#Chaos magic high utility

[ghostlytidalwavephantom]

"Find any idea you can love."

Indirect fire mech AI 'pilot'

[utilitycaster]

Bells Hells Level Up: Level 14

FUCK IT WE'RE DOING IT LIVE (I forgot to prep this well in advance like a press release as I am wont to do). Gonna be short, sweet, and as always if there are any factual errors let me know! If I simply did not list every single possible feat, spell, or other choice, that is because I did not wish to spend my wild and precious life doing that.

Chetney: With a 13th level in Blood Hunter he gets Brand of Tethering, which is GREAT for making people (Ludinus) not be able to leave. He can also use Blood Maledict 3 times per rest now. Looking ahead: I'm assuming he's sticking with Blood Hunter (or Blood Nutter as the case may be); at L14 he gets advantage on saving throws against being charmed or frightened, and a new crimson rite. He has flame and frozen, and L14 unlocks necrotic, psychic, and thunder options. Their enemies are often immune to psychic but honestly he can just use fire so. Live your best life, Chet.

Laudna: I support waiting to see how the ritual goes! If she levels in Warlock she gets an ASI/Feat (War caster wouldn't hurt; bumping up INT or WIS wouldn't either though my vote, as always, is for INT), another known spell, and continues her quest as Cantrips Georg. If she levels in Sorcerer she also gets another cantrip, as well as another known spell, and I think she should get a 3rd metamagic option but she seems to already have three? Anyway my vote is for Careful Spell. I'll hold off on further speculation until said ritual has completed.

Dorian: Two more spells! Magical secrets, ie, whatever the fuck he wants (true to my name my vote is spending at least one on Counterspell, but go nuts on the other) He also no longer has to burn his inspiration dice on flourishes, though he only gets a d6 rather than his full d10. Looking ahead: He gets 8th level spells of which Mind Blank might be wise given this campaign; he also gets a d12 inspiration die.

Braius is already level 14, thank you Braius.

Fearne: Ok I respect the ASI push but Transport via Plants would be real clutch sometime soon. With that said Dorian or Imogen could take Teleport or they can just hang out with Essek for a while longer. Anyway, as an Arcane Trickster she gets an ASI and another L1 spell; she's been keeping it utility-focused which is smart because her INT score is not high. The ASI move, in my opinion, is bump up INT and CON by one, but she could also benefit from War caster. Looking ahead: As said, take L11 Druid, get 6th level spells, profit.

Imogen: Revelation in Flesh is upon us; I assume it will be electricity themed rather than the traditional Aberrant Mind option which appears to be "cursed axolotl"-themed. This means she can use sorcery points to make herself fly OR swim/breathe water OR see invisible creatures OR squeeze out of tight situations. Looking ahead: 8th level spells next level! Incendiary Cloud seems to be on-brand but Power Word Stun OR Sunburst (miss you Ayden) are both pretty fantastic.

Orym: Fighters get a zillion ASIs, as always; Sentinel might be fun but he could also bump his CON to 16 (if he does this...I must admit I'm warming on the idea of Orym Paladin and wouldn't scoff at a CHA 13 bump either), achieve Chetney-like intellect with an INT bump, or take any number of feats. I am pretty boring with feats honestly so I'm excited to see what Liam picks but I have no good ideas. Looking ahead: At L15, he gets two more maneuvers, which I will definitely look up before they hit L15; he also gets a free superiority die if they roll initiative while he is fully tapped. Fighters: they are unstoppable.

Ashton: It's a path feature! I have no idea what the fuck will be up with that but I'm looking forward to finding out, which, coincidentally, will give us the full picture of Path of Fundamental Chaos! Looking ahead: They get persistent rage at L15, which will make them even harder to knock out, a thing that is already very difficult to do.

[deathandthesoul]

Hey you! Do you like LA by Night and NY by Night? Want to branch out into watching more VtM actual plays? There's a few I really enjoy that I'd like to share. They are all 5th edition

Blood on the Grand Strand/Are We Dead Yet? from Huddyvonschland Coterie clans: Ravnos, Tzimisce, Salubri, Tremere, and some more regulars who swap in and out. And then also oops all Thinbloods! The tourist town of Myrtle Beach enjoys a vibrant nightlife. An eclectic Anarch coterie must contend with the Camarilla (and later Sabbat) making moves in their city while the Second Inquisition begins their operation. There's funky cults, a suspicious drug operation, weird Thinblood stuff, and a lot of juicy worldbuilding which sometimes brings in other elements of the World of Darkness. The players are an absolute delight, Huddy's storytelling is fucking delicious, and the table has a ton of chemistry. The atmosphere is moody and it's a very chill time. I consider this my comfort chronicle

Vegas by Night from Mayday Roleplay Coterie clans: Ravnos, 2 Malkavians, 2 Gangrel, Warrior Salubri, Lasombra This show is nuts. It has everything. Vividly gritty ST narration, occult mysteries, a coterie of forcibly Camarilla kindred in way over their head, wacky Vegas hijinks, lifelike and captivating characters, a meat house, Lake Mead being terrifying, so much buck wild combat. A gospel singer Ravnos who sounds like Elvis and the world's horniest Malkavians. Every plan goes haywire. They always pick the solution that will create the most consequences for them. It's super high energy but man it's fun. Caleb has spread such a wide web of plots that all somehow interconnect. It's really impressive seeing it all gradually unveil and all make sense together in the greater scheme of things. His brain is seriously huge

Legacy of Bulls from Adventure Tavern Coterie clans: [Spoiler], Hecata, Brujah, Toreador A Birmingham coterie inherits the grudge of their forebears and has to race against the clock to solve a mystery and prevent any damage. I'm in love with CT lmao he's my favorite representation of that clan I've ever seen. The chronicle has elements of the occult/magic, investigation, and an atmosphere that is often moody and tense with the occasional chaos. I love the drama in this one

ATL by Night from the Facility Productions Coterie clans: Brujah, Tremere, Ventrue, Gangrel. And some more regulars who swap in and out. In later seasons there is a new coterie: Lasombra, Thinblood, Hecata, Tremere, Gangrel, Ravnos After taking heavy losses during the Final Nights, kindred society in Atlanta must rebuild. Many were hastily embraced during those confusing times and the coterie is tasked with bringing those lost childer into the fold. There is a focus on character development and kindred Politics with heavy Second Inquisition involvement. All in all I find it to be very cozy and intimate, it's really relaxing to watch

The Rook and the Rascal: Montreal by Night from ThreeKingsLoot (audio only) Coterie clans: Tremere, Toreador, Nosferatu It's been a while since I listened to this one so I forget a lot but I remember there were werewolves, Pentex, and a lot of over the top violence. And something about a cult leader, I think? But it's also very cozy and has themes of community and friendship. They utilize True Faith in a novel way and the characters and narration are very charming. They don't follow the game mechanics exactly but it makes things way more high stakes and dangerous and interesting. I had a good time listening to this

[regaliasonata]

I've been meaning to make this post for a while

So Power Rangers has 30 years of lore and stuff packed into it and this made me analyze a few things pertaining to the ranger powers.

