#Azure Bonds

[vintagerpg]

To quote NYC Krishna hardcore band, Shelter: “Here we go again.”

The sequel to SSI’s inaugural gold box game, Pool of Radiance, was 1989’s Curse of the Azure Bonds. That game is also the sequel to Jeff Grubb’s novel, Azure Bonds (1988) which introduces Alias, the amnesiac swordswoman. This tabletop product is…I don’t honestly know. I didn’t play the Azure Bonds computer game so I am relying on online summaries, but I did read the novel, and so all three are muddled together in my head. The cover says the adventure is based on the novel. And the back copy says the videogame is coming soon. So I think this is the middle of the three products. The adventure sure feels videogamey, though less constrained than Pool of Radiance. The maps have more variety in shape, and they aren’t all strung together—there is a lot of traveling going on.

Lotta early Forgotten Realms lore going on. I kinda forgot how big a deal Alias and her saurial paladin sidekick Dragonbait were. A lot of stuff that I think of as so strongly characterizing the first era of Forgotten Realms is pretty fresh and new here—Zhentil Keep, Fzoul, Myth Drannor, even Elminster! I often think the Realms are boring, and I think that is actually true, 90% of the time, but this little slice of it is so full of promise, I can’t help but dig it. It’s weird that it seems to belong more to a videogame than the RPG setting though.

[abutterflyobsession]

so this book I”m reading has a character called Dragonbait

the characters go to fight a dragon

Dragonbait is not used as dragon bait

false advertising

[art-of-bee]

who up cursing they azure bonds? these guys, i guess

ko-fi + commissions 🌃 twitch 🌃 more pixel art 🌃 do not repost

[machairocat]

woe, potato be upon ye

[retrocgads]

USA 1997

[weaverpop]

BROTHERHOOD CUDDLE PUDDLES

HEH

Yes. Cuddle puddles would absolutely have been a thing! Funny enough and to no one’s surprise, it would be Wukong who initiated them. Slowly gathering the brotherhood one by one until they would be a giant puddle on the floor, stalling eachother (azures) warmth. Especially during winter.

It’s something Wukong introduced the JTTW crew and eventually, to Mk and the noodle gang as well. And maybe Mk gets the idea to cuddle puddle with his favorite lotus boy.~

[wishful-aurosas]

✿ The Taste of Home | Ephemer Week 2024: Day 2

prompt: Alternate Universe ; Sea of Stars

pairing: Kazuki Makabe (Keymaster!Kazuki) & Ephemer (Guardian!Ephemer)

rating: G

word count: 1258

Note: I just think Kazuki and Ephemer would get along well especially in the context of the AU ;w; two of my f/os bonding.

“What are you cooking?”

Kazuki lifted her head up upon hearing a curious voice from behind her and she turned to look over her shoulder. Ephemer, standing nearby the kitchen counter was tiptoeing to spectate what the other was cooking. She could tell his stomach was growling by how shyly he wrapped one arm around his stomach.

Smiling, Kazuki turned back to the pot as she continued stirring and answered to the white haired Guardian, “Curry. Would you like to be my taste test?”

“Er..” Ephemer stalled, which prompted Kazuki to turn back again from his hesitation. The boy tilted his head,

“What’s.. curry?”

Kazuki blinks. The boy hasn’t tried curry before? Interesting. “Do you not have curry in your world?”

Ephemer sheepishly scratched his chin with his finger, chuckling nervously. Kazuki could understand the overall nervousness of approaching her as a person no matter how soft she sounded, but she also wouldn’t be surprised if Keyblade Masters are just overall unapproachable due to the nature of ... well being a Keyblade Master. She then hears Ephemer answer,

“I mean... I probably did back in my birthworld... but Earth itself? Well it’s a bit of a desolate state as far as I can explain it easily, so food is usually scarce and Golden Age recipes are but a rarity.”

She watched him fiddle with the loose ends of his scarf. Whenever he speaks to people, he has to fiddle with something to have his brain focus and speak coherently. Mostly his scarf. This she was not unfamiliar of, but she makes her posture all but relaxed to signal him through her body language that he was no bother to her,

“Would you like to learn then?”

