#BUT ALAS. THIS IS WHERE MY INSPIRATION IS.

[velvetwyrme]

More character designs for Distilling Destiny! This time, they are side characters (the Masked Merchants!) You can find the lineup of main characters here!

[Design notes under the cut! Plus extra worldbuilding notes!]

First off! Design notes!

I feel like it's pretty obvious which skeletons these 3 are meant to parallel LMAO.

The overall designs are inspired by some of the NPC Merchants my cowriter and I discussed while planning out the fic (Beedle from LoZ, and Zacharie from OFF)

Zacharie was the inspiration for giving them masks, and Beedle is why the Knight-Shopkeep has his big backpack as well as why the masks have horns! (... Like a horned stag beetle? It's a stretch but shhh)

The Cart Merchant's cart is intended to look kind of like Sans' sentry station!

I was debating whether the cart would have parts that could fold out/be stuck in the ground to extend it, but then I thought... if he had them, he'd be too lazy to set them up anyway.

This way he can just ride around in it and not have to worry about lugging his stuff around like the others.

The Knight-Shopkeep's got two feathers in his hat like the Bard does ;]

I was going to give the Knight-Shopkeep a big hammer, but a sword looked cooler with the pose LMAO

The Knight-Shopkeep also has another horn hidden under his hat!

He sells potions and cooking ingredients! (In the fic, Blue is studying health + culinary science...)

The Shady Merchant has a golden horn instead of a gold tooth

The fur around the Shady Merchant's shoulder is a reference to what he trades, but it's also supposed to represent Red's fluffy jacket.

I gave him a sack because I thought it was funny. I almost made him the type to open up his jacket and try to sell you watches or something, but it didn't really work out, and this design fits a lot better.

That sigil is meant to be his own personal "signature", made up of aspects of his mask, as well as his kingdom, but The Cart Merchant is lazy and uses shorthand. The proper symbol would be something like an actual ❤️ shape. In universe, the larger heart shape made up by both parts is purely a coincidence. The G on the other banner is just a currency sign (like $, €, ¥, £).

AND NOW...

Here's some MORE lore tidbits that (probably) won't get mentioned in the fic, because they are just weird worldbuilding things that I've thought of but aren't really relevant in any of the discussions!!:

The Cart Merchant will try to scam you probably. (5G? i meant 50G.)

The furs and pelts the Shady Merchant procures are incredibly high quality- but he almost exclusively trades for other material supplies or information instead of gold.

I actually started trying to figure out a numeric system for this world, and it was at that point I realised I was getting lost in the sauce and thinking too much about worldbuilding.

HOWEVER, SAYING THAT... I was thinking that an upturned heart (spade) would be the symbol for 1, the v/shorthand heart shape would also double (haha) as the sign for 2. The clover (club) would be 3 and the diamond would be 4.

THAT came about because I was thinking about there being a myth/fable about the 4 (main) kingdoms having been created in that order (spade, heart, club, diamond).

The merchant masks are kind of like clown faces, in the way that there is a record of every single mask to make sure that there are no two that are the same. (Two masks may have the same horns, but different markings, and vice versa.)

The number of horns on a mask depends on which kingdom they come from. Sometimes prongs are also used instead of separate horns. (e.g. a merchant from the "Diamond"/Fourth kingdom may have 4 seperate horns, or 2 horns with 2 points each.)

Markings vary, but generally they too will be themed around the kingdom they hail from.

This is part of why the Shady Merchant is so shady- he has no marking/s, and his horns are... well, he claims to be from the second kingdom.

[inumbrapugnabimus-maybe]

some Zelda designs :)

[percicosoftcore]

sometimes it’d be easier if i were the kind of percico stan/writer who thrives on developing coffee shop aus and domestic fluff stories (those are gold!) and not someone who is dying to write a 300 pages epic fanfiction on how they got together with the help of arduous battles, charismatic side-characters, goddesses who have ancient beef with each other, metalcore bands concerts, a house on the beach and (obviously), misunderstandings.

[averlym]

no one would notice if i ever vanished // if bodies could sustain // this never-ending army // like blood pumping through a vein

(click for better resolution!)

:OOO hello. anyway since these are all posters i'd have in an ideal world or smth and i'd like to store the high res versions somewhere,,, here's the google drive folder for them? hehe ''

close up!

[camellcat]

midnight mania strikes again

[glowinggator]

have you ever been so in love with a character that it's just impossible to put pen to paper? you can have the most vivid daydreams, and yet trying to write about them is just impossible. if so, we should form a union or something, these conditions are completely unfair

[sweet-beezus]

I'm conjuring up a new lil guy...

[zoanzon]

An idea I just had that I've already decided is the funniest fucking premise for Stranger Things fanfiction? Have national events from other fandoms unexpectedly happen in later seasons and derail post-S1 plot, or zoom out of S1-2 Hawkins to show the town's just in the background of other weirdness.

Like...Hawkins kids through adults have all seen footage of when a mutant picked up a sports stadium and dropped it around the White House and nearly killed Nixon, and then the Party meets 011 and sees that she has powers.

