the same in that regard.
Q518.
2023.09.18
Please tell us the gender of Nianzol Weizol.
A518.
You'll know when you hear his voice in the anime, but he's a man.
Q519.
2023.09.25
Are the attack methods which utilize Gintō and the Medallion chant used by Ebern all techniques which are classified as "Kirchenlied"?
A519.
"Kirchenlied" is the equivalent of a Shinigami's "Kidō", therefore that is the case for most techniques which correspond to a spell.
Q520.
2023.09.25
Does Driscoll's Overkill become stronger based on the number of people killed from the time he received his Schrift to now? Or does the buff expire at the end of the battle or some other point?
A520.
The buff is removed by sleeping, eating, or loss of consciousness.
Q521.
2023.09.25
Are there any characters among the BLEACH cast who wear perfume, or has an image of their scent been decided upon in Kubo-sensei's mind? Recently, perfumes and fragrances that capture the image of one's favorite character or idol have been released regardless of whether they are fictional or real, so I wonder if we'll get some released out of the BLEACH universe as well.
A521.
I've been asked quite frequently to release perfume, so I'm starting to think it might be nice to do so. I don't use perfumes but sometimes I'll buy them when I want the bottle….
Q522.
2023.10.02
Nimaiya Ōetsu makes the Asauchi, but did he create them with Shikai and Bankai in mind from the very outset? Or did he realize that the shape and properties of the swords changed with each individual as they used it, and that phenomenon was then given the name Shikai and Bankai by the Monk?
A522.
That is the correct order of events.
Q523.
2023.10.02
Shishigawara-kun's Fullbring "Jackpot Knuckle" has a characteristic where the probability of hitting the jackpot ends up decreasing with continuous use, but will the probability of a jackpot be restored once it has already been decreased? If it does, I would also like to know what the conditions are.
A523.
There is a gradual recovery from misfortune (taking damage, etc.) Full recovery occurs when crossing over to the next day at midnight.
Q524.
2023.10.02
When did Hirako Shinji get his tongue pierced? It wasn't pierced during The Past arc, was it…?
A524.
I always forget to draw it, so I may not even include it anymore.
Q525.
2023.10.09
Is the hierarchy of strength for the Bambies: Liltotto > Giselle > Meninas > Bambi > Candice?
A525.
If they engage in battle with Blut, then that's probably the order. If it's a bare-handed fight then it's: Liltotto → Meninas → Candice → Gigi → Bambi.
Q526.
2023.10.09
Vice-Captain Madarame comes from a distinguished family, but what about 3rd seat Ayasegawa?
A526.
Yumichika was an abandoned child from Rukongai.
Q527.
2023.10.09
When I look at Rickenbacker, I get a buddy-like vibe and at the same time a faint sense of some maternal quality, but do Dragons even have things like gender?
A527.
They do. By the way, Rickenbacker is male.
Q528.
2023.10.16
The Kōtotsu was completely destroyed by Aizen, but after that, didn't any problems arise within the Dangai? Are there multiple Kōtotsu, or perhaps it was restored through a self-purification function or something?
A528.
It will be restored within the next seven days.
Q529.
2023.10.16
Urahara-san runs a small-time candy shop in the Human World, but is there some specific reason why he chose to open up a candy shop?
A529.
It's because Kisuke thought that candy shops were the best in that he could open and close the shop as he pleases, and even if he stocks strange items, it's harder to suspect anything is out of the ordinary.
Q530.
2023.10.16
Will there not be a BLEACH themed pachinko machine released? I'm just allowing myself to imagine that the staging effects and so on would be so fun, LOL.
A530.
There are no such plans, but the staging aspect certainly sounds entertaining. ×[1]
Q531.
2023.10.23
When Ichigo wears his sword, he carries Zangetsu on his back, but how is it held in place?
A531.
The sash on the hilt is wrapped around the chain along with the blade.
Q532.
2023.10.23
Is Yukio unmarried in the Echoing Jaws of Hell arc?
A532.
He's unmarried. It doesn't seem very likely that he'll marry….
Q533.
2023.10.23
When I was looking at the art of BLEACH, I got the impression of ballet movements, like the way in which characters use the tips of their toes and the lower half of their bodies. Sensei, do you ever watch ballet?
A533.
I sometimes watch Lausanne on TV, but I'm not very familiar with it. If anything, I suppose the sharp-tongued humor is the thing that I find interesting to watch.
Q534.
2023.10.30
Kotetsu Kiyone and Kotsubaki Sentarō share the same birthday, are they twins related by blood?
A534.
They're unrelated, but every year, they were made to sit side-by-side by Ukitake and celebrate their birthdays together.
Q535.
2023.10.30
How do Arrancar acquire a Zanpakutō? Do their broken mask pieces transform into Zanpakutō after they become Arrancar?
A535.
I'll tell you because I don't particularly feel like drawing it, but the torn part of the mask becomes the sword. So you are correct.
Q536.
2023.10.30
During the Quincy invasion, Mayuri modified his room and clothes to make them glow so that they wouldn't cast shadows, but wouldn't a shadow be created in Nemu's cleavage if left like that? This is a serious question.
A536.
Now that you mention it, that's true…. I should have placed a glow stick or something between her breasts.
Q537.
2023.11.06
How did you feel when BLEACH was parodied in Gintama?
A537.
When we first met, I was the one who told Sorachi-san "you can do whatever you want"…. Yet, he still apologized to me.
Q538.
2023.11.06
Is Hikifune Kirio-san's Tree of Life based on a similar principle to Kidō?
A538.
It's similar, but since it can only be used by one individual, I guess it's something closer to Ganju's Seppa….
Q539.
2023.11.06
Findorr Calius adjusted his own strength by breaking his mask, but is it also possible to restore his broken mask and strength back to their original state.
A539.
It's possible. Even if it's left alone, it will gradually return to its original state. It's kind of like an injury.
Q540.
2023.11.13
My prized possession is a copy of KaraBuri+ which I bought when I was in the 6th or 5th grade. Would you consider composing something like another official spin-off that is drawn in a light-hearted and humorous manner? I'd even like to see something similar to a Hueco Mundo version of KaraBuri!
A540.
If someone else were to draw something amusing, I'd also like to see it.
Q541.
2023.11.13
I have a question about Ayon and Orihime's abilities! After creating Ayon, if the arms of Apacci and the others were healed via Orihime's powers, could something like an 'Ayon duplication bug' occur? If the arms of the three individuals who create Ayon are restored through Orihime's abilities, would Ayon also disappear? It's just a hypothetical scenario, but I'm intrigued.
A541.
If the bodies of Apacci and co. can endure the rapid continuous regeneration process, a duplication bug is possible.
Q542.
2023.11.13
I was curious about the differences in size between Minazuki's first appearance, published in volume 18, and the time they landed on Sōkyoku Hill, published in volume 21. Can Minazuki's size be changed at will? Or did they become smaller as a result of the lifesaving measures Unohana gave Hitsugaya and Hinamori at the Seijōtōkyorin? (*The enclave where the Central 46 reside.)
A542.
The size can vary considerably. The smallest size is around the size of a puppy.
Q543.
2023.11.20
I totally want the shoes that Rabu is wearing in the new artwork (color version) from the art exhibition. They're exceedingly stylish, are there any plans to turn them into merch in the future!!!!?
A543.
I love shoes, so I'd be happy if merchandise in the form of shoes that a character is seen wearing could be sold, but I wonder if that can happen.
Q544.
2023.11.20
Quilge Opie used Ransōtengai, but no other Quincy were seen utilizing this technique. Is this simply because Quilge Opie has both the talent and understanding, and has therefore mastered Ransōtengai?
A544.
That's right. Quilge is the combat instructor of the Sternritter, and Quilge's students can also be found among the current Wörtlich.
Q545.
2023.11.20
Gin's Bankai, Kamishini no Yari, had the ability to leave a piece of the sword within the body of his opponent, and then dissolve and break down cells with the poison inside the sword, but will the part that was lost through this process never return to its original state again just like other Bankai? Also, assuming it doesn't return, if this ability is used frequently, will the blade eventually be reduced to nothing meaning his Bankai is rendered unusable?
A545.
The part left inside the body is made of poison, and since the poison is a secretion of the sword, it will return to its original state after a certain amount of time.
Q546.
2023.11.27
Each Division among the Gotei 13 has its own Squad Flower and a set meaning within Hanakotoba (*the Japanese language of flowers), but are there opportunities to study Hanakotoba as part of a Shinigami's cultivation at the Academy, for instance? (I was curious because there was a scene in chapter 323 where Kira talked about the 3rd Division's Squad Flower.)
A546.
They learn about the Squad Flowers, but Izuru seems to be well-acquainted with things like Hanakotoba in a general sense.
Q547.
2023.11.27
Are there any characters that you wanted to present as enemies even though they are allies, and are there any characters where the reverse is true?
A547.
There isn't any. Each character can only come to fit into their role because of the relationship they have with those around them.
Q548.
2023.11.27
Before the establishment of the Shinigami Research and Development Institute, was there no research institution in Soul Society?
A548.
At one point, there was a group who, though unofficial, were close in that regard (in the sense that they created things). That group disappeared and there was a period of time where no similar organization existed. What was formally established after that is the Shinigami Research and Development Institute. Mayuri belonged to the first group. Senjumaru was their leader.
Q549.
2023.12.04
It is explained in the manga that Lloyd R, the younger brother, can imitate physical likeness and memories, but why is he able to use Yhwach's abilities and weapons? Please tell us if he inherited his elder brother's ability, or if Yhwach granted him some of his own power, or perhaps there is some other reason?
A549.
Each Lloyd brother can either 'perfectly' copy memories, or 'perfectly' copy powers respectively, any aspect outside of that can be copied on a scale of 70-80%. This is because being able to copy only memories or only powers is of little use.
Q550.
2023.12.04
Do you have a PS5?
A550.
I don't have one.
Q551.
2023.12.04
What are the future plans for the floor of the 9th Division barracks which Mayuri destroyed with his eye beam in the one-shot? Will Hisagi and Kensei pay for the repairs?
A551.
They'll submit the bill to the 12th Division, and if that does work, they'll submit the bill to the 1st Division, and if that still doesn't work, then one way or another Shūhei will probably end up paying for it.
Q552.
2023.12.11
Who is the President of the Shinigami Women's Association by the time of the Echoing Jaws of Hell arc? I think the President is Lisa and the Supervising Chairwoman is Isane….
A552.
The President is Rangiku and the Chairwoman is Yoruichi. By the way, Soifon calls herself Vice-Chairwoman without asking anyone.
Q553.
2023.12.11
Is the aspect of death governed by the Espada the same for different people, as long as they have the same number, like Harribel and Nelliel, for instance? If it's different, I'd like to know what it was for Nelliel when she was an Espada!
A553.
It's the same. Nelliel is also "sacrifice".
Q554.
2023.12.11
Q: Does sensei have an ability to sense the supernatural?
Q: When I read Bleach for the first time, I allowed myself to think “the author definitely has a sixth sense!" But do you really?
A554.
I don't. But I've been told a few times "you must have a sixth sense, for sure!" But, I don't.
Q555.
2023.12.18
Thank you for the wonderful posters at the art exhibition. I bought both the A and B collection. If the posters will be expanded on in the future, will the designs from the Shibuya poster takeover be made into merch? It was super cool and I was walking around Shibuya at the time while becoming all the more proud that BLEACH is my favorite manga. If there is even the slightest possibility, please consider it...!!
A555.
I like those posters too, so I'm hoping they'll sell well in the FC.
Q556.
2023.12.18
Does the blade grow as a Zanpakutō develops?
A556.
The length of an Asauchi does not change, however when Shikai is used it will change in accordance with its development.
Q557.
2023.12.18
Is there some special relationship between the Komamura family and the Shihōin clan in BLEACH given that they are dogs and cats?
A557.
"Komamura" is the surname given to him when he was taken in by Genryūsai, it is not associated with his family lineage.
Q558.
2023.12.25
Were Yumichika and Yachiru's hair ornaments (or other accessories) made by Ikkaku?
A558.
Yachiru's hair ornament is handcrafted by Ikkaku. Yumichika bought his accessories himself.
Q559.
2023.12.25
Did Mizuiro's parents pay for his high school tuition?
A559.
It was paid for with child-support payments from his father.
Q560.
2023.12.25
Does the position of Substitute Shinigami come without compensation? Do you gain some sort of reward? Ichigo is a high school student and doesn't seem the type to accept rewards as far as his personality is concerned, but I'm curious if there has ever been any offer of reward from the Gotei! I think other Shinigami fight while receiving a salary and incentives as part of their job, so I'd like to know how the Gotei's substitute positions are handled.
A560.
In the beginning, the position was without reward. After receiving the Substitute Badge, it's now come to be that a reward will be deposited within a Seireitei account. Ichigo hasn't been informed though.
Q561.
2024.01.01
Will sensei be eating osechi* during New Year's? (*Assortment of traditional New Year foods.)
A561.
I eat it every year. Currently, I'm in the process of searching for osechi that suits my tastes. After all, you only get one chance a year. If only we had a New Year holiday like three times a year.
Q562.
2024.01.01
When Don Kanonji first appeared, he was performing an exorcism at an abandoned hospital, was it Ishida who tried to stop Kanonji's exorcism at the beginning?
A562.
Yes.
Q563.
2024.01.01
I noticed something in the Echoing Jaws of Hell arc section of BLEACH EX. the "Taka" (*hawk) which came out with Rindō Atau's Zanpakutō ability was "Washi" (*eagle) in the rough draft, right? What was the reason for the change? Is it because the hawk seems faster…?
A563.
I believe this was because eagle in sign language is the same as hawk and was derived from hawk to begin with, and also because hawks have a stronger Japanese image.
Q564.
2024.01.08
Ayon ended up being defeated both times in the story, but let's assume he wasn't defeated, would he continue to exist forever…? If so, that would be awfully frightening. I'm curious about what he got up to when summoned in the past!
A564.
After a short while, he will self-destruct, and not long after that, the arms of Apacci and the others will grow back.
Q565.
2024.01.08
Due to the actions of PePe Waccabrada, Shūhei and Byakuya fought each other, but Byakuya behaved as if he were trying to avoid hurting Shūhei as much as possible. Personally, I think that Byakuya before he met Ichigo would have killed Shūhei. It might be presumptuous of me to talk about Byakuya like I understand him, but as I read on, I feel that Byakuya's views and personality have changed. What do you think?
A565.
I think you're right.
Q566.
2024.01.08
What time does sensei wake up every morning?
A566.
I've been quite busy lately, so ten o'clock. I can't even watch Love It! in real time anymore….
Q567.
2024.01.15
Was it because her five older brothers had passed away that Soi Fon succeeded as the head of Fon family? Or is there some kind of custom where a woman always becomes the head in the Fon family like a "queen bee".
A567.
The strongest person in that generation becomes the head of the family, regardless of gender.
Q568.
2024.01.15
I would like to know the Shikai abilities of the three seated officers of the 3rd Division who were instantly killed by Bazz-B in volume 56!
A568.
Those abilities which never got a chance to be showcased are a secret because I may use them somewhere else.
Q569.
2024.01.15
Kubo-sensei, you mentioned that you draw illustrations on the larger iPad pro, so I also want to try an iPad for the first time, but looking back do you ever feel like… there is something about it that could have been done better? Additionally, I would like to hear about the types of brushes you use in Clip Studio Paint when line drawing and when adding color, and also how you divide your drawing into layers!!!!
A569.
I hope it becomes lighter. As for pens, I often use a pen called Kasure Kashi (*machine translated as “Casper pen” in Clip Studio) and for brushes I use one called Muk01. I separate the layers depending on my mood.
Q570.
2024.01.22
I would like to know the name of the technique that was used when Kirinji Tenjirō got behind Soi Fon. Although she's supposed to have top-class speed among the Gotei 13, Soi Fon couldn't read his movements at all, thinking "what was that move just now…!" Is this because the Hohō used by Kirinji Tenjirō was not "Shunpo"?
A570.
It's the same Shunpo. Shunpo consists of a three stage process: Joritsu, Bakkyaku and Shunpo. Tenjirō is incredibly skilled at the second stage, "Bakkyaku", which allows him to achieve unbelievable speeds. ×[2]
Q571.
2024.01.22
Can't Orihime heal Izuru's body?
A571.
She may be able to heal him, but Izuru probably likes it that way….
Q572.
2024.01.22
Did sensei have any involvement in selecting the songs and characters for Burikon: Bleach Concept Covers? Also, is there one in particular that you liked among the Burikon covers?
A572.
I wasn't involved at all, but I remember liking Mayuri and Nemu's part.
Q573.
2024.01.29
What material is the Substitute Shinigami Badge made of? I want to make one myself as perfectly as I possibly can, so please tell me what it would look like in reality!
A573.
The Substitute's Badge is made of metal. Iron would be too heavy for something of that size, so maybe aluminum would be a closer fit…?
Q574.
