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dungeons-and-dragon-age · 3 years

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About Me

Thanks @roguelioness and @best-of-the-vein for the tags!

1: Why did you choose your url?

Dunno honestly lmao it was a spur of the moment kind of thing. I had no idea for a fancy name (I am. very bad at naming things) so I was just like. "dnd is cool. Dragon Age is a dnd based. let's go with that." and that's all there is to it

2: Any side blogs? If you have them, name them and why you have them.

This is my side blog haha. Decided to make it cos I was (and still am) very deep in Dragon Age Hell and didn't want to spam my main blog with my shouting about it and rambling about my DA OCs 24/7

My main blog (which is @layalu) I started getting more active on because I was getting really fed up with deviantArt (they overhauled the site about a year ago and it's even more of a mess than it was before), and while I'm still on there too it's mostly just for one single ARPG, and even that is slowly transitioning to discord/their own website so who knows. I mean knowing me chances are I'll stay there anyway lol because yknow, sentimental attachment, but I think the switch to tumblr is gonna be more or less permanent. For now, at least

3: How long have you been on tumblr?

I joined in October 2017 but wasn't really active until April this year. Made this blog around the same time too. Tbh didn't expect that I'd stay active for more than like a month or so lmao

4: Do you have a queue tag?

Nope, still haven't gotten the hang of queues lol. I did try a few times but it's still really weird to me?? Sometimes I'll draft a thing I wanna reblog later and sometimes I make a mental note to reblog a thing which I forget 60% of the time, but mostly I'll just reblog things then and there when I'm online

5: Why did you start your blog in the first place?

Again, so I can have an outlet for (one of) my current obsession aka DA lmao. Didn't expect that I'd be this active, but the community is really kind and fun and that's what's been keeping me here. It's the first time that I've ever like. actually interacted with a fandom (usually I just stay in my own little corner and am very cautious about getting involved in fandom) but so far it's been pretty cool~

6: Why did you choose your icon/pfp?

I was really proud of that drawing and because I believe in Pink Flower Crown Bull supremacy

7: Why did you choose your header?

Originally screenshotted that loading screen in case I needed it for reference/lore theory notes later on and just thought it looked cool. Also the colours fit

8: What’s your post with the most notes?

https://dungeons-and-dragon-age.tumblr.com/post/651126014406197248/leliana-please-its-3am-people-are-trying-to this one (just barely beats the Bull one)! It blew up MUCH more than I expected, and I'm unironically glad that shitposts are are popular as ever lmao

9: How many mutuals do you have?

18 (about 12 are for this blog I think)~ I don't talk/interact with everyone yet, but yall are very cool! owo

10: How many followers do you have?

Almost 400 now, somehow??? Which is absolutely insane. I don't know how that happened and it's a bit scary because that is a lot of people (for me it is anyways), but I'm really grateful and flattered too!! <3

11: How many people do you follow?

61 :') I'm kinda picky about who I follow because I'm always very wary about how far I want to extend out into the reaches of the internet, especially in fandoms, and I'd rather have my small circle of people who I'm comfortable with. Much easier to stay out of drama and nasty places that way

12: Have you ever made a shitpost?

Pff yea. I'm more likely to reblog shitposts than make them myself though because I'm not the best shitposter lol, but you better bet I love me some good shitposts

13: How often do you use tumblr each day?

Depends? Probably comes down to like 1-2 hours most days, more when there's a lot of stuff to read or art to admire on my dash or I'm answering asks etc.. Usually I'll just check my notes every now and then in between doing things and maybe scroll through my dash, so I'm rarely on for long at a time.

14: Did you ever have a fight/argument with another blog once? Who won?

Nah. I don't have enough reach/contact for others to come and start arguments with me luckily, and I try to stay away from drama and fights myself. I'm not conflict avoidant and will debate/defend myself within reason if need be but I'd still rather the need for that doesn't arise at all. I'm just here to vibe, not to fight. Also like. not getting into fights really isn't that hard lol. Plus, everyone's been super nice so far so I don't think I'm gonna have beef with anyone any time soon.

15: How do you feel about “you need to reblog this” posts?

If you tell me "I need to reblog" I will not reblog on principle.

16: Do you like tag games?

Yea, they're fun! I'm always a bit insecure about tagging people myself (if I ever tag you and you'd rather not get tagged, please tell me!), but I always get excited when I get tagged haha

17: Do you like ask games?

Hell yeah! I'm not exactly a writer and I suck at explaining lol but I do still love an excuse to ramble! Huge shoutout to my mutuals who always send asks btw, you're awesome <33

18.Do you have a crush on a mutual?

Bruh I don't even get crushes on irl people lmao. I do really appreciate and admire my mutuals (and a whole bunch of people who aren't mutuals) though!! There are some I-think-you-are-very-cool-and-I-would-love-to-be-friends-but-you-feel-way-out-of-my-league kind of people though, if that counts haha

tagging @dumbassentity, @a-drama-addict, @nomouthtospeakof and @exotic-inquiry (again no pressure ofc!)

#about me #tag game #misc

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lunchador · 3 years

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so when do we get the long post about your feelings about dragon age inquisition!!! i dunno if u wanna wait until dlc or not! i am i n t e r e s t e d (also its ok if u dont feel up to it im just!!!! again, interested in ur opinions/feelings)

kajsldkjf PLEASE I HAVE SO MANY DA FEELINGS ALL THE TIME and Inquisition was twice as long as the others so might as well do a word vomit now and I can always do another after the dlc (which several people have assured me are worth playing )

Yeah so inquisition is long. I dislike open world games so a lot of the (super repetitive!!) side quests did grate on my nerves and that docks this game a few points but over all the LORE IS SO GOOD, and it tying in so many choices in from 1+2 is the greatest butterfly effect I ever experienced in video games. I thought telltale + Until dawn were fun for that but good LORD bioware has showed up all of those games and I am really stoked to try mass effect when its out later and play more bw games. I only played Anthem before this and that game seemed...idk, gutted against BW’s wishes.

ANYWAY

Yeah, I managed to go into the whole DA series knowing very, very little, despite how many artists I followed did fanart for it. Once I started playing, I added all the words I could think of to my blacklist but a lot of untagged stuff came through (fair, series is 10+ years old and inq is like what 4-5?). I allowed my friends to pressure me into playing an elf mage for the lore and to romance solas cuz they said he was as important to the story as alistair was. A lot of online followers said I should play how I wanted, which I def would recommend to anyone else, but honestly I can see where they came from and while he never would have been my first choice, I think he actually paired REALLY well with my Inq and how I was playing her. I put her as sensitive but trying to put her responsibility above herself, she was definitely the least funny of my 3 characters, but not incredibly serious. A bit reserved? Just more mature. She’s got faith but she didn’t think she was the chosen one but she’ll do her role the best of her ability. She makes hard decisions and then sobs her chest empty over them because how is one to ever feel like its the right one? I really like how the game lets you choose how you wanna approach the responsibility. Like i said, I wasn’t a reluctant chosen one, but she will do what she can. Versus my friend playing at the same time as me said he played as the second coming of jesus essentially lmfao Having so many characters come back for different roles was so GOOD!!! Like everyone told me Varric was in this one but were like ‘teehee you still cant romance him though’ but you how you play drastically changes your relationships with each person. Tons of characters I met I knew would be personal favorites but I ended up interacting way less because others were more fitting to my inquisitor. So i.e while I love Varric and would’ve smooched him a heartbeat with Hawke, I didn’t get that vibe with Clover. They were really good friends, he was a grounded friend with a sense of humor that was a good escape from everyone else and the ~inquisition~. At least, until the Beyond the Abyss quest. That obviously heavily fractured their friendship and hurt them both :( And i felt that for a long time, until the end. He looked tired. Poor guy is gonna be borderline dead in 4 at this point. But so many side characters you talk to coming back like Dagna and Samson??? Speaking of that quest, I got Stroud because, yeah...Alistair was dead for me and APPARENTLY IT COULD ALSO BE LOGHAIN??? If he stays a grey warden?? wish I did that so def would’ve preferred to save Hawke even if I think the wardens are more important as a concept but like.......i wanted to behead him, so....But yes even tiny details like..Varric wrote home to kirkwall to Carver for me because the rest of my family was dead and I never completed a full romance in 2 lkajslkdjf but the fact that changes based on your play through. BUT YEAH THE way this game weaves all your decisions in and how yeah, overall the story is the same but it makes it so personal to YOU and so different from everyone else ;w;

But I could see my Inq genuinely falling for Solas, and I see her best friends as Cassandra and Blackwall/Thom. Really close to Leliana and the Iron Bull as well. I just loved all their interactions. All the characters were so cool to get to know?? Like I thought I would’ve hated Cullen (hes a dick in O) and tbh I just got into the series as the VA was being a complete shit. But I liked him a lot!! I love the work buddies vibes between the Inq and the advisors. I thought I was going to love Sera!! And like, I did, but she hated my Inquisitor and their personalities clashed a lot. Shes the only one i didn’t get a cut scene for in the end :’) I loved coming back from story quests and having to take like 20 minutes to go around skyhold and make sure I talked to /everyone/ for their new dialogue. You genuinely feel connected to all these wonderful npcs ljkasljdf

I wanted to make Cassandra the new divine but I made leliana on accident and kinda dug it so I stuck with it. VARRIC IS THE NEW VISCOUNT??? h i l a r i o u s.

One of the things I loved the most in this game in particular, and while this is something in all of them it just really struck me in this one, was....everyone gave up so so much to devote themselves to the cause, y’know?? Like, it’s almost heartbreaking how much everyone loses and they’re still looking towards you with their belief and willingness to follow you to the end ;-;

The final fight almost felt, Idk, underwhelming? Dude dragons are way tougher than him asdkjhfkhjd. I even went up a difficulty in this game after feeling like I got the hang of the series. But at the same time, we just spend how many hours knocking down each and one of his advantages so fuck him lol.

