#1st mass

[serpentface]

Retconned Wardi firearms- a basic handgun, a highly decorative ceremonial handgun (belonging to Faiza), and a lance-gun.

Gun tech has officially been nerfed down to hand cannons (press F) (this has been a long time coming but I'd been fallacy of sunk costs-ing myself out of retconning).

Handguns are held similarly to a shotgun, with the butt pressed into the user's shoulder, one hand gripping under the barrel, and the other free to ignite the gunpowder. These represent the most advanced firearms in contemporary usage, both in make and in their use of uniform iron projectiles built to match the gun's bore for greater range and efficiency. Lance-guns are the more basal form, usually larger and mounted with the pole held over the shoulder, and are most effectively used by two people (one to hold and aim, one to light the gunpowder).

The spread of firearms is currently mostly limited to the Eastern Inner Seaway peoples (with some additional distribution via overland trade), and actual manufacture of hand cannons and gunpowder at Significant scale is limited to the region's core powers.

The reason for this limited spread is partially due to specific elements of the technology's history. Gunpowder was first synthesized by Burri alchemists and considered to be the discovery of the legendary divine weapon + solar fire of the deity Inanariya, and its formula (along with techniques for ideally refining its components) remained a closely guarded state secret. It was used predominantly in priestly contexts to generate flame and explosive sounds (in conjunction with earlier practices of generating multicolored flames with use of other chemicals), then integrated into combustible weaponry in the forms of fire lances, which would eventually develop into early handcannons.

The treatment of gunpowder as a guarded sacred or semi-sacred substance continued with Wardi adoption, where knowledge of its making is considered a closed rite. It's name (inya tsatsul or just tsatsul, a derived adoption of the Burri iñazatsūya) still reflects a divine solar association (the Burri word means 'sun's thunder', the Wardi 'inya' invokes the sun, 'tsatsul' is an adapted loanword and has no meaning independent of the substance itself), though its priestly use is now predominantly associated with the firearm'ed Odonii (rather than priests of the solar Face Inyamache). The composition of gunpowder can no longer be regarded as a Secret by any means, though efforts to obscure the methods of its creation are still moderately successful and has kept knowledge of gunpowder manufacture more limited than the total sphere of firearm usage itself.

The actual strongest limiting factor of firearm usage is the rarity of natural saltpeter deposits necessary for making gunpowder. The practice of actively producing saltpeter via nitraries has not been developed anywhere in the setting, and all is instead obtained via natural sources. These sources are rare and limited within the current spread of firearm technology, and result in gunpowder being a limited and expensive substance to produce. The weapons themselves are also very expensive to manufacture (a good quality steel SWORD is far too material-cost prohibitive for most people to own), particularly high quality firearms designed for use with standardized ammunition.

These guns are also very basal, and logistical difficulties in their use (weight, very slow loading and firing speed, high visibility, Relatively low reach and accuracy) along with the restrictive cost of production has kept firearms far from rendering conventional weaponry, armor, and projectiles obsolete (even within the societies that have access to them). They are still, however, very devastating in use within their contemporary context, particularly in that high quality guns have a longer range than the best arrow-based projectiles, and utterly negate most contemporary forms of armor at close range.

[aois-amaterasu-painting]

Deracine vs The Pale

[mollykawamotoart]

The goodbye between Shepard and Garrus makes me cry. They go through so much together. It's heart breaking.

[wanderingdesertrose]

Various covers of Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson (formerly/alternatively titled Mistborn: The Final Empire)

left to right, top to bottom:

1) 1st edition hardback

2) 2nd edition mass market paperback

3) cover from when the book was rebranded as YA instead of adult

4) 2019 mass market paperback

5) UK cover

6) Croatian cover

7) Chinese cover

8) new US cover (2023)

[morn1e]

satan?really? after 9 out of 10 of npcs running around w napalm launchers?man fuck yall

[laoruna]

Mass Effect Trilogy appreciation week - day 3

hi mom, I have a thing I want to talk to you about. I’m free for the next 8 hrs (traveling, location classified (spectre business sorry)), call me if you can?