See every team is different in the sense that their abilities can be labeled into various categories, like some characters using mystical energy or technology but there's a bit more to it. Tokusatsu has a full list of different power sources and it made me think a bit here, btw this is just in a general sense when it comes to ranger powers and not fully the individual ones each of the teams have.

Basically I decided to place them in depending on the themes and overall potential of their powers.

Each team is covered under one of the following five, Technological, Elemental, Spatial/Temporal, Spiritual and Magical

1.)Technlogical powers such as RPM, SPD mainly rely on the usage of advancements and mechanical assets to their abilities. Though however capability wise it's reach stagnates as the tools and powers depend on how advanced the tech is(like if you have futuristic stuff that can access universal energy, can be on par with some top players in the PR multiverse)

2.)Elemental, like in Samurai, Lost Galaxy and Ninja Storm specific rangers in this category can manipulate or even conjure specific aspects of nature at their disposal. In my mind however the capabilities can also be somewhat limitless as the specific way elements are applied factor in( like if fire is associated either creation and light, being able to make life or even spark heat in the universe)

3.) Spatial and Temporal, specifically relating to teams like Time Force. These powers mainly orient around the control of dimensional or time like aspects, from freezing and speeding time, controlling dimensions like the Triassic Dimension with Conner in DT, or just anything you can think of there. This one is definitely up there because there isn't really a limit, I mean Conner controls reality with the triassic shield and time manipulation is already busted. Time Force rangers are a problem in fight match-ups.

4.)Spiritual, my favorite btw. Connects mainly between Wild Force, Jungle Fury and probably Zeo. Spiritual powers such as aura projection like utilizing animal spirits or having abilities attuned to one's soul are a few ways of using this, however depending on the person and overall situations the spirit can do a lot more. Say releasing your inner might and having a strong willpower may result in your abilities being able to transcend beyond most things(think a bit like HXH with Nen or JJK's cursed energy). Like the phoenix with Camille, if she developed it more then the power to revive or even give life would be broken as hell.

5.) Finally we have Magical, hello Mystic Force. Magic in general is just busted, applications all around depends on what type you're using and there are three main sources, Good, Dark and Neutral. In the show the rangers were given magic from the townspeople due to their beliefs within it as well. This basically cements that as long as you believe in magic then you have an endless source of it...which is just overall crazy and places this high on the list as well.

Now I can't really choose which powers would rank over each other as all of them could overpower the other depending on who uses it but this was nice to analyze. I'd love a full on special with the seasons fighting each other or being able to full amplify their capabilites to see what chaos ensues. Wonder what you guys think?

[thebunnybabyblog]

Moony's Books and Scrolls (1 of ?) Remus bookshop au

Summery: Fresh out of Hogwarts your job prospects and living arrangements were both not meeting standards. You find yourself in front of a worn down, almost abandonded building, could this place solve all your woes or will this rip open past wounds?

Info: Fluff with future smut so please 18+ only This is an au! The canon story does not apply here!

Word count: 2400

Life at Hogwarts had came and went in what seemed to be a flash of lightning. The time spent behind those castle walls will fill your mind with fond memories for life, but a few months after graduation, it was time to get the hell out of your parents house and be an adult on your own. It wasn’t like you didn’t love your family but you really missed the “freedom” Hogwarts awarded you. 

It had been nice to loaf around for a few months but the lack of privacy was getting to you. When you were bombarded by your siblings in the bathroom, exposing your fresh out of the shower body to the people in the living room that had come over to visit your mother, you knew it was time to go. You started your search with lots of newly graduated hope but soon the shock of the real world set in. It's not that you were bad at Hogwarts, you got okay grades, but you spent a lot of time reading things that were not assigned. To put it lightly, every job you interviewed for favored someone else over you. Your high standards waivered and soon you were slugging through ads for low paying jobs just to get anything at all. 

There was one job that you kept seeing over and over though, never seeming to fill the position it was asking. The listing read as follows:

Moony’s Books and Scrolls

In need of a shop assistant to help organize, catalog and care

for magical and non-magical books and scrolls.

There is a room available to anyone willing to accept this position.

Only need to pay for your utilities, rent is included in the position.

Pay is fair and we also offer a 50% employee discount.

Location: 310 Meadows Lane 

“Oh my god? A room and a 50% discount on books? I should have read this listing sooner!” you exclaimed. Gripping the newspaper tightly in your hands, you sat and thought for a moment. For how things had been going, this seemed like the solution to all of your problems. You glanced up at the clock on the wall beside you, 4:15pm. If you left now you could make it over there before they closed. 

Gathering your things and some money for the bus, you made your way out the door, hardly able to yell, “Leaving about a job! I won't be home for dinner! Love you bye!” The door slammed loudly behind you as you dashed down the drrive.

You were excited the whole bus ride over there. Filled with hope and desperation, you thought how cute your life could be. Living in a sweet little bookstore, reading all the time, saving so much money, living a simple life. No more mess and chaos of your siblings running around going crazy messing with your things. Finally some peace and quiet.  Your daydreams were cut short when the bus driver announced your stop was coming up. “NEXT STOP MEADOW LANE” he yelled over the p.a. Gathering your bag, you headed off the bus. 

Walking up and down the street as the evening sun began to set, you wondered if this was a scam. “Where the hell is this building?” you pondered. “310 Meadow Lane,” you repeated over and over. The crumpled newspaper held tightly in your hands, you looked as if you were a crazy person with a treasure map. You finally stopped in front of a building you had passed over and over. “This can’t be it?” you said in confusion. 

Looking back at the wrinkled paper and back at the building again, you finally saw what seemed to be where numbers used to live above the door but were now just faded outlines. The once deep blue first floor and door were now faded and chipping exposing the wood underneath. The once beautiful picture window that you were sure held wondrous displays was completely filled in with stacked books, hardly able to let the soft light of the room inside peek through the thin cracks. The rest of the building above was brick and looked normal besides a leaky AC unit sticking out one of the right windows. “Was the shop owner's room or the potential employee’s?” 

You hesitated, “If I get kidnapped and sent off to some dungeon my parents are gonna be so pissed.”  Almost turning on your heels to head back to the bus, the thought of so much wasted bus fare and time made you stop. You reached for the door knob and turned it slowly. Halfway through the door you yelled out, “Ummm hello?” 