But yeah there are so many things I wanted to do but I felt so worn out by mindless sidequests and story being level locked in comparison to the previous games. askdjhflkd

One of the things that blows my mind is so so many people were stoked i was playing DA and they couldn’t wait til I got to Inq, and so I find out most people I know only ever played Inquisition? TBH if I didn’t play O+2 I think I would’ve dropped inquisition and never finished it *shrug* all of the build up just means SO MUCH!!! Everyones argument seems to be the older games are ugly and yeah O has rough battle system but its easy to get over imo. Like, you need the chaos of 2 to get the real weight of the mage/templar stuff?? Theres so many characters and story and dialogue that go over your head without Origins?? Like yes inq can stand alone pretty well but, idk, I’m in love with this entire series and the world building and THE!! WAY!!! IT!!! ALL!!! CONNECTS!!!!!!!!!!!

I love how a quest can go differently by whos in your party, I love you can have more dialogue based on lore you’ve managed to pick up around, I love HOW COMPANIONS BICKERRRRRRRRRRRR!!!! The lore of these games are so good. It’s like playing an epic line of novels. It’s so immersive and I don’t think I’ve played too many games to this level.

I didn’t like the skill trees to being a mage in this one, Idk why. It wasn’t nearly as fun for me as 2, but then again I really fucking liked being a force mage haha. I wanted to be a rogue to complete a diff class per game but everyone said mage brings a lot more interesting story/lore stuff so

but yeah I love having the full context now and seeing other peoples Wardens/Hawkes/Inquisitors and asking people how they played and how their options differed from mine and THERES JUST SO MANY POSSIBLE DECISION TREES!!!!! No wonder the fans play over and over.

but yeah ultimately so much fucking happened?? I’m probably missing a lot of key points.

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spnreactions · 4 years

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15x16: Drag Me Away (From You)

The time has come!!

Let’s get some questions answered and see some young Sam and Dean! I’m pumped!

Oof. I can tell this episode is still gonna be pretty plot heavy just based on this “then” alone.

AHHHH my baby crying again. :’( :’( :’( :’(

Okay quick side note on Cas’s reaction to what Jack tells him: I read something from Matt Cohen that said he just kept the camera rolling for unusually long takes during that scene to see what Misha would do with what Jack was saying, and that, in the process, he totally saw a touch of Misha’s fatherly side when it comes to his own kids. I completely agree, and that is a hardcore acting point for Misha and a definite directing point for Matt.

YEAH CAS! TELL US!

UGH! Since it’s a MOTW, we have to wait and watch someone die in the first five minutes before we get resolution. Gosh darnat.

Also this is a very interesting music choice? XD

My Mom: “Doctor’s orders.” Do you think that means his shrink told him to go there?

Oof. “Long time ago.” Suspicious.

Nice cinematography. Cool shot of this hallway.

I’m gonna take a wild guess here and say that something happened in that room forever ago that traumatized him.

Wow. That is a swanky hotel room. (My mom and I said basically the same thing at the same time. XD)

Whiskey. Great start.

Ope. Music changed. Dude’s gonna die.

Hey, for future reference, if you’re trying to convince yourself it wasn’t real, it was probably real.

UMMMMM

LOOKS PRETTY REAL TO ME TRAVIS!!!

Wait a second...that’s one of the kids from the promo videos?? Isn’t that young him? As a...ghost?

I’D SAY THAT’S PRETTY REAL TRAVIS!!!

Jesus...

Okay finally! Resolution.

Ummmm...this doesn’t look like resolution!!!

Dude did not slit his own throat, but okay then.

Ummm...you have a lot to do??

Oh da**it...THIS AGAIN??! REALLY DEAN??!! DIDN’T WE LEARN FROM THIS BACK IN SEASON 9?? (No, of course we didn’t, because these two never learn anything.)

LIAR!!

Wait wait wait. Can we talk about the fact that Sam’s first thought was that Cas left because he and Dean got into a fight? *cough cough* The Destiel is real *cough cough*. XD XD XD

SAM YELLING AT HIM FOR TEXTING AND DRIVING OH MY GOD I’M DEAD!!!

ALSO THAT TEXT FROM CAS HOLY FRICK!!! “Did you tell Sam yet?” I’M LAUGHING SO HARD RIGHT NOW!!!!

Because the thing is, I can totally imagine Cas just SAYING that, knowing full well that Dean probably didn’t tell Sam, and I read that text with so much sass and scolding in it and I’m dying laughing oh my god.

And no, of course he didn’t, because WE DON’T GET TO KNOW WHAT IT IS!

But also...if Dean hasn’t told Sam yet, this is making me think that Cas didn’t tell him about the Empty, but rather about what Jack told him...which means I was wrong.

Unless I wasn’t. But if it was about the Empty, why wouldn’t Dean tell Sam?

Although, actually, if it is about Jack, WHY wouldn’t Dean tell Sam?

DEAN JUST TELL YOUR BROTHER SO WE CAN HEAR WHAT THE IMPORTANT INFORMATION WAS GOSH DARNAT!!!

Also tell your brother because we should know by now that lying doesn’t get us anywhere.

Anyways. Moving on.

God that texting and driving interaction. XD XD

Ooh! Nice transition!

When do I get the backstory?? I want the flashbacks! If this is our last flashback episode, I want to revel in it gosh darnat!

OH WAIT HERE IT IS!!

LITTLE SAM AND LITTLE DEAN AHHHH!!!

DEAN’S WEARING THE SAMULET OH MY GOD!!!

I know it’s, like, not a surprise, but it’s BEEN SO LONG since we’ve seen him wearing it!! It’s SOOO good to see it back!! It’s such a subtle little detail, but man it’s a good one.

“I’m pretty sure that’s illegal.” XD XD EVEN AS A KID, SAM HAD SO MUCH SASS OMG!! XD XD

BROTHERS! XD XD

The way that actor just said victory was SOOO Dean omg. The casting on this show is INCREDIBLE. This kid is already ROCKING the Dean personality and he’s only been on screen for two minutes.

Young Sam’s actor is nailing it too, for the record. ESPECIALLY with that sass.

...ouch. That was rude Dean.

Very Dean (at least at that time), but still rude.

That music. Yikes.

DUDE THAT’S THE SAME SOUNDTRACK USED IN SWAN SONG DURING CHUCK’S NARRATION OH MY GOD!! THEY 100% DID THAT ON PURPOSE BECAUSE SAM’S TALKING ABOUT GOING TO COLLEGE AND IT ALL CONNECTS BACK TO WHERE THIS STORY STARTED AND IT’S OUR LAST FLASHBACK EPISODE AND OH MY GOD I LOVE THE SUBTLETIES OF THIS SHOW!!! <3 <3 <3 <3

This small scene is so poetic wow. Between the music, and Sam setting down the college book to pull out his hunting gear...just...wow. Well done Supernatural. Well done.

THERE’S FLANNEL IN THAT BAG! It really is a Winchester trait!

...dude WHAT? I wanna be able to do that.

YEP! YOUNG TRAVIS!

Okay so...a monster who imitates their victims...as their younger selves? That...Sam and Dean have fought before? I’m just gonna let them tell me lol.

Dean has always been suave with the ladies. XD

Do...do kids of cleaning crew people usually stay in the hotels that their parents work in? Cause I didn’t know that was a thing, but okay. XD

HA! Yeah, these two were 100% a thing, even if it was a small thing.

Alright, I like her. She’s fun.

OOH! Nice transition into older Caitlin, with young Caitlin echoing in the background.

Okay something about those hugs just made me “awww” out loud. I don’t know if it’s because we haven’t seen them hug anyone in a while or what, but that just felt so sweet. <3

I would be too, girl. :(

WHAT DID HAPPEN?! (I know they’ll tell us, but I’m impatient.)

Oof. See, in most cases, I am all for immersion therapy, because I think it can be useful, but when it’s a monster we’re talking about, that is a hard pass.

Also my mom just said “ha! Called it.” about the shrink thing. She is significantly better at predicting things in this show then I am...sometimes anyways. XD

Wow. I loved their reactions with that. Dean knew, probably because he was older, but Sam seem confused. Plus, that change in music was great. It was just the right amount of dramatic.

She needs you to hunt it.

WHY DO YOU THINK, SAM?!

WHO IS “SHE”??!! Someone please tell me. The suspense is killing me. XD XD

Awww...poor Travis.

Ummmmm....

JESUS CHRIST!! HOLY FREAKING...

My mom and I both just screamed! AGH! WHAT THE FRICK IS THAT??!!

Yeah this episode is definitely digging into this show’s horror roots.

“You okay, kid?” is one of the most Dean lines to ever Dean.

Yeah okay I can understand how that could be traumatizing enough for him to need therapy.

Yeah that’s what they all say.

I mean, I believe you, because I saw it, but...

EVEN AS KIDS, SAM AND DEAN GAVE EACH OTHER THEIR LITTLE NODS I LOVE THEM!!! <3 <3 <3

The talk--simplified.

THE FAMILY BUSINESS! <3 <3

Also Sam not being old enough to be included in the hunting business yet, but old enough to know about it is a big oof.

Sam backing up his big bro. <3

Watching young Dean try to ask questions in order to figure out the hunt is great, because you can tell he’s super inexperienced compared to now in the way he says it, but also that he definitely knows what he’s doing and I love it.

Oh. Maybe that nod is just a general sibling thing, because Caitlin and Travis just did it lol. It’s still the best when Sam and Dean do it though. XD <3

Huh. Yeah, I’d call that pretty weird.

That was a great shot. Down the line like that. I’m really digging this half of the season’s cinematography.

THAT WAS SUCH A GREAT TRANSITION OH MY GOD! And it just proves how well that young Dean actor (Paxton Singleton) is doing, because young Dean and older Dean’s expressions matched EXACTLY. <3

Dean do you just not want to admit that you might have not actually killed it?

Oh. That makes more sense. The lore doesn’t line up. Okay.

...okay maybe it’s also him being a little overconfident.