“Huh?” The kid perks up, stunned over the question. This perplexes Kazuki but she didn’t address it. In fact, his surprised look could only make the Keyblade Master giggle,

“Assuming this ‘Golden Age’ in your world is the same era as my world��s, I don’t think it would be a problem to learn some recipes now than never no? Besides, it could be something to boast to your fathers about.” Kazuki gave a playful wink, indulging in the chaos that was Ephemer’s personality. She saw the stars in his eyes twinkle in anticipation. Yes... Ephemera Agraeus, master chef of curry! Immediately, she saw a change of his shy demeanor than that of a goofy big grin as he rolled up the sleeves of his white turtleneck.

“Well what are we waiting for?! Let me at the stove!” He said, enthusiastically warping to the stove before Kazuki predicted where he would land and stand between him and the stove.

“Woah there, little man!” She giggled, “One step at a time. I don’t want you burning a place that isn’t yours... but I also don’t encourage burning your place up either. You can help me with the little things of the main course.” Says Kazuki, “I should’ve asked earlier... do you know how to cook at all?”

Ephemer pouted. He wanted to touch the fire machine! “My uncle and auntie taught me, but my memory isn’t good enough to retain much of it unless I do it multiple times! Which..” He sulked, “I don’t ... unfortunately. I don’t have time to do much mundane -.. human stuff.”

Kazuki listened and nodded. She wouldn’t say she couldn’t relate when she was around his age. The moment she piloted the Fafner, the world’s life was under her disposal. She only had certain amount of times to be human - herself, but slowly her own humanity faded the more she integrated herself to the Festum. Cursed to be an eternal, her heart and humanity had been gradually fading away. She wasn’t sure if she could taste her curry anymore.

Aside from herself, there were still humans that could taste and feel the warmth of food. She was just afraid to ask, or - well.. could she feel fear at this point? She couldn’t tell. She looked back to the pot before she adjusted the flame of the stove, stirring before scooping a portion of curry before she turned to Ephemer.

“Now’s your time, yes?”

Ephemer blinked as he looked up to Kazuki again. She begins to explain,

“As much as I look human, I can no longer taste food or feel emotions.. I don’t think.”

Ephemer stayed near Kazuki, listening. Cannot taste food or feel anything..? Is she diseased?! “So then,” Ephemer began, “Why do you still cook? Why do all of that when you can no longer taste or feel? I feel like if you can’t be some bit of human, humane things are less enjoyable.”

Kazuki smiled softly at Ephemer’s questions. That was something she found endearing to the younger humans and those around Mimi’s age. No matter the circumstances, they were always so curious of the unknown - braving to seek knowledge and understanding those around them. Hearing, feeling, connecting. It was because of them that there was still hope for a future where humanity still exists within those of mortal and eternal lives.

Though one of his questions stood out to her. Why does she cook? She could think of many reasons, but in the context of what Ephemer had said, if she was no longer human then why does she still cook if she cannot taste the curry or feel the warmth of a freshly cooked meal? To Ephemer, it was the ability to taste and the sensation of warmth that was part of humanity. One could say Ephemer sounded dehumanizing, but Ephemer was eternal wasnt’t he? Guardians lived another life forgetting about their previous life to live their second chance eternally as long as their Ghosts weren’t shattered. To Kazuki, Ghosts to her are the hearts of all Guardians. They cannot live without them, and Ghosts cannot live without their Guardians either.

Kazuki had nothing of sorts. Though she felt that doing the simplest things, like cooking...

“...Cooking was the best I could do when I was human alongside many other things. Even if I cannot taste anything, or feel anything anymore... just doing it still makes me feel human.” She answered, rather slowly as her thoughts for a well thought answer were piecing together as coherently as possible, “I still enjoy it, even if I lose a bit of humanity. Because if I stop, what left of humanity would I have?”

Then followed silence. She did say a lot, so she gave Ephemer time to process what she had just said.

