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fridaypls · 29 days

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Grove Guardian's Revenge: A Gif Analysis

Pissing him off so you don't have to.

Obligatory slowed version of The Walk to get us started. If you haven't seen it before, you're welcome.

He's so angry and so right to be angry. For a hundred years, he has defended the Grove at great personal cost. Before it was established, he saw the deaths of his friends, peers, mentor; his support circle crumbled in a single day.

Not only did his mentor fall, he had to slay his mentor's shade in the aftermath in order to lay him to rest. This is the final release canon origin for the Sorrow glaive, but the early-access version is even more heart-wrenching. Either version, the mantle of first druid / arch-druid is thrust upon his unprepared shoulders; alone and without confidantes or peers, he shouldered the load and kept going.

In his diary, we see that he thought he'd found hope of a cure for the Shadow Curse, which was what he was pursuing when the goblins captured him. "The first hope in a century" if I'm remembering correctly.

From there, he meets you - a second hope of salvation. And then... this. The ultimate betrayal and the end of the Grove, of everything he's protected for so long.

We rarely see Halsin using his size to intimidate; even when he rips Kagha a new one in the conversation about the Rite of Thorns, regardless of whether or not he throws her out.

He uses his size as threat now... as he should. He's here to kill you.

And if it's not active intimidation, then what we might be seeing here is him reining in his temper - choosing to have a conversation before acting.

He's facing Tav when he storms up; as he starts to talk, he angles himself a little away from them. We'll see that more in a second.

"I thought you'd help me. I thought we'd help eachother - instead you chose this."

Controlled calm slipping into justified anger. Again, that blink-and-you'll miss it detail of an emotion, just amazing work by Larian.

"The grove stood for generations. It was our link to Silvanus. Not, it’s nothing but blood and ashes - thanks to you."

Let's slow it down and get closer, really soak in the tiny details embedded in this scene.

Watch the first part below at half speed, watch his face twist into disgust and pain. Watch him physically turn away from you in anger and loathing. He's not looking at Tav anymore, he's seeing something else instead. Some memory of the Grove, whether a happy one or a more recent, bloodstained one, we're left to guess.

Anger turns into sorrow - he lifts his eyes in a silent prayer as he speaks, then hangs his head in heavy, tired despair. It doesn't drag his features down yet; he's still too angry under all that pain.

A tiny, miserable moment of memory and suffering....

...before sorrow turns back into anger, when he comes back to the present. That second blink of anger when he comes back to himself, out of whatever memory he was replaying in that moment. He turns back to you and rage crowds back into his face.

He's already made his choice... but he's about to give Tav a chance to speak for their actions anyway. While the role of arch-druid might have been thrust onto his unprepared shoulders unexpectedly a hundred years before, he has grown immensely since then. Despite his justified rage, he reacts wisely, seeking to understand before seeking vengeance.

Tell me… was it worth it?

He's furious, rightfully so, but there's still a genuine question under that rage. The split-second look of curiousity before the rage takes over his features once more.

Was there a meaning to this sacrifice? Was it done for a purpose or was it all just as cruel and wanton of a betrayal as it seemed?

Even as anger and hatred take over his face once more, he gives you a chance to speak for yourself.

There are four options.

Option 1: Of course - I did what I had to do. Your grove was in the way.

"You have no idea what you’ve done, do you? Or perhaps you simply don’t care?"

First, the genuine sadness and disbelief as he says "You have no idea what you’ve done, do you?"

Then, the anger of "Or perhaps you simply don’t care?"

Sadness and sorrow into fucking rage. Both are so poignant and beautifully done. Round of applause for Larian, god(s)damn.

The first three options all end the same way, so we'll cut right to Option 2 and save that glorious closing gif for the end.

Option 2: "I’m sorry. I had no choice."

"There’s always a choice - but you have made yours. Now I make mine."

Look at the disgust... the way he squeezes his eyes shut as he says "There’s always a choice". He knows. He's made hard choices, at great personal cost.