NICE TRANSITION AGAIN!

I KNEW THAT PROMO PHOTO WAS OF ALL OF THE KIDS HUNTING!

Welp. That’s it then.

“Got a knife, got a gun. I’m good.” That is so Dean, and also so dumb.

“Dad wouldn’t like this.” “Dad’s not here.” Haha I love them. XD <3

Awww...Dean still protecting his little bro. <3

Goonies reference. XD

He does not got this. Calling it now.

Dean don’t get hurt.

Either Sam or Caitlin is gonna show up. Calling it.

Probably Caitlin, ‘cause Sam still listened to him at that age lol.

YEP.

Also the way he pointed that gun at her omg. Have I mentioned that Paxton Singleton is doing an AMAZING job as Dean? Because WOW.

Ha! Yeah these two totally had a thing. A small thing, but a thing.

Ha! Okay, I like her sass. She’s cool.

My mom is not digging the high-pitched tone that’s attached to this music lol.

Yeah okay this episode is scaring me (in the best way lol). I’m loving it! We haven’t seen a horror-based episode in a while. It’s good to have one.

Awww...little bros bonding.

“Whatever it is, my brother will kill it.” He’s always had so much faith in him. <3 <3 <3

Although...the fact that they’re showing us the two boys back at the motel pretty much tells me that the monster isn’t where Dean and Caitlin are, but where Sam and Travis are. So...that’s great.

Ha! Too true.

Nice shot with the flashlight and the cobwebs.

Okay, now your optimism and chattiness is a little unnecessary, girl. Dean’s scared because he knows what could be out there. So shush.

But also I like your sass. XD

Oh...frick. What’s under there? It looks like the stuff from the kids.

YUUUUP. Called it. The monster is with them. Friiiiick. Sam still knows...how to hunt, right? He can handle this, right?

Remains? Mangled bodies? Something like that I bet.

Wow. Dean you hid that panic REALLY well. He really has been burying his emotions for years. No wonder he’s so good at it.

FRIIIIICK.

FRICK FRICK FRICK!!

*screams* *jumps*

Yep. Horror based episode. Lots of jump scares. But it’s AWESOME.

...okay, that young Sam actor (Christian Michael Cooper) has been doing really well, but that “Travis!” shout was really bad acting...

FRICK! DO SOMETHING SAM!

Dude I LOVE how that just went down. Sam rescuing Travis even if it meant putting himself in harm’s way and Dean immediately coming to his rescue. It’s very characteristic of them.

Oh...so it has...fingers. That can be cut off. Which means it isn’t a ghost like I thought it was all this time.

Also great shot with the slicing off of the fingers.

Nice Dean!

Sam holding a protective arm in front of Travis I love it.

Oh frick. It’s the ring. That’s why she’s back. (And hey! We know who the she is now! Still don’t know what she is, but we’ve seen her.)

Wait a second...wasn’t Travis wearing a ring on his necklace? Could it be the same ring?

That’s...that’s weird though. Why would he have kept a ring from the most traumatic moment of his life?

I love that Caitlin’s a hugger and runs to her brother.

That look that Sam and Dena share there is awesome.

OOH! GREAT TRANSITION AGAIN!

Dean, why on EARTH would that have been Sam?

Okay yeah, so this monster is manifesting itself as younger versions of its victims.

Hey Dean, just a thought, but I’m feeling like your instinct that it wasn’t back is the wrong instinct.

OOOOOF.

Ummm...excuse me?

HEEEEEEEY HOLD ON!!!

WHERE IS SAM??!!

SAMUEL WINCHESTER COME SAVE YOUR BROTHER!!!

DEAN STOP!!!!

DEAN!!!!

OH THANK GOD!

HOLY FRICK THAT WAS TOO CLOSE!!

Wait..what? The knife...wasn’t even...real? And Sam didn’t see the monster at all...does this thing make you hallucinate? Cause that’s terrifying.

Yeah no DUH.

My Mom: Well, there’s only one of it, and it can’t imitate them both, so as long as they stay together, they should be fine, right? Me: Yes, theoretically, but when do they ever actually stay together? My Mom: True.

Ummm...our visual just cut out? All we’re seeing is the CW logo. We can hear it though.

Oh shoot it’s starting again. Hopefully this fixes itself soon. At least we can still hear it?

Feelings/hunches are valid, Caitlin. Especially with this kind of thing.

Dean that’s not your fault. Don’t blame yourself. I can hear you blaming yourself.

Oh good. Visual’s back. Phew. I was getting nervous.

“She’s scary.” Me too girl. XD

She 100% plays with people.

“Lore?” XD That’s hilarious. I’ve gotten so used to them saying it that it doesn’t even occur to me as a weird thing, but that’s a good point that normal people wouldn’t understand what he means. XD

Ope. That’s what he saw.

Yikes...though gotta admit, that was a little less gruesome than I was expecting it to be. Still sad and scary though.

Awww Dean. :( :( :( :( :( :(

God he really has been shoving feelings down all his life. That’s super not healthy, Dean.

Awww...poor Dean! :’( :’( :’( :’( :’(

“We used to keep a lot of secrets from each other.” USED TO? Sam where have you been for the last fifteen years? XD XD

Or is he just referring to this season? Because in that case, that’s a good point. There hasn’t been a lot of lying this season. Well, excluding the fact that Dean is hiding whatever Cas said to him from Sam....

Welp. I can already see that parallel...so you better come clean, Dean!

“Cause I know my brother’s gonna ask”.

HA! Me too, server lady.

BILLIE! JESUS!

“Working a case? Now?” HA! I said the same thing!

...hoh boy. That’s not good. They’ve spent so much time talking about how close he is to being done, but now he’s actually done. That’s...super not good.

Yeah no Billie. We’re not doing that.

So it WAS about Jack! GOOD! Then they’ll all know and they can all stop it! (So Dean tell your brother already.)

YES! Dean is upset about it!! That’s a good sign! Screw you and your plan, Billie!!

HEY!! HOLD ON A SECOND BILLIE! Are you telling me, that you’re the one who put that thought into Jack’s head?? WTF??!! SCREW YOU!!! THAT IS SO NOT OKAY!!! HOW DARE YOU!!! I don’t care HOW badly you want Chuck dead! That manipulation was NOT the way to go!!! I didn’t hate you, but now I do. Now I really really do. Screw you. We’ll find another way.

Yes. You were wrong.

...Dean you better tell her she was wrong.

HA!

Gotta be honest, I can’t believe we’re still having the conversation about Sam and Dean being normal--especially Sam. I mean, I can believe it, because it makes sense, but at this point, it’s just so hilarious to me. Like, “yeah no, that ship sailed a LONG time ago. Sorry girl, but there’s no way Sam’s getting out of it now.” XD XD

Awww... :( :(

Ummm...say what now?

SERIOUSLY Billie??!! SERIOUSLY??!! You’re just gonna...set up our beloved kid to be a bomb and then walk on out?? Wow. Yeah okay I’m really mad at you now, I don’t care if you brought Jack back. Not if this was the endgame. Screw you.

“One Messenger of God’s Destruction right here.” XD XD

YES we have a problem! TELL HER WE HAVE A PROBLEM!!

DEAN!!!

GOD DA**IT DEAN!!! It is not worth sacrificing your SON!! DIDN’T WE ALREADY GO THROUGH THIS??!! WHATEVER HAPPENED TO NOT LETTING ANYONE KILL HIM??!! TO THAT BIRTHDAY PARTY??!! WHATEVER HAPPENED TO FORGIVENESS?? TO FAMILY!! HE IS YOUR SON GOSH DARNAT!! ACT LIKE IT!!!

Jesus Christ. This show is making it harder and harder for Dean to be my second favorite character...

He better not let it happen in the end. It better be like what happened with Season 14. No matter how mad he is, he can’t lose Jack. It better stay that way, or I’m gonna be super pissed at him all over again, just like in 14x19.

YOU HEAR ME DEAN?! STOP IT!! DON’T BE AN IDIOT!!

HA! Billie saw RIGHT THROUGH YOU Dean.

Welp. Now I know why Dean hasn’t told Sam. Because Sam is not gonna like it.

You know what Billie? Screw you. Shut the f**k up.

He doesn’t have his house in order. There’s conflict there, and it’s not gonna happen. Shut up, Billie.

Please Dean. Please help me out here. Don’t let your son die. :( :( :( :( :( :(

Wait wait...Baba Yaga? As in...that witch that that security friend dude Kurt is so afraid of in Ant-Man and the Wasp? (Look at me, mixing my fandoms. XD)

So that’s a yes then.

I CALLED IT! I KNEW IT WAS THE RING! (I mean, they kind of made it obvious, but still.)

Oh friiiiick. That’s why she disappeared for a while, but then came back...in time to kill him.

...she’s gonna go get the ring. She must have it.

But also TAKE SAM WITH YOU CAITLIN! ARE YOU AN IDIOT?!

Ummm....

...where’s the ring?

FRICK!

I TOLD YOU TO TAKE SAM WITH YOU!!

She dead.

SAM!

FRIIIIICK!

Oof.

My Mom: NO! Don’t split up! Me: I told you! They never learn. My Mom: They really don’t.

Alright, let’s take bets. Who’s gonna get attacked? Sam, or Dean?

Ope. Looks like it might be Sam.

CALL YOUR BROTHER FIRST GOSH DARNAT! Seriously. You two are the worst.

Oh! Never mind. XD XD

My mom just burst out laughing. XD XD XD

Okay yeah, that was a good comedy reveal. XD XD XD

So...it’ll be Dean then.

Better find your bro quick, Sam.

Oof. The vending machine. Original attack. Must be close.

Dean don’t roll your eyes and act like you never watch (or do) that kind of thing. XD XD

“I’ve seen this movie before.” PROMO! CALLING IT!

YES! I was right! XD XD

I love him.