Your eyes had nowhere to rest. There were things everywhere and on everything, shelves filled with disorganized books, stack after stack piled to the ceiling and papers scattered all over the floor. Not to mention the overcrowding of furniture and tables that were also covered in books. You couldn’t even tell where the register was in all this mess, if you could  even find something to buy. 

With no response you let out a louder “Hello? Is anyone here?” Instead of the response you heard an “Oh shit!” and the sound of a tidal wave of books falling over on the second floor. The staircase to the left soon had books and papers tumbling down like an avalanche on the side of a mountain. You were stuck in shock as you watched all the dust begin to settle and the store go from chaos to quiet in a few moments. The silence and shock were broken when you heard a deep groan from above you. 

Your feet moved before your mind could tell you to go. You ran up the stairs dodging and weaving the fallen debris and books on the steps. You didn’t need to think where to look because right in the center of the upstairs room was a huge pile of books that were assumed to be, just moments ago, tall stacks. “Oh my god! Are you okay?” you yelled out to the pile. “I’ve been better, love, but I'm okay. Just Leviosa this off me please, I can’t move,” he called back. 

You reached for your back pocket but were met with nothing. In your rush to get out the door, you left your wand on your bedside table. “Fuck!” you yelled out. Running over to the pile and getting down on your knees, you slung book after book off of this mystery man. “I'm so sorry! I forgot my wand rushing over here! But I'll get you out!” Soon a hand is revealed ,then his midriff exposing his scarred stomach, and finally the book that revealed who was trapped underneath.

“Oh god!” you yelled out. “No it's Remus I’m afraid. Nice to meet you” he said with a pained laugh. “Wait I know you don’t I?” he asked as he flung himself up to a seated position. The sudden jump forward made you fall back onto your butt in a huff. He grabbed his head in pain with the quick movement up. “Damn I really did a number on myself, er?” he said in a hushed, embarrassed laugh, clearly jumbled up from the tumble. 

“Let me look!” you yelled a little louder than you meant and cupped his face in your palms. You checked him over, not realizing you could feel the soft scratch of stubble against your skin. He almost protested to the manhandling but as he looked up to the sweet, concerned expression plastered across your face, he couldn’t help but smirk. 

To clear any more silent embarrassment he asked “So what's your prognosis doctor? Shall I live to see another day?” You released his cheeks and started shifting through his soft ginger hair. “I don’t see any blood so I think you're okay? You do have a good lump up here though,” you said in a matter-of-fact tone. It wasn’t until the silence of your fingers running through his hair had you realized just what you were doing. Embarrassed, your hands shot back to your lap and your fingers nervously intertwined with one another. 

A blush set wide across your face. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to manhandle you like that.” “No it's quite alright, love, I’m glad you were here to rescue me.” he said, trying to ease your embarrassment. “I’ve made a mess in here, er?” “Just here?” you said quickly. You immediately wanted to punch yourself in the face. He couldn't help but laugh at your very obvious observation. “I really didn’t mean to say that!” you tried to explain but he just waved his hand while laughing. “No no, it's alright! This place is a mess and has been for a while. I’ve actually been in search of someone to help me sort this place out.” “Oh, well, about that.” You pulled out the crumpled bit of newspaper and showed the ad to him. “That's why I’m here.” 

He watched your hands as you presented the ad as if you were presenting your golden ticket to the factory. Eyes trailing up your arm and back to yours, he was silent for a moment and it made you nervous. “Oh God he definitely remembers me,” you thought to yourself. A few years into your time at Hogwarts, you made a mortifying embarrassing confession to him. You would help out in the library in your free time, since you spent so much time reading there and you knew the place like the back of your hand. Whenever you were there, you'd see Remus and his friends, Remus more than the others, and you developed a crush on him. 

“You’re hired,” he said bluntly. You were taken aback by the sudden declaration and not a large from the pit of his stomach. “What?” you replied, deadpan. “I have been begging and pleading for someone to come help me take on this insanity and I've had people run from this place once they get past the front door. The fact that you have even made it upstairs is enough for me.”  You looked at him with blank, wide eyes. Not even interviewed, sitting in a disaster zone and you didn’t even know if he knew who you were. “Are you sure?” you asked, “You haven’t even asked anything about me! You don’t even know my name yet.” Your words came out fast and jumbled. You weren’t even sure if he understood you. “Well of course I know your name... it's y/n,” he said in a confused and almost hurt tone. “We used to hang out in the library all the time. Don’t you remember?” 

Your brain played your most embarrassing moment in your mind as soon as that exited his lip. In a moment of unthinking on the final day you'd see him in the library ever, you stopped him on his way out and blurted out what your fifth year brain thought was a good idea. Unlike how it plays out in silly romance novels, he in fact, did not reciprocate your grand feelings or even get a chance to. As soon as your confession left your mouth, Sirius and James burst through the doors, having heard the whole thing, and laughed and drug Remus out with them. He was never even given the chance to say “No, I’m sorry, but I'm flattered,” or a “Ew, no way in hell.” You still laid up at night and it passed through your mind and makes your skin feel icky. He shifted awkwardly on the floor and stood up. 

You watched as he arose still planted on the ground. He grew a few extra inches after he left Hogwarts. He was tall as a teen, but now, almost in his mid-20s, he towered over you. You stared for a moment as he extended his hand down to you. With a slight flex of his hand, you snapped out of your trance and slowly placed yours in his. 

“Well of course I remember you Remus...” you said meekly, “I just wasn’t sure you really remembered me.” To you, you were just the little annoying underclassman that floated behind him like pepe le pew floating behind penelope but he considered the time in the library hanging out? He guided you up from your seated position. You were merely inches from him. 

Looking up to his soft, tired eyes and growing lump on the top of his forehead, you couldn’t help but release a little laugh at his expense. You covered your mouth with your hand and he just looked at you in a sense of amusement. “I’m sorry, I really don't mean to laugh, especially after you just offered me a job, but you have a comically large knot on your head,” you said, pointing at the lump that used to be much smaller looking on the ground.  

He only laughed in response and for a moment it didn’t feel so awkward for you, both lost in a silly moment together. As the laughter came to an end you asked if he had any  Wiggenweld potion somewhere. “Ahh, I think I actually do in the bathroom upstairs.” He turned to his left and began to walk for the door that you assumed led to the apartment upstairs. 

He stopped before he reached the door and turned back to you, “I can show you your room as well.” He played with the sleeve of his sweater before adding, “I mean, if you actually want the job.” It wasn’t until that moment did you realize not only would you have to work with him, but now he was your roommate. Something in you screamed this was a bad idea but the part of your brain that was goo called the shots. There was no way you were not taking on this challenge. “I’d love to see it,” you replied back to him with a warm smile. Butterflies filled your stomach as you watched his face change. He radiated warmth across the room, like the way warm autumn sun filled a room in the afternoon. It felt as if you floated across the room, almost forgetting you were walking through a war zone. You had a feeling the back-breaking work that was soon to come would be the death of you, but finally getting to see what Remus Lupin looked like with bed head was worth whatever was about to come your way.