2024.01.29
Does Ise Nanao wear glasses because her eyesight has deteriorated by reading too many books? Or is it that the Ise clan are by nature a family with poor eyesight?
A574.
It's a family with poor eyesight.
Q575.
2024.01.29
In volume 62, Urahara-san mentioned that the Quincy are "a race that have no 'antibodies' at all to defend against Hollows." However, Ishida Uryū was at the receiving end of Fornicarás's abilities during his battle with Szayelaporro, and he had his lower arm torn off by Ulquiorra. Was this at a level that is not applicable to the "erosion" that Urahara-san talks about? Or is Uryū special?
A575.
Uryū is special.
Q576.
2024.02.05
Why does Akon have horns on his head?
A576.
They're implants (transdermal implants).
Q577.
2024.02.05
Dordoni, Cirucci, Luppi and Chuhlhourne were all revived at the hands of Mayuri-sama, but while the former three had suture marks on their faces, Chuhlhourne is the only one who had suture marks on his abdomen, is this perhaps the benevolence of Mayuri-sama?
A577.
I too looked at and thought "who knew Mayuri could be so kind!"
Q578.
2024.02.05
In the scene where Ichigo is taught the Final Getsuga Tenshō by Tensa Zangetsu, Ichigo is told "you feared taking on this form in which your mind is suppressed by your own destructive impulses, and as a result you've even become incapable of properly Hollowfying." However, if he were able to Hollowfy properly, would he have been able to manifest the mask with horns that covered his entire face as shown in the battle against Ulquiorra?
A578.
If he were able to "properly" Hollowfy, then he would take on that form.
Q579.
2024.02.12
While in the Dangai, what mechanism did Ulquiorra use to show Orihime the situation in the Human World as images via Garganta?
A579.
There's no lore about this at all!! What kind of system is it!? Ulquiorra!!?
Q580.
2024.02.12
Among the spirits of her Shun Shun Rikka, the ability belonging to Orihime, Tsubaki is the only one who is rebellious towards his master. Is that a reaction stemming from Orihime's dislike of conflict and hurting others given her personality? Tsubaki is her only means of attack, but Orihime does not want to use him too actively. Deep down, she hesitates (fears) to attack her opponent, that is, she unconsciously rejects her means of attack, which contradicts the reason for Tsubaki's existence, and I thought for a moment that maybe he was irritated by that fact.
A580.
That's correct. How impressive, I didn't expect someone to read so deeply into Rikka like this.
Q581.
2024.02.12
Regarding Orihime's ability, Shun Shun Rikka: Sōten Kisshun, it is weak at recovering Reiryoku because Sōten Kisshun is based on the rejection of events and Orihime rejects the form of a wounded individual, in other words, the underlying force is her desire to restore their condition to its original state, to make it out as though it never happened, could another reason be that it's difficult for her to recognize how much intangible Reiryoku needs to be recovered? Is it that Shun Shun Rikka's abilities come from Orihime's own feelings of rejection and denial, or to put it another way, does it stem from wanting things to be a certain way?
A581.
You are more or less correct. The things that can be restored with Sōten Kisshun are, for the most part, what is visible to the eyes and what can be touched with the hands.
Q582.
2024.02.19
Kubo-sensei, is there a character in BLEACH that you consider to be closest to you in terms of your own personality?
A582.
There isn't. No one that I draw resembles me!
Q583.
2024.02.19
When Kūkaku sends Ichigo to the Soul King Palace in the Thousand-Year Blood War arc, she appears to be aware of the connection between Ichigo and Isshin saying "even if it means making uncle sad." Did Kūkaku somehow sense this, or was there some interaction between her and the Shiba clan or Shinigami she was acquainted with in places that are not depicted within the story, after the situation with Aizen was resolved, for instance?
A583.
Kūkaku has been aware of this through Ichigo's Reiatsu since the beginning (volume 9). That's why she let Ganju go with him. Of course, she also received a message from Kisuke at a later time.
Q584.
2024.02.19
The masks of Loly Aivirrne and Menoly Mallia appear to have a design that forms a pair with the left and right eyes, perhaps they are Arrancar with a relationship like that of twin sisters?
A584.
Although these two are not sisters, they have taken a sisterly vow and shaved down their masks in order to resemble each other.
Q585.
2024.02.26
I believe there are works which publish illustrations drawn by readers in the tankōbon of the manga. Bleach didn't have that, but is it that you have a certain preference towards your own tankōbon, Kubo-sensei?
A585.
As a child, I was the type of kid who thought "I didn't buy this to see drawings from readers" when looking at the illustration segment of the manga I used to read, so I didn't do it with my own manga. However, I have kept all the illustrations that were sent to me during the series.
Q586.
2024.02.26
The Captains of the Zero Division are each given one of the five cities atop the Zeroban Riden (*the disc-like structures which are their estates), but if the number of Zero Division captains increased, will a new Zeroban Riden be added? Or is the capacity for Captains limited to 5 individuals in accordance with the number of Zeroban Riden?
A586.
The upper limit is 5 people.
Q587.
2024.02.26
What does the "chain" in Tensa Zangetsu (*Heavenly Chain Slaying Moon) represent? Is it the Chain of Fate?
A587.
"Tensa" means "to lock the heavens", and it's a chain used to link and secure two things together.
Q588.
2024.03.04
What material is the black part of Riruka's clothes made of?
A588.
It's stretch cotton.
Q589.
2024.03.04
I would like to know the nationality of the Sternritter!!!
A589.
In order to avoid a fixed nationality for the group as a whole, I name them in a way which appears to contain spellings from various regions.
Q590.
2024.03.04
In what way did Yamamoto and Unohana come to meet?
A590.
I might draw it someday, so it's a secret.
Q591.
2024.03.11
In his KaraBuri profile, it is noted that the food Hisagi dislikes is sea urchin, but where did he eat it? Or perhaps he came to dislike it because he was teased about the fact that his hairstyle resembles a sea urchin?
A591.
He ruined it for himself after eating the cheap sea urchin he could afford on his salary.
Q592.
2024.03.11
When Rangiku woke up from Hakufuku, she said "this sensation… it's Hakufuku…" I don't think there were many instances of fellow Shinigami fighting each other in Soul Society before Aizen's rebellion, so it seems unlikely she'd recognize the sensation of being put under Hakufuku. Could it be that she is acquainted with the feeling because Shinigami experience it during their time at the Shin'ō Academy in Kidō classes?
A592.
They experience this in class, but Rangiku also has the experience of falling victim to it.
Q593.
2024.03.11
In the Thousand-Year Blood War arc, I believe Captain Komamura takes on a human-like form through the Humanization Technique, however, did he suddenly turn into a wolf after the battle because the technique's time limit had expired? Or is it because Captain Komamura himself was consumed by a desire for revenge? If the reason is the latter, is it correct to assume that as long as Komamura had maintained good intentions such as "protecting Soul Society", he wouldn't have turned into a wolf?
A593.
You are pretty much correct. The "Humanization Technique" is a technique that allows him to maintain a human form while withstanding his great-grandfather's curse. The moment the purpose of Humanization becomes a selfish desire, the curse is forcibly fulfilled, and one transforms into a beast.
Q594.
2024.03.18
No matter how many times I read the manga, I still don't quite understand the relationship between Nelliel and Nnoitra. I would like you to explain it in a way that even an idiot can understand.
A594.
Even if you don't understand, it doesn't mean you're stupid. Just enjoy it when you do understand.
Q595.
2024.03.18
If "Qualkreis" is broadly classified as a Quincy tactic, could it also be considered one of the Kirchenlied? Please let me know if there is any lore around this.
A595.
"Qualkreis" is one of the Quincy spells. "Kirchenlied" is not a classification, but a "chant" for "Sankt Zwinger".
Q596.
2024.03.18
During the Decisive Battle of Karakura Town, is it because of an illusion created by Kyōka Suigetsu that Mashiro's mask broke away without her noticing the depletion of her own Reiatsu?
A596.
It's because Mashiro is just that kind of person who would allow a slip-up like that to happen.
Q597.
2024.03.25
Izuru was quite cheerful during his student days, so why did his personality become gloomy?
A597.
Wait, he was cheerful…? Izuru has been gloomy since the minute he was born.
Q598.
2024.03.25
Captain Unohana named herself "Yachiru", but her current name "Retsu", is that originally her real name? Or is it that, after becoming "Yachiru", she named herself once again, this time to "Retsu"?
A598.
"Retsu" is the name given to her by her father.
Q599.
2024.03.25
After absorbing Ayon, Quilge's appearance steadily returns to its original form, but could this be because his Heiligenschein was destroyed by Ichigo, causing the abilities of his Vollständig to gradually wear off?
A599.
It's because his Heiligenschein was destroyed and thus his "Piskiel" collapsed. The essence of Quilge's "Piskiel" ability lies in the fact that he has the highest capacity for the capture and enslavement of Reishi among all Quincy.
Q600.
2024.04.01
I'm debating whether or not I should have my son take lessons in English conversation. Is sensei able to speak English?
A600.
Since being able to speak English is an advantage, please allow him to learn it. I can't speak it myself, though.
Translation Footnotes:
×1. Staging in this context means staging of the frenzied screen/sound effects of the roulette for stirring up the gambling spirit of players.
×2. These are terms which appear to be coined by Kubo: 序立(じょりつ) - "Joritsu" means "opening stance". 抜脚(ばっきゃく) - "Bakkyaku" means "to draw out one's leg", and judging by the way we use 抜 in other terms, it alludes momentum that is created suddenly and rapidly by lifting or drawing out one's leg from the starting position. For example: the word Battōjutsu (抜刀術) - “the art of drawing out one's sword”, that is, getting the sword into action as quickly as possible in response to a sudden attack or some other situation which requires the rapid drawing of one's sword. I believe Bakkyaku is a similar concept except in the context of Hohō as opposed to swords.
#kluboutside#bleach#tite kubo#translation#ichigo kurosaki#orihime inoue#uryuu ishida#chad yasutora#rukia kuchiki#renji abarai#ichihime#renruki#toshiro hitsugaya#momo hinamori#shunsui kyoraku#jushiro ukitake#yoruichi shihouin#grimmjow jaegerjaquez#tenjiro kirinji#kazui kurosaki#ichika abarai
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A venture through the Realms
The Elven folk
Ah, the elves. A wondrous and mysterious people since time immemorial, even Fradeo Mellys does not dare speak overly ill of them. They are humanity's oldest allies, even if the bonds were often frayed.
Once, the elves ruled over an empire that, if we take the elves' word for it, far surpassed any other empire in the world in its splendor and greatness. Indeed, independent sources state that it expanded throughout most of the continent, both aboveground and subterranean. Its riches are, at least in part, owed to the legendary art of gem-weaving.
This begs the question: How did it come to this? How was the greatest empire of the continent reduced into three factions, its power so vastly diminished one could not believe it had ever been this expansive?
Mellys has a handwave for an explanation here: He cites an "innate ineptitude of any non-human race at maintaining an empire". This line of thinking is, naturally, so inane that I refuse to entertain it.
As an unintended consequence of me taking a copy of Mellys' own work with me, I may have ended up overzealous. The leading thought was to show why my travels and inquiries were necessary.
Instead, Fradeo Mellys has ended up on a Wanted list. For that, I believe I owe an apology.
Regardless: the elves have splintered into three subfactions after their empire shattered. The reason for this, I will elaborate on shortly, as it has only been revealed to me after I had visited all three people.
The Lorekeepers
The most traditional and isolationist of the three factions. They are often referred to as High Elves, due to "their noses sticking up so high", according to some. Much as Diranis may try to deny it, the elves are magically superior, in part due to an innate affinity towards magic. This, coupled with the fact that their culture existed before most others, has given them a sense of arrogance, displaced as it may seem now.
Their former capital city, Eldnahal, has been walled off by an impenetrable barrier. This much is known to any adventurer foolhardy enough to brave the travel through the Greenhouse Woods, though the origin of the barrier has been unknown to most other races.
The Lorekeepers are immensely isolationist: I have only been granted one brief conversation with one of their number. She told me in no uncertain terms that humans cannot comprehend the way of life of their kind.
As far as I am aware, they behave like particularly obsessive librarians.
The Communists
This faction calls the far reaches of the Greenhouse Woods its home. Rather than a central governing body, its entire way of life is the realized way of existence as postulated by Lamarck the Dreamer: There is no political body whatsoever. Rather, the entire existence of these elves is limited to self-sustaining communes where they grow everything they need to live.
The Communists themselves do not mind the moniker "Wood Elf".
My host, Sanista, could not tell me the reason for the Empire's fall but was much more interested in telling me a different story over a pipe of starleaf. While illegal contraband in Diranis, wood elves have naturally no such scruples, as "it is natural".
Regarding the story: their people had ventured into the woods during the Splintering of the Empire, determined to erect their own utopian way of life. To organise their first steps, the wood elves elected a council of their best, to lead them towards their utopia. This council of greats swore an oath: to lead them well and to lay down power when the communes were done.
However, one of their number had great ambitions and did not want to relinquish power. They schemed and conspired, to become the sole ruler of the wood elves. However, their comrades were not idle, nor were they stupid. The conspirator was found out and promptly killed.
It is unthinkable what could have happened, if history took a different turn.
The Reformists
Commonly known as dark elves, their appearance has changed in comparison to the other factions. This is in part due to their majorly subterranean life near magical crystals the size of a grown dragon as a light source. However, some of their number have also settled on the Sun-kissed Islands. As such, their skin colouration ranges from an aesthetically pleasing chocolate brown to an eerily fascinating ash grey.
This faction disavows the Old Ways and is the most antagonistic towards the Lorekeepers, who they consider to be absurd and backwards-minded. This is also the reason why I managed to find out the reason for the Splintering in the first place: the Reformists see little shame in admitting to mistakes of the past and prefer looking towards the future.
The cause for the Splintering is simple: everyone went collectively insane for a bit.
The last elven empress had eloped, leaving the throne vacant. In an attempt at legitimising themselves, a variety of elves simulated the blessings of the gods upon themselves. This "era of idiocy", as my gracious host Emesilla had described it, was compounded by a brief and embarrassing war against the Megathera, a diplomatic incident involving the goblins as well as a variety of inanities that remind the historically savvy of the Diranian Donkey War.
Of all things to finally trigger the Splintering, it was the gods themselves. They came down upon the world to chastise the elves and drive them out of their city, leaving the Blessed City of Eldnahal sealed.
It appears natural that the Lorekeepers prefer to keep this knowledge hidden and it seems counterproductive of me to reveal this here. However, at the risk of appearing eccentric, I must confess: I want to be on the Lorekeepers' Wanted list.
Regarding the general culture of the Reformists: they are intensely xenophilic, adapting anything they seem even remotely beneficial. Independent of this, it is "in style" to "partner" with someone of a different race for sexual and romantic relations.
My host certainly attempted to tempt me into staying, though I knew that if I had given in even once, I would not have been able to leave. This quality, perhaps, is the most dangerous aspect of visiting the Reformists.
Without a doubt, it delayed my own departure from Hornwood by a few weeks.
(the savvy reader may have noticed that the communists here have successfully reached Stage 2 of the Communist Way. This is because they killed their Stalin/Pol Pot/ Ho Chi Minh/whoever the fuck communist dictator, you get the idea. And even then, it was pure dumb luck)
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Shortcut, Pt. 8
Hurray, this chapter is a bit longer! I'm making up for the next part being really short. It's for ~artistic~ reasons.
So let me give you some light angst, some fluff, and - in a way - the calm before the storm. Enjoy, and thank you for your support!
A fresh start
“I don’t think we can afford to wait much longer.”
Jon agreed, but he wasn’t happy about it. His clothes were still damp and his ankle didn’t look much better. In fact, the foggy sunshine of the early morning revealed his skin to be covered in yellowish-purple discolorations.
“You’re right. We have to be fast.”
He tucked the fabric closer around himself. Though it didn’t quite protect against the creeping cold, it at least kept him modest. Jon sat in stunned silence as Niphka slowly rose from her sleeping position and knelt before him. She stuck his clothes onto her leather belt before she rested her hands on her lap.
“Are you ready?” she asked with a smile.
Jon nodded. Niphka’s hands slowly curled around him and he stumbled into a sitting position onto her palm. It was a strange sensation, especially since the sheet limited his range of movement. He could feel the warmth of her skin through the thin fabric.
This next part was the hardest. As Niphka stood to her full height, Jon felt himself lifted rapidly into the air. His stomach protested as he found himself higher above the ground than he remembered ever being.
Through all this motion, Jon clung to Niphka’s thumb. It pained him to think how pathetic he had to appear as he tried to adjust to his new position.
He felt something touch his back. Niphka steadied him with her left hand, and when he looked up to meet her gaze, it showed him more compassion than he anticipated.
“Take a moment,” she said softly.
It was uncanny how similar she looked to her other form, even though so many of her features had changed. It was easier to read her dark brown human-like eyes, but her presence was no less terrifying. And yet, as he felt her giant fingers on his back, he was reminded of the Niphka that had consoled him on the island. It was hard to fight the sense of security that her touch instilled in him.