Okay, so I’m mad at him for the Jack thing, but I still love him okay? He’s just too great. XD <3 <3

DEAN DON’T GO IN ALONE ARE YOU KIDDING ME??!!

You literally saw it coming.

YEP! EXACTLY!

Okay wait what??

...that’s not what I was expecting.

Wait...hallucinations, right? So that must be what this is.

But...I think he found her nest.

Oh yep. Definitely a hallucination.

One of my favorite things about this show is that any time Sam or Dean has a bad vision/hallucination/nightmare caused by a monster, the other brother is always dead in it. Like, it makes perfect sense for their relationship, and as sad and scary as it is, it works beautifully.

Wow. Yeah I can totally believe that that gave Dean nightmares for the longest time just on that acting alone. Now Dean was terrified even re-living it a little bit. :(

Oof.

Ummm...you know what she is, but CAN YOU KILL HER?

...welp. Guns don’t work. What’s Plan B, Dean??

EEP!

That feels very Pennywise yikes.

HURRY SAM!!

SEE?! THIS is why you shouldn’t split up!

Welp, at least their fighting is loud.

Yep. Hallucination.

Oh. Caitlin isn’t dead. That’s good.

Sam to the rescue.

YES DEAN!

WOW! Now THAT was awesome. The way he smashed that ring, and the shot--it was all beautiful.

WHOA! Green fire. That was cool.

Okay. I liked that monster, and how it went down. Very cool.

Ha!

“You tell the truth more because you know that lies...they don’t make anything better.” My Mom: I have never, ever heard anyone say that about getting older. XD

Yeah I’m with her on this one. Not a great line, but it was definitely in there intentionally to make Dean feel guilty about not telling Sam the truth about Jack. Which means...he’s going to tell him, RIGHT?!

Awww! A sweet little hug again!

THAT TRANSITION!!

I knew she was holding a business card in that promo photo!

...oof.

Yep. Dean’s definitely gonna tell Sam. They showed that scene of him lying to Sam as a kid about the bodies, and they keep talking about how he’s changed. He is definitely going to tell Sam before this episode ends. ...and I bet it’s not gonna go well.

“That I handled it.” XD <3

“WITH A LITTLE HELP!” <3 <3 <3 <3

AWWW DEAN!!! Still being a supportive bro!!

“We do make a good team, right?” “Yeah, we do.” I’M SERIOUSLY ABOUT TO CRY OH MY GOD!!! :’( :’( <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

Awww...we don’t actually get to see a version of young John. Just an arm from a stand-in lol.

Nice shot of Sam, though.

AWESOME transition.

Ope. Here it comes.

OOOF!! Dean you better say something, or Cas will!

THERE WE GO!! FINALLY!!

Oooooh...this is gonna be rough.

Ummm....okay. Good start.

THERE YA GO!

Well...okay then. Just...come out with it I guess.

Dean...doesn’t sound happy about that. And he doesn’t seem to be handling it well. I really really really really REALLY hope he doesn’t let it happen. I’m gonna be really upset if he does.

Ope. Here it comes.

Uh-oh...Sam is mad.

Oh FRICK. Wrong answer, Dean.

Dean I’m with Sam on this one.

Oh god...this fight. :’( :’(

DEAN!!!

NOOOOO NO NOOOOOOO!!!!

Oh my god...the way Sam just yelled at him. :’( :’( :’( :’( :’(

That was even worse than I thought it was gonna be holy frick....

“Just drive.” :’( :’( :’( :’( :’( :’( :’( :’( :’( :’( :’(

...well....

God. That was a TERRIBLE ending, Jesus Christ. All the bonding and family teamwork that’s been happening this season just went out the window with that fight.:’( :’( :’( :’( :’( :’(

I‘ve always loved Dean, obviously, but Jesus Christ dude. Ugh. This better resolve itself. :’( :’( :’( :’( :’( :’(

GOD! Could SPN please STOP with the emotionally charged endings that are hurting my heart! Because this was a DANG GOOD EPISODE, and then they just HAD to do that!! :’( :’( :’( :’( :’( :’( :’( :’( :’( :’( :’(

Welp...my heart hurts, but review here we come.

I really really loved this episode. I mentioned it already, but I’m really glad we got to see some of Supernatural’s elements of horror in this episode. It was genuinely terrifying at several points in time, and we haven’t had an episode like that in a while.

Also, as I often do, I loved the flashback scenes, and all the subtleties that came with it. One of my favorite things about flashback episodes is getting to see just how close Sam and Dean have always been, and I really love seeing them at different times in their life with how their relationship has changed over the years and how it compares to how they are now. It’s nice to see how much they’ve grown, but also how much about their relationship has stayed the same in the sense of that they still love and care for each other and have such a strong bond. It’s a beautiful thing, and this episode conveyed that really well.

Paxton. Singleton. Oh my god. What. An. Actor. I don’t know if he watched episode after episode of this show before being in this episode, but WOW did he NAIL Dean Winchester. I pointed out several specific instances in my reactions, but seriously, his interpretation of Dean was incredible. I was totally able to believe that that was a younger version of Dean, easily. It was amazing. This show’s casting team will always impress me.

All of that said....let’s address that ending.

Holy frick. God that hurt. First of all, as if I haven’t made this clear enough, I really really need Dean to acknowledge that he loves Jack and can’t lose him so that we don’t lose my precious baby, okay? That’s a thing that definitely needs to happen.

Second of all, I do not at all blame Sam for the way he reacted. In fact, I’m actually really impressed with how upset he got, because it plays so much into what’s been going on this season and what’s bound to come.

At the end of Season 14, our team was divided. Between Dean and Cas’s fight over Mary’s death, Sam and Dean locking Jack in the box, and then Sam and Dean fighting over Dean wanting to kill Jack, our boys were a mess. Then, Jack was dead, and Sam and Dean and Cas were grieving, which meant taking things out on each other and being angry and distraught. But within the first several episodes of Season 15, they started to latch onto each other again, and they stayed that way and only progressed further. For the majority of this season, we have seen them bonding and being a family again. We’ve barely seen them fight, and the only exception to that was Dean and Cas’s tension with each other. However, once they made up in 15x09, everything changed. That’s when the OG team was really back. And then when Jack came back, everyone was together again. They were all starting to learn to be a family and work together to take down their enemy. And, I already analyzed this, but after Last Holiday (15x14), even Dean and Jack’s tension was released, to a degree. Sam and Dean and Jack got to bond, and it felt like everyone was ready to take on the enemy together. And then SPN hit us with this.

With Jack and Cas’s emotional turmoil--Jack feeling like the only way to ever have Sam and Dean forgive him was for him to sacrifice herself. Cue the divide between Cas and Jack.

And then this. Dean hiding something from Sam again. After everything they’ve been through this season, after trusting each other more than anything, learning to communicate with each other again, and having each other’s backs every step of the way with no secrets...Dean hid something. And it tore them apart.

Our team is broken again, and right when we need them to be together the most.

And as much as it hurts my heart and made me break into tears and scares the heck out of me for what’s to come, it makes perfect sense, and it’s beautiful.

Because the next episode is called “Unity”. And that’s exactly the opposite of what we have right now, but the hope and the thought is that, when it comes down to it, they’re still a family, and they all still love each other, and they’re all going to be there for each other, and they’re not gonna let anyone go down without the rest of their family’s support.

At least, that’s what I’m hoping.

And maybe I’m over-analyzing. Maybe I’m being too optimistic or hopeful for my boi Jack’s future. But honestly, I feel like I’m right, because I feel like this is exactly what the writers are going for. And I’m excited to see it.

So, obviously, I loved that episode. It had horror, it had great representation of Sam and Dean’s brotherly relationship, it had flashbacks (our last ones :’( :’( :’( :’( ), and, at the very end, it had some very intense feels. But it was a great set-up, and beautifully done, and I absolutely loved it.

My Rating: 10/10

#spn #spn season 15 #15x16 #drag me away from you #supernatural #spn spoilers #flashback episodes #spn season 15 spoilers #season 15 #spn 15x15 #my review #my reactions #my opinion #me #personal #spn reactions

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karma-jinx · 4 years

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ML New York Special Babbles *Spoilers*

Ok so! Coming outta me hiding hole to bring you this ramblings. These are just my thoughts after seeing the new episode. This ones a LONG one.

I’m told that this particular episode takes place between seasons 3 and 4. A sort of bridge episode maybe idk. I mention this because there are some things it connects to in the past and introduces some new stuff. (In regards of what’s going on in Paris.)

The ep starts with LB and CN yet AGAIN fighting Mr Pigeon. Apparently for the 51st time. He wants to take the Eiffel Tower to space with his piegons???? Idk just an excuse for the hero’s to use their new power ups. Which tbh is kinda lame because we don’t even see them in the new forms for very long.

The light hearted banter between LB and CN about the rose was kinda nice. I say this because it seems like CN is maybe FINALLY going to give her space and not try to woo her every moment. Tbh I can’t recall if he actually did flirt with her in that scene. So that’s cool. (Boy did stroke his own ego by kissing his muscles.)

Marinette really out her denying she still simps over Adrien. (She does it through out the entire episode and no one believes her claim that she’s over him and that they’re “friends”)

Also uh.... so Miss Bustier is preggers???? Interesting cuz I thought she was single since we’ve never heard of any sort of partner she may or may not have. Also its Miss, not Mrs so I don’t think she’s married? But idk she can’t go to the trip so Ms Mendeleiev goes in her place.

And can I just say how hurt she looked when the students complained that she’s lame and wouldn’t be as fun as Ms B. Yeah Ms. M is strict and all but she’s fair across the board. Unlike Ms B. (If you don’t know what I’m talking about just look up Ms B salt.)

Random but why was Chloe SO Adamant in not wanting to go to New York? I mean didn’t she want to go to New York with her mom? Was it cuz it was a class trip instead?

Lila was there too but fuq her honestly. Lila was only there to push Marinette to claim they gotta convince model boy’s das to let him go to New York with them.