Ephemer meanwhile, was glued to where he was as she spoke. He could feel it in her voice that she was saddened for most things she couldn’t do anymore. He felt it in her voice this gentle self resentment... guilt? That poisoned her words. He’ll have to admit, there was something about Kazuki that was familiar to her, but he didn’t know what. He looked to the curry and the plates of settled rice she had prepped for the group, reflecting. Despite every part of humanity stripped away from Kazuki, she still continues to do these things to keep whatever could be possibly left of her humanity. One day, her heart could no longer be there - and he would still see her in a kitchen cooking for him - her companions - for people that can taste and feel the warmth of what can feel like home.

He clenched his fists briefly, Ephemer closing his eyes before he asked,

“...Miss Kazuki?”

“Hm?” She hummed, looking to Ephemer curiously.

“...May I taste the curry for you?”

[plucky-belmondo]

Doing this with THE OG selfship!

[dndhistory]

Let's Play: Curse of the Azure Bonds (1989) - Part 12

This time we infiltrate Zenthil Keep and find Olive Ruskettle who takes us into the Temple of Bane where we release a sage and eventually get to meet a Beholder as well as read a ream of Journal Entries for your entertainment! 

The musical score in this episode was gently provided by Forgotten Ghost taken with their permission from the album  "Cave Cathedral". 

Support independent artists and get it at Bandcamp:

Opening Music "Life" by MORSCHT, taken with their permission from the album "a sacrifice of myself unto myself".

 Support independent artists and get it at Bandcamp:

https://morscht.bandcamp.com

Curse of the Azure Bonds is the second game in the Gold Box series of SSI RPGs, set in the  Forgotten Realms. It used the rules of the first edition of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons. Find out more about the history of Dungeons and Dragons at The History of DnD Instagram, Twitter, Bluesky, Tumblr and Website! 

https://www.instagram.com/thehistoryofdnd

https://twitter.com/thehistoryofdnd

https://bsky.app/profile/dndhistory.bsky.social

https://www.tumblr.com/blog/dndhistory

https://dndhistory.org/

Title Card created by Raquel studio: 

https://www.instagram.com/raquelg_studio/

[azurecake16]

I need to draw Sing, Seir, Xornoth, and Scott meeting neeeeowwwwwww

[badragonplays]

TSR DND ForgottenRealms supplement Curse of the Azure Bonds covers the dalelands area between the MoonSea and the Savage Coast. This adventure is from the original CRPG of the same name that has been adapted for tabletop play.

[atariforce]

Atari ST Box Art Wallpaper: Curse of the Azure Bonds by Aurelien Vaillant aka Wasabim

[retrocgads]

USA 1997

[weaverpop]

Azure probably got art tips from his more artistic brothers (like Wukong)

Now I’m imagining that the brotherhood used to have little seasons where they’d all just sit and… draw. Or paint. Just a little bonding thing they’d do when bored or unwinding after a battle.

Yet another thing azure had grown to miss over the years. Though drawing with his little family now brings him a very similar joy.

[motheatenscarf]

Alisaie being such a BEAST means I kinda want to take another crack at Red Mage bcs she makes it look fun, but also I'm bad at it and maybe should just let it be her thing.

I'm kinda glad I picked Dark Knight and Reaper, aside from the trainers, I've yet to encounter any NPC in game with these disciplines, so it feels like my character is unique.

Like, they tell you, "This is a major taboo," about both classes, and it shows. You sacrifice part of your soul for the power of ass kicking. Not everyone is gonna be doing that.

The only complaint is sometimes I wish people would comment on my discipline/fight style outside class stories, but I'm well aware there's too much for them to factor in. I'm just jealous that my friend gets all kinds of special dialogue in Heavensward for being a dragoon. Meanwhile I'm a literal heretic making pacts with the abyss and the void and summoning my own sleep paralysis demons to help me in combat and everyone's still like, "Ah, hero of heroes, the Warrior of Light, goodest goody two shoes to ever grace us with her love and goodness~"

I think Shadowbringers is when they made Reaper, so maybe I'll get something going forward with it.

[plucky-belmondo]

TBH, no matter what I'm hyperfixating on, my love for Richter will never waver. I've loved this man for over five years now, that ain't stopping.