Or a year or two into Hawkins bullshit, when news goes worldwide of a glowing golden man who appeared in the sky above a cruise ship, and shortly after trauma-derived powers become a thing that derails the next Upside Down misadventure.

Hell, what happens if Hawkins gets visited by that pesky Department of Scientific Intelligence, and the Party learns the National Lab isn't the only government agency populated by inhumanities wearing human faces?

[crabs-but-better]

watching blue eye samurai w my dad and it’s like really good but we haven’t established any rules for sex scenes when mom’s not around because usually she’s the one that freaks out and fast forwards through everything, so we kind of just sit there awkwardly.

[hauntingblue]

So roger gave the hat to shanks(to become pirate king after him I guess?) But didn't make it??? Lmao

[dianacrimsonia]

Mmmmmhm never understood this either. I watch shows really rarely, bc I kinda always prioritize uhhh watching documentaries, playing video games, reading books, going for long walks, or doing all my other hobbies before even considering watching some show or movie?? Aaand yeah, my specific priorities don’t help me with socialization at work, like, at all. Maybe except for games, but again, I mostly play indie games and almost never dabble into currently trending mainstream AAA stuff??

And, while in some cases I feel fine not following of some overly mainstream shows, sometimes I regret not watching something when it was at the moment of peak popularity, because most of irl people had long moved on to other stuff by that time I watched something, and there’s noone to discuss my impressions with (expect for my best friend, but we live far away from each other in different cities). At least I can always fulfill my accidental hyperfixations here on tumblr by going through tags :’> but still that doesn’t help with my struggles in irl socialization and that bothers me. Guess I should force self to watch something outside my very niched scope of interests when it gets popular, simply to keep up with others at work. Perhaps.

[thatdemiboymess]

Wish I had motivation to draw because I'd love to draw Artie in these outfits. (⁠ᗒ⁠ᗩ⁠ᗕ⁠)

[fishareglorious]

the 'dear sister' video but it's just the laplace crew feat. greta and someones from the foundation as the cops

[zephyriteluna]

I was unaware of what the role of the Sun was in Astrology, and I have to say this is an incredible take on Azem and the WoL.

Often in the game we are referred to as being inspiring, or an inspiration to others (another thing we're often linked to is hope, but thats a different post).

I believe this was the line from the ancient you were referring to in Elpis (From Charmion, in one of the zone's sidequest storylines)

(Text: Were you perhaps designed to inspire others? I feel something special has been woven into your aura...)

Another case is from Nashmeira in the level 80 Shadowbringers Dancer quest.

(Text: ...Indeed. there is a certain something about you <name>. Something that brings out the best in those whose lives you touch - and Ranaa here is a prime example.)

Heres another line in a similar vein from Cid in the initial unlocking of Bozja questline.

(Text: That was... always your greatest strength... Instilling in others the courage to rise up... The courage to fight for what's right.)

Lastly, more in line with being a Shepard to the stars in the dark. Heres a line from Tolas in the finale for the two big sidequest chains in Lakeland.

(Text: You really are a most remarkable <women or man>. It is as if, by making your way through the world as you do, you bring together those around you, uniting them toward a common purpose.)

And these are just from the top of my head and screenshots I had on hand! (apologies for the mixed quality on those)

There are surely more examples out there and I may add to this post later if I find them, but yeah once again a very fascinating and excellent analysis!

The symbology of the Convocation of Fourteen is just... one of my favorite details in ffxiv. And yeah, I know they have zodiac signs because Final Fantasy Tactics had zodiac signs and FF12 had zodiac signs, but 14's spin on them is inspired, and I don't think that gets enough appreciation.

Each of the Ascians is characterized to at least superficially match their sign. Emet-Selch seems like a Gemini, seemingly on both sides of every issue. Fandaniel seems like a Leo who wants to be the center of attention. Lahabrea, The Creator, seems like an artsy Pisces... just...y'know, a horrible one.

And it's not as if "terrible, messed-up version of Zodiac symbol" is new here. Tactics definitely had that already. The thing ffxiv adds to the trope is the presence of the Sun.

Azem's symbol being the sun and not a constellation tells us exactly what their role in the Convocation was supposed to be. The sun's path through the constellations is what gives all those signs their meanings. You can't be a Gemini unless the sun is in Gemini. The sun's passage through the zodiac is supposed to illuminate the best way forward. This is why Emet-Selch calls them both "Shepherd to the stars in the dark," and "Counsellor to the star's people." They're meant to inspire people to become their best selves. This is inadvertently what WoL does in numerous places and times across the game, (and one of the ancients in Elpis even comments on it) because apparently repeatedly dying at the hands of their coworkers and friends for eons did not get them out of having to do their job.