The way he says it with his head down, his nostrils flared in disgust and anger, and doesn't open his eyes as he turns his head to face Tav. He doesn't open his eyes until the last instant, both saddened and repulsed by Tav and their actions.

Then, when he's looking into Tav's eyes, the anger and hatred set in again.

Let's cut to Option 3.

Option 3: "Calm down. Come sit by the fire and we can talk this over."

"There’s nothing left to be said. My mercy died when I saw the grove."

Pretty much directly into the rage with this one.

And honestly, I don't think anyone could blame him? The balls to aid in the massacre of everyone he cares about, then to hit him with "Calm down. Come sit by the fire and we can talk this over" once he confronts you and gives you a chance to explain yourself?

Nope. Game over, buddy. (Well...)

The four option is simply to attack; all four options lead to a fight to the death. The first three options all end the same way;

"You have upended nature’s balance. Only your death can restore it!"

Slower? Okay.

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all-made-of-stardust · 1 year

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okay but here’s why I actually straight up started crying towards the end there.

when the Hells first arrived in Uthodern, the atmosphere was fear. the city was dark. temples were closing their doors. the center for knowledge, where so many people came for answers, did not have knowledge. did not have answers. people were scared. scared that they couldn’t find help, scared that they couldn’t reach out to loved ones, ask if they are okay.

and suddenly, within their very walls, within their homes, a horrible beast sprouted forth from the heart of the city. there was death, there was destruction. there was despair. because if their own home wasn’t safe, then nowhere was.

the darkness was winning.

then a woman with purple hair and odd markings spoke into the captain of the guard’s mind and told him that things were better. things were okay. and he believed her. because what else could he do but to cling to hope?

because that’s what the Hells brought with them, as this terrifying celestial beast that once brought death now steps out, wearing a peach bow, surrounded by the radiance and light that the city so sorely needed. he is guarded by such an odd group, but they all exude calm. there is a small gnome wearing a pink handknit sweater riding on its back.

they guide this noble, beautiful beast through an entire city, and the whole time they are showcasing to everyone that the darkness is not winning. not now. not while there is still hope kindling in our hearts. not while ancient beasts can once again see the stars.

the world may be ending, but it hasn’t ended yet.

not if Bells Hells can help it.

#cr spoilers #umudara the sentinel beast #umudara #critical role #bells hells #i have a lot of emotions about this scene okay #aabria is right it was such a nice metaphor #i was reminded of that scene towards the end of Children of Men #where all the fighting and all the death stops for one blessed moment #because there is a child #because there is hope #as someone who eternally considers herself a dogged optimist #even in times of absolute heartache and sorrow #i know the absolute bulwark that hope can be #it's cheesy and silly and absolutely ridiculous #but the power of friendship truly can be the most magical thing in the world

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dismissivedestroyer · 14 days

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THIS IS THE CLIP I WAS TALKING ABOUT BTW. PELO CONFIRMING THAT HOPE IS DEAD. AND SOME NEWS ABOUT THE JOHN&JACK SHORT. poor John.

#spooky month #spooky month hope #spooky month john #sm john #sm hope #spooky month hollow sorrows

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robanilla-arts · 4 months

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sans undertale my best friend sans undertale

But he's old. His bones clack and creak and pop when he walks. He'll take a shortcut if he has to, but it just takes so much energy these days, and though he actively combats it, his mind ain't as sharp as it used to be. The risk of over or undercalculating the leap is a bit much for his single hp to take.

Considering just how old some monsters are (Gerson, Asgore and Toriel, etc. have been alive since before the war) I'd like to think this is a very long time down the line, but maybe it's not. Maybe Frisk is still around, and maybe they have an entire political career ahead of them still, and when they visit ol' dunkle sans, they chat about life and death and regrets and hopes. Sans reminisces about his youth, makes a tongue-in-cheek remark about how it wouldn't be so bad to reset and live all over again, knowing this would be the outcome. Frisk would laugh and shake their head no, they wouldn't be going back on their promise.