[kevindayscrown]

The Foxes and their Dungeons and Dragons classes (Part 1?)

It's time to combine the two things I obsess over the most right now. Aftg and DND. This is a self-indulgent list, but even if you know nothing about DND, this might still be entertaining:)

So, each character gets two classes; the one they would play as, if they were people who simply played the game, and one they would be if they were in the world of Dungeons and Dragons.

Neil: Play as -> Neil would probably enjoy the fun and chaos that comes with being a (wild magic) sorcerer since it has the magic system that's quite fun, and also the chaos and the offence gameplay.

Be -> Neil in the world of Dungeons and Dragons would be a rogue (assassin), plain and simple. Sneaky, lethal, a glass canon, more dexterous than physically strong.

Andrew: Play as -> I think Andrew would not bother learning all the rules for the very complicated classes (even though he can easily memorise them), so he'd probably enjoy simply smashing things as a Barbarian.

Be -> Andrew would also be a rogue, the meme kind who caries daggers all over his body. He also has quite high Intelligence and/or Wisdomn stats, so he would probably work well as an Inquisitive, to read people and root out secrets.

Kevin: Play as -> I think Kevin, being a more tactical and strategic person, would enjoy the Battlemaster Fighter, with all the thinking he would have to do to plan out a successful combat on his part. He'd be hesitant to try a spellcaster, but I can also see him eventually enjoying Wizard, for the combination of utility and damage.

Be -> Maybe I'm biased because I love them, but I think Kevin would be a Paladin. I'm thinking a Paladin forced to swear an Oath to whatever tenets the Moriyamas force him to abide by, and then becoming an Oathbreaker. Eventually, he'd find the right Oath for him. Paladins are the big damage dealers and have enough features they need to be wary of to also make them good strategists.

Aaron: Play as -> Aaron at firsts probably considers DND to be a very stupid nerdy game and absolutely refuses to play as a spell caster. He opts for something like Champion Fighter Human, the most basic of classes. But eventually, he gets so hooked that he starts experimenting and ends up wanting to try all the classes.

Be: He'd be a Cleric, the type that people would expect to do all the healing but who actually prefers to just fuck shit up and wait until half of his companions are unconscious before finally 'wasting' his spell slots to heal them, calling them incompetent for relying on him.

Okay, that's it for now, if I see that people enjoy this part, I might come back to it with the rest of the foxes:3

[demifiendrsa]

Metaphor: ReFantazio — The Royal Tournament

Japanese version

Official website footage

Metaphor: ReFantazio will launch for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, and PC (Microsoft Store, Steam) in Fall 2024.

Key visual

Latest details

■ Story

This is a story of how people must find unity to elect a new king.

Our story takes place in The United Kingdom of Euchronia, where the assassination of the king brings chaos and unrest to the land.

Then, one fateful day, a magic known only to the king called the Royal Magic is invoked, and the world becomes embroiled in a royal tournament for the throne.

In the midst of this, the protagonist, together with his partner, the fairy Galica, must find a way to break the curse that has been placed on the prince that the kingdom believes to be dead. To do so, they depart on a journey across the vast land.

They will discover that in order to achieve their goal, they must participate in the tournament for the throne, and this great task shall require them to ally with many friends and followers of the various tribes inhabiting the world.

■ Characters

Protagonist (voiced by Natsuki Hanae)

Together with the fairy, Galica, he embarks on a journey to lift the deadly curse placed on his childhood friend, the prince of Euchronia.

He is a boy of the elda tribe, branded as a “tainted” people by the state religion who believe they have inherited dangerous and heretical magic. Being so rare among the populous, they are detested and discriminated against throughout the kingdom.

Gallica (voiced by Sumire Morohoshi)

Not only a traveling companion, Gallica is the guide who helps the protagonist carry out his mission to save the prince. Although she is too small to participate in battles, her knowledge of magic and ability to sense magla is superior to the protagonist due to her fairy nature. She doesn’t mince words, but she is a reassuring ally on his journey.

Strohl (voiced by Kensho Ono)

He is a young man of the clemar tribe who meets the protagonist in the recruitment centre for the State Army. A smart young man with a strong sense of justice, he hails from a noble family. And yet, it seems his circumstances are complicated, as it is rare for a noble to enlist in the army alongside commoners.

Hulkenberg (voiced by Saori Hayami)

A knight of the roussainte tribe and former member of the royal family’s Kingsguard who served by the prince’s side. Despite her young age, she excelled in the use of various weaponry, and was assigned to the personal guard of the prince. But when the prince was attacked, she failed to protect him and set out to wander, carrying the stigma of this failure in her heart.

Heismay (voiced by Akio Ootsuka)

A former knight of the eugief tribe. He has acute perception compared to most others, due in part to the eugief trait of being sensitive to sound.

With an appearance that differs greatly from other tribes, it’s not uncommon for eugiefs to be discriminated against—and it seems Heismay is no exception, his past his own burden to bear.

■ Followers

Meet and bond with your followers.

■ Game Mechanics

Unique battles that combine action and turn-based commands. Party customization offering a high degree of freedom and strategy. An evolution of the realistic day-by-day journey of the Persona series.

■ Staff

Director – Katsura Hashino (Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne, Persona 3, Persona 4, Persona 5)

Character Designer – Shigenori Soejima (Persona 3, Persona 4, Persona 5)

Composer – Shoji Meguro (Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne, Persona 3, Persona 4, Persona 5)

Concept Artist – Koda Kazuma (Notable Work: NieR:Automata)

Mechanical Designer – Ikuto Yamashita (Notable Work: Neon Genesis Evangelion)

■ Art and Sound

Journey through a vast and magnificent fantasy world. Explore the game alongside an intuitive and beautiful user interface that elevates the experience. Lend your ear to masterfully crafted music utilizing captivating unique chants.

■ New Screenshots

[delightrolls]

Sonic Thunderstorm Lore: Dualization ~

Mobians can share a fraction of their Chaos Type energy, Character Types, which is known as the ability to Dualize or Dyad Dualize if performed with 3 people. When Dualizing each person obtains a fragment of the other's energy enhancing their abilities like Tails allowing Sonic to jump higher & dash further and Sonic allowing Tails to run & fly faster. 