Why’d the WHOLE class go to Adrien’s house if Marinette was the only one let inside? Sure it could be argued that either the dad only allowed her in. Or her classmates pushed her to do it alone since it was her idea. Either way seemed unnecessary for them all to be there. That’s just my opinion.

Side note as this was happening Adrien and Kagami had another fencing match. (One she won becuz boi was having sad times)

But she him!!!! And such an odd scene too becuz it LOOKS like she MAY have kissed him on the lips. But I don’t think she actually did. I say this because Adrien showed no reaction to it until she pulled away. He was still sadly looking at the ground until she was leaving. So???? I still don’t think they’re a couple. Yet????

My girl Marinette being a responsible hero trusting CN to look over the city in her absence gives him a flipping kitty alarm. I want that!

Random comment but ofc marinette would miss the bus that’s taking her to the airport because why WOULDNT she right?

Luckily friend Luka was there to haul ass to catch up on it on his bike right? (Is he a wimp or not? Like???? Yeah we know he likes her but he also treats her like a friend. So idk of this scene is him kinda simping or him being a good friend.)

That plane scene huh? I feel like some ppl are gonna be mad about what happened. As the trailer shows Marinette and Adrien are seated next to each other. When boarding the place Adrien is actually happy, maybe even excited to see Marinette.

He runs down the aisle to help her with her things and find her seat. He even tries to help her work the ac over head. All in all he’s just happy to be near her. And everyone might’ve thought FINALLY some progress right? Only to see her beg for help because she couldn’t do it. She couldn’t spend HOURS seated by the boy she likes.

Why? Because at the end of season 3 we’re told that she chooses to bow out in the race for his affections because she thinks he and Kagami like each other. She couldn’t handle a few seconds by him so she knew she wouldn’t be able to handle hours seated by a guy she still very much likes but chooses she can’t have. As frustrating as it is I can at least see WHY she acted the way she did.

Alya and Nino being 100000% over these to but still trying to help them out. The patience they have for their idiot friends.

Everyone on the plane as it’s being attacked: scared and full surprised.

Alya: *nerds out about the super heroes helping*

She still hasn’t changed huh?

Why’s Majestia’s daughter and Android? I really wanna know the story there. Idk how to spell her name so I’ll be calling her by her hero name. Uncanny Valley, which I also want to know why is that her name. As well as the full extent of her powers.

Yay for Sabrina having fun away from Chloe for once.

Why are there SO many heroes in New York anyways? And some are random af. A guys who’s ability is that he can open a door to where ever he wants to go.

A hotdog hero with ketchup and mustard theme sidekicks? (Maybe)

Dude makes hotdogs filled with random temp abilities. Which explains wtf I saw a clip of Adrien and Marinette dancing in the air.

Sooooooo..... does everyone just think of convoluted schemes? Or meddle in things just willy nilly? Anyways Uncanny Valley and Jess’s scheme to “help” Adrien and Marinette confess sure was top tier wild idea. Alya and Nino just WENT WITH IT! They’re just like, “kay sure why not?” Sure ok!

Ladybug and Chat Noir are an efficient crime fighting duo. And Paris’ sworn protectors!

Can’t function for shit as civilians.

LB has sole custody of their brain cells. What happens to it when they change back is a mystery to me.

CN is an idiot for never telling LB that he was leaving Paris. Til it was too late and problems were happening in Paris. Caused by Mayura. Rip Natalie who seems bed ridden? But also if the miraculous is fixed is she still going to suffer the affects from when it was broken? Or is she healing from that?

Anyways a messy fight ensues. CN hurt he broke his Lady’s trust and almost killed Uncanny Valley. If LB weren’t there to fix things who knows what would’ve happened?

Still, he gives up his ring and is forced to leave since his father blames Marinette for convincing him to allow Adrien to go to New York. SCREW YOU GABRIEL BITCH NEEDS TO GET DUNKED ON IS ALL IMA SAY.

(That was a NASTY skid Marinette did. Like OUCH)

Why did Majestia’s skin tone go fucking white in her civilian form???? Her and her gf/wife’s skin tone was just, weird?

On topic of random/weird why did Jess HAVE to pretend she was a boy hero?

The explanation they gave was rushed and weak imo.

The eagles miraculous confuses me tbh. Even after seeing how it worked I’m perplexed by it. But seeing as it takes place in ‘Muerica land of the Free with an eagle Kwami its “on brand”. Sure.

HM really out here really to destroy the world without a second thought huh? Guess I shouldn’t be surprised.

Shouldn’t also be surprised that LB and CN saved the day with their new friends either. The ending was pretty rushed tbh.

LB and CN are thanked/praised for helping. Paris understand why they were absent now.

Jess gets to keep the miraculous and *le gasp* there’s another protector of the miraculous.

Alls well that ends well right?

In all honesty the special was kinda like any other episode. It did bring new lore like the heroes of New York. NONE of them seemed to be miraculous based type of heroes. So I makes me wonder the extent of unnatural aspects that have or could happen to make someone have super abilities. Or am I to assume that it’s like marvel/dc or any other super hero like comic book story. Because it that’s the case then that opens a whole can of worms I can’t get into rn.

There’s also the other guardian of the miraculous. How many more are there? Do they keep in touch? If so why’d Master Fu make Marinette the new guardian???? Just.. jakakandjfns

Why claim its SOOOO important to hide their identities then show how New York Heroes don’t seem to really give af about secret identities?

Might’ve missed some things but this is long af as it is.

#my thoughts #miraculous ladybug #ml spoilers #ml new york #ml special

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ask-the-crimson-king · 5 years

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MoonClaw Makes A Rant

[Something that’ll probably be deleted since it’s petty nonsense. For those of you unacquainted/I haven’t made it clear, MoonClaw is my name OORP. If you ever see a MoonClaw anywhere [most likely on DA or Discord, though I haven’t been on DA in a while], it’s probably me.

Rant under the cut.

I am going to state it here and now, and I’m going to make it clear to anyone who is taking the time to read my words. I am uncomfortable around nsfw shite. In general. I do not mind if it is tagged/there’s a keep reading, but I would prefer to keep it away from me.

I hope I have made it evident my stance on me personally doing NSFW roleplaying. It’s in my rules if you have not read it, there is a mobile rules tag for those who cannot see the actual pages themselves. If it doesn’t work, tell me so I can make it work.

That being said, I know some people are probably thinking ‘well if you have such a big problem, why come to Tumblr, a site notorious for porn and horny people being on here 24/7?’

Because this is one of the few places where the 40k community exists that I can have access to. Before I joined, I had no one. I am a hermit. Discord was out, as most servers were either dead or Patreon only if they were a YouTuber’s server. I don’t like other huge social media platforms for a slew of reasons that do not belong in this rant.

Anywhere I went, I had a thing I enjoyed that no one knew about. I had to introduce it to people, which I had no problem with, but then I can’t really try to explain theories/bring up tidbits of lore that I find interesting and discuss them without having to explain a huge prelude.

And trust me, people do NOT like reading all of the stuff I made nerdish rants about elsewhere. And by elsewhere, I mean a site that no one (save one) person will know of. It was and still kind of is a site I frequent, and I had been roleplaying there for years.

The 40k base there consists of maybe three people, and only I was active.

Trying to explain the lore there was hard and people generally stopped listening around the explanation of psykers and the Warp. Maybe it’s the way I was writing it, maybe it’s due to there being too much to explain. I don’t know. I’ve only been told ‘wow that’s a lot’ and people stop reading.

That explanation aside, why did I choose Tumblr?

Tumblr had a really cool art community, from what I saw, and it had an rp community too. Sweet. It took me some time to get over my nerves, but I joined. And I’m glad I did, for the most part. All of the new people I’ve been able to meet, talk, or merely just rp with seem really chill. There’s not much of the community I have qualms with.

It is petty and childish for me to have such an aversion for sex. And usually it doesn’t bother me.

Until it’s plastered all over my dash and it’s virtually inescapable.

For a few hours at a time, sometimes.

THAT is when I have a problem. And I don’t know why. I’m trying to force myself to get over it. So many other people are fine with it, but with me? I just... start feeling awkward. Weird. And when it’s everywhere, I just feel like it’s almost stifling in a way. I sometimes get anxious.

‘Then just leave the dash!’ I do. I have done that. When I was drawing last night, I was doing that to distract me from what was going on. I do check in every once in a while to see when it’s ‘safe’ for me to return and look at memes or new posts or something, or to see if someone responded to a thread of mine (which, I know, I’ve been horrifically lazy with responding with this week, but I’ll try to start getting replies out tonight/tomorrow).

I don’t know why I have this aversion. Maybe it’s due to me being asexual. Maybe it’s some other mental bullshit I don’t know about. Maybe it’s just me being a bitch. I don’t know, but I’m slowly trying to force myself to get out of this mindset. 99% of the world is allosexual. 99% of the world wants a sexual partner. [Probably more accurate to 99.5% since sex-positive aces do indeed exist and I do not wish to erase them]. I need to get over it. This is going to be my life, and I need to accept that. This is petty and childish. I shouldn’t be dealing with it like this, there’s more than likely something wrong with me.

I know I’m a minority and thus my opinions should not be what influences everyone else. I’m not trying to imply that. I’m merely trying to vent my feelings, and I know I’m failing horribly because there’s a few tangents in here, but that’s not the point.

If you’re going to discuss dick sizes, sexual habits, whatever, please, at the very least tag it with nsfw in the tags so I can mute that tag and not see those posts. Or don’t. It’s up to you. I’m just being a petty asshole really because ‘ew sex yucky’ is how my brain works.

That’s my rant/tangent/whatever the fuck, I don’t know. Just needed a medium to vent my thoughts and emotions because this is relevant to the dash/conversations happening everywhere.

If this gets me to lose followers, so be it. I don’t care anymore at this point. I’m a petty bastard and I’ve already accepted this.]