Niphka slowly began to move. They stayed clear of the larger travelling routes, but this far West, there were few settlements anyway. After a while, they found their collective rhythm, and they began to chat. Jon shared his passion for the sea and stories of his childhood with her and Niphka told him about the adventurers she had met.
At times, his mind wandered off the things she was saying. They were walking for at least a few hours now, and he found himself much less on edge. Talking to Niphka came easy to him, which wasn’t typical. She was a good listener and didn’t seem to judge him for his obsessions. When he needed a break, she was understanding and helped him search for food. The spring month didn’t provide for much, but Jon knew how to find wild carrots, willowherb and even a bit of garlic. Upon his question, Niphka remarked that while on land, she didn’t need food, just some water to keep her hydrated and some rest every now and then.
As the sun began to set, Jon was almost comfortable in this new situation. His clothes had dried and he was glad for they dignity they gave him. He sat on Niphka’s palm, who held him chest-high with her other hand ready to support him. Jon listened to her as she went on about her life a long time back.
“…and then, she cut off the beast’s head! And what do you think happened?”
“What?” he asked with a smile.
“It grew another two!”
“Then how did she kill it?” He found it hard to focus on her answer. Her voice had become familiar, almost soothing on their long journey, but he couldn’t quite shake the feeling of his own ineptitude.
“…took all five of them to hold the vile serpent -”
She stopped walking and Jon felt the world shake as she raised her hands.
“You look worried.”
“It’s -” He focused on relaxing his tense body.
“It’s just… It’s about my home.”
Niphka’s face turned soft.
“I understand that.”
Her words didn’t reach his heart.
“Hey!”
He forced himself to look her in the eyes.
“We’re going to get there first. We’re going to make it.”
He gave her a tired nod. “Let’s get going before it’s too dark.”
Her hand moved closer like she wanted to touch him, but then, Niphka just nodded in return and kept walking.
This was getting ridiculous, Niphka decided. How could spending time with someone be so much fun, yet also have so many pitfalls?
I’m helping, she kept telling herself. I am doing something good here.
Still, doubt crept into her mind. Was this trip actually a good idea? In the past 24 hours, more had happened than in the last ten years combined. Maybe she was rushing this.
What other explanation could there be for her to be so on guard? Every time she interacted with Jon, it was like she was only waiting for something to go wrong. For herself to move too jerkily, or to say something that felt threatening to him.
She looked down at him. He faced forward and watched their path.
The memory of finding him in the water pushed itself into her consciousness. He was just some human, something to give her day a purpose. Jon was no hero, but then again, the Niphka from the old times was perhaps long gone as well. Without thinking, she had inserted herself into his story, and now she had to reckon with a completely new challenge: negotiating a personal relationship.
Maybe she was more vulnerable than she wanted to believe.
And so, she had gone ahead and bound herself to this human – in more ways than she wanted him to find out. Niphka bit her lip. Best not to think about it.
Soon, the dark made it difficult to see, and Niphka proposed to pause for the night. She lowered John onto the ground. The grass was wet from the light fog in the air, but a coniferous forest stretched itself towards the East and its roots provided for a resting spot.
“We have to look out for people tomorrow,” Jon remarked as they settled. “I don’t think there will be any, but just in case.”
“Why do you think that?” Niphka sat next to him, legs crossed.
Jon pointed at a wooden post that she had mistaken for a tree-trunk.
“Namnodig’s land claim begins here.”
She had never heard that name.
“Who?”
“Namnodig.” Jon explained, “It’s an artisanal city about halfway to Millersby. I was hoping we could get there in two or three days. Now that I think about it, we’ll have to make a detour so we don’t draw attention.”
“I thought you couldn’t get home fast enough? Wouldn't a detour be a waste of time?
“It might be, but we can’t let people see you!”
“And why is that?” Her question came out more challenging than intended.
“Because-” Jon seemed to struggle with his words. Then, he shrugged in defeat.
“Because I don’t know what would happen.”
“I’ve been around humans before,” Niphka reminded him softly.
Jon sighed and stood up, leaning on the post.
“I know you have. Gods, you probably have met much more people than I have. But things have changed, Niphka.”
Something in his voice sounded urgent. She was certain there was something he wanted to say, but couldn’t. After all, that same feeling had accompanied her since they had met.
“What do you mean by that?” There was no threat in her voice.
“I mean that the world isn’t like you used to know it. We have so many weapons, and there are much more of us. I think that – I don’t – …” He suddenly limped a few steps towards her and put his hand up against her knee.
“I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
She barely felt his touch, but his earnest worry moved her.
A week ago, Niphka would have laughed at the absurd idea. Humans, a danger to her, hah! But now, Jon’s tone of voice insisted on the seriousness of the matter.
“How would anything happen to me?” she tried to dismiss half-heartedly.
Jon shook his head. “I don’t know. I… I don’t want to think about it. But humans can be dangerous, maybe even to you. I don’t want to take the risk.”
Niphka was shunned by his words. She breathed out as the realization struck her.
“I don’t think anyone has ever been worried for me.”
A moment of silence followed as neither of them knew what to say. All Niphka knew was what she wanted to do.
“Can I hold you?”
Again? After you’ve carried him all day?
She was about to retract the question when Jon looked at her.
“Yeah.” He let himself gently fall into her palm.
Niphka raised her hands so she could get a better look at him. Even though his eyes kept moving around, he didn’t seem nervous.
“Your feet are icy,” she remarked. He awkwardly put his hands into his coat pockets.
“It’s getting cold,” he admitted. Then, he looked up at her, a hint of a blush on his face.
“But you are rather warm. Would you mind if I slept… a bit closer to you tonight?”
Niphka couldn’t contain a smile.
"I think that can be arranged."
Part 7 < Part 8 > Part 9
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im gonna have this post tagged appropriately (obviously) so filter tags if you need to, it's also not in the main tags for this reason, but I need to be a bit serious here for a second, on my own post. I'm gonna openly talk abt my mental health and some struggles, so if ur sensitive of those things mind the tags. this might not make sense because I'm very emotionally charged rn.
you probably know me as cayde. yeah that's me. I'm 18 going on 19 in may, and I've struggled with severe mental health issues on and off for as long as i can remember. severe anxiety, being a social outcast, etc etc. My home life wasn't also the prettiest. So yeah, I'm fucked up. But aren't we all in our own way? Anyways.
My fucked upness was a result of the school environment I grew up in, where I was mistreated both by teachers and peers alike. I've mostly missed the window for developing some essential social skills, on top of being neurodivergent. and it's still something I'm struggling with to this day.
on top of that and because of all the bullying i incurred i became incredibly suicidal. while the bullying has stopped as I've been out of high school for almost a year now, but the on-and-off waves of intense suicidal thoughts and ideation hasn't faded. primarily because of. well. this is something i had to deal with for the brunt of my life. so you can probably assume why i was still dealing with the aftermath.
it was also the fact i was struggling to come out to my parents, even though it's gonna be 3 years since i came out as of June. even tho i came out my parents are still struggling to adjust, which is understandable, and my mom is actively trying to shelter me from all the bad of being trans.
which, i don't blame her, one of my uncle Michael's (gay) friends (trans woman) was beaten to death on the side of the road and she has a pink triangle over where it happened. even though it was decades ago some things never change. and America is a perfect example.
I went from being suicidal for the bullying i was victim to, to suicidal because of the stuff i was experiencing for and about being trans. and in recent days it's been worse than it's ever been, all the shit that's all over my tiktok page isn't helping. I've been considering detransitioning just for my safety. it's hard, in other words.
now. destiny comes into my life sometime in august because of one of my friends. i start playing it, i get invested. the story gripped me, spoke to me deeply, etc etc. and it started helping me. destiny quickly became my safe space, I've started to get over my social ineptitude, and i find myself turning to it during these times of hardship.
and then there's certain quotes, certain elements. "You are alive, Guardian. Fight like it." Even something as small as Drifer saying, "I'm proud of you," or Shaxx and his "I SAID RELAX!" or that one line from paper fortune in d1 -- "When all is lost, you are still a Guardian, and you are still enough."
I've given myself a one-year time limit to live, because of the active genocide against trans people on top of everything else. I've got 364 days left. and after that, if I'm not too lazy, I'm gone. i just want to be around long enough to see the final shape, I'm holding onto destiny like a lifeline. maybe I'll save myself over this year. maybe not.
but then i see things like the aforementioned quote. and how someone said to me, "We already lost one Cayde. we're not losing another." and that alone is enough to make me reconsider my 364-day time limit. Folding was never an option. And i reconsider.
this game is saving my life. it's silly, it's stupid, it might be cringe, you can make fun of me and compare me to that one south park episode about world of warcraft i was exposed to against my will on the aforementioned clock app. but this game is genuinely stopping me from killing myself (which I'm surprised i didn't earlier but then again I'm so done i just cant be bothered). and that has to amount to something.
this game makes me feel bigger, stronger than my illnesses. stronger than my struggles. a broken sense of hope. and it's teaching me to lean back on others. to let people in. I'm haunted, but i can be strong. i can be better. I'm not thriving, but I'm surviving, and that's what matters.
and i wonder if the ppl behind this game know that this is the effect they're having. a severely mentally ill stunted kid is healing and growing through their game. I'm getting strength. i wont say I'm getting my strength back because i never had that strength to begin with. but I'm learning that strength.
this game is saving me.
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This is a somft thing I wrote because my platonic scoundrel @roseforthethorns was feeling sad. Ily bby
(3k+ words, Family Gossip, Geralt being good with kids, something akin to a binding..... just fluffypuffy stuff)
~
“You are an absolute darling, Geralt!”
“Hmph,” he grunted, and tucked the honeysuckles into the circlet before placing it carefully on Jaskier’s head. “You need to be pretty for the party,” the Witcher said firmly.
Jaskier beamed at him, eyes shining with affection. “That I do, my dear,” he said, adjusting the flower circlet to be at a jauntier angle. “Oh, do you like the ring, by the way?”
Geralt nodded, raising his hand. It was a lovely ring, but rather cheap. Bronze band, yellow agate cabochon, and tiny pearls. It was well-used, though. Jaskier grabbed his hand, squeezed gently, then skipped to the door. “Come on, then!”
~
Geralt was expecting the stares. He was not expecting so many nobles to glide up to him, give a nervous greeting, and then inquire about his relationship with Count Julian. Geralt was too baffled to answer with anything other than, “He’s my bard.”
One sharp-eyed old lady with an ivory cane showed up at Geralt’s elbow, and poked his middle with her cane. “Hmm. Too skinny,” she declared, while Geralt fought the urge to splutter. “How do you expect to take care of little Julie when you can’t keep yourself fed?”
“We’ve been getting along just fine for fifteen years,” Geralt retorted.
The old lady sniffed in disapproval. “Of course you would say that, you’re a man. Both of you need plumping up.” She smacked his middle with her cane and added, “Be careful with that ring, boy. It’s precious.”
Geralt grunted, hands automatically coming together so he could touch the ring again. The old lady nodded and walked away.
Jaskier had said this would just be a short jaunt to say hello to his cousin and leave--but said cousin was a queen, and asked him to stay for the whole evening. Of course, Jaskier agreed. And now Geralt was leaning on a wall sipping honey wine and feeling superfluous. There was nothing to do here. He should be hunting, gathering coin for their journey, not letting nobles stare at him.
A man in a military uniform approached him, and Geralt tensed, narrowing his eyes. He didn’t think he was going to be taken away; the soldier was alone, and Geralt came with Jaskier.
The soldier stopped, bowed, and said, “Greetings, Witcher. I’m Captain Yetzii, of the Palace Guard.”
“Geralt,” Geralt said.
The captain nodded, his heavy mustache and eyebrows hiding most of his expression, but the wariness and aggression in his scent and posture waning. “I suspected as much,” he said. “Not many people hover in corners watching Count de Lettenhove with such a worried expression.” The captain’s mustache twitched and the corners of his eyes crinkled, and Geralt was hit by the realization that, though this man was human and had red-brown hair and was as lean as a youth, he bore a striking resemblance to Vesemir. Even his scent had a familiar tang.
Geralt frowned and answered the captain, “He gets into trouble more frequently than we Witchers. If I don’t watch him he’ll do something stupid and end up wearing a casket of wine as trousers.”
“He’s already done that,” the captain said. “On his twentieth birthday, he and some of the troops got so drunk that they started a contest of what they could wear that was within uniform regulations. I don’t know how, but they all ended up agreeing that a wine casket and some sheafs of straw was within the rules.”
Something stirred in Geralt’s memory, and then jumped to the forefront: a few years ago, when he and Jaskier met again in spring, and got so drunk that--Geralt’s mouth twitched, but his voice was dry as he told the captain, “I know exactly how. I once witnessed him convince a king that he had created a dashing outfit out of moonlight and fresh air, then encouraged the king to wear it while giving a speech to the commoners. The fool actually believed him and stepped onto the platform before the crowd naked.”
The captain snorted, his posture relaxing further. “We heard of that, but no one knew it was M’lord Julian. Have you ever caught him dueling? He’s never been good at it, but by the gods, he tries. Especially when he was younger; whenever he visited, the Guard had to follow him when he went on a quest to seduce every barmaid in the city, because it was inevitable that he would end up trying to duel some poor citizen.”
Geralt’s mouth twitched again, visibly this time. “I can believe it.”
Somehow, swapping stories about Jaskier’s ineptitude with fighting rolled right into passive fighter roles; Geralt admitted that he’d rather be bitten by a manticore than pose as a bodyguard, and Captain Yetzii commiserated, saying that he had much preferred being in his village’s guard and patrolling the county to being a stationary captain. This led into how to prepare for long journeys far from humanity, and then a mild argument about horses. Geralt was offended by Yetzii’s insistence that horses should be bred for their lines, instead of for their traits; Yetzii was skeptical of the fact that the size of a horse’s heart was the defining factor of its speed, arguing that lungs and bone-structure were more important.
A noble boy, perhaps sixteen, drifted over and began asking questions that seemed to boil down to, “My tutor said that’s wrong.” Both Geralt and Yetzii immediately dropped the argument to speak to the boy seriously about how to choose, care for, and ride a good horse. A young lady of about thirteen took up a position close to the three of them, straining her ears to hear them while pretending not to.
It wasn’t long before Geralt and Yetzii had accumulated most of the attendants below the age of twenty, and were answering their questions about fighting, hunting, and survival. Yetzii was polite and deferential; Geralt spoke bluntly. So many curious faces, so many wide eyes--it felt like he was talking to his Witcher brothers.
Somehow, that didn’t hurt.
“I wish I could hunt trolls,” sighed a boy with lanky limbs.
Geralt frowned and said, “You’ve got the bones for it. Heavy laundry every other day, laps, and wrestling will get you started.”
The group went silent, gaping at him. Geralt stared back, then looked up to find Jaskier. He really had forgotten these children were nobles. He needed to get out of there.
“Do you think I could hunt trolls?” a young woman asked, her eyes bright with hope.
“You’re tall enough for it,” Geralt replied cautiously. “You’re almost done growing, but I don’t see why you wouldn’t be able to.”
The young woman beamed at him, and Geralt felt very uncomfortable.
“Mr. Pankratz, sir,” piped up a pudgy child with a cloud of golden curls for hair, “I don’t think I’ll ever be tall. Could I still fight monsters?”
Geralt nodded. “Yes. Other warriors in training may tell you not to, but they don’t know your limits,” he said. It was so peculiar. He felt like… like he was saying Vesemir’s words in his own voice. He looked at all of the children, and added, “Any of you can be warriors. And warriors don’t always hunt monsters in dark places.” Something Vesemir had told him when he was small popped into his head, and he said it aloud, not quite seeing the children: “Sometimes Witchers kill. Sometimes Witchers talk. It doesn’t matter if you do one or the other more: you’re still a Witcher.”
“What does that mean?” asked the lanky boy.
“It means…” Geralt frowned, trying to put his words into order. “It means, no matter what your fighting looks like--whether you kill monsters or negotiate with kings--you’re still a warrior. We fight with what we have. A sword, a pen, medicine, knowledge; none of these are more important than the others. It’s what you use them for that matters.”
There was a moment of silence in the little group. All eyes were fixed on him, including Yetzii. He tried to think of how to escape, but before he could, Jaskier appeared, beaming and bubbling. Geralt had never felt such relief as he turned to Jaskier, who told those assembled, “Hello, everyone! Very sorry to interrupt, but the queen wishes to meet Geralt. We’ll be staying a few days, you’ll have plenty of time to talk to him.” Jaskier winked at Geralt with an evil smile; Geralt rolled his eyes, but followed his bard willingly.
“Their parents are annoyed,” Jaskier murmured teasingly as they approached the royal dais. “You’re far too interesting for them.”
Geralt snorted. “If they actually taught their little ones useful skills instead of drilling them on how to blow their noses, they wouldn’t be interested,” he muttered, and smiled just a little when Jaskier laughed. He liked Jaskier’s laugh. When did it go from painful to pleasant?