When Dyad Dualizing the Chaos Types of the members matters even more. 3 people with different Chaos Types will create a small Omnibuff across all types & all members and if 3 people of the same Chaos Type will create a Monobuff that is far higher stronger than the Omnibuff and 3 people with a Chaos Type imbalance will create buffs the mirror collective typing like Sonic, Shadow, and Silver would create 2 Speed buffs & 1 Fly buff. {Ex. Omnibuff = 1 stage + 1 stage + 1 stage / Monobuff = 3 stage / Polybuff = 2 stage + 1 stage} Teams commonly aim to have a member of every type to maximize coverage & overall abilities. Note: Fly Type energy also increases one’s defense.

Dual moves, which are reminiscent of Team Actions, are actions performed by a duo. The combination of Sonic & Knuckles allows Sonic to use Knuckles as a weapon & vice versa. Additionally, Dyad Dual moves, also known as Team Blasts, are when all 3 members perform a combined action like Sonic & Tails & Knuckles using their Overdrive where Tails & Knuckles, using their Speed & Power buff, knock Sonic around, who is utilizing their Fly & Power buff, into as many enemies & objects as possible. Team members may use Kinetic Abilities or Pseudokinetic Abilities in their Dual or Dyad Dual moves but don’t always.

Mobians can Dualize with Chao to create Dualized Chao that resemble them & share part of their abilities. Dualized Chao also grant people a fraction of their KAi, Kinetic Abilities, allowing their partner to have KAi they don’t normally or strengthen their existing KAi somewhat like equipping Chao. 

Some Dualize Partners will name their groups, similarly to the Sonic Advance 3 Duo names & Sonic Heroes Team names, with some utilizing two names depending on who in the lead or just for fun. (The Strange Sonic Advance 3 Team Names {{By kiro talks}} https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_7AiOZrRGk)

◈ Sonic: Sonic & Tails = Unbreakable Bond, Sonic & Amy = Zucchini Squish [Zucchini Squish it’s because QPR, Originally Lovely Couple], Sonic & Cream = Blue Cheese [Alt. Babysitting], Sonic & Knuckles = Sonic & Knuckles [Orig. Fighting Buddies, Alt. Lock-On Technology / Lock-On], Sonic & Honey = Arcade Replay [Alt. Arcade Parade / Fast Twitch]

◈ Tails: Tails & Sonic = Pilot Pals, Tails & Knuckles = Brains & Brawn, Tails & Cream = Theoi Ouranioi [Meaning Sky Gods], Tails & Amy = Percussive Maintenance [Meaning to hit malfunctioning machinery, Alt. Propeller Hammer / Piko Pico {Tails and the Music Maker on the Sega Pico}] Tails & Honey = Sugar Rush

◈ Knuckles: Knuckles & Cream = Sugar & Spice, Knuckles & Amy = Wrecking Crew [Alt. Hammering Hotheads / Rubblerousers / Bruisers], Knuckles & Tails = Fight or Flight [Alt. Mutual Friend], Knuckles & Sonic = Sparring Buddies [Orig. Fighting Buddies], Knuckles & Honey = G-Fuel

◈ Cream: Cream & Amy = Joy & Cheer [Orig. Team Jubilee, Alt. Sister Solace], Cream & Tails = High Fliers [Alt. Kids Table / Helicopter Helicopter], Cream & Knuckles = Sweet & Salty, Cream & Sonic = Blueberry Cream [Alt. Berries ‘N’ Cream / Blueberry Creamcheese], Cream & Honey = Honeycake

◈ Amy: Amy & Sonic = Cute Couple [Orig.: Lovely Couple, Alt. Cute & Cool], Amy & Tails = Heart & Mind [Alt. Flower Prower / Sorcerer Scientists / Sunset Squad], Amy & Knuckles = Heavy Hitters [Alt. Magical Might / Mystical Might], Amy & Cream = Flower Jubilee [Orig. Team Jubilee], Amy & Honey = Witch Time

◈ Honey: Honey & Cream = Hunnybunny, Honey & Knuckles = Sweetbeat, Honey & Amy = Rose Nectar, Honey & Sonic = Arcade Combo [Alt. Shonen Anime], Honey & Tails = Pollen Puff

Potential Dualizations: Tails & Silver = Mind Over Matter, Shadow & Tails = Fox Hunting [Alt. Punching Bag], Cream & Shadow = Jekyll & Hyde, Knuckles & Rouge = Treasure Hunters, Knuckles & Mecha Knuckles = Meme Mode / Mania Mode, Amy & Rouge = Cute & Sexy, Blaze & Cream = Ice Cream, Cream & Blaze = Warm Cream, Sonic & Shadow = Parallel / Rivalry / [Alt. Mirror Image / Sonadow / Shadic]

Team Hero = Sonic & Tails & Knuckles [Originally Team Sonic], Team Dark = Rouge & Shadow & Omega, Team Rose = Amy & Cream & Big, Team Detective = {Team Chaotix - Vector & Espio & Charmy + Team Traffic - Mighty & Ray & Rush}, Team Hooligan = Nack & Bean & Bark, Team Rogue = Jet & Wave & Storm [Orig. Babylon Rogues], Team Annihilation = Roosterquill & Squall & Whiskers

Potential Dyad Dualizations: Team Triple S = Sonic & Shadow & Silver

[theaccountantnews]

Why Your UAE Business Can’t Afford to Skip Proper Accounting

Let’s cut to the chase: if you’re running a business in the UAE, you’re playing in a high-stakes sandbox. Between Dubai’s glittering skyscrapers and Abu Dhabi’s ambitious economic plans, it’s easy to get swept up in the hype. But behind the scenes, there’s a less glamorous truth—messy books or lazy compliance can sink your company faster than a summer heatwave melts an ice cream truck. Here’s the raw, unpolished truth about why accounting isn’t just for nerds in glasses.

1. The Government Isn’t Messing Around

I’ve seen it happen. A friend launched a boutique consulting firm in Dubai, skipped VAT filings for six months to “save time,” and ended up with a AED 20,000 fine. The UAE’s regulators aren’t cruel, but they’re efficient. Miss a tax deadline? Slap on a penalty. Fail an audit? License renewal gets frozen.

The 2023 Corporate Tax is the latest curveball. That 9% rate sounds mild until you realize exemptions are as tricky as parallel parking in Sharjah’s Friday traffic. Free zones like DMCC or JAFZA have their own rulebooks—annual audits, proof of “real” office space, and even how you report expenses. Without someone who speaks “bureaucrat,” you’re gambling with your business’s survival.

2. Taxes Will Eat Your Lunch (If You Let Them)

Remember when the UAE was a tax-free paradise? Those days are over. VAT’s been here since 2018, and Corporate Tax is the new sheriff in town. But here’s the kicker: smart businesses don’t just pay taxes—they manage them.