Hi Jane. It’s good to hear from you. I can call you in an hour or so. How private a conversation do you need?

private private

I’ll make sure to give the comms crew an early night off then.

thanks mom, love you

Love you too, Jane. See you soon!

-

Hannah Shepard had to admit she was nervous when she started the vidcall with her daughter. She was incredibly proud of her, but even she was getting increased scrutiny for Jane’s new position as the first human Spectre – she could only imagine all the pressure her daughter was under. And her request for a private conversation could mean anything from venting off steam to asking for help about a mistake that could cause intergalactic war if it was found out. She schooled her features into a reassuring smile by the time the call connected, and seeing her daughter’s face smoothed away most of her worries – she was trying to hide it, but she was looking more embarrassed than afraid.

“Hi Mom!”

“Hello Jane! It’s good to see you. How are you holding up?”

“I-” Hannah watched, as her daughter decided to drop the masks. She was glad she felt safe enough to do so, but she wished Jane didn’t have to hide herself at all. “I am so tired. Everyone is counting on me, and I wasn’t trained for politics, but Udina keeps telling me I could start a war with a wrong word…” she buried her face in her hands, and Hannah wished she could hug her through the screen. Jane looked back up, her expression immensely tired. “I never wanted all this.”

“I know, darling. God, I wish I could help, but I promise, you can talk to me about anything. I love you, and I’m so proud of you. I hope you know that.”

“I do, mom, and it helps.” She took a deep breath, and put on a weary smile. “Love you too.”

They sat in silence for a few seconds, before Hannah spoke up again.

“You said there was a… private ‘thing’ you wanted to talk about?”

Jane turned as red as her hair in a second, and she looked to the side. Hannah had to force back a smile – that reaction gave her a good idea as to what her daughter wanted to talk about.

“Well, there’s this… I mean I… I’ve met a…” Seeing her stammering made it impossible for Hannah to suppress a small laugh.

“What’s her name, darling?” She asked with a smile.

Jane buried her face in her hands again, but her reply was still audible: “Ashley. Ashley Williams.”

Williams? Probably a coincidence, the name was fairly wide-spread. Hannah chose to ignore it, at least for now. Instead, she asked: “What is she like?”

Her daughter looked back up at the screen, and while her face was still beet red, her eyes shined with an intense emotion. “She is wonderful. She is pretty, and smart, loves poetry, and has a big heart, despite all the shit the world has thrown at her- at first she had some… unfortunate views, but being on the Normandy helped her get some perspective-”

Hannah couldn’t help a sharp intake of breath at hearing that, and Jane noticed it, stopping with a guilty look.

“Jane. You said this Ashley is serving on your ship?” She tried to sound as non-judgmental as possible, but a lifetime of military career instilled an inherent reaction against fraternization.

“...yes. We picked her up on Eden Prime after her squad was killed by the geth.” Her daughter’s gaze turned determined. “And before you ask, yes, she is form that Williams family. She’s the granddaughter of the General Williams. And she has been punished for daring to be born into the wrong family enough.” Jane had fire in her eyes, and her whole expression radiated an unstoppable iron will. Hannah realized that she just got a look at the Commander Shepard, Hero of Elysium, and she got immediately ashamed for forcing this reaction out of her daughter.

“I’m sorry, Jane.” The words, and their shameful tone, seemed to shock the younger woman out of her soldier-like vehemence. “You came to me as your mother, and I reacted like a career soldier. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have reacted like that.”

“No, Mom, I- I understand. For a long time I did the same whenever I caught myself having… feelings for Ash. But we’ve been through so much already, and the way things are going…” She gave Hannah a sad smile. “I can’t keep lying to myself. Even if I don’t act on it, I have to be honest with myself, or I’m afraid of losing who I am in all the acting I have to do.”

Hannah felt her heart breaking for her child. She was unspeakably proud of her, but she also wished she could just live her life as a regular woman, as far from the pedestal the Alliance put her on as possible.

“You deserve all the love and happiness in the world, Jane. I love you, and no matter what anyone says, I’ll continue to love you and support every decision you make.” With a half smile, she added. “Maybe your Spectre status also makes you exempt from fraternization laws too. You deserve some perks with all the burdens.”