The queen, Jaskier’s cousin, was just as beautiful as him, but not nearly as theatrical. Her eyes were blue, but more washed-out. One of her ladies-in-waiting had lined her eyes with coal, but it was not nearly as neat and delicate as Jaskier’s. Her hair was a sandy blond, well-maintained and shining like gold, but Jaskier’s hair was shinier.
He bowed without giving anything away on his face.
“Queen Chrysanthemum, may I introduce Witcher Geralt,” Jaskier intoned gravely. Geralt shot him an annoyed look. Jaskier never made it easy to greet royalty. “He’s my friend.”
Geralt bowed again and muttered, “An honor to meet you, your Majesty.”
Queen Chrysanthemum smiled prettily. “The honor is mine, Witcher Geralt,” she replied. Then her eyes twinkled and her smile turned crafty. “We were all wondering what kind of man Julian would settle on,” she teased.
Geralt tensed, but it was embarrassment, not anger. He was used to this.
Apparently, Jaskier was not.
He turned red as a tomato, and spluttered a bit before objecting weakly, “I haven’t settled on anyone! When I do, you’ll know, because she will be the most beautiful woman the world has ever seen!” He avoided Geralt’s eyes firmly, even though all the Witcher did was raise an eyebrow and repress a teasing insult. How odd.
The queen snickered. “Yes, yes, I understand, Julian.” She turned to the matronly noblewoman sitting beside her and flicked her fingers subtly; the woman rose, curtseyed, and walked away, joining a circle of other noblewomen. Geralt’s stomach dropped as Queen Chrysanthemum smiled at him again and said, “Sit with me a moment, Witcher.”
Geralt did so, stiffly. For some reason, Jaskier seemed reluctant to leave, but also reluctant to sit. He shifted his weight, fiddled with his cuffs, bit his lip, and then nodded sharply, before turning and marching to one of the refreshment tables. Geralt shook his head. Jaskier was always very odd around his family.
“You don’t seem surprised by him,” the queen remarked, beckoning with her fan for a servant to bring them drinks.
“I’ve known him nearly fifteen years,” Geralt replied. “If he wanted to surprise me, he’d stop singing.”
That startled a laugh out of her, as she accepted a glass of wine from the servant. Geralt followed suit, but did not drink from it. He’d already had too much ale; his tongue was loose and his mind was too relaxed.
“Tell me, how did you meet?” she inquired. “I know Julian, his penchant for dramatics is devastating. Did you really defeat Filivandrel?”
“With words, yes,” Geralt answered, feeling that pinch of irritation again. That fucking song. He hated it. “There was no dramatic battle. Still, humans have no need to fear him anymore.”
Queen Chrysanthemum nodded sagely. “I thought as much. Julian has never once had the courage to face a fight willingly.” She must have seen Geralt’s confusion, because she smiled and explained, “He hated hunting rabbits, for the gods’ sakes. Anything scarier than a bee, he ran away from. We used to laugh about it.”
Geralt remembered the times when Jaskier had thrown himself into a fight to help him, had acted as bait or a distraction even in near-certain death situations, had stared down a griffin and run it through with Geralt’s own sword. Jaskier had never run away. Jaskier wasn’t courageous, but he was braver than any other human--if foolishness counted as bravery. Geralt ran his thumb over the hem of his “fashionable” surcoat; the money used to purchase the fabric, tailoring, and embroidery had come from Jaskier talking down an enraged nagani, negotiating with good will and good humour until she laughed and agreed to his terms.
Why would anyone think Jaskier had no courage?
“He’s changed,” Geralt murmured, instead of snapping at her for being so condescending.
“Pankratzes never change,” Chrysanthemum replied dismissively. “I’m a Pankratz too, and I haven’t changed one bit since I married. His parents and siblings conform to tradition so easily you’d think they were actors. You can ask a Pankratz any question and know exactly what he’ll answer with.”
“Hmm,” Geralt said.
“At least he gave you the ring,” Chrysanthemum said, nodding at Geralt’s hand. “So many women he could have married, even at his age, but never one could wear that.”
Geralt frowned again. ‘His age’? Jaskier was barely thirty-six. That wasn’t an old age. “It’s a nice ring,” he allowed, because he could not imagine arguing that Jaskier was available for marriage.
Chrysanthemum smirked and answered, “Yes, it is. It’s been in the family since the Conjunction.”
Geralt almost told her that was impossible, a ring that old would be completely destroyed, surely. He looked at it, perfectly fitted to his sausage-sized fingers, and wondered why Jaskier would give him a family ring. “Hmm,” he said again, making a mental note to ask Jaskier about it. Then he decided to change the subject. “Which side of the family are you related to Jaskier on?”
A sly smile preceded her answer. “His mother was my first cousin,” she explained. “She was amazingly beautiful, and men from every social class asked her to marry them. She chose our third cousin twice removed, instead. Probably because she’s always loved the sea more than people.”
Geralt hummed encouragingly. The queen took the hint, and continued. “She was an odd one before she had Julian. Always singing at feasts and dancing at fetes. When I was small, I thought she was the most magical person in the world. Her mere presence could make one smile. Mother told me it was strange--that her own father was one of the Seelie court.”
“Should you be saying this in public?” Geralt cut in, glancing around sharply. There were five people close enough that he knew they could hear the queen, and eight more who probably could if they tried. Jaskier was near the back of the hall, laughing with some servants.
Chrysanthemum scoffed. “Everyone knows the stories. That’s probably why he’s so strange, too. Do you know, he refuses to claim the title of Count unless he’s visiting me?”
“Can’t imagine why,” Geralt muttered, and drank his wine.
Soon, the king announced that his dear wife was tired, and they should all go to their beds. Geralt stood, bowed to the royal couple, and made his way to Jaskier.
“You spoke to her for a while,” Jaskier said as soon as they were in earshot of each other. “What were you talking about?”
Geralt shrugged. “Gossip,” he grunted. When he heard Jaskier’s heart speed up, Geralt shook his head. “I didn’t find it important.”
Jaskier beamed at him. “Oh, well, if that’s the case,” he said, and changed the subject. “Chryssie told me that we can have the Celadon Suite. You’ll love it, Geralt, there is not a single corner that isn’t brightly lit and everything is so soft--”
Geralt listened to Jaskier’s chatter, focused more on his voice than his words, as they walked surely down a hall to the guest suites. A Seelie grandfather… no, not for Jaskier. The Seelie court were kind, mischievous, and tended to stay in Skellige. The ones he’d met had all said they preferred their own monsters over the main Continent’s, thank you very much.
The Celadon Suite was, frankly, much too green for Geralt’s taste; but it looked well against Jaskier’s teal-trimmed dusky blue outfit. There was a small receiving room with a dining table and two seating areas; the bedrooms, large and lush and leaden with silence; one bathing room tiled with white marble, the bathtub large enough for Geralt and his brothers to lounge in; and a small balcony off of the bigger bedroom. Geralt chose the smaller one immediately.
“Oh! Oh, Geralt!”
The Witcher turned, and Jaskier grabbed his arm. He’d taken off the circlet, and unbuttoned his doublet, but Geralt’s nostrils flared as he caught a scent that was not as carefree as Jaskier’s appearance.
“We should eat and drink water before sleeping,” Jaskier said, faking a smile. “Don’t want to throw up at breakfast!”
Geralt nodded, reluctantly, and followed Jaskier to the dining table.
They were both silent for a moment, looking at each other. Geralt relaxed slightly, taking in Jaskier’s familiar face, his reassuringly broad shoulders, the little curls of hair over his ears and his collarbone. This was Jaskier. His bard. His traveling companion. There was no need to be on high alert with him.
“Geralt,” Jaskier whispered, “What did she tell you?”
Geralt tapped his finger on the table for a moment, sorting his words. “She told me the ring you gave me is very old, and has always been in your family. She told me you were a coward when you were young. She said Pankratzes never change. And she implied that your grandfather on your mother’s side was of the Seelie Court. I don’t believe those last three for a moment. But I would like to know more about this ring.” Geralt set his hand on the table, palm down, and they both looked at the ring.
It was so small. A simple bronze band, a piece of agate, and six little pearls. Not that interesting. But it felt like... like being brought into Jaskier’s family, if only for a day or so. Having something so steeped in history pressed against his skin at all times felt like he was being asked to join that history.
But he was a Witcher, and human families were not for him.
Jaskier shrugged. “Mother said it would fit the hand of the person it was meant to,” he said, softly. “I don’t really remember the rest of her explanation. I was… lonely. So I decided it must mean that it would fit my very best friend.” He lifted his gaze to Geralt’s, and smiled. A real smile, one full of affection and happiness, so warm and enveloping that Geralt felt uncomfortable. “And it does! So you can’t say you aren’t my friend, because obviously you are!”
Geralt opened his mouth to deny it, then huffed in frustration and shook his head. Jaskier reached out and tucked his fingers between Geralt’s, interlocking their hands like cogs in a machine. The corner of Geralt’s mouth twitched. It always amused him that their hands were the same lengths, but Geralt’s was blockier, meant for work, and Jaskier’s hand was perfectly shaped to play any instrument. It was also interesting how Geralt’s wax-pale skin contrasted with Jaskier’s peachy hue, tanned ever so slightly.
He just liked looking at their hands.
Jaskier hummed a bar from a new song he was writing, and carefully wiggled his hand so that he could slide it under Geralt’s fingers, joining their hands. The Witcher didn’t mind. It felt nice, oddly.
“I… might have drunk too much,” he muttered, but he couldn’t look away from the tiny valley formed by their fingers.
“Mm, me, too,” Jaskier murmured.
They sat in silence for even longer, watching the light from the lamps cast warm flickers on their clasped hands. It was so calm.
Idly, Geralt picked up Jaskier’s wilting flower circlet and draped it over their hands. Jaskier smiled.
“I’ll be yours, and you’ll be mine,” the bard whispered.
“Hmm. Friends and comrades,” the Witcher murmured back. “Joined in battle.”
“Bound by time.”
“Forever yours--”
“--Forever mine.”
Geralt’s medallion might have stirred, but probably not.
Jaskier pushed their hands upwards, so that their palms touched. “This isn’t for anyone else to know,” he whispered.
Geralt squeezed his hand back. “No,” he breathed. “This is ours.”
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I was asked this on my old blog right as I set about transitioning to this one, so...
The first character I ever fell in love with: for DA:O, dare I say Daveth? What can I say -- I irrationally got incredibly attached to him. otherwise, DEFINITELY Morrigan, and I have crystal clear memories of my first run through Lothering and looking at Morrigan like 😍 the whole time. For DA:2/E, Carver -- unless you count Anders & Justice since I knew of them from Awakening beforehand, in which case probably Justice. For DA:I, it’s a toss-up between Vivienne or Cole -- I technically liked Cole first but SPECIFICALLY in the supporting material (Asunder), and didn’t vibe with him anywhere near as much in the game, AND I got him as a companion after I got Vivienne, so probably Vivienne.
A character that I used to love/like, but now do not: for DA:O, I guess Oghren? I never loved him, but I liked the idea of him because I really liked the dwarves/Orzammar side of DA’s worldbuilding -- but he’s such an unlikeable character that I just.. don’t vibe with him at all. I debate recruiting him every single time now, and I don’t think I ever do his personal quest (in the base game OR Awakening). for DA:2/E, I don’t really have anyone that fits -- but I REALLY wanted to like Merrill and Aveline more than I did, and especially in Aveline’s case, I can’t stand her and genuinely think she’s the unintended, secret Big Bad of the whole game. for DA:I, probably Cole, bc I was really into the idea of a little walking-corpse serial killer animated by a spirit as per the book, but that’s not really the vibe in DA:I, and combined with the somewhat patronising/ableist language and how significantly he is infantilised (including by the fandom) I just got put off him. I do still like him, but not as much.
A ship that I used to love/like, but now do not: for DA:O, I don’t really have one? I guess see my DA:I answer, lol... for DA:2/E, has to be Anders - I don’t think he’s OOC in 2, but I think his writing does so little with him and he feels v. reductive. Where his relationship could be SO interesting and angsty, it instead is written in a really dull and/or cringey way. It would have been nice to see Anders more like the Anders of Awakening near the beginning of the game (rather than random, infrequent and questionably rare snippets), and then see the progression of his relationship with Justice as the game went on -- I want more interesting abominations, PLEASE. for DA:I, listen I cannot express to you HOW EXCITED I was for my planned Lavellan to romance Sera… also I used to be way more tolerant of Cullen x Amell/Surana ships because, like, hey dark ships are fun, right? But since Cullen’s ~wholesome whitewash~ in DA:I, and his fandom clamouring to absolve him of any wrongdoing ever.. it’s boring to me.
My ultimate favourite character™: for DA:O, probably Sten? or Morrigan. They’re both fantastic, and also are significant comfort chars for me. for DA:2/3, honestly, probably my own Hawke -- I feel so hugely proud of her, and can’t imagine I’d enjoy the game anywhere near as much had I not played it as my Hawke. If not her, maybe Sebastian or Carver? for DA:I, I really love Vivienne, as well as Blackwall, and Solas is a great character even if I probably would not say I liked him.
Prettiest character: for DA:O, we all know it’s Zevran. for DA:2/E, I think Aveline -- although her aggressively bland colour-scheme lets her down in a major way (although I respect her dedication to all orange all day every day). There’s just something about her arms -- very Abby from TLOU:2. for DA:I, maybe Josephine? Ser Barris is very pretty, too...
My most hated character: for DA:O, I really didn’t like Alistair, Wynne and Oghren, and of my companions - Oghren is probably my least favourite. He’s vulgar and also profoundly uninteresting. for DA:2/E, it has to be Aveline. There’s just something about ineptitude and a complete, wilful refusal to take accountability for your actions that I can’t stand. It would be okay if it was an intentional character flaw, but the game/narrative treats her like she’s lawful good and it really annoys me. for DA:I, maybe Iron Bull? He was a huge disappointment for me. I also really dislike Sera, Cassandra, and Varric. I’m so sick of Varric - I never want to see him again.
My OTP: for DA:O, I really loved Zevran’s romance -- but I am also very amused by the fact that Leliana got to ‘love’ status with Kallian accidentally, AND I got the ‘love’ glitch for Justice (👀) and Velanna. I do sometimes wonder about an AU where Kallian is forced to make a politically expedient marriage with Nathaniel Howe for diplomatic reasons in order to consolidate her position as Arlessa, and it being an entirely platonic arrangement (it’s not like anyone expects an heir from an infertile Grey Warden) -- and maybe Zev and Nate kiss sometimes, who knows? I also LOVE my Darkspawn Chronicles AU where Kallian and Nelaros are a happy, married couple each hiding their skills with weapons from each other like dumb, cute sweethearts. They shelter Zevran when he fails to kill Alistair and a poly couple evolves. for DA:2/E, I love the IDEA of a Seb romance that isn’t so strictly conditional around the structures that abused him -- he should be allowed to love, chastely or otherwise, but free from the Chantry OR his position as prince/heir. I’d LOVE to actually have a romance with him where you can actually challenge the abuse he’s experienced. for DA:I, Malika doesn’t have a canon romance (although I think when I replay, I’m going to romance Josephine!) but I think Blackwall has an amazing romance. Solas’ is also iconic, it must be said.
My NOTP: for DA:O, I really dislike Alistair in a shipping capacity; he’s immature and says a lot of misogynistic shit and I don’t think he’s the worst for it, but I don’t really vibe with shipping him, having played the game as a female city elf. for DA:2/E, I wouldn’t say I have one, particularly? although I really dislike Aveline’s relationship with her husband simply because it seems incredibly inappropriate, given that they work together and she has power over him -- and because I dislike her, generally, I don’t feel inclined to do something nice for her. for DA:I, I suppose Sera/Lavellan -- although I’m not AGAINST it, it just really isn’t for me, having attempted it. I also don’t really vibe with Dorian x Iron Bull. Something abt the way the game handled BDSM and their relationship banter specifically I don’t really like.
Favourite episode quest: for DA:O, probs Orzammar/the Deep Roads. I really love the dwarven lore! and, of course, Fort Drakon is really funny, even though it’s not canon in my game iirc. for DA:2/E, maybe the murder mystery with the serial killer, where ultimately Leandra dies? I also really enjoyed all the companion quests. for DA:I, The Descent (just, all of it, lmao) and everything to do with the Avvar. Crestwood also BANGED.
Saddest death: for DA:O, it’s frankly a fucking INJUSTICE that Shianni gets murdered if you make her Bann of the Alienage -- the idea of that happening whilst Kallian is in Amaranthine and unable to protect her :( genuinely very upsetting. I go back and forth on who is made Bann, tbf, so idk how canonical it is: I think maybe Cyrion would get it, but I’m also endeared to Soris holding the position, with Shianni as Hahren. for DA:2/E, Bethany. I wish both twins had had the chance to reach Kirkwall :(. Let Leandra die instead. for DA:I, maybe not the saddest death, but the most memorable for me was that one sleeping dragon in the Hissing Wastes.. leave her alone. Stay out of a womans’ business.