Take Ahmed, who runs a café in Dubai Marina. His accountant found AED 50,000 in deductible expenses he didn’t know existed—like a percentage of his rent and utility bills. That’s money back in his pocket. Another client, a freelance graphic designer, avoided Corporate Tax entirely by structuring her income under the AED 375,000 threshold.

But this isn’t magic. It’s strategy. And it only works if your books are airtight.

3. Investors and Banks Want Tea

Think of your financial records as your business’s dating profile. Would you swipe right on someone with blurry photos and zero details? Neither will investors.

A buddy of mine spent months wooing a venture capitalist for his tech startup. The VC loved the pitch—until they asked for six months of cash flow statements. His “DIY” Excel sheet looked like a toddler’s art project. The deal died on the spot.

Banks are worse. Walk into ADCB or ENBD without audited financials, and they’ll treat you like a time-waster. Clean books aren’t just about compliance—they’re your credibility.

4. You’re Probably Wasting Money (Seriously)

Here’s a story: A small e-commerce company in Abu Dhabi was bleeding AED 10,000 a month on shipping. The founder blamed “market rates” until his accountant noticed a pattern—90% of orders went to Dubai, but they were using a pricier international courier. Switching to a local provider saved them AED 8,000 monthly.

Your books aren’t just receipts in a drawer. They’re a detective’s notebook. Where’s the cash leaking? Which supplier’s overcharging? Why is inventory collecting dust? You’ll never know unless you look.

5. Outsourcing Isn’t Cheating—It’s Genius

I get it. Hiring an accountant feels like admitting you can’t do it all. But here’s the reality: most UAE founders aren’t CPAs. You’re a visionary, not a tax-code translator.

A client of mine—a British expat running a fitness studio—outsourced her accounting for AED 1,500/month. For that price, she gets VAT filings, payroll, and a quarterly report showing where her studio’s thriving (and where it’s flopping). She’s free to focus on Instagram-worthy gym selfies instead of spreadsheets.

6. Scammers Are Everywhere (Yes, Even Here)

A construction company in Ras Al Khaimah learned this the hard way. Their part-time bookkeeper had been quietly funneling AED 200,000 into a phantom supplier account for two years. They only caught it during a routine audit.

Fraudsters love chaos. If your books are a mess, you’re a target. Regular reconciliations and third-party reviews aren’t paranoia—they’re survival.

The Bottom Line

In the UAE, accounting isn’t about “checking a box.” It’s about keeping your business alive in a market where rules change faster than a sandstorm rolls in. You don’t need to love it—you just need to respect it. Hire a pro, keep your receipts, and sleep easy knowing you’re not one typo away from a fine.

Visit our website to learn how we can assist your business:

The best accounting and bookkeeping services

[achaotichuman]

Witchy Tamlin has my heart because I got into witch lore be ause of my friend 😭😭😭

YES! I have thought about witchy Tamlin before! I have a ton of headcanons for him!

Starting with the Spring Court. I imagine it has the deepest connections to the earth, utilizing its power in their magic such as being able to grow and nurture any and all plant life. Having an incredibly close relationship to the local fauna, being able to easily connect with animals even if they are dangerous to anyone else who might come across them.

Because of the Spring Courts deep connection to the life from the ground, it has magic that reflects the balance of life and death. Such as being able to bring life back from death, but also being able to suck it away.

Then enter the High lord's power. It is derived directly from this balance of life and death. It controls the regulation of magic roaming throughout the Spring Court. As death and life are as chaotic as tossing a dozen coins in the air and trying to guess which side each will land on, if Spring magic is left to its own devices, it will choke itself out, go into a state of chaos and wreak havoc on its own lands.

So, the High lord's power is in place to establish law that even the magic heeds to. However, the magic still has some control and therefore if its ruler is not strong enough, say the magic was supposed to originally go to one person but then they were killed so it had to choose another, this second option may not quite meet the mark and therefore will find it even more difficult to keep their sanity whilst also controlling the fluctuation of magic throughout the lands.

But if the High lord is strong enough, the magic will allow the High lord to have his own way with it. Basically, like a magical fight within yourself and if you come out victorious, the magic will heed your word.

Enter Tamlin. Out of all of his brothers he was the chosen one for the magic. Now, his brothers wouldn't have been anything to laugh at, both of them made his life a living hell growing up, so they would have been powerful, strong and fierce. Perfect candidates for such a chaotic magic, who else better to tame an ancient power such as either of two powerful warriors? Considering they were older than Tamlin they may have even fought in the war, meaning they would be renowned throughout Prythian for their strength and honor.

Then there's Tamlin. Tamlin who will always fight against the forces of evil. Tamlin who plays a fiddle, a well-known poor-man's instrument. Tamlin who ran to the War Bands the first chance he got simply avoid his family. Tamlin who attracted the attention of the most powerful High lord on record (would have been to-be-most powerful High lord back then). Tamlin who had no diplomacy experience and wanted to run away with the circus.

Tamlin who also welcomed refugees into his Court. Tamlin who would've fought on the side of humans if he had been old enough during the War. Tamlin who stood up against a sadistic Faery Queen who had harassed him constantly since he was a child.

Tamlin would have been viewed as a spare son. A shadow in the corner that needed no further attention than dogs out in the kennels, another piece of the furniture. And I believe that is what would draw the magic to him.

His is the balance. I imagine Tamlin would sneak out it the middle of the night following the whistling of the wind which sounds like the harmonious strings of a violin. Following dirt paths deep into the dark forests but never being afraid of the danger he may face.

Creatures look at him with reddened eyes through the trees. He goes deeper and deeper until there is no village nor town for miles and miles. He hears the wailing of a Banshee, the call of creatures long forgotten, the Suriel prophesying on the wind.

He walks and he walks, and his loneliness weighs in on him, because he is lonely. He is outcasted and forgotten from his own family, and he finds it difficult to make friends, so he begins to talk. He speaks to the trees around him, to the leaves fluttering in the breeze. To the grass underfoot, to the daffodils and the lilac and the roses and the wisteria. He talks until his throat is raw and he cannot no longer speak a word.

Then the world speaks back to him. On whistling winds and from the hollows of trunks. From the pollen carried on the wind, through the roots sticking out of the ground. He feels the earth vibrate underneath him as it talks back to its chosen one.

And Tamlin stands there, lost in the nature of his Court. Eyes closed, head tilted up towards the silver full moon, listening to the stories carried on the wind that no one has listened to for far too long.

He continues to come back, and the forest tells him everything. It tells him of wars, of people who had died and now lived within the earth. It tells him when beneath his feet there laid a soldier as he took his last breath. It tells him the tree he passed by there used to sit a maiden burned in that very spot. The Fae and humans have forgotten her, but the earth never will.