Papyrus is still spry in his age, but he's getting more and more brittle by the year. His humor has grown into that silly dry wit that makes Frisk pause to wonder if he's actually lost it. He still gives Sans a hard time about being lazy (and has more than once joined him in a mid-afternoon nap.) Toriel, if she's still around, still loves sharing puns with him, giving snail facts, and sharing cozy reading nooks (and perhaps the occasional nuzzle session ^^)

Sans never thought he'd make it this far. Every now and then, he wonders if Frisk even still has the power to reset - or save, for that matter. It was Flowey before them, after all. The mantle could be passed on... and what, then? Not that he'd really remember every detail of this life or the last, anyway.

It's best not to think about it now. He's kept busy, maybe as a shopkeep, or a science teacher, or what-have-you npc. He reads more often, does the daily puzzle in the newspaper. (He's gotten into a bit of a sudoku phase.) He still loves shocking people by drinking ketchup straight from the bottle, but hey, tea isn't that bad, actually. He manages to catch more sunrises. He still takes the time to stargaze whenever he can. He's happy.

Despite everything. He's happy.

#sans undertale #elder!sans #is that a thing #i hope i havent encroached on anyone's au or whathaveyou #just thinking. about the joys and sorrows that is growing old. when you never thought you'd get the chance.#robanilla-writes #my writing #robanilla-arts #my art #oh i cant not love them #i love them your honor

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nottoonedin · 2 months

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At the end of this story, there is only a cold spot,

stained with blood and empty air.

#would've probably had hope for both of them surviving if there wasn't that foreshadowing in Black Sorrow 😭😭#also dunno what their outfits look like so i gave them the plainest looking shirts ever 👍✨#i am not prepared for round 6 djjdkejjfrjfkjkg #alien stage #alnst #alnst till #alien stage ivan #ivantill #alien stage till #vivinos #ivan alien stage #ivan alnst #alnst ivan #till alnst #till alien stage #alien stage fanart #alnst fanart #my art #toon's art

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bishicat · 9 months

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Fenris looking at Hawke with his big meow meow eyes :3c

#so i just finished his act 3 quest 'Alone' and when fenris looks at hawke after sparing varania I just...........fell even deeper #his EYES are what got me #like they seemed so full of sorrow but also hope (?) & love at that time #that's when I had to close the game to draw them eyeballz #cause fenris is my big meow meow baby and he deserves some fanart #this was so fun to paint ahahhghghgg i need to draw him more #fenris #dragon age #dragon age 2 #da2 #dragon age fanart #fenhawke #digital art #my art #anyway back to playin 🏃‍♀️#bishiart

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serafisolaris · 2 months

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Why couldn't you leave me alone...

#touchstarved #touchstarved game #mhin touchstarved #mhin #digital art #illustration #art #my art #they kinda strike me as someone incredibly lonely #and full of sorrow #i hope you guys like it

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ind0mitablesw0rdsmen · 11 months

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WE GOT THE FUCKING REMAKE

in honor of delta being announced

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leehallfae · 10 months

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different from the others (1919) dir. richard oswald

#anyone else overwhelmed to the core by grief and love and sorrow and hope or is it just me #my screencaps #different from the others #caps #richard oswald #anders als die andern #early film #b&w #lgbt

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eyesteeth · 5 months

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i think what’s really fun about s3e7 is that the recurring statement that people don’t care about motels and just pass through is proven true twice. carpenter and hayward don’t realize that sebastian is gone when they leave because they don’t check - they paid upfront and leave quietly, just like he sad.

(which, y’know, good for them. carpenter already dealt with a house like this and hayward’s died to a saint before. another horror avoided is a win for them.)

but then sebastian, he willingly succumbs to the fantasy of being with devereaux, while devereaux’s fantasy is of his family. even as their bodies hang next to one another, slowly choking until they finally die, they don’t share the same hope. sebastian’s going to be thinking about devereaux, a man he just met, until he dies and devereaux doesn’t even have sebastian in his fantasy.

devereaux, too, was just passing through.