Favourite season game: DA:O!
Least favourite season game: DA:I.
Character that everyone else in the fandom loves, but I hate: for DA:O, Alistair. I cannot deal with his complacency and hypocrisy. for DA:2, I really disliked Merrill but I honestly cannot remember why. DEFINITELY Varric -- I hated how the game forces you to be his best friend, and if you’re low approval, you have to endure these pointless pissy little comments with this little anti-dwarf centrist pissant. After the expedition, I literally have no reason to put up with him, and I NEVER take him out. I hate that he plays the same role in DA:I, too. for DA:I, the Iron Bull was hugely disappointing, and I also really don’t vibe with Cassandra. She just seems very wishy-washy and complacent and hypocritical, and many of her comments about other cultures seem snide for literally no reason other than bigotry.
My ‘you’re a piece of trash, but you’re still a fave’ fave: for DA:O, lbr probably Sten. Mans is gonna launch a HORRIFYING invasion in the next game iirc and frankly, I’m ok with it. Just wanna see that big bastard again ❤🥵. for DA:2/E, I LOVE Gamlen, ok? for DA:I, I am not sure if I have one.
My ‘beautiful cinnamon roll who deserves better than this’ fave: for DA:O, if any of you so much as LOOK at Velanna wrong, it’s hands. That includes Bioware. I also feel incredibly protective of and sad for Morrigan. for DA:2/E, probably Sebastian -- I feel so sad for him, and so frustrated by the limitations with the game. for DA:I, I’m honestly not sure.. maybe Josephine? I don’t really feel this way about Sera, but I do think she deserves better from the game and its writing, and also from fandom: there are valid criticisms of her, but the hate she gets is not proportional to any valid issues with her -- and gee, I wonder why that is.
My ‘this ship is wrong, nasty, and makes me want to cleanse my soul, but i still love it’ ship: for DA:O, I did use to find Cullen x Surana/Amell intriguing as a dark ship -- I actually hc that Neria Surana is actually Nelaros’ sister, and have dabbled with it as a dark ship. I also am interested in Loghain/Alistair - which each pretends the other is someone else. Alistair is wooby, hate ships are, in general, fun -- so long as we acknowledge that they are, indeed, unhealthy ships. for DA:2/E, I kind of feel like Sebastian romances are, invariably, kind of dark... and, similarly, Anders romances -- especially with certain red Hawkes, The way it ends is, invariably, bordering on fucked up. ALSO Hawkecest is weird and wonderful: GET WITH IT.
My ‘they’re kind of cute, and I lowkey ship them, but I’m not too invested’ ship: for DA:O, I joked about Velanna x Leliana once and I’ve not been able to stop thinking about it ever since… Velanna x Sigrun is also something that can be so personal. Ariane x Finn is adorable and are paid DUST by Bioware AND fandom. I actually am really into Anora x Nathaniel & NO I will NOT explain myself; it’s a crackship but it’s MY crackship. for DA:2/E, Isabela x Fenris is super cute, but I don’t pay enough attention to them to really have super committed thoughts & feelings on them. for DA:I, Blackwall x Josephine is cute as a background ship; I also think Maryden x Cole is sweet.
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Talking about the smidgens we saw of Gale, the wizard of Waterdeep.
[Baldur’s Gate 3 Early Access Spoilers]
Updated, AGAIN, because the hell of new aspects we saw when some bugs were sorted out.
Warning: all this analysis was done for game versions 4.1.83 and 4.1.84
Well, I had to rewrite all this because the explorations of dialogue options and the bugs being, somehow, solved, allowed me to see small details from Gale that stand out or end up being more than curious to me. I'll list his main features to make things short (hopefully), and useful for... eventual fics:
Gale is a char who approves any good treatment to animals (and creatures in general). He has a cat, a Library, and writes poetry sometimes.
He doesn't like gratuitous murdering which is implied in the anecdote he told us about how he stopped a massacre in a Waterdeep city inn just by buying a round to everyone. It is also implied in his approval in most situations; even in the one with the ogres having sex.
He gives you disapproval most of the time if you use violence and intimidation as your first approach in solving a situation. He prefers eloquence, diplomacy, and negotiation. However, he is flexible enough to approve a performance-intimidation in front of goblins to avoid bloodshed. Point (2) is primary. So... he truly is a pragmatic char. It's not white and black: “never use intimidation/lie” or that kind of over-simplistic view.
He likes logical and reasonable conversations. An action that earned his disapproval can be undone if the main char (MC) talks to him and explains their reasons. You can disagree with him without having approval penalties most of the time. You can question many situations and, as long as it remains a mental exercise, there are no penalties. That surprised me a lot. Most characters disapprove you if you wonder about a potential situation, but Gale no. He is the scholar, he will allow a safe space to think around things without being too judgemental. We will see if this attitude lasts in the full game. No wonder some players see in him “the Teacher” archetype. Quite so.
He was an Arch wizard while being Mystra's Chosen One, and fell from grace when she put him aside. What is hard for me to grasp is if he remained Chosen One and therefore able to cast silver-fire during that intermediate period when he stopped having Mystra's whispers and his folly with the netherese taint. We know that in that moment Mystra removed herself from his life completely. But before, she has only stopped whispering and sleeping with him. So far I understand, being her Chosen One doesn't imply sleeping with her, most of the time.
He was a teacher (not surprising, since his over-explanation vices and details such as the pronunciation of “Trashj” make us suspect it), and had some students that he could not keep longer since their ineptitudes irked him.
Unlike the stereotypical “scholar” type, he knows how to cook, since he has been doing stews for the party in the camp. He also loves baths. A bit siding with the stereotypical “scholar” type, but a nice change for a “standard adventurer” type, in which most of the time it is implied that they are stinky with “animalistic” scents and uglier descriptors. No, Gale likes his lavender-scented baths. Good.
He is an over-thinker strategist. And also a char who takes responsibility for his own mistakes to the point that, when he dies for the first time, a programmed image is activated to help anyone to revive him. Despite the fact that he is dead and can give a shit about that, he is still responsible of the catastrophe that may happen if that weird magic orb stuck in his chest erupts.
He is also forcing me to check the dictionary like no other game has done in a while... the fucker uses uncommon words a lot of the time. Smidges? really? Gale is a hard char for a non native English speaker.
We can assume that during his teenage time, he was a pretty prideful peacock to the point to be blind at the reality (well, yeah, he romanced a goddess; if that doesn't give you a hell of a ego boost...) He remembers his young self's pride with a thick level of regret. He is now a mature scholar that, for a change, does not patronise you or thinks of himself better than anyone. Sure, he over-explains a lot, but that's something that most scholars/teachers do when they are worried that, maybe, they won't be understood.
He is confident in his years of study (for that reason he is a capable wizard despite having lost Mystra's favours), but he acknowledges his limits. Which is a nice change to see in the “scholar” archetype, the typical know-it-all. He knows a lot, he knows that he knows (it would be ridiculous to hide his knowledge), but he is human, and like he says: “humans are fallible”. However, it’s more than obvious that he has a big ego for everything he does, which makes sense since he follows a motto in his life: “try to excel at everything”. High accomplished scholar lifestyle, indeed.
If you don't share the Weave with him, he will state that nights are lonesome. It seems he truly is looking for some connection with a keen fellow mind. Probably it's this loneliness which triggers his urge to see Mystra's face during the night. We also know he, in general, lives in constant fear due to the Netherese taint in his chest. So, very lonely, and very scared.
I don't know if this is his poet side unable to be switched-off or it's another implication of how he sees sexual encounters: he never says sex (at least in my many runs, he never did it). He always gets around the word: love-making, art of the body, intimacy. For a scholar who is so prone to use the technical word for everything, and has already stated he is not coy at all, the use of these metaphors make me wonder if it's because he always conceives sex as something more than mere physical pleasure. For him, it seems to come with a more emotional connection (which makes sense if we think he will only sleep with those who connected to him through the Weave). Another small detail that may confirm this is when he asks the MC if the “other night” was wonderful. If MC claims it was “fun”, Gale shows a certain degree of uneasiness by that word choice, making us infer that he certainly doesn’t see sex as “fun” but as something else, deeper.
His tadpole dreams are about Mystra (rather obvious). His most desperate desire is forgiveness. Mystra's forgiveness.
Mystra was his first love. The affair did not last long. And since soon after her abandonment he looked for the Primal Weave book and was infested by it; one could assume he has been focused on solving his problem for the rest of his life than putting some energy in romance, especially if we think about (13). It's hard to say with certainty (especially with banters like these), but since he is a char that you can only sleep with if you share a mind-connection through the Weave, it seems less plausible that he could encourage into casual relationships during all this period of his life looking for a solution to the Netherese orb. If he got previous relationships, they may have been meaningful, but clearly not enough to win over the goddess’ and his urges to see her, lol.
He did not mind Mystra having many other lovers besides him. It seems to be the same with the MC, since he will insist in sleeping with them even after the party and even after the MC slept with someone else (however, that only occurs if the romantic connection through the Weave happened.) This fact combined with (13) and (15) make me wonder if he certainly wants to be with the MC too badly, even in an open relationship. We need to see the rest of his romance to be sure.
Since he looks for forgiveness so desperately, he is a char who will forgive most mistakes made by the MC if they acknowledge them.
He is a char who knows how grey and complex situations can be. This is inferred by the way he speaks of the tiefling girl who tried to steal the idol in the Grove: “She is not innocent, but that doesn't mean she is guilty.” (of course there is a lot of self projection there). This is also implied in his (surprising) approval of raising Mayrina's husband and giving her the control wand to search for a solution in Neverwinter. That shows that he can accept the fuckest weirdest situations, recognising that “sometimes we can’t choose situations but we can try to do our best, not always having the best results”. Also self-projection.
He appreciates his privacy to the point to leave the MC if the abuse of the tadpole power continues. However, and honouring (4), you can abuse of these powers and convince him with reasons: if you don't lie to him and explain that you have a responsibility with the group to know what happens with his secret, he will understand, and despite disapproving the MC actions, will remain without major troubles.
Certainly, as long as you give him reasons and logical concepts, he can almost understand everything with no disapproval or at least little one.
Consent and negotiation are vital to him, apparently. However, this aspect reaches a flaw. He was too angry with Nettie when she almost killed the MC, and he made a short speech about how nobody has the right to decide your options for you. Yet, in his romance scene, we see that he deliberately hid his true relationship with Mystra and his bomb-condition in order to sleep with the MC. In fact, during the party, if the MC tells him that doubts if he is the one they want, Gale will drop a curious argument: “That’s because you’ve yet to find out what your’re missing” (implying that he himself is what you need), followed by his most curious “Doubt is a spoilsport. Cast it aside”. That coming from a scholar is rotten, lol. He tries every convincing argument to sleep with the MC (if they shared the moment of the Weave, of course)
This happens in every variation of the path: whether the MC sleeps with him in the party, or afterwards, Gale will always wait for sharing a night with the MC before speaking the truth. It's hard to read this aspect since, he is a char who, apparently, needs a mind-connection with his partner for intimacy (see (12) and (13)); so this terrible strategy is like his way of trying to guarantee that the MC will not abandon him. I guess there is something along those line, specially if we keep in mind the book he explained: a book which is not only about the art of the body and the night and sex, but of other things such as conversation, exploration, and acceptance of oneself and the other. He is expecting with this night to reach the MC to a certain degree of intimacy in which, despite the raw truth, the acceptance will prevail. Remembering (16), he truly wants to sleep with the MC, baaaadly. And somehow everything feels like he wants to push things in a subtle way to a certain degree of commitment. Following the concept in (12), I think he has been alone for too long, and desperately needs someone in his lonesome nights and in helping him to deal with his burden. Finding someone who connected to him through the Weave (such a personal experience for him as it is) made him a bit desperate or eager. We know his emotion for the MC may have grown over those days since the connection with the Weave. In two occasions he or the MC can ask if both of them think about that moment. Gale says yes with such enthusiasm, that it may imply...that maybe, he has been thinking about that more times than he truly wants to tell the MC. The Weave moment had such a strong effect on Gale that, if the MC spent the night with another companion and rejects Gale’s proposition later, he will trail off a sentence that implies he was convinced that the MC and he were heading into something serious and deep.
Of course, once he sleeps with the MC, he confesses the truth right afterwards, accepting--without approval penalties--the harshest responses that the MC can give. He clearly knows that such manoeuvre was truly disloyal, especially contrasting it with all his speech of consent and rights to know about the true situation one is in. In the next morning, he acknowledges it was a rotten thing to do and apologies. But this shows that his principles can be bend and even be broken when it comes to emotions. I'm still a bit wary of his emotional stability, what can I say.
Mystra is more than an ex-lover for him, it’s magic. And Magic is everything for him, even more than life. I wonder if, given the opportunity, Mystra forgives him and asks him to return to her side, would he accept it without second thoughts leaving the romanced MC? It's true he also acknowledges that all that fascination he had with the goddess was a product of his youth; he knows he was a plaything in her hands. But I don't see he got over with it. He still idealises her, as such a good poet does. Idealisation, especially when a Goddess is involved, is a terrible thing to fight against for the next partner. No matter what speech of loyalties and consent he states during the whole game, the MC knows that magic and Mystra are Gale's Achilles’ heel, and factors in which they can’t predict his behaviour.
We also know that, because his bomb-condition, he tries to take all the opportunities to enjoy the little things of life that make him human.
Gale is a straightforward and honest (mostly, let's say) char. But we can see that he prefers to be honest in most situations, except in his Achille’s heel. Even when he wanted to hide all the stuff about the bomb in his chest, he did it by explicitly warning us that he was hiding something he did not want to talk about. Which is an honest approach considering the hardcore burden he carries and the immediate rejection it can mean if the truth unfolds too quickly among strangers.
When it comes to concepts, Gale has the symbol of the storm attached to him. So far, we see he talks comparing things with storms or storm elements: his lack of knowledge to explain why they are not Mind Flayers yet: the silence before the storm; the fear that rushes into his body when the Weave orb asks him for magic to consume: the thunder of a storm reverberating in his soul, the day it will erupt: the lightning striking, the consumption of magic: water running through a sore throat, Life itself: a tempest. When he asked the player if they were a wizard, he explains that he needs an Arch wizard and compares them with a Tempest. If we see the main image of Baldur's gate 3, it's clear that his main element is electricity/storm... so... full witch-bolt-guy here.
[updated later] The Weave moment is important to romance Gale. Leaving the moment in ambiguity will give the MC another opportunity to make their intentions clear during the scene of the Loss. However, remaining vague will lock Gale into a friendship path. What happens during this scene may suggest that the ambiguity in the Weave was enough to keep Gale thinking about the romantic possibility, but he will not engage into it by his own, which confirms (15). Unless the opportunity presents itself clearly before him, he will not pursue the MC. Further details [here].
Last moment detail: Gale says “I cherish you” when he explains he will await death alone if the Netherese orb goes out of control. I was not sure if that meant something more or less than love or like (I can’t not overlook the subtle meaning of the words coming from Gale’s mouth, he is a poet and his word choices matter). Checking the dictionary I found that “cherish” (in a relationship) is defined as to hold or to treat as dear, to feel love for and to care for someone deeply and tenderly. This man went straight into a commitment relationship without thinking it twice, and without (I believe) the MC knowing it either xD.
Let's see how these characteristics shift or develop deeper once the full game is out there. Now we have to wait a lot :(
To see videos where all this stuff is inferred or explicitly said, you can check [here]
More videos added later [here] and [here]
More content of bg3 in general [here]
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Sorry for the confusion; my own ineptitude and tumblr’s ask size limit have conspired against me again. The line that killed me was Cor’s very smooth “it is an honour to get to know all that is you.” Like. Boy. And my first question was meant to be did you as the author always intend to include the Great Lady or was that a change to really give us the Coeurls of War. But your answer was interesting. Then was it fear the Lady wouldn’t approve (of Nyx) that has kept this declaration so long?
PS Scheheesa *is* the best. (Hey, Nyx, maybe you should take advantage of her fondness for Libertus - which was amazingly conveyed, btw - and ask your Ulric ancestors how to be Ulric if you’re so convinced you’re doing it badly. Silly boy) Did she come with them from Galahd, make her own way, or is she Insomnian? Or maybe found on a Glaive mission and glommed onto Lib? ♥️♥️♥️
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XD
Uups. I'm kinda proud of that line. Which makes it extra embarassing that I didn't know which one you meant.
Also yes. I knew from the beginning that the Great Lady would be a factor. She has been part of the lore from basically day one. It might not always seem that way, but some things I tend to plan through. XD
And yes, it was fear and hesitation. Not only on Nyx' part. Anyone else could have asked as well. But then it would have been a matter of either finding her and asking her personally, or finding an Ostium willing to find a snake that is willing to bring the message to her. So most people don't bother. Another factor is that the Great Lady is basically the biggest figure in their religion and you don't just ask her stuff.