It begins to teach him, molding him into the ruler the earth truly needs. It teaches him kindness, it teaches him spells to cast, it teaches him curses he can utter to those that harm him. It teaches him all it knows.

When most think of a witch, they think of an old crone wearing all black with wide-brimmed pointed hat, stirring a bubbling cauldron.

Little do they know; the witch can have smooth skin, piercing green eyes and long golden curls. Little do they know the witch can be a boy who was chosen for his kindness and his bravery.

I also imagine he has a stone basement beneath Rosehall where he dries out herbs, has a small cauldron that he whisks up potions in and trials spells. I bet he sits there in the silence with the wind travelling down from the outside to talk to him, and he listens while he cuts up ingredients to make a purple bubbly drink.

I imagine he has maps he lays on out on the floor, using sand he creates imagery on the stone and once created puffs of smoke emerge and faces appear. I imagine he gave the wind a face that he saw through the smokey darkness, he smiled at this face, and the face smiled back.

I love witchy Tam so, so much, if you couldn't tell lol. Please tell me any and all of your head canons for him!

[ultraericthered]

Kingdom Hearts Divergence, the Hearts In Chaos Chronicle

THE GOOD GUYS

Ephemer - The main protagonist of the saga, debuting as a dual MC next to Sora in KH4 before Sora's Keyblade of Light chooses Ephemer to be its new wielder. Ephemer's background is opposite of Sora's in that he's always known of other worlds, Keyblades, powers of light and darkness from the heart, Kingdom Hearts and all that because he's actually a member of the Dandelion Guild who comes from the distant past, having been thrust forward in time after running afoul of a conspiracy being set in motion by the then-current Guild Masters. Ephemer is a kind-hearted, empathetic and curious youth who wishes to solve the mysteries of the World, such as the Book of Prophecies and what exactly transpired between the Unions of the Dandelion Guild that caused Keyblades and Masters to become scarce. Much hard-hitting and less easygoing than Sora, he can be a bit cocky when he fights but is also known to be hesitant when he is unsure he's up to a big task, particularly true for becoming the next Keyblade Master, but he gradually starts to grow into the role. Ephemer is voiced in the English dub by Michael Johnston.

Skuld - The series' new female lead is quite special, as she's come to the present timeline from a far off future. It's never confirmed outright where she hails from and who her family is, but it is strongly implied that she's the future daughter of Squall Leonhart and Rinoa Heartilly, with similiarities in hair, fashion sense, and even the use of a sort of "Gunblade" as her weapon of choice. Skuld, like Riku, has dabbled in the powers of Darkness and can now uses abilities derived from the twilight in-between. Despite being something self-serious, driven, and something of a loner at first, Skuld cares greatly for her friends and doesn't like seeing others fighting and getting hurt, which is why she tries to carry the burdens all by herself. As she befriends Ephemer and begins to loosen up, we see she is every bit as empathetic as him and willing to take great risks to protect others.

Skuld is voiced in the English dub by Cristina Vee.

Brain - A young man living in the present day's Daybreak Town, Brain (pronounced BRYNE) is a cool, laid-back, and studious person by nature. The first person befriended by Ephemer when he lands in this timeline, Brain becomes protective of the boy like a big brother. He is very clever and tactically gifted, good with analytics, deduction, and making plans to be implemented in times of conflict. Brain was also hesitant about becoming an adventuring, world-saving hero, believing himself incapable of fulfilling the role, but resolves to perform his duties to prevent another war from breaking out. It is later revealed that Master Luxu's heart cast itself into Brain's and melded with it (akin to Ventus with Sora), so the Luminous Vanguard seek to recruit him into the Lost Masters, but Brain fights to assert that his heart is his own and he "makes himself" who he truly is. Much like Organization XIII's Zexion, Brain's weapon of choice is a magic book.

Brain is voiced in the English dub by Max Mittelman.

Huey, Dewey, and Louie Duck - In the year between KH2-KH3 and KH4, Donald's triplet nephews underwent a growth spurt and got even more deeply involved with being entrepreneurs under their great uncle Scrooge's mentorship, finally deciding they were ready to take on adventures of their own across the galaxy. As fate would have it, their first such endeavor leads them to Ephemer, and from them on they are inseparable from him. The Nephews act as a constantly rotating unit. In some worlds Ephemer can switch between which Nephew he wants to have fight along with him, but in select worlds, only one nephew will be available. Their specialty is utilizing magic like their uncle, but through high-tech gear rather than staffs.

The Nephews are voiced in the English dub by Danny Pudi (Huey), Ben Schwartz (Dewey), and Bobbi Moynihan (Louie).

Max Goof - The estranged teenage son of Disney Castle's lead guard, Goofy, Max is a squire still in training whose tastes tend to differ from his doofus dad's, including his belief that the best defense is a good offense, which is why he fights with a very shield-like blade. When Goofy and Donald accompany Sora to look into the rise in blight power and the Demi-Deterged, Max steals away on his own to prove himself, running into Donald's Nephews and Ephemer in the process. As one of Ephemer's constant companions, Max fears being as clumsy as his dad or being seen as needing of constant supervision and help, but eases into becoming a knight on his terms.

Max is voiced in the English dub by Jason Marsden.

Timothy Mouse - A mouse who used to be a big name in show biz but has since fallen to the wayside and become homeless. Timothy accompanies Ephemer and his friends on their journeys. The whole joke with him is that as he is a mouse and he's joined up with ducks and a Goof, Timothy believes himself a potential successor to King Mickey himself only to find himself the new Jiminy Cricket instead.

Timothy is voiced in the English dub by Chris Edgerly, who also voices the role of Cid.

King Mickey - We all know who he is by now, and of course he was going to involve himself somehow. Following KH4, he gets seen much less in the plot, making it a big deal whenever he does pop up.

King Mickey is voiced in the English dub by Brett Iwan.

Figaro - A stray cat from Disney Town who tags along with Max and with the main party, being attracted to Ephemer, Skuld, and Brain's monochrome colors they wear that match Figaro's own fur.

Figaro is voiced in the English dub by Frank Welker.

Chirithy - The Chirithy were the ancient predecessors to Moogles in the World, but only one such Chirithy remains in the present day.

Chirithy is voiced in the English dub by Lara Jill Miller.

The Blue Fairy - The very same Blue Fairy who brought Pinocchio to life, it's her magic that draws Ephemer, Brain, and Skuld together, as she fills Yen Sid's old spot as the primary magic-powered mentor.

The Blue Fairy is voiced in the English dub by Rosalin Landor.

Merlin - Speaking of magic-powered mentor, Merlin is still very much around, still working with the Committee, still in possession of the Winnie The Pooh book, and still offering magic training to any who need it. He becomes particularly close with both Brain and Max.