#long post #rantish things #im trying to stop okay #im sorry #hopefully ill get over it soon #i hate being like this #moonclaw fucking rees

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prodigall · 5 years

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In defense of the Battle Academy skin choices:

So, in wake of the wake of the new Battle Academy skins dropping I’ve seen a LOT of people getting mad about things like Lux and Ezreal getting more skins, their favorite champs not being in the skin-line, stuff like that. For the most part those complaints are all valid, I understand them, but I do think it’s not fair to get mad at riot for this specifically because a lot of their choices make a lot sense and the ones that don’t are really small, so, I’m just gonna...go over the list and state my two cents.

All the complaints basically stem from “these champions shouldn’t have more skins, it should have been somebody like Taliyah” this is probably the most widespread complaint, and whilst its true, neither need new skins, it’s totally understandable why they got them. First: Since Ezreal got reworked, he was always going to be getting a new epic or better skin soon-ish, without question. Every champion thats been reworked in the past 2 years got a skin some time after their rework, this isn’t a new practice, the day the rework got announced I stated that Ezreal would be getting a new skin soon because of it, then when Riot said they were making a skin-line inspired by Shonen anime I said “without question, Ezreal will probably get a legendary skin in this skinline and be the focal point of it.” To a multitude of people, Riot are on record as saying Ezreal was DESIGNED around Shonen anime tropes from the beginning, there are lots of ‘anime’ characters in League, like Yasuo and, yeah, Lux (we’ll get to that) but for what riot were actually trying to DO with this skin line? It was always going to be Ezreal, there was never any doubt in my mind. I know a lot of people think Pajama guardian counts as his skin but...no, it really doesn’t, its basically just a chroma, thats why it’s half price if you already OWN Star Guardian, so it doesn’t count. Second: Keeping in mind Ezreal was going to be the focal point of this skinline inspired by ANIME, all the characters around him needed to fit into anime tropes, because recently for their big ‘alternate universe’ skins Riot have been focusing more on a whole narrative to go with them rather than ‘oh this would be cool’, so they had more of a plan for the champs they picked keeping in mind Ezreal is the ‘protagonist’ (because he totally is). The ones Riot went for were: Rugged teacher who cares about his students but isn’t super affectionate (Graves) Popular kid who is a best friend/elder sibling figure to the protagonist (Jayce) Principle who is a parental figure to the protagonist after some event in their past (Yuumi) Small scale antagonist who will later go on to be an anti-hero then full hero designed to be a prominent threat in early arcs to help establish characters (Katarina) And of course, the love interest (Lux) Keeping that in mind, Lux wasn’t just on the table for this skinline, she was GUARANTEED to be in it. Say what you want about EzLux, I personally am not that into it, but the fact is that riot like it, so much so that they outright made it canon in this universe, you can have your ships, you can like LuxJinx, you can Like EzSona, or whatever, but as far as riot are concerned , Lux and Ezreal are Riots golden couple (with Xayah and Rakan), they’ve been one of two pairings they EVER acknowledge in canon for basically their entire life span, and they do it BLATANTLY. It’s not surprising at all this happened. Third: The Narrative is actually pretty relevant to the choices they made here, and the big one that I think totally invalidates Taliyah as even a possibility is that this is a school of WEAPON users. All of the champions they picked have weapons of some kind and Ezreal states in his voicelines that they all use ‘god-weapons’ AKA the narrative of this skin-line is entirely centered around those weapons as of the moment, so that means EVERY champion who isn’t a weapon user were never eligible from the start. Would champions like Taliyah suit this skinline conceptually? 200%, I’d love to see it for the next batch if they make more and change up a few things lore wise, but given the fact they clearly have an overarching plot and concept behind this school at foundation level? she just doesn’t really work right now. Sorry.

Fourth: Okay real talk Riot dropping champs that don’t need skins into new skinlines isn’t new and never has been thats just smart business. Lets say they put all these resources towards making SIX new skins, with a whole new universe to accompany them, with no guarantee it’ll be popular, and decide to put champions that need new skins in there EXCLUSIVELY. Then, the new skinline drops on the main server and nobody likes them and they’ve wasted their time. The fact is for as long as I can remember, when Riot launch a new skinline they ALWAYS make sure at least 50% of the champions in it are the POPULAR ones they know will bring in profit regardless of if people like the skinline as a whole, This time it was Ez Lux and Kat, K/DA had Ahri and Kai’sa, Oddyssey had Jinx Yas Sona and kind of Kayn, Star guardians did it TWICE with Lux and Jinx (releasing at different times admittedly) then they did it a SECOND TIME with Ezreal and Ahri, its not until the second batch where they go for more out there less popular champions and thats been their business practice with stuff like this for as long as I can remember. I get why people are complaining but the fact is if it wasnt these champs? it still would have been 50% champs who don’t need it like Yi Fifth: The fact is that a lot the champions picked , as usual with large skinline drops like this, all fill a different role, thats pretty normal Ez: ADC Lux: Mage Mid/Supp Kat: Assasin Mid Graves: Jungler Jayce: Top Yumi: Support If we push Yumi to the side for a second, each champ fulfills one role in a game each. Riot for a while now have been making it so if a new Champ releases with a new skin line beside them, or an update to said skin line, they make that new champs on release skin part of said skin line for convenience sake, so we can probably assume that the inital skin choices were made not counting Yumi who might not even have been RELEASED by that point if she wasn’t done yet, and if she was done she’d be added. So it was probably a an intentional choice to make sure they didn’t overlap in roles until Yumi came out in which case Lux and Kat could probably overlap. With that said, and keeping in mind the aforementioned NARRATIVE role they were meant to fulfill, the pool becomes a lot smaller. The big one here being Graves, because he’s the one I haven’t fully accepted myself, I normally say Riot don’t like releasing multiple skins within a year for the same champion unless they were already making one when the worlds winners said they wanted another, thats the only acception, but along comes Graves like “second skin in 6 months baybee” which is kinda weird, so keeping that in mind, I did some research to find every jungler (cos this needed to be a jungler) who was also going to be able to fit into the rugged not nice but still cares teacher role they still had open, who ALSO had a weapon. (For reference here I mean actual jungle picks not your random off meta pick, I’m looking at you jungle Lucian, you don’t count). Not even COUNTING the fact they also had to fit into the character _archetype_ they still had open, do you know how many choices there actually were? 7 Max, and thats if you count Pantheon and Diana which not everybody does. The full list of choices with the role they still had open was Graves, Jarvan, Jax, Pantheon (?) Diana (?) , Vi or Xin, when you take into account that they also had to come off as a bit more rugged, old enough to be a teacher, and serious and not in a nice way, its down to Graves and MAYBE Jax. This is one I’M still on the fence about, but with context I think that it being Graves isn’t...overwhelmingly shocking. Kat is much more open and close, the roster for midlane assassins is pretty big so they just went with Kat cos out of all the assassin mids who was a WOMAN she’d waited the longest for a new skin (that yeah, she doesn’t need) and they just went with her so there was an even amount of representation between men and women in the skin line...that’s kind of it really. So, anyway that’s my two cents, I get that people will always be mad when champions like Ez and Lux and Kat get new skins, if it weren’t for the fact Ezreal is my favorite champion and shonen anime is like my favorite thing I’d probably be a little bit mad to but, as ALWAYS happens with new skinlines, the people who got skins for their mains will always have bias but I hope this didn’t come off as to apologetic? I really do hope that if these skins continue champions like Kayn Ekko and Taliyah and hell maybe Zoe get a chance to shine in it, but as it is now I find it really hard to really get mad about who they picked.

#▐ OOC | ᴸᴼᴸ ᴮᴿᴼᴺᶻᴱ ˢᴷᴿᵁᴮ▐#okay to reblog

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sqgworld · 6 years

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Fen’Harel and the Trickster God

Okay, so this is an idea that has been floating around in my head for… over a year at this point, and I just feel like I have to share it, because it’s both been nagging at me – making me wonder whether I’m completely nuts for thinking these things – and… it makes me kinda giddy? Because it gives me a chance to talk about a topic I feel I know quite well and that I love: Norse mythology. So, you might be wondering why there’s an “and” in this thing’s title, and it will become immediately apparent when I say that this entire thing is gonna revolve around the parallels I have found between the representations of Fen’Harel (of Dragon Age (DA) fame) and Loki (emphatically not the one of Marvel fame, however) as they are presented in their respective mythologies.

Obviously, we’ve got the connection that they are both trickster gods – the elven word “harellan” directly means “trickster”, as I’m sure you know –, which is a good starting point, but the similarities go beyond that. Here we will more closely be looking at three major points of comparison: the lupine connotations they both have associated with them; the reported ability to walk freely among both sets of “deities” present within their mythological worlds; and their direct involvement in the end of the worlds of the people that they were said to preside over. If you know anything about Norse myth, I’m sure these points ring a few bells already, but if you still wanna hear more – or don’t do Norse and find yourself curious nonetheless –, then the details will be found under the cut below.

So, are we ready? Good, let’s begin!

The first point: lupine connotations. This one is obvious for Fen’Harel, the Dread Wolf, so that’s not where the questions are going to arise – heck, the “Elven language” Dragon Age Wiki even tells us that the word “fen” just straight up means wolf, a suspicion I had after I had noticed that we have two prominent figures in the DA verse that have that… prefix? in their names and are associated with wolves; Fen’Harel (no duh) and Fenris, the “little wolf”. And it’s with that second name that I first found a connection between DA and Norse myth – though back then it was more of a “hey! they named one of their characters after a prominent figure in the mythology! nice!” than any deeper thought – and where Loki finally comes into the picture. Again, those of you that know the mythos know where this is going, because while Loki might not directly have any lupine things associated with him, he has got a very prominent son that is most certainly lupine; the Fenris Wolf, or Fenrir, for those that prefer. I think you get the picture.

So, even the elven language has got a word ripped directly out of Norse mythology, that is used as the noun for the kind of animal that originally held the ripped name. Pretty cool stuff, if you ask me, but then again, I may just be a nerd.