Lol. I don't think Nyx ever even considered asking Libs to ask Scheheesa to be a messenger between him and the dead Ulrics. Once someone suggests that (probably Cor, just need to find a way to make him ask) he'll feel kind of stupid and exasperated with himself.
Scheheesa lives on Galahd still. She's a snake. Part of her magic is that she can basically be everywhere. It will just take the time it takes. (They're a bit like Umbra in that regard.) So, to get to talk to her, Libs went to the place in Insomnia she would like best and asked for her attention. If she comes, she comes. If not, then not. Snakes are wilful like that. But Scheheesa likes Libertus, so she comes everytime he asks her to.
(She has known Libertus since he was a kid and kinda maybe tries to mother him.)
So to answer the question on how she came to be in Insomnia, the answer is magic.
#ask#anonymous#ffxv#heart of thunder#scheheesa#I'm assuming these two asks belong together#sometimes it looks like nyx doesn't use his brain#and neither do libs and crowe#they're the chaos trio#geis answers
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YO SEBAS’ ROUTE HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED FOR JP I CANT WAIT!!! Do you have any theories of what could happen in his route?!?
Haha, yes, I saw this morning! For those who haven’t yet seen the announcement, it has been said that Sebastian’s route will be coming to the JPN version of Ikevamp on August 25th! It’s very exciting news, and I can’t wait to get started translating after I finish Dazai’s.
Honestly I’m finding this so many degrees of hilarious because I was like “oh ya I’m curious” at first, but after seeing that character introduction video with the lil forehead kiss and the horny as all HELL biting, I’m SLAMMING the horny button holy shit??? (I have that card CG in the JPN ver of the game on my phone and. lord jesus. That scowl. WILL HE STEP ON ME ONEGAI AKIHIKO)
Putting the rest under a cut bc is long and has some JPN ver spoilers:
That being said, let’s address the second part of the ask, shall we? Theories! If I’m honest I’m not surprised Sebastian was next on the docket, but I do admit I’m thoroughly surprised by the CG of him biting MC in earnest--he visibly draws blood on her neck and shoulder. This raises so many questions that are likely to be reiterated endlessly until his rt comes out in full, the most pressing of which is: does Sebastian turn into a vampire? Or is he just really into sadistic foreplay?
If I’m honest I sincerely don’t know if he’s fully turned, only because I’m trying to sort out the information we do have. Why turn into a vampire if the goal is to be with MC, who is also human? If we follow this course of thought, it doesn’t seem to make much sense, does it?
But then our boi Sebas is different in terms of his internalized conflict when compared to the vampires. Granted I may turn out to be wrong about this, but I think the two focal points of his route will be as follows: insecurity and the pursuit of knowledge. Remember that the reason Sebastian (our dearest Akihiko Sato) agrees to Comte’s proposal at all is his insatiable curiosity. I mean just think about it. If Comte told all that stuff about the mansion to someone in modern times, they would probably just figure he was a crazy person and go on with their day. But Sebas, the absolute madlad, agreed; he wanted to see if it was true, and to learn everything he could about people who exhibit extraordinary talent.
I foresee that this, however, may become a double-edged sword. Curiosity killed the cat, as they say. What I mean to say is that it could be very possible he might turn or undergo something similar to the changing process in order to experience what it’s like firsthand (whether to prove he can handle it or because he wants to understand the residents better/gather info). Furthermore, while Sebastian is curious--with no malicious intent at all--this doesn’t mean that envy is impossible in this kind of scenario, either. Admiration and envy are like two sides of a coin; depending on how one interprets information, they can skew to self-consciousness or inspiration. Given the content I’ve seen for Sebastian so far (and man has it been limited as all heck) I often get the implication that he truly does feel inadequate in some ways compared to the other men. As soon as MC chooses him a kind of overwhelming awareness of his normalcy begins; the implication that he is the wrong or lesser choice. Knowing this, I truly wouldn’t be surprised if problems arise as a result of this self-effacing.
(Note: I don’t think that about Sebastian at all, personally! I think he’s very mindful of others and really astute--to say nothing of his skill when it comes to the domestic sphere. I don’t think just anybody could do what he does, and he sells himself far too short. I always think of how the men call him the Ninja Butler and praise how capable he is, how they freely admit the place wouldn’t be the same without him. Sometimes I wish Sebas could see that, though I understand his concerns as well ;-; I’m always torn bc I’ll be like “I understand but alSO N O”)
Besides those latent insecurities, time to expand more on the pursuit of knowledge. In one way this drive might feed his self-derision; he might believe that the more he is able to do and understand and study, the more he can be of use/help other people. (Put simply his value as a person = the increasing extent of his knowledge in an almost linear relationship; without it he is nothing). On the other hand, I think he just genuinely enjoys collecting information the way he does! He likes assessing all the different ways people behave and why, and how this contributes to how they think and who they are. More insight offers him more ways to preoccupy his endlessly moving mind, but it also offers proximity with the subject in question. This to me is absolutely key--I think so much of his studying the great men is linked to his admiration, his wish to be like them and/or his wish to be close to them.
I’d like to address a quick reference to the drinking event that recently released in the ENG version of the app, if only to expand on/clarify where this is coming from. It essentially featured Sebastian and Napoleon sharing a drink together at a bar and in it, Sebastian speaks to the way that he encountered Napoleon in his life, and the reason why he grew so fond of him. He speaks to a childhood entirely detached from the people of his own time, roving through the shelves of libraries, reading endlessly to fill that void. It was a quote by Napoleon that caught his eye and inspired him, and ostensibly the words of people long past that gave him the strength to keep moving forward. This information, coupled with his strange excitement in Isaac’s rt introduction about how Isaac used to throw hands with people who mocked him seems to bring to the forefront a few things for me.
Sebastian is highly, highly individualistic: he doesn’t seem to care much about what is conventional or normal, only in what brings him joy and makes others comfortable/happy. His life is highly internal, but I sense no anti-sociality in this removal from societal expectations. He just lives his own way and tries not to trouble anyone. (This is also highly notable in his acute impatience with Dazai’s shenanigans/ineptitudes now and again; while he doesn’t always scold or explode, he shows a sharp and surprising impatience with willful/harmful/irresponsible behavior.) He’s tactful and measured, but highly excitable under the right circumstances. He also doesn’t seem to think much of his own life re: self-derision. Think Leonardo’s rt ending: he insists that the serial killer focus on him and not on MC, he tells her he has no qualms with dying if it means she’ll make it out alive. MC has to be the one to tell him to think more of his own life. As such I wouldn’t put it past him to have enough nerdy reckless energy to test the waters of being a vampire (all the better if it helps him understand the great men).
Comte once said it in an event story a few months ago, but I think he really hit the nail on the head in some respects. He says something to the effect of “His curiosity is admirable, but please Sebastian--some things are to remain private.” Sebastian doesn’t intend to be intrusive or malicious, he just likes knowing things for the sake of knowing. It’s about the cones answering his nerdy desire to piece things together, not stepping on people’s toes. (It’s nice too because Comte seems to understand this and doesn’t see it as a shortcoming/nuisance, he just tries to nudge Sebas in a different direction if he starts prying too close to people’s personal business ;-; pls pardon the Comte love I just can’t help myself)
Enter Johann Georg Faust.
Now then we know very little about the reserved priest doctor, but there are tidbits of information that we can work with (or at the very least, stand out to me a lot). The one I would like to focus on for this explanation is the little blurb that appears when you open the Ikevamp app and it’s loading, providing something like trivia facts for each character. In the ENG app we got those early, but we don’t have the ones for our antagonists. Iirc, Faust’s reads something to the effect of “will often sneak substances into their (as in the castle residents Vlad and Charles’) food to test the effect of his concoctions on vampires.” There have been hints that Faust is to be our mad scientist of sorts; that he is experimenting under Vlad’s orders to find a reliable way to transform a human being into an immortal equivalent to that of a pureblood. But I have mentioned on more than one occasion that I really don’t think Faust is only doing all of this for Vlad. He has his own curiosity that is seeking to be alleviated, perhaps he is satisfied with having another puzzle dumped in his lap--a means to distract himself and exhaust his faculties.
(One has to wonder if Vlad turned them under the same principle of desperation, and if that were the case, what Faust and Charles might desire more than anything else...Is Faust operating on a kind of necessity to atone? Has he simply given up hope that scientific advancement can happen without someone getting hurt, and so he does his best to balance the good and bad wrought by his explorations? Is he trying to bring someone back himself, is he trying to stall Vlad’s efforts in his own way? I really can’t be sure; there are just too many unanswered questions when it comes to Faust...)
This is where Sebastian and Faust begin to overlap. The pursuit of knowledge, an insatiable curiosity, a capacity to overreach the bounds of appropriate civility/decorum to get the information they want. It could potentially serve as a temptation for Sebas; become a vampire by Vlad’s hand and you can watch history over the span of generations. Assist in the development of an immortal, and you won’t even need someone like Comte to walk you through the different eras of time--you could explore yourself. While Sebas seems to be motivated more by service to other people, there can be no doubt that this could cause a great deal of friction. He will have to work to remind himself why he’s doing what he does and what it means to him, and whether or not becoming a vampire is truly what he wants.
But, there is also the issue of Vlad’s telepathic manipulations. Is it possible that an encounter with Faust (and by extension, proximity to Vlad/meeting Vlad head-on) could result in Sebastian being turned/experimented on without his knowledge? I.e. Vlad using his compulsion and sending him home with a word or memory of what happened. Though that’s certainly not the only possible explanation available. The other thing I was thinking about was a mechanic that was introduced in event stories prior to Sebas’ MS announcement. In the event story, MC and her suitor of choice encounter a street merchant that boasts a serum that can turn people into vampires. They, of course, don’t believe him--but the vial is procured and MC either purposefully or accidentally is exposed to it (i.e she knocks it over and it shatters in Leo’s ES). For a brief time, she exhibits vampiric qualities; she feels the thirst for blood as acutely as any of the other vampires in the mansion. I.e. In Napoleon’s ES, Sebas notices something wrong with MC when they’re just pouring vials of Rouge--the usual prepwork--and she runs out of the room looking dazed. Her odd/new instincts are only alleviated when she bites and drinks Napoleon’s blood, but after that single episode she shows no further signs of vampiric qualities. It’s a temporary but acute transformation. While I have no specifics as to how this is possible, I have to wonder if something similar might be done to Sebastian; whether as a means to test him (does he really want this? find out after the commercial break) or a kind of trick/trap laid by the antagonists. I remain unsure, but these are the two most likely explanations that come to mind if he hasn’t been fully turned.
As to whether or not his vampirism will be permanent, I’ve genuinely been oscillating on that one. I think it’s certainly possible given his intrigue (I never see much fear in him) with vampirism and his probable enjoyment with the prospect of an endless life learning about things (I can literally hear Leonardo screaming internally and I’m ngl it’s sad and funny). But there’s also something about the bite CG that speaks to strain/alarm, to surprise--that he wasn’t at all aware of the changes within himself--and I have to wonder if it might put him off of the prospect (like that he lost control/hurt MC)...Essentially I think it will just really boil down to how the symptoms come about (temporary or permanent), and how much his affections for MC might deter that curiosity/possible wish (if temporary, he might not touch the prospect again--if permanent, THAT WOULD BE SO FUCKING SEXY BECAUSE I’d wager the rest of the route might be MC trying to help him adjust/recover IN A SEXY WAY).
(Note post-translation: I fucking HATE IT HERE. The bite CG text says smth to the effect of “The bloodlust is unbearable--stay away from me; I don’t think I’ll be able to keep from attacking you.”) In light of this information, I am this 👌 close to launching myself straight into the sun. OFC his route is gonna be sweet as all shit and then it’s just gonna go downhill from there with angst. WHYYYYYYYYYY AKIHIKO (at least his voice is mega sexy and heals my wounds OTL) It also says something about “a fate that is greatly moved” so that does suggest a more permanent change than the temporary alternatives I mentioned (though we all know how Cybird loves to jerk us around so I’m leaving that up for debate)...this shit better be hurt/comfort or i s2g im throwing hands
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA THE ANTICIPATION IS KILLING ME!!!!!!!
Here’s hoping he’ll make for a delightful surprise! I’m looking forward to it c:
#asks#ikevamp#ikemen vampire#ikevamp sebastian#ikevamp akihiko sato#ikevamp meta#bruh i woke up to so much yelling and im still reeling from the developments#hello????? sebas lookin tender AND sexy and im ngl i am v much here for it my ass pass is SHAKING#i genuinely didn't think i'd be this curious/intrigued but now that i saw the introduction vid im just#👉👈 i am looking RESPECTFULLY#man im quaking i guess its time to translate all the sebas stories i have and think about my hubris#like i thought sebas would be the whole 'you get a human suitor if you dont want the vampire stuff as much'#and so i was like#'i do not see my ass loves vampires too much for this'#but then he went vamp in the preview and im just YEAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!!!!!!! **RIPS SHIRT OPEN**#bruh this changes literally everything#come here you giant nerd and let me punch a whole straight through that v card#history aint got nothin on this dynamite [REDACTED]#rambles#anywho if you need me ill be replaying the vid over and over again#ty cybird for sparing some serotonin in these trying times LMAO
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Kopper Legacy Generation 3 HEIR POLL!
Since all three members of Generation 3 have reached adulthood, it’s time to let them argue their case! I’ve decided to cut the middle man and just host the debate here on Tumblr. VOTE LINK BELOW!
In chronological order, eldest child Solara Kopper has the floor. Solara?
Solara: Listen. We all know I’m the best choice for heir, and by Watcher, haven’t I earned it? I’m practically there already. I have an extremely achievable LTW, a triple-bolt fiancé lined up and ready to start on the fourth generation, and I’m planning on working myself into an early grave you won’t have to put up with me after I stop being interesting.
Solara: Imagine for a moment you do err and vote for one of my sisters. Who? The utterly forgettable Evara whose most interesting trait is the day of the year she happened to be born on? Lunara, whose irresponsibility and ineptitude lead to the untimely death of an innocent mail carrier? Do you trust either of these women with YOUR entertainment?
Solara: And I know what you’re thinking; “Isn’t this an awful like Aunt Erika’s platform when she campaigned for heir? Didn’t she LOSE that candidacy?” And that’s where you’re wrong. I will NEVER lose where Aunt Erika failed because I am so much better than her in every way.
I know it’s drama you really want from a Legacy, you insatiable clowns, but did she really think a few torrid affairs would be enough to feed you? HAH! My drama will include, but not be limited to, throwing hands with anyone who crosses me, and I am extremely easy to cross. I WILL rain terror down on these fools with my surprisingly small yet precise fists. Just ask Lunara. She’ll tell you. I rest my case.
A... terrifying but assuredly sincere campaign from Solara which seems to pivot entirely on threats of bodily harm? Interesting strategy.
Speaking of Lunara, the middlest middle child to ever middle now has the floor.
Lunara: R-right! Thank you, Watcher. Um, first, I would just like to clarify that I definitely did not kill anybody, ever, and any postal service workers who may or may not have died have absolutely no relation to me! I’m sure it’s a terrible tragedy, but I really couldn’t be considered accountable! At all! I certainly don’t feel unfathomable guilt from the burden of a Sim’s life in my hands! Thank you.
... Is that your whole speech?
Lunara: OH! Right! Ahem. Uh, I believe that, firmly believe, that I would, um, be the best Heir, because, um, I will be the most interesting choice, because a lot of my decisions have very interesting outcomes, and I would for sure make the prettiest babies, because look at me.
Lunara: Do- I ask you, viewers at home, do you want to see someone win every fight? Or do you love to watch people lose? Because I know how to make losing look good. I know you don’t tune in to every update to read about how much money we’ve earned or how many points we get. You want to see us SUFFER, and I have a lot of experience in that field. Just ask Solara. Okay, thanks! And again, Not A Murderer!
Not the first time we’ve heard this platform before, but it’s definitely never been truer. Evara?
Evara: ...
... Evara? Are you going to load up your presentation?
Evara: Hm? Wait, you really expected me to make one? What for?
... To... try and convince the readers to vote for you...?
Evara: But you see... I don’t need to. I already know they will.
Evara: Let’s face it; I’m the best choice- no, the ONLY choice, and everyone else knows it, too. I’m a [checks writing on hand] Farnily Sim, so I’ll make a great mother, why not. To children who will all have the chance to inherit these stunning cheekbones (notice how I pose at a thoughtful angle). And my one Nice Point combined with maximum Playfulness ensures there will be no end to the drama I can unfold. I have no ethics, meaning the viewer doesn’t need to feel sympathy for me in the unlikely event some tragedy should befall me, so whether I fail or succeed my life should provide equally stimulating.
Evara: I promise to usher in an era of such bourgeois opulence even by this family’s standards that it will inspire awe, envy, and hate. Come, peasants! Live vicariously through me and relish the possibility of my failure! Also I make a very good mac ‘n’ cheese if anyone’s hungry.
She doesn’t. But a rousing speech!