Jane laughed at that. “It’s worth looking into, I guess.” She gave her mother a grateful smile. “Thank you, Mom. Sorry for bullrushing you like that, I just had so many emotions about this-”

“You have nothing to be sorry for, darling. You have so much on your plate, and I shouldn’t have added to it.” After a little pause, she asked, a bit hesitantly: “Does Ashley know…?”

Once again, Jane’s face reddened, and she scratched the back of her head.

“I… I think so? I have been trying to find out her feelings about, like, women and relationships and such, and she seemed…” she turned even redder “Receptive. Don’t know for sure though.”

Hannah smiled at her.

“You should talk to her then, openly, and I’m sure you can find a way to be together if that’s what you both want.”

“Yeah. I’ll… I’ll do that.” She gave her mother a sheepish, but grateful smile. “Thanks, Mom.”

“You’re very welcome, Jane.” They sat in a comfortable silence for a little, before Hannah asked. “How is your assignment going?”

“I wish I could tell you, Mom, but all details are Council-classified.” Came the answer with a frustrated sigh. “We’re getting close, I can tell, but the guy is slippery.”

Hannah gave a commiserating smile.

“I know how frustrating classified missions can be. I wish you luck, Jane.”

“Thank y-” Suddenly, Jane’s omnitool started flashing, indicating an incoming important message. “I’m sorry, Mom, I have to cut this short. It’s the Council.”

“Take care, Jane. And remember: I love you.”

Her daughter smiled at her through the screen.

“I will Mom. Love you too.” And she closed the call.

Hannah spent the next few hours of her off-duty cycle subtly contacting many of her friends, acquaintances and contacts among the Alliance brass, paving the way if she needed to call in some favors in the future. Her daughter might be a Spectre now, but surely she could still use the help of her mother every now and then.

[too-raph]

Every Single Day I think about Cheongsan smacking Gwinam in the face with a music stand, and Gwinam turning back to him with that amused little grin......

[spotsupstuff]

Imagine if tarrows forgot shes not a slugcat, and absent mindedly tried to store a pearl in her stomach for safekeeping and nearly choking.

the only time i can imagine it happening is before Sparrows would leave the Void Pools cuz otherwise she has that fuckin.. rebreather mask constantly on. it would tunk against that before it'd get the chance to get into her mouth. so here's some ouchies

[adelaidedrubman]

“does eden’s gate do anything to recognize pride month” has been stumping me all day btw

[astro-tag-9]

Hi

May i ask if you are still making matching characters (i am a guy btw) if so;

Aries sun moon and rising

Aqua venus, pisces mercury, gemini mars.

No prob if you don’t

🧡Goku🧡

(Dragon Ball Z)

[aois-amaterasu-painting]

"We, all the members, will accept all of your emotions, carry them, and lead you with all our might. That's the resolve with which I sing...!" (RUKI)

[iambecomeafangirl]

Watching Midnight Mass ep 02.

The priest is a vampire right? And he can make miracles after drinking human blood.

[comaberrenices]

For Eurovision fans/and anyone else who would be watching Eurovision this Saturday

Please, please convince your friends and family (and yourself) not to vote for Israel for the Grand Final if it's for political reasons. Israel's victory would completely disrepute the contest and we DO NOT WANT it to happen Like, just vote for any song but Israel's or better, if you/ your friends/family like it, please vote for Croatia. Not only a Croatian win can stop this (or other country), it's the most positive outcome for this year's contest and the most plausible one to do it. I don't want to force you not to vote for Israel if you like the song. However, after the Italian televote leak, we have to do it together to prevent an Israel win.

[lovesvcker]

Happy Birthday Selever <3

This was extremely rushed sadly but I’m glad I got it done and I still like it!

[emmavakarian-theirin]

today marks 10 years since i played mass effect for the first time - 10 years and i still don't have words to express the love and gratitude i have for this series, but i do have 10 years worth of art development to try 😁

[italictext]

I desperately need to befriend a Death Note fan irl who likes Death Note the way I do.. The only DN fans I've met irl are anime only Near haters :'(