#tsv #the silt verses #in my eyes had they survived their respective obsessions of hope they would have had a glorious two week fling and never meet again #and speaking of something utterly unrelated to the previous tag #the sorrow and shame and the rapture and bliss… yet another pair of complementary gods… very interesting. very fun. very tasty.

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dismissivedestroyer · 4 days

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Hollow Sorrows but John tries to shoot Moloch and he turns into Hope to taunt him in retaliation.

#spooky month #sm hollow sorrows #spooky month hollow sorrows #hollow sorrows #spooky month hope #sm hope #spooky month john #sm john #sm moloch #spooky month moloch

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thefirstknife · 8 months

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I love all the little details that directly quote Books of Sorrow this season.

Eris in the cutscene last week:

All things must prove their right to exist. The rest will die in terror. There is neither escape nor exemption. Simple. Essential. Beautiful to know.

Books of Sorrow:

I’m glad I learned that the universe runs on death. It’s more beautiful to know.

Eris in her chat with Drifter:

Books of Sorrow:

I am war, and you have conjured me back with war. ... I am trickery, and you have conjured me back with trickery.

And this week, with all the mentions of the species they exterminated, but especially the Ammonites:

The "bait stars" goes back all the way to when they were still krill, from a life form (stormjoy) on the Fundament that Xivu (then Xi Ro) was proving herself against by cutting off the ends of the tentacles called "bait stars" from them:

A STORMJOY. A stormjoy is a living cloud. When it passes over our continent, it lowers its feeding tentacles. On each tentacle are the BAIT STARS. Although light makes you happy, you must avoid it. You will be eaten. A stormjoy is a good way for an old person to choose death. Also, a daring knight can cut the bait stars from the tentacles. I have six!

It seems this has turned into some sort of a saying in their language given what she said in the radio and also in Books of Sorrow later:

These are the bait stars the Sky uses to blind its slaves.

The story of how the Ammonite hero, Chroma-Admiral (called Rafriit) went to protect the Leviathan:

...is also in the Books of Sorrow:

The Leviathan has broken cover. The old priest is in open space, moving towards the Ammonite home moon. Chroma-Admiral Rafriit and his elite guard move with it. Rafriit is the hero of his generation, an Ammonite of peerless battlecraft. He’s danced circles around Xivu Arath… but now he has to protect his holy Leviathan.

This is, for the record, the Leviathan from the Fundament. Once the Worms were free, it fled to try and help the Ammonite, as well as still pleading with the Hive siblings to think about what they've done, and also ominously asking them to truly think "who made you monsters" and "who summoned the wave."

I'm sure there's more, especially in Sororicide lore book, and/or that there will be more. I feel like this is such a nice way to tell these old stories that many people have probably not have had the chance to read or even know about. It gives just enough details about some ancient wars to make you interested and maybe point you in the direction to ask someone about it or start looking for more and then stumbling on Books of Sorrow. Like a crash course about this ancient history-rich universe that awakens a sense of wonder and maybe interests you into reading some lore.

Unfortunately, Books of Sorrow have never been readable in the game (either of them), but I hope that stuff like this presented in the main storyline for everyone to hear will motivate people to look deeper into the lore. It's basically like a little teaser and I love it. For us who know, it's such an honor to finally hear this being narrated to us by those that committed these acts, and for those that are hearing it for the first time it should spark curiosity about these ancient tales and battles. I hope so at least! If you haven't already, I highly recommend reading the whole Books of Sorrow which are up on Ishtar in their entirety.

#destiny 2 #destiny 2 spoilers #season of the witch #season of the witch spoilers #books of sorrow #hive #eris #really hope that this helps with the whole issue with lore being largely written and literally in another game #this really nicely adds some details about books of sorrow and will hopefully motivate people to actually read them #even if they're out of the way a little! though it IS only one click away on ishtar so. still. super nice to hear about it in game

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dissentersbedamned · 22 days

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