That’s it! All three Gen 3 candidates have spoken their piece, and now you must decide who to vote for! Remember, in addition to being the one to usher in Generation 4 and inherit the Kopper Legacy, the winning candidate will renovate the Kopper mansion in their own image. Cuprum will also get a makeover per the winner’s tastes.
But you can vote for whoever you like! Vote based on aesthetic, vote based on these speeches, vote by clicking randomly with wild abandon. The poll will stay open until I finish the next update (whenever that may be) so have fun!
(Also, if you’d like a quick refresher to compare their stats, here are their trading cards:
Solara Kopper | Lunara Kopper | Evara Kopper)
VOTE BELOW!
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PN6T965
#sims legacy#sims 2 legacy#the kopper legacy#the kopper legacy generation 3#heir poll#this is why I bumped the last update btw LOL
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Ah. What a game this has been so far.
Now I had a million thoughts I wanted to share as this played out, lord knows I’ll forget a good portion of them but that’s the nature of my own ineptitude- plenty of things I’ll remember MILES after this post or only if prompted in a specific way and that’s just how it is.
To start- this isn’t the end of DQ11 for the blog just yet. I usually don’t dive into post game unless it feels right or people ask and I’m convinced- and more or less both happened this time. It does feel right- I have definite goals I want to tackle before saying I’m happy with what I did here- and more than one person has mentioned that the post game is worth touching so I’ll be doing that.
Also, for those unfamiliar with my long winded utter mess of a finale post style I go for- this is a lot of rambling as I try my best to touch on my thoughts on the game overall because I like to share. Feel free to just press “J” on your keyboard and skip right passed this- I know **I** struggle to focus my eyes to read long winded posts so I won’t blame you.
Also also, in order to try and spark some of those thoughts I had during this recording the first bit is gonna be me re-watching it as I wait on the video to finish processing and saying what comes up.
To start- really wish there was a save point there lol. I get that it’s a painfully easy backtrack to the save point at the start of the castle- but still, I like convenience.
The Dark Lord’s first form is a huge step up from his form before absorbing Yggdrasil and this first form fight was fun and had me itching to say some good things about it but honestly? I want to save praise for the fight that deserves it- phase 2.
PHASE TWO THOUGH!? GOD TIER RPG FIGHT.
I’ve seen better, sure, but come on, we’ve ALL seen better at all times on all things especially considering preferences coming into it- this was a 10/10 boss fight, top to bottom.
Design? Beautiful. Even continued the DQ obsession with puns with his tail being Mordragon, that is so PERFECT so ‘chef kiss’ flawless and it’s just a name. I LOVE how he looks. I LOVE how he moves around the arena changing which head you’re facing.
I love how each had different strengths to contend with (which I abruptly fucked up, don’t call me out, I’ll prove I know what was going on right here and right now-). The dragon had strong melee and breath attacks while the dark lord himself had magic aplenty.
I even utilized swapping out for the first time ever not because I hadn’t seen the value beforehand (I’ve spoken on how interesting a strategic option it was seeing as every unit has unique moves to bring to the table and it costs nothing but ATB for that unit to do).
Now, I fucked that up, but I did it purely because this is the first fight up to this point that felt right to do so. It’s the first time the tactical value of switching out to buff defenses with Hendrik outvalued ignoring that option and maintaining my ATB on whomever I would switch out. THAT FELT SO GOOD! And then I let my braindead fingers buff defense on a magic phase and you see the point. It was brilliant but I was not!
I did end up ignoring the option after a few turns not because the value wasn’t there, but because he ALSO spams stat neutralizing moves which made me reconsider focusing so heavily on buffs and instead focusing on maintaining steady heals (mostly with Hustle dance).
This fight? Beautiful. I loved every second of it. I loved adjusting my playstyle on the fly, I loved finding my footing. I just loved it.
Beyond that- the ending. I got a chuckle out of how abrupt the credits come in. It seems to wind up for an end sequence only for Erik to say “Well, let’s go home” and it cuts to the credits- but THEN the credits ARE the end sequence so it wasn’t ACTUALLY as abrupt as it seemed, but it got a laugh out of me.
Now those credit scenes? I’m a sucker for games that make you fall in love with the characters and this was an ending catering to those characters. Not too much to say outside of “I was smiling the entire time” which is true.
There were a couple moments in that sequence that I said aloud “JUST HUG HIM YOU COWARD” to various characters, like Hero and Rab, or the two dorks (hero and Gemma), etc.
And they played on the mystique of the post game’s content well enough to pull people in I’d say- certainly more than what I recall DQ8 doing with the dragon trials.
I am probably wrong, but I recall the game drawing next to no attention to that post game content aside from a few moments in the game dragging you to the location only to not let you access it (hinting at more being there).
Anyway.
Honestly, after rambling about the video itself I feel a lot of what I wanted to say about DQ11 was said during the playthrough just fine. I rarely feel that way.
DQ11 was fun.
As a DQ fan, you can best believe I had fun.
As a stick in the mud who is disillusioned toward the game industry and doesn’t like a lot of the filth that accumulates within it- I obviously have a few negative thoughts on the game, but there really aren’t perfect games so much as perfect experiences based on how it affected you.
And I’ve voiced those annoyances plenty I think. For completion sake there are cut corners on animations that seem off when other places have a ton of attention to detail, that’s like bottom rung “I don’t actually give a shit” stuff though.
The bigger problems were Sugiyama is a horrible piece of human garbage and the game is lesser because of his influence on it. There are plenty of reasons behind that both big and small. Big- it feels gross having a human shitsack touching this game after having been so vocal for years- there are replacements at the ready and we still have his LGBT hating, war crime denying fingers handling the music? Shameful.
Small (but man did it fucking suck) being that every five minutes I was annoyed at the music in this game. It sounds Bad. And I mean both orchestral and midi, it’s not great compared to anything he made before for DQ, but the fact that it’s midi in this is EAR BLISTERING.
I’m not one to listen close to most music while playing for whatever reason- and I admit that knowing who’s responsible is half of why my ears tuned it in instead of tuning it out, but man I couldn’t help it and it sucks.
The same 3 second ear rattling loops are ALL OVER THE PLACE. Grandiose moments are cut short by bland midi tunes. MAIN STORY MOMENTS ARE LACKING MUSIC ALTOGETHER FOR SOME REASON? When the hero gets the flute and plays it for the first time it just DIDN’T MAKE A NOISE? Subsequent uses of the flute made a noise, but not the main first cutscene?
It’s a whole thing.
And don’t make me get that dirty capitalist pain in my chest over the fact the S version was released 2 months after this and includes so much content that SCREAMS “This already existed and we diced and quartered it specifically to create the illusion of ‘value’ for this release”. Disgusting, man. :/
Gameplay wise, the biggest complaint I have is so loaded and half hearted but I have to say it anyway.
DQ is good because it’s simple.
DQ can also be a little lacking because it’s simple.
This was the second most fun I’ve had playing a main series DQ game (DQIII just hits right), and it definitely has better gameplay (so my opinion is subjective) than the one I prefer to this. But it was also a bit too simple... But you can’t change that and be DQ, it’s complicated.
To just say it- other than the final boss every encounter was a bit too easy. And I know I overlevel, I know that’s the point, I know there’s a hard mode modifier- I KNOW, but the final boss was REALLY GOOD AND still not too hard, so the fact that most every other encounter did the minimum or the minimum +1 is a little tiny (just a bit) disappointing because the gameplay could have been that much better.
But. That could just be my head spinning tales and being a biased asshole especially since I’m not offering any solution here and I’m admitting it’s both “better than my favorite gameplay in the main series” and “probably can’t be made more involved without losing DQ simplicity”.
But I’d kill for some different or new systems on top of this- dual and triple techs from Chrono instead of RNG pep, bosses with more varied strategies instead of “stun 2-3 and do raid wide attack”.
A reason to care about elemental damage (both incoming and outgoing), plenty of little things that would just make the already solid as hell combat more interesting to participate in.
Story was honestly fantastic. I didn’t know how I was going to end that until I just let it come. It was. This is the best DQ story thus far, and not to limit it to that scope- this was a GOOD DAMNED STORY overall and I’ve played a fuckload of games with good stories.
Before this I was a sucker for the original trilogy’s overarching story, which is unfair because that’s 3 games and that’s an old story and it’s only “good” because it’s unprecedented. But this is just plain great.
It writes such beautiful characters- it tackles a variety of conflicts both big and small- you have Sylv and his dad, you have a possessed king declaring his daughter Jade dead and Jade knowingly betraying him without knowing he’s possessed, you have Erik giving up on life and only putting himself so deeply into this adventure as a means of escape, you have Hendrik’s loyalty being- I can’t pretend Hendrik fits in he’s fucking stupid and needs to ask questions because loyalty for the sake of loyalty isn’t interesting at all lol.
You have Rab believing the world is doomed and doing all he can with Jade up until they find you are alive. You have the INCREDIBLE story of Veronica and Serena- you have all these intensely lovable and understandable characters (and Hendrik) and the story is so much more about them than just about the dark lord and the hero.
It’s so much more about each of their conflicts and growth because all of that is HOW the hero will defeat the dark lord.
It’s just so much more... investing than any of the stories I’ve had in DQ before and strong as hell amongst stories beyond just DQ.
I loved this. It was emotional at times, it was downright depressing at times which I wouldn’t expect DQ to successfully hit, it was downright rewarding getting to know these characters and I feel fantastic having beaten this.
This game is fucking good. I finally understand why some people have told me this is their favorite DQ now. It... yeah I think it might be mine too.
I’d be much more likely to revisit DQ3 than this because it’s shorter and has a specific kind of RPG (class based with freely recruited partners instead of named party members) I find more fun to revisit, but yeah, I think I agree.
I think for main-series DQs this is it, this is my favorite. It has to be, right? It’s got so many INCREDIBLE story moments and it’s pretty and it plays great- yeah. Hell, Sylvando as a character and Serena and Veronica’s arc BY THEMSELVES convince me of that.
Still got nothing on DWM and DWM 2 on the GBC, WOOOOT! Didn’t expect this post to divert from a serious closing thoughts (despite there being a few more posts to come) topic to posting this did you?
Behold the true faces of DQ perfection.
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The Climactic Fight of Saturnine
Spoilers, obviously
* * *
Two Termite wrecks smouldered in Mortalis Kappa, surrounded by the corpses of the Sons of Horus they had tried to deliver. Haar left his men checking for survivors, and walked through the arch into Mortalis Lambda, where another Termite wreck lay surrounded by a ring of black-armoured dead. Garro was standing with Bel Sepatus. The two kill squads, along with Garro’s remnants, had combined to meet the three simultaneous incursions.
They had been mercilessly precise.
‘One hundred and seventy-five kills,’ said Haar with a grin. ‘Biggest haul yet, and only nine of ours lost. You know, I wish I was able to see the dismay on their damn faces as they stepped into your sights.’ He paused. ‘What?’ he asked.
Sepatus was listening to his link.
‘There’s a stray one,’ Garro said to Haar. ‘Got through into operations. Trickster is assigning a kill team.’
‘Just one?’ rumbled the Riven Hound.
‘Mournival,’ said Garro.
‘Even so,’ Haar said. ‘He can’t get far. He might as well be dead already.’
Sepatus looked at them. ‘I have requested we be permitted to deploy and join the hunt,’ he said.
‘And?’ asked Haar. ‘I fancy getting some Mournival red on my fist.I hear they make the effort worthwhile.’
Garro snorted.
‘I am waiting for Trickster to give the word,’ said Sepatus, glancing at them both with a lofty air. ‘If the main board remains clear of target tracks for another five minutes-
‘The bang of decompression drowned out his next words. They were bathed in frosty light.
Sons of Horus snapped solid out of the air all around them, in the midst of the two kill teams, throughout Kappa and Lambda.
Cataphractii. First Company. One hundred brothers of the infamous Justaerin Terminator section, the most feared and notorious warrior elite of the XVI.
One hundred warriors, and First Captain Abaddon.
Havoc ignited.
* * *
* * *
The battle in Kappa and Lambda zones never left the limits of those joined killing chambers. It lasted thirteen minutes. It was close, tight-packed, immediate, with no cover and no room for evasion: the Justaerin, regarded as the most mercilessly able of the Sons of Horus, a legacy that had been remarkable even in the time of the Luna Wolves, against the Praetorian’s two hand-picked kill teams.
There was no quarter. No limit. No hope that any of them would walk away unscathed. The kill teams fought for Terra, and for honour, driven by a deep hatred and long-held yearning for vengeance against those who had betrayed them. Abaddon and the Justaerin personified that.
The Justaerin and their First Captain abandoned any dreams of glory or famous victory within nanoseconds of arriving. They could plainly see their gambit had failed. The loyalists had outplayed them, and were waiting for them. The exhilarating promise of their ruse had evaporated.
They fought for nothing more complicated than survival.
Mutually assured surprise. Mutually assured destruction. An instantaneous orgy of raw and savage killing.
There was no range of any sort. Warriors found themselves pressed together, face to face. Weapons blazed anyway, in circumstances that the doctrines of any Legion, no matter their methodology, would have ruled for close-quarter combat. Bolters roared, point-blank, detonating men whose physical debris injured those around them like shrapnel. Plasma weapons and bulk lasers blasted against plate, their scorching beams passing through two or more bodies at a time. Assault cannons were pressed to faces or the sides of heads, and fired. An entire quarter of Kappa was filled with fire, as a flamer gouted in the thick of a throng. Space Marines died standing up, Cataphractii plate locked out, frozen like smashed statues. Space Marines died explosively, burst apart with such force only scraps of them remained.
The Justaerin quickly tried to dominate through the brute power of their Terminator exo-plate, swinging demolishing fists and scything blades at anything and everything, overpowering and smashing legionaries in more conventional suits of warplate. Heads crushed, limbs snapped, bodies tore. Some warriors died from three or even four simultaneous blows from as many opponents.
But the kill teams had the likes of Garro among them, with Liber-tas, which could cut anything, and Haar, whose size and power fist wrecked Terminator panoply like foil. They had Bel Sepatus, and his avenging Katechon Paladins, who did not flinch, and who had longed for a worthy combat.
Bel Sepatus, in the thick of everything, believed he had found the glory his genesire had predicted. He killed two Justaerin Terminators in the first second and a half with the gleaming edge of Parousia.
Abaddon killed with astonishing speed and meticulous efficiency. For the first minute of the fight, he merely tried to centre his thoughts and reconcile the sudden reverse of fortune. For the next three, he began to believe the Justaerin could prevail. They were the Justaerin, after all. They were the best of the best, Angels of Death beyond compare. They had never failed. They had never been overcome. There was no stage of war on which they could not triumph. He began to calculate the logistics: how they would break out, where they would go, how they would secure, what the next step would be. Into the Palace, into the Sanctum Imperialis. Divide up, run terror strikes to damage the citadel. Conduct solo missions. It would take time for Dorn and Valdor to run them all to ground in a maze like the Palatine. Perhaps the original spearhead mission was doomed, for none of them could reach the Throne Room alone, but there were other plans they could improvise. Other targets. The Sigillite. Valdor. Dorn. Bhab and the Grand Bastion.
By the fourth minute, he had decided on the aegis. There was no question. That should be their target. They would break clear, leaving this rabble dead in their wake, and bring the aegis down. That would be enough. That would end the Siege of Terra. The Palace would be open to bombardment from the fleet. Great Lupercal would raze it from orbit. The Vengeful Spirit would send down monumental beams of high energy, and annihilate the Palatine and the Throne within.
In the fifth minute, Urran Gauk was decapitated by one of the Katechon. Abaddon quickly hacked the killer apart, but the loss was psychological. His schemes seemed to recede, like ghosts, like dreams departing at sunrise. His vision of the Palatine bombarded and ablaze grew distant, and smaller, and out of reach.
In the sixth minute, killing without pause, Abaddon began to re-evaluate. The skill and tenacity, the rationally brilliant approach to warfare that had carried him every step of his long career, and made him First Captain of the finest company in the finest Legion, the first among firsts, a name taken seriously by even primarch genesires, centred him like an axis. They were cornered. They were trapped. They were being killed by the dozen. Not even the Justaerin, not even they, could prevail. Loyalist reinforcements would be coming. Even if they killed every last bastard in the chambers, their hope was dashed.
He voxed retreat to his surviving men. Activate homing beacons and get out. Pull back to the Mantolith. Retreat now.
Yes, the Sons of Horus were not above that. They were wise warriors, not fools. They knew to read the flow of a fight and act accordingly. They were no good to anyone dead. Damn the Imperial Lists and their simplistic ‘no backward step’. Only a fool never took a backward step. The Sons of Horus were more like the barbarian White Scars. Those heathen primitives got that much right, at least. ‘Withdraw to advance’. There was always another day, and that other day might bring victory instead. If you stood your ground like a yellow-armoured fool, you couldn’t live to see it.
By the seventh minute, Abaddon realised he was going to die.
They had sent the homing signal repeatedly. Once every three seconds, standard protocol. Extraction ordered, urgent.
No flare had come.