Who am I kidding; I am absolutely a nerd.

Second point: blending in with both “deific” sets. I put “deities” and “deific” in quotation marks, because in the Norse case, one group is not really so much gods as very powerful nature spirits, but we’ll get back to that point. Anyone that has ever read a DA Codex Entry on Fen’Harel probably remember reading somewhere that he had the unique ability to walk amongst both the Creators – the good gods in the elven religion of DA, for those that don’t know – and the Forgotten Ones – the bad gods, to oversimplify – and be understood as one of them; the Creators thought he was one of their kind, the Forgotten Ones thought that he was one of them. Okay, so Loki? Well, to anyone that has ever had a dive into the Marvel version of Norse myth, I want you to throw what you think you know about this character out the window for a second – or do as I have done, and create a separate folder in your brain for “Nature Boy” and “Popsicle the Frost Thing” – yeah, and just take my word for this. Loki is the only one of the prominent Norse gods that has the distinction of being half Æsir – what most all the other gods in Asgard are – and half Jotun (though he is by no means the only of the gods to have Jotun parentage, so why he’s the only one that counts that way, I don’t know; polytheisms, I guess). Remember those strong nature spirits I mentioned just above? That’s what the Jotuns are (and this is why “Popsicle the Frost Thing” needs his own box); they wield all sorts of nature magic and are very powerful and, yes, the natural enemies of the Æsir. And what can Loki do because of his prominent mixed heritage? That’s right; walk amongst both groups like he belongs.

There is the underlying connotation in DA lore that Fen’Harel doesn’t truly belong with either the Creators or Forgotten Ones (at least the way I read it) and the same holds very true for Loki, who always seems to be on kind of thin ice (pun not intended) with both the groups he mingles with, but manages to maintain his status in both places both because of and in spite of his mixed heritage.

Okay, so last point: the ends of their respective worlds (which means spoilers for the Trespasser DLC, I guess? but not really). So, from way back in DA:O (Dragon Age: Origins) we know that Fen’Harel somehow managed to trick both the Creators and Forgotten Ones into searching for the ultimate weapons to destroy the other group with and then managed to trap them both in their respective realms. What we then learn in Trespasser is exactly what kinds of consequences that had for the world of the elves. Spoiler alert: it absolutely wrecked their entire shebang. Their empire fell, their lifespans got shortened – the so called “Quickening” – and the nasty humans were allowed to enslave the physically weaker elves, that were now also separated from the magic that their entire way of life depended upon. For the Norse counterpart, let’s talk Ragnarok! Because yes, it is literally all Loki’s fault. He’s the one that starts the whole thing – where the Fenris Wolf jumps up into the sky and eats the f***ing moon – and he fights in the final battle between the Æsir and the Jotuns. Spoiler: everyone dies! Well, not quite…

In fact, both of those “end of the world” scenarios aren’t complete disasters. Y’see, not everyone dies in either of those two occasions. Yes, Elvhenan collapses, but the elves still exist in the Dragon Age of Thedas; Ragnarok kills off almost everyone, but a few gods manage to survive the ordeal as well as a couple of humans, and they then go on to rebuild the worlds. And this is noticeable, because in most doomsday scenarios, it’s just the end of everything; nothing gets out alive, at least not on the “mortal plane”. The Norse end of the world, for all the gloominess and battlelust the rest of the mythology is known for, is oddly enough the one that is the most optimistic about the world, at the end of the day.

But that is moving more into comparing Norse mythology itself with the religion of the Dragon Age elves, which is a whole other affair, with lines not so clear cut as in this particular case study. Though a few quick tidbits I’d like to point out before I sign off completely from this mess I have made:

Both Fen��Harel and Loki have close ties with one of the two primary gods in their respective religions: Loki is Odin’s blood-brother, while Fen’Harel had a close, if somewhat undefined, relationship with Mythal

I once found a source that called Elgar’nan “the All-Father”, and at that point I just surrendered myself completely to the idea of Norse mythos having at least some kind of impact on the entire elven pantheon

Andruil is obviously supposed to be some sort of Artemis/Diana parallel – all of them being huntress gods –, though I know a lot less about Greco-Roman mythology, so I’m not exactly qualified to dive further into that particular subject

Right, well, this thing is now officially long enough to be handed in as an essay for my uni, so I think I’ll stop here. I hope this was at the very least interesting, if not enlightening and please feel free to tell me if there’s anything I missed or if you have had the same kind of ideas!

#dragon age #dragon age origins #dragon age ii #dragon age inquisition #DA lore #fen'harel #norse mythology #norse gods #loki (not marvel)#loki #trickster god #I refuse to believe other people have not thought about this already #but I'm gonna post this anyway #I am officially done #enjoy this if you feel so inclined #no one's forcing you to do anything

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doctorjackaroo-blog · 7 years

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Technology, the Supernatural, Londwyns, and Gnomes at Knight Realms

I want to start this by saying that I understand completely that supernatural forces are intended to be the primary and ultimately more powerful forces in the game world. It is not my intention to argue this point, or suggest that it should be otherwise.

That said…

The Three Levels of World Interaction

When it comes to the game world, we operate on three levels. The first is the immediate player experience at a live event. Day to day, mod to mod, there is no real difference in power level between “technological” advancements and “supernatural” advancements. You can shoot someone for a bunch of damage with an arquebus, you could throw a fireball at them, or you could hit them with a big stick. These all basically accomplish the same thing: hurt the other guy for some amount of damage. Even our basic weapons become godly methods of destruction with the addition of Master and Heroic lists. Technology vs. Supernatural vs. “just a guy who’s really really good with a stick” is a matter of flavor and roleplay, not mechanics.

The second level is the overarching world plot. The biggest threats to the world (which players usually encounter as mod bosses or weekend plot NPCs) are supernatural. Even the “mad scientists” which have on occasion come out still make heavy use of the supernatural. They almost always need something supernatural to be defeated, as well: a team of sorcerers, a ritual with specific magical components, and the like. Any technology involved is solely on the first level of immediate player mechanics, and not story.

The third level is what lies between. These are the “hold my ale and watch this” moments - people creating their own rituals, or working on personal side plots. The potential exists within this realm for a PC to affect a larger piece of the world than whatever immediate plot threat has been placed in front of them. This is the area in which technology is ill-defined, and so, essentially, Londwyns have been kept from this arena.

Londwyn’s Place So Far

Londwyns have traditionally been encouraged to be played as hesitant - if not downright against - using any kind of supernatural force. They are not supposed to trust it, to make use of it only as a last resort, and the new proposed racials are making it even more difficult (10 seconds between casts is a *really long time* on a battlefield!) to want to take any kind of casting list. Yes, it’s true that you don’t *need* casting to enjoy the game, but when the second & third levels of world interaction rely heavily on the supernatural, you have an entire race being discouraged from getting involved in anything beyond the most basic of “shoot it until it dies”. Any other race with this kind of restriction has the restriction against one specific type of supernatural source, not all of them.

The tradeoff was supposed to be in technological advancement. No, it would never affect the entire world, but it should be able to affect something beyond killing things in a mod. It should provide some cool stories or fun RP in its construction and deployment. To this date, I have seen three technological advancements approved: 1) The weedwhacker; 2) a clockwork dog; and 3) metal guitar strings. The first one was Goggins, and the latter two were mine. Three inventions, over eight years, with 64 Londwyn characters in the database. I think it’s safe to say the system is not working as intended.

This is further compounded by the addition of magitech, and the forthcoming Gnomes as a playable race with a magitech-focused racial. I do not know to what extent player-created magitech is intended to work, but it is my understanding that magitech is the “missing link”. It is “technological” in nature in that it requires specific construction and materials, with solid rules around its operation (such as kith stones to power the Gates of Passage, Aerobark for the airship, etc.), but makes use of Astral as a supernatural power source to techno-babble its way to functionality.

It is the “anything you can do, I can do better” fuck-you to Londwyns.

So, where do we go from here? I have a few suggestions:

Solidify the Actual Tech Level of Londwyn

It’s been very confusing to try and figure out where Londwyn society currently is when it comes to technology. There have been conflicting reports of where they’re supposed to be: anywhere from Da Vinci-level Renaissance clockwork, up to late Victorian on-the-verge-of-electricity industrialization. This *needs* to be figured out, by someone who is willing to put in the time to ensure that the level of tech is internally consistent with itself (it’s really hard to have a London-like city and factories, without having, for example, combine harvesters to make farming more efficient to free up workers for mines and factories; we can’t strip-mine without a good working knowledge of explosives and hydraulics, etc.), as well as not hitting a level that would interfere with the general atmosphere of the world.

This goal can be accomplished by working backwards. Do you want Londwyns to have pocket watches, strip mines, and trains? That means someone has invented the escapement & flywheel. This has the potential for other far-reaching effects, but as has been stated, Londwyn invention is not one-to-one with the real world. Just because someone on Earth has managed to extrapolate the flywheel to convert its kinetic energy into electricity doesn’t mean that someone has managed to do so in Londwyn. But, it should be noted that the possibility is there.

Science & The Rest of the World

How the rest of the world views, understands, and uses technology should also be taken into account. It’s one thing to say nomadic barbarian tribes in the north have never heard of all this stuff - but what about Kormyre? Would Loez completely ignore the use of technology in the capitol, or would they make use of it? They’re not such a heavily supernatural-dependent society that they would have absolutely no use for it. The dwarves, as well, might have begun using some of these concepts (especially in mine shafts).

Materials science & math is also important to understand here. Obviously, at game, we only have a small selection of materials to work with, but the effects/equivalents of standard material types vs. real-world materials is also not well-defined. Similarly, the math behind a lot of this is something of a requirement - there’s only so far you can go without understanding maths. Some notes on the properties and basic uses of these things should be written.