When the sun protested their unspeakbly terrible plan, they went all in on their hubris by casting it down forever. They never replaced Azem. They don't even want to remember they ever had a sun. They don't have the light that illuminates their best selves, their better future. So they can't find it anymore. They don't know how to be themselves anymore, in Azem's absence. In Elidibus' case, literally. He is so desperate for the guiding star he can't even remember having, that he constantly, instinctively, seeks out Azem in different forms. Wearing Ardbert's corpse, and wandering up to WoL for awkward chats, and looking back to the heroes of the past who were definitely Azem shards.

The sun, torn from the heavens, leads to the maker's ruin.

[ofbatsandballads]

have a little Jason drabble inspired by me going to my work bestie’s bachelorette party tonight. yes, yes I did imagine all this while getting ready and what about it? also consider this a part of my jason gets the girl series.

Jason Todd is a worrier. You knew that the very first night you met him when he automatically assumed that you, a woman living alone and wearing fuzzy pajamas, would be a danger to him. You know that now by his incessant questions that he’s been pelting at you for the past hour.

“You’ll keep in contact with me, right?” he asks from the other side of the shower curtain.

“Of course, Jay,” you reply as you twist like a contortionist while shaving your legs.

“I know it’s a bachelorette party, but please don’t drink so much that you don’t know what’s goin’ on around you, baby,” he says, voice raised so you can hear him over your hair dryer.

“I know, Jay. I’ve not forgotten where we live!” you shout back as reassuringly as you can.

“You sure I can’t convince ya to stay here with me?” he asks, only half joking, as you flip through the hangers in your shared closet looking for what to wear.

“You’re making a very convincing argument,” you concede as he kisses down your neck. “But no. Alas, I cannot be a shitty friend.”

“Fine. But at least wear somethin’ that goes with the jacket I got you,” he grumbles.

You laugh under your breath. This man. He’s such a worry wart. But you get it. Jason goes out every night into the belly of the beast, sees the worst of the worst. He knows what happens to vulnerable young women in this city, and you can’t blame him for his overprotective nature. So if wearing the tan leather jacket, a smaller replica of the one he wears as Red Hood, that has a tracker sewn into the interior is what he needs to ease his anxious mind, you’ll do it without complaint.

“It’s a gorgeous jacket, Jaybear. It goes with everything,” you say as you scratch soothingly at his scalp.

“You know where you’ll be tonight?” he asks from the foot of your bed, watching you as you put on your makeup.

“Uh huh. We’re not going to any bars or clubs or anything like that. Maid of honor just rented a penthouse in the Diamond District. We’ll probably spend the night eating pizza and drinking cocktails,” you answer as you try not to stab yourself in the eye with your mascara wand.

Jason makes a little grunt of agreement. You idly think that he sounds just like his dad, but you also don’t say that because you’re not a complete idiot. Also because you once told Jason he looked like Bruce and how miraculous that was since he was adopted, and he spent the next three days mumbling 'don't look anythin’ like the old man’ every time he glanced in a mirror.

You glance behind you in the vanity mirror to see the love of your life. His expression tugs your heartstrings. He looks so…melancholy. Emotions are storming in his sea green eyes and all you want is to ease his worries. You lay down your makeup brush and pad over to him, settling down in his lap. His hands come up automatically to rest on your hips, thumbs stroking over the softness.

“What’s wrong, angel?” you whisper, smoothing out the creases between his furrowed eyebrows with the tips of your fingers.

“I don’t—” he stops abruptly, tries to find the words he needs. “I’m not tryin’ to be overbearing. Don’t wanna be one of those guys that tells their girl what to do.”

He takes a breath and you stay silent. He has to get this out and you’ll wait as long as it takes.

“I just…worry. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I can’t lose you. I can’t,” and his voice breaks like stained glass. “I wouldn’t survive it. I know this is fuckin’ stupid. Me actin’ like this over a bachelorette party but I just…I can’t stop thinkin’ about all the things that could happen.”

Oh. Oh, your sweet, loving, heaven sent boyfriend. You know his past haunts him, that this city haunts him. You wish you could take all his worries away and wrap him in a nice warm blanket. You’d tuck him away from the world, keep him safe and happy and cared for all his days if you could.

“Jason, look at me,” you tilt his head up with your fingers under his jaw. “I promise you I will do everything in my power to be as safe as possible. I won’t drink irresponsibly. I’ll make sure to text you if anything, and I mean anything, starts to get weird. It won’t, but if it did you would be on speed dial. And trust me, angel, I have no intentions of staying the night.”

You don’t. Good friend or not, you can’t sleep well if you’re not wrapped in the strong arms of the man beneath you.

“So I expect you to be waiting on that tricked out bike of yours to pick me up,” you beam at him, run your hand through his hair because you know it makes him melt into your touch.

“I’ll be waitin’ for you,” he says, a solemn promise that extends far beyond tonight.

“Good. Now that being said, I will be bringing home all the dick decorations because I wanna plant them in your brother’s apartment. Just to fuck with him,” you giggle.

Jason lights up for the first time tonight. His green eyes gleam with mischief and adoration.

“Oh, you are my fuckin’ soulmate, baby. I’ll help you break in.”