Their signal might have been blocked. The Mantolith might have withdrawn from teleport range. No, the damn thing’s grid had jammed. That was it. Abaddon could picture it, the filthy tech-adept scum, frantically scurrying around the Termite cabin, trying to repair a burned out grid, his beacon signal flashing on their consoles. The teleport had failed so many damn times on the approach. The magi had blamed it on bedrock, on energy obstruction, on everything but themselves.
It was their own shoddy, miserable incompetence. They’d barely managed to get Abaddon and his men to the target. Now the inadequate bastards couldn’t get them back out.
In the eighth minute, Abaddon decided that if he ever got out, if he did manage that somehow, he would track down Eyet-Good-For-Nothing-One-Tag, and kill her. He would kill her and her whole shitting linked unity at the Epta war-stead for their ineptitude. He would hack off their hands and feet, and load them into a teleport grid, and transfer them, unprotected, into hard vacuum. Or the heart of a star. Or on an unset, diffuse pattern so the organic drizzle of their remains rained down over multiple sites at once.
By the ninth minute, bleeding from a dozen wounds, two of them critical, he had resolved to kill the Lord of Iron too. If he got out. In that dream of escape. He would find the great Perturabo and kill him. This had been his great idea. Perturabo had seen the flaw, the Saturnine fault. He had toyed with it, cooed over it, revealed it to Abaddon furtively, like some pornographic image. He had gulled Abaddon into this. He’d used the First Captain, with his reputation, and his authority, and his unrivalled connections. He had used Abaddon to make this happen. Perturabo, damn his soul, had played First Captain Ezekyle Abaddon like a fool. He had tempted him with glory, made him feel smart and noticed, preened his ego. Made him feel like it was all his big, clever idea. The bastard had even made Abaddon beg him to let him do it. The Lord of Iron, lord of shit, had manipulated Abaddon into using his influence to draw resources from the Sons of Horus, coerce the Emperor’s Children into playing along, broker the help of the Mechanicum. He’d made Abaddon do all the work and take the credit, so if it failed – if it failed – if it failed like it was failing now, Abaddon would be to blame.
Perturabo had deniability if it turned to shit. Perturabo could claim ignorance if three companies of the Sons of Horus, including the elite, not to mention how damn many of the Emperor’s Children, failed to return.
In death, Abaddon would be blamed for the disaster, and his memory dishonoured. In death, he would be disgraced. Called overreaching. Called ‘that fool Abaddon’.
Abaddon would find the Lord of Iron, in that dream escape from this hell-pit. He would annihilate those damned war-tometa with meltas. He would face Perturabo, and tear his skull off his spine, and ram the haft of Forgebreaker down the stump of his neck, and keep ramming it until the bastard’s body split like a rotten gourd.
In the tenth minute, Abaddon arrived at a point of calm. Of serenity. He accepted his onrushing death, which was surely only seconds away. It had become a game, a contest, like the old practice cages. How many of them could he kill before he was bested? Some? Most? All? Some were fine warriors. Sepatus, he was magnificent. Haar was a brute, but an interesting challenge. Garro… Abaddon fancied his own chances in an even match, but the man’s sword was a piece of work, and so was Garro’s skill with it.
He realised, as he killed, and killed, and killed, that he owed the Lord of Iron a genuine debt of gratitude. Abaddon was a warrior. He’d always been a warrior. It was his life. His purpose. He excelled at it. The warp was a distraction. It was just another weapon. Those who knelt before it and pledged their worship, treating it like some kind of god, they were fools. All of them. Magnus. Lorgar. Fulgrim. Fools. Horus was a fool. The warp was nothing.
Being a warrior was everything. It defined him. The skill of combat. The lessons of defeat. The joy of triumph. That was his sacrament. Let them worship their false gods and giggling abominations. This was what he had wanted. The chance to fight, like a man, not a daemon. The chance to take the Palace, and claim Terra, the old-fashioned way. By force of arms.
He had wanted to win as a warrior. Perturabo had let him try. He owed the Lord of Iron thanks for that.
This was everything, he realised, as he entered the eleventh minute, with almost everyone dead. This moment. Its simplicity. Skill and courage, tested to the limit, for no other reason, to serve no grand plan or devious ruse… just tested for the sake of skill and courage.
This moment was his life in its purest form. His life distilled. He fought Katechon, and Imperial Fists, and Blackshields, and Cataphractii Terminators, and Tactical Space Marines, for no other principle than to find out who was best. There were no sides. No good or bad. No rebel cause or loyalist alliance. No Warmaster. No Emperor. No point to anything outside the broken, blood-smeared walls of the killing chamber.
Just war. Only war. The binary test of the galaxy, that you passed in triumph, or failed in glory.
Death, rushing closer, was immaterial.
How many could he take? How many more times could he prove his prowess?
He was Abaddon. Let them come. Let them all come. Find more, and bring them too. Bring anyone. Bring everyone.
He would take them. Or he would die. Either way. It didn’t matter any more.
In the twelfth minute, Nathaniel Garro reached him, cleaving through one last Justaerin to close with him. They duelled, blade into blade, munitions long since exhausted. Garro was good. His sword was remarkable. He dealt Abaddon two wounds that would have killed lesser men. He drove Abaddon back, boxing him against the chamber’s ancient wall. Good tactics, but a mistake. When Abaddon pivoted, it was Garro who found himself boxed, his back to the stone. Abaddon threw a punch that smashed Garro against the wall. The man slumped, dazed, chestplate cracked. Abaddon swung to finish him.
Bel Sepatus blocked his descending blade. Sepatus. Now, a proper test. A dance of equals that carried them into the thirteenth and final minute of the fight. Their blades clashed and parried with such speed. It was joyful. The Blood Angel was amazing. The deftness of his skill, the precision of his strokes, the intensity of his address. Sepatus produced nuanced swordplay that Abaddon could barely turn back. There were skills here to learn, tricks to appreciate and copy. And the Kheruvim’s attack was absolute. A miraculous degree of murderous focus.
Abaddon was sorry to kill him.
His blade cut Sepatus in half.
The Riven Hound slammed Abaddon into the wall. Bricks shattered. Abaddon fell bones break and organs rupture. Haar was size and brute strength. There was no skill to speak of. Just beautiful fury, like one of Russ’ pack-dogs, or Angron’s thug Kham. A wall of strength that crushed everything before it. The Blackshield had him by the throat. Haar took six or seven of Abaddon’s kill-thrusts in the belly and chest, and refused to die. Just refused. His strength seemed to grow as the blood wept out of him. Haar’s power fist, like a siege ram, hammered at Abaddon’s head until his helmet broke and deformed, and Abaddon’s face was a mess of gore.
One more like that. One more and it’s done.
But Haar was a dead weight, pinning him to the wall. Abaddon’s blade had found Haar’s throat and slid in, up into the brain, and out through the back of the Riven Hound’s head.
Abaddon couldn’t move. He could barely see. Endryd Haar’s dead mass was slumped against him, crushing him against the wall. Abaddon tried to get free. There wasn’t time.
Garro was back on his feet. That sword of his, gleaming.
Garro raised it.
This was it then.
One downward slash from a sword whose edge cut everything. This was it.
Abaddon wanted it to never end. Ever. Ever.
The end came anyway.
* * *
Garro lowered Libertas.‘No!’ he yelled. ‘No!’ He punched the wall.
* * *
Haar’s enormous corpse shifted and fell away as the teleport flare faded.
‘My lord!’ the Mechanicum adepts cried. ‘My lord!’
They carried him to the arrestor seats, and tried to peel the bloody visor of his helm away without taking his face with it.All the other seats in the Mantolith’s compartment were empty.
‘We tried,’ a magos said. The grid… We had to reposition the Termite to fire the grid again. It took time. I am sorry.’
Abaddon murmured something.
‘What is he saying?’ the magos asked.
‘We are returning,’ one of the others told Abaddon eagerly. ‘Full rate. The motivators are running. We are exiting the fault, lord, ahead of the enemy’s attempt to seal it. The medicae will be waiting for you.’
Abaddon’s mouth stirred again.‘My lord?’ the magos asked, leaning in to hear.
‘Let me go back…’ Abaddon whispered. He was weeping. ‘Let me go back…’
* * *
Saturnine by Dan Abnett
#Saturnine#Dan Abnett#spoiler#spoilers#I love abaddon so much#I love this SO much#dan abnett is a genius and a heartbreaker#so good#wh30k#wh40k#horus heresy#Siege of Terra#ezekyle abaddon#abaddon the despoiler#this is where the black legion really starts in the lore#my life for the true warmaster
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Hi, I wanted to ask about your magical boy oc's ability. His power sounds like a copy of Ui's (no offense) and it doesn't really make much sense to me given his backstory? Like, how does he get that ability when he didn't make the contract? How does the sibyl's wish and contract decide what powers he gets? I'm sorry if I asked too much but it kinda bugged me as a fan of the series' lore cuz I don't think it works that way
I’ve noticed that, and it could be because of how I’ve written it on his bio. I might have to go back and rewrite it to better clarify the differences and make it less confusing ^^;
Soma’s power is kinda similar to Ui’s but not exactly as they work differently. This is a bit long so I’ll put the rest under the “keep reading” tag for those who don’t care about OC stuff. But for those who care about lore and theory rambling, I recommend you read and discuss/debate with me:
In the way that I understand Ui’s ability (and someone please correct me if I’m wrong), is that she harvests/collects impurities automatically and from any kind of source, from Witches to soul gems (even cleaning them.) And as far as I can tell she can also gather other, non-tainted magic around herself too(?) and weaponize both of them as her own.
Basically Ui is like a living grief seed and ultimately a (magic) sponge.
Soma’s ability on the other hand is repressing/rebounding impurities, like how’d you stretch and pull back a rubber band or slingshot as far as possible before releasing it. He can’t automatically collect impurities like she can and his sources are limited. He can only get it from either a Witch or Familiar and he has to kill it first in order to use its impurities as ammo, after which it either gets stored in his body by default or (if he wills it) his weapon. And after that he can dispel it all at any time as an explosion.
The catch is his ineptitude at fighting and because, like Kyoko, he is subconsciously rejecting his own power in relation to a memory of it and can’t control it very well.
Both have issues trying to control their powers and run the risk of turning into a Witch when they get overwhelmed by all the impurities because of it, but Ui has the virtue of being in Kamihama’s Doppel barrier to keep herself from witching out (and after the events of Arc 1 she’s got everything under control now it seems.)
Soma doesn’t have that luxury unfortunately (since he’s far off in another city I made up), but he can lessen the blow to his soul gem if he releases the impurities before it really starts to taint him completely or use it in tandem with his other power to create Witches. And that cleans his soul gem afterwards but still leaves him extremely exhausted due to the stress it induces on him. Naturally he can’t control this power either.
tl;dr Ui is a harvester, Soma is a rebounder
And as for how and why Soma has these powers specifically from the Sibyl’s wish...I can’t quite answer that yet because I haven’t finished making the girl’s design and her backstory. For now I’ll elaborate on this:
A wish making someone else into a magical girl/boy/whatever isn’t actually something that’s happened before in the series’ canon at this time. We have all of these instances of girls making wishes that affect others, but it hasn’t ever really been addressed what happens if one wishes specifically for someone else to be bounded to Kyubey’s contract regardless if they have the potential or not. It’s a pretty fascinating concept that I wanted explore.
My closest understanding of the result is through Kyoko’s wish and how it affected her father. Her wish inadvertently resulted in her father gaining an actual power to make people listen to anything he says, which drove him mad since he was pretty much forcing people to listen with magic and couldn’t turn it off. Kyoko got enchantment magic out of the contract and can make illusions, which bewitches people all the same.
So the powers Soma got are based on the original contractee’s wish, whatever that may be.
Of course a wish that makes someone else into a magical girl/boy/whatever is a lot more complicated than something like Kyoko’s wish, especially with how it’s worded and the consequences it brings since you’re effectively changing someone else’s fate to that of yours without taking into account their own karmic potential.
While I can’t say exactly what the wish was that made Soma the way he is, it does provide a lot of questions and unfortunate implications of what it could’ve been that lead to a normie not only being bounded to the system, but also have powers that make everything much more worse for him and everyone else. That and whether he consented to it or not.
End of my insane lore, theory and OC rambling~
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Lies and Yo yos
First of all a simple truth. The Donor class doesn’t care about you. Not a bit. And this includes many on up the economic ladder, they even consider the upper middle class their serfs. So why do you keep supporting politicians who put them first?
Sure it is obvious the Republicans do, but the Democrats cannot be too smug. They do, but play the game of putting band-aids on cancerous pus filled wounds that need surgery. Don’t believe me. Then why after decades of people being killed by police officers are we just now getting police reform on the national level. Only because there are enough voices for the moment to make them act like they are doing something. Otherwise the special interests that support them will be back in charge soon. Same for tea party Republicans, and they even got a good chunk of people elected that said they were for them. Now in 2020, the elites still get what they want and the rest of us get squat. Quit being lied to and start really looking to make changes by how we are represented and who is representing us.
And more specifically for the lies, I present to you Governor Abbott of Texas. If there was ever someone trying to figure out the backstroke in one moment, it is our illustrious Governor. Boy he was so ready to get us all back to work, (donor class puppet), we needed to save the economy, didn’t even come close to following the CDC guidelines for when you should open. Stuck a can opener in our backends and opened away. Now the one moral cell in his body discovered that people are going to start dying here pretty quick if something isn’t done so he goes out and starts whining no one is doing what they are suppose to do by wearing their masks and washing their hands. He could have put into place a whole host of requirements for public interaction, but no! Again the puppet of the donor class pushed forward as fast as he could attempting to look like he was being responsible. Heck no, we were just about full throttle on Memorial Day weekend, now we are going into the Fourth of July and he is attempting to put the bottle back in the genie by whining about the masks and limiting large gatherings to less than a hundred people. Oh what a man of action. Hypocrite! He still wants us open, but that one moral cell in his body apparently won’t shut up and he is stuck looking at himself in the mirror realizing thousands if not more Texans are going to blame him for the deaths of their family members. And rightfully so. He could have waited one more month and our economy could have slowly unwound itself over the summer, but no, money was more important, the donors were more important than common sense, factual reason and that one pesky thing called people’s lives.
And so Up and down, up and down goes the Yo yo. What our wonderful donor class and elitists do not realize is not everyone wants to be like them, nor care about them. And on a side note why should we care about them, they obviously do not care about us. Anyway their self absorption precludes them from realizing this virus is not going to go away just because they want to make money, nor do they understand that the rest of us do not want to die for their profits. Historically all the serf classes have never done too much about anything till things get desperate the then the true chaos erupts. I prefer a stable society so my anger is pretty high right now. If the elitists keep up their antics the vast majority of us serfs will begin to see the errors and make changes on their own. Again I do not want this, but my state university education seems to have given me a better understanding of world history than all those dollars spent at Ivy League schools earned for their alumni. Sooner or later the serfs reach a breaking point and change happens and it has never been pleasant. This is why I prefer our Constitution, a strong middle class, and a government that represents the whole of the populace. Helps to keep things balanced and peaceful. Now though the elitists need to sue their over priced universities because they sure haven’t learned anything about history. This pandemic may or may not be the straw that breaks the camel’s back, but it wouldn’t surprise me if it does. I do not like ugly.
And speaking of yo yos, because of the ineptitude of our state leadership and national leadership, I have noticed this reopening of our economy is creating a very different dynamic for the working class and this is going to get worse. For example all the restaurants opened and can seat up to 50%, but oops all the employees have Covid 19 so they close for a few days then reopen, and then it will begin again. Young people hang out together so they will be passing it through a massive amount of social groups as they go back and forth among themselves so they will pass it forward which will cause more employees somewhere in some business to get another business infected and hence closed for a few days. And then they reopen and the cycle starts all over. We just cannot sit in this midstream waiting for our government to do what is supposed to do and protect the people with rational planning. This yo yo will continue to go up and down, up and down, till we find real leadership to give us a plan to get through the rest of the summer and beyond.
Stay safe folks, we need you.
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I think I have to disagree with Nitro about controls being a factor in the horror of horror games. I don’t think frustrating controls make a game more frightening. They make it more annoying.
Every game I’ve ever been afraid of has had smooth, intuitive controls that don’t try to hinder you. The horror came from everywhere else: the music, the art, the strength of the opponent, the story, etc. It feels legitimate when I can control my response to those things on my own. My character tripping and staying on the ground for 4 hours while the monster runs up and kills them isn’t scary, because control was wrested from me in order to achieve that result. I had no input on what happened, and so immersion is broken. If I end up running against a wall or fumbling with menus in panic because of my own ineptitude, that’s a lot scarier because the ineptitude is entirely my fault.
It’s the same reason why sprint meters and shitty flashlights are so annoying in horror games. They aren’t realistic. They’re fake limiting factors intended to create fear, but are actually sources of frustration because they lead to deaths outside of your control.
I don’t know about other people, but when I’m angry, I’m not afraid of anything. That emotion overrides all others. The worst thing is to try and make me angry as some kind of gateway to fear. It kills all fear right on the spot.
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