Therefore, at least a basic overview of what kinds of tech has spread to the rest of the world, as well as the general cultural feeling towards it, would go a long way towards giving technology & science a solid place in the world. A bit of general public lore on “what you might know about science” wouldn’t go amiss, either - I’ve lost count of the amount of times I’ve had to tell people that no, we don’t know if Arawyn is round, and no, we have not discovered the Theory of Evolution.

Technology/Invention Marshal

It’s not escaped my notice that the game STs are incredibly busy all the time. Part of the issue with integrating technology into the game world is that it all needs to go through James, who has zero time to deal with it. Get someone else to do it, someone with a good understanding of engineering concepts and technobabble. That way, the general allowable tech level stays consistent, and if something looks like it might be successful, this person can bring it to James *at that point* for final approval. This strikes me as the kind of job for an atmosphere marshal.

Set up a whole process for this, with steps.

Send Technology Marshal a basic idea of what you intend to do. Tech Marshal can then reject it outright (if it’s too advanced/too ridiculous for the world), or give the player the go-ahead to begin pursuing this.

Player writes up how this invention would function, and works with the Tech Marshal to set up a time for at-game experimentation.

Based on results of experimentation, if it looks like the player might be successful, the Tech Marshal can then approach James for final approval.

Player is given a yes, no, or “keep experimenting” answer.

I’m sure there’s some room for improvement here. I wrote this up in about 3 minutes - with a little more thought, this could be turned into something that works smoothly, gives players a chance to RP invention shenanigans at game, and hopefully helps them feel like they have a place in the story that isn’t totally reliant upon the supernatural. This could also be extended to work with magitech as well.

In Conclusion…

...I clearly have too much time on my hands, technology is difficult to integrate and keep steady without someone dedicated to overseeing it, you can’t have a race that’s all about something that has no support from the game staff, and please fix this before you introduce Gnomes and crush all my tiny dreams.

Love,

Cassie

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dredshirtroberts · 5 years

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The Elves of Dragon Age

More specifically: their damn faces.

This is gonna probably be long because none of my thoughts are concise. If it is concise it is mostly just screeching, and even then I do go on a bit sometimes.

Also: Trigger warnings are important. I briefly go into some stuff related to in-game lore with regards to the slavery of the elves, as well as some not chill topics i think would be related regarding genetics and reproduction during that time of slavery. These things may trigger or squick and I get that SO MUCH. I think I do a pretty good job of being clear when it’s about to go into way too much detail on these topics so you can literally just stop reading there and pretend it doesn’t go there, I’m not offended.

ANYWAY.

Elves. Dragon Age. I have Thoughts and Feelings about their faces and bone structure.

Even from Dragon Age: Origins, we see that Elves are distinctly Different from the other races. I mean clearly there’s the ears but they’re also smaller than humans, and more...lithe? Lithe. It’s a good word, we’ll keep it. But as far as faces go, not a whole lot different from the humans.

I’m going to skip Dragon Age II because that’s where my Thoughts and Feelings get a little bit more...uh...more.

Dragon Age: Inquisition - confession time, Inquisition was my first Dragon Age game and it will always hold a soft spot for me. I looooved the character creation sliders and i liked how different the elves were - not a lot more than Origins I later learned, but enough that even with the most careful manipulations there were still some differences in the facial structures. This is also, I think, where the differences in body-type and bone structure became most apparent and where I think my first inclination to describe elves of the DA universe as being “bird-like”.

Then there was Dragon Age II. WOW I thought when I played and ran into my first elf character (the one from the Blooming Rose whose name has escaped me as of just now but it’s okay i’ll think of it at 3am and be really annoyed by it, it’s fine). WOW I thought, that is a Different Race in a way that was so much more than the way Dwarves are different from Humans.

In Inquisition I was taken by the modern elves’ lack of brow ridge definition - or maybe it’s their lack of nose bridge indent. I don’t know anatomical terms for faces and frankly if I go look it up now i’ll lose my train of thought so we’re gonna skip it and maybe one day I’ll care enough to figure it out. - their profiles were so INTERESTING because they were very Grecian - like ancient pottery from Athens or something and I’ve always liked a strong profile. The fact that I’m so jealous of my sister’s facial features is definitely testament to this. I was intrigued by trying to make a super strong nose and keep the lack of brow ridge.

In DA2 I was absolutely enamoured with elf eyes. They were Big and Alien and coupled with the more pronounced lack of brow ridge definitely became my favorite fantasy-style portrayal of a non-human race. It made them seem more bird like and it almost was...I want to say ugly but in a beautiful way? It made the observations of other characters from Origins and Inquisition more important somehow - that elves were considered beautiful and (ugh I hate this term please forgive me) exotic, that there were many people who prefer the way elves look to the way other humans look. If it were just that they were Pretty, Petit, pointy-eared humans, eh, i guess? but how boring! Now that they are Strange and Alien and have Large Eyes and Different Facial Structure, with practically fragile looking frames? Oh Yes this is Good because they are Weird and we humans do enjoy a good Weird.

And once I thought about how humans (or people) of Thedas in general considered these Weird Elves to be attractive - even more so than conventionally attractive humans, in fact - oh man that started some gears turning. Because then I looked at Inquisition (and okay I’ll drag Origins back into the light a little) and saw how Ancient Elves seemed more human-like, more standard bone structures, taller, less spindly of limb - robust I think is a good word - well. I couldn’t help but think maybe the modern elves of Thedas are a product of their environments - and perhaps of a little selective breeding.

It’s difficult for me to bring these things up because in our world these are Super Bad Things that definitely should not happen. And I am Very against eugenics and talking about people like they’re animals and the whole big Slavery thing that is a HUGE bad. I acknowledge these points and I want to make sure I am very clear that I do not support them. I am fascinated by the implication that the obvious differences between two distinct time periods of elves brings about with regards to these specific topics, at least one of which is openly admitted to in the universe.

That being said, allow me to move forward.

It is stated multiple times throughout the series (mind, I’ve only ever played the games and perused the wiki so my knowledge is limited to these sources) that the elves of Arlathan (and prior) were, essentially, immortal. Unaging, never dying. Only to sleep for thousands of years when they were tired of continuing on (#mood, tho). At some point, when humans came about, their lives started to become shorter - especially the more time they spent near humans. But I imagine they kept the same features as the ancient elves had. #everythingchangedwhenthetevinterimeriumattacked

But really though, after becoming, uh, mortal for lack of a better term, it was not long before the Tevinter Imperium enslaved the elves (the timeline on this for me is a little unclear so I’m not sure how long between the two things it was - afaik Arlathan properly fell to the Imperium, but idk when elves started losing their long-lives in relation to that).

Slavery is a fucking nightmare. I know I don’t need to harp on about that, but the reality is that people who own slaves do some really fucked up things. Potentially things like selective breeding to create the prettiest or hardiest or most unique looking of their slaves. Considering the “modern” attitude towards elves in Thedas, I don’t imagine that the slaves of the Tevinter Imperium were looked at as more than livestock, to be perfected for the purposes they were forced to serve. Over time, selected features that were good for x purpose might have also led to recessive traits being favored - like piebalding in domesticated animals (ugh this is so uncomfy i’m so sorry). Or say, they really liked that a major feature of elves were their relatively smooth profiles, so let’s try for the smoothest profile until you get the bull terrier face of modern elves. Elves have excellent eyesight (i read somewhere that they have really great night vision and their eyes reflect lights back like cats or something? idk if that was a real thing or a headcanon thing but i’m down with it) - let’s make their eyes bigger for night watches, or just because big eyes are cool idk. It’s the Tevinter Imperium they’re pretty fucked up people who knows why they chose which things they did.

I’d say even the relative frailty of the elves’ bodies might be a part of this. They can do labor in and around the property, but they won’t be able to run far or for long, and if they’re so light-boned they are more at risk of injury that would hobble them and keep them from running away. Coupled with several thousand years of slave-diets and/or being on the move (just not seeing the Dalish having time for 3 squares, you know?) and you get the bird-like figures we see in the games. Thin, spindly, looks like a stiff breeze’d blow ‘em into the next town.

They were attractive because they were pretty, but now they’re attractive because they are other. They were lithe because they were active, now they are thin because they are malnourished and bred to be breakable. They were fine-featured and now they have too-large eyes and too-smooth profiles and they are strange and how odd and it’s easier to hate someone who looks different from you, especially when it is so different.

And maybe that was a motivation of the slave owners of the imperium and beyond, too. Make them strange, make them other, and then it will not be like we are treating people as chattel but now they will be animals because we make them so. They are birds, rabbits, and we can treat them as lower than us because birds and rabbits are not people.

And if recessive traits are all that are bred into a people, when those people reproduce with, say, I don’t know, humans, those recessive traits will hide behind the dominant ones. Maybe the facial structure will be strange - that depends on how strong genes the human parent has for brow ridge and body type. Perhaps their eyes will be slightly too large. Perhaps this is why elf-blood children resemble their human parent, because humans haven’t had their dominant traits erased from their blood. Perhaps some human and elf couples have a higher chance of having a more elf-y looking kid. Maybe that chance is because the human side of the couple has elf-genes in them already, or maybe that human just has a lot of their own recessive traits that are dominated by the recessives of the elven parents. Genetics are weird.

So - Elves looking strangely - was it a late stage decision on the developers’ part? Yeah almost certainly. Did it accidentally create some cool possibilities about the world building? I think so. Do I think they’re cowards for making the elves look more “normal” in Inquisition? FUCK YES I do.

That being said, what the FUCK did they do to Zevran’s face???? You RUINED his handsome face!!!!

#dragon age #dragon age origins #dragon age ii #dragon age inquisition #dao #da2 #dai #elves #elf faces #dragon age elves #long and rambly rant #long post #sensitive topics #oooh i should put a trigger warning at the top #Okay Trigger Warning in there also added a cut because yeah this is fuckin long sorry y'all #lol that last line is such cognitive dissonance i'm sorry #i go on and on about how much i enjoy the other-ness of the elves and then i'm like 'except zevran he doesn't count'#but it's not *my* fault they made him unnecessarily attractive to begin with

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