Merlin is voiced in the English dub by Jeff Bennett.

Scrooge McDuck - Donald's uncle and the great uncle of Huey, Dewey, and Louie who mentored them in the ways of big business. Uncle Scrooge is still around the hub worlds, always doing his thing.

Scrooge McDuck is voiced in the English dub by En Reitel.

Wreck-It Ralph & Pals - First obtained as summonable allies by Sora in KH3, Ralph, Vanellope, Felix, and Sgt. Calhoun are allies in their own world in KH4 and become recurring aid to Ephemer's party.

They are voiced in the English dub by John C. Reily, Sarah Silverman, Jack McBrayer, and Jane Lynch.

Kermit The Frog - No one quite understands what Kermit's deal is, but he was displaced from his home world when it got torn up by blight, so now he seeks application with Leon's Committee in KH4. Later reunited with his Muppet friends in KH5, Kermit continues to help out while also serving as the host for entertainment venues and mini-games. He's generally good-natured, but not good at handling frustration, and has next to no combat capabilities besides dodging.

Kermit The Frog is voiced in the English dub by Matt Vogel.

Elrena, Lauriam, & Strelitizia - The resident "Hayner, Pence, and Olette" of Daybreak Town, this trio is unique in that there are two girls and one guy this time! The three of them were in the very last remnant of the old Dandelion Guild and like a family to one another, but Strelitiza tragically lost her heart in an incident a few years ago, with Lauriam and Elrena losing their hearts to the Heartless when they invaded their world. Now fully restored to life, the trio become loyal allies to Ephemer upon learning his ties to the Dandelion Guild.

Elrena, Lauriam, & Strelitzia are voiced in the English dub by Shanelle Workman-Gray, Keith Ferguson, and Madison Davenport.

THE ENEMIES

The Demi-Detergered - A truly bizarre and unexpected evolution has occurred within many of the Heartless that still roam the worlds. Powers of light, light stolen from the hearts of others, have entered their veins and changed them from within. Rather than be attracted to the darkness of people's hearts with the instict to prey upon those hearts, these Heartless seek out darkness and attack it in ways that prove dangerous to hearts and destructive to the fabric of the World. Called the Demi-Deterged, this brand of Heartless and the "blight" they possess is exploited by the Luminous Vanguard in their quest to purge reality of darkness and re-organize it around eternal light.

Neodarkness - An entity made of pure raw darkness who's become ruler of the Dark Realm, ensuring that all dark beings like Darklings, Heartless, Unversed, and Nightmares return to the World. In his previous existence, Neodarkness was Vanitas, the dark half of Ventus who served Master Xehanort. In accepting his nature, his dark soul was able to evolve into something else. Pure evil as he seems, Neodarkness doesn't always disturb the peace and finds himself frequently acting on the defensive against beseiging blight.

Neodarkness is voiced in the English dub by Haley Joel Osment.

Pete & Duke Mortimer - While Maleficent plays the chief antagonist role in KH4 along with Judge Frollo, she's brought down and sapped of all her dark magical power in the end. Unable to act anymore, she tasks Pete with tending to all her tasks and searching for a way to restore her power to her, and knowing that her chief flunkie is hardly reliable on his own, she inducts a new flunkie into her service: Duke Mortimer Mouse, King Mickey's rival from Disney Town who debuted in KH4. Creating a faux Keyblade for his use, Mortimer also comes in handy for slaying Demi-Deterged as he and Pete travel the worlds.

Pete and Duke Mortimer are voiced in the English dub by Jim Cummings and Maurice Lemarche respectively.

The Luminous Vanguard - A clerical society of white mages made from what used to be different unions for the Dandelion Guild. While their seven masters entering stasis in time made the group unable to function for ages, it has finally reactivated and is out to achieve its leader's vision of a reconstructed Kingdom Hearts whose pure light can spread to not just all worlds, but all Worlds, and burn away all darkness so that all hearts will be forced into obedience to the light. Having eliminated the ability for hearts to unite with Keyblades in frequency ages ago, the Vanguard abhors the very existence of the Keyblade, believing such a weapon to not be fit for human hands.

Master Narix - Founder and leader of the Luminous Vanguard. Narix has long believed that the majority of hearts are naturally weak and susceptible to darkness that begets dark powers that defile the World, and that only the strongest and purest of hearts should set the course for the World and its denizens. Envisioning a reality where darkness no longer exists, light conquers all Worlds, and he reigns supreme as the light's oppressive guardian, Narix arrogantly looks to use blight to tear down and reconstruct Kingdom Hearts from within its innermost heart, and will eradicate all that would get in his way. The road to the deepest darkness is paved with good intentions.

Master Narix is voiced in the English dub by Johnny Yong Bosch.

The Lost Masters - The six Masters who accompanied Narix in forming the Luminous Vanguard were Avali, Fura, Gorgeyo, Jelus, Ecaed, and the now deceased Luxu. Aside from Luxu, the only truly prominent Master is the young Avali, whose pure heart and convictions to doing good by others for the cause of light enabled her to become one of the new Princesses of Heart. More than the others she has doubts about the rightness of the Vanguard's course, but tends to quickly dispell those doubts and show why a pure heart of light can be incredibly dangerous if exploited by the wrong crowd.

In the English dub, Avali is voiced by Jenna Ortega, Fura by Travis Willingham, Gorgeyo by Matthew Mercer, Jelus by Katelyn Gault, and Ecaed by Adam McArthur (and Luxu by Hector Elizondo).

Justice Minister Frollo - Having lost his authority in La Cite des Lumieres, Judge Frollo was beckoned out from his world by the Lost Masters, who annointed him as Minister of Justice to lead the test run faction of the Luminous Vanguard, with the leftover Nightmare energy Frollo had attained granting him the power to control and exploit the Demi-Deterged. Gladly compliant with the Vanguard's mission to purge the World of darkness but holding himself in such esteem that he frequently changes the course of plans without the Lost Masters' imput, Frollo's broad defining of what is sinful sees him seeking the destruction of many Disney villains and Disney good guys alike, as all this grows and enhances his own heart’s darkness yet he remains ignorant or in denial of it due to his sense of self-righteousness.

Frollo is voiced in the English dub by Timothy E. Brummud.

Evanesse' - A very different sort of adversary Ephemer finds himself faced with later in his quest. Created as a Hollow Replica by the late Xehanort, he's inadvertedly found and given life by Ephemer, making him a Xehanort replica whose essence is but a pale copy of what came from Ephemer's heart. Calling himself Evanessé, he seeks to find his own aim and to define his place in the World, but plagued by self doubt that he can live up to his own expectations for existing and by the specter of Xehanort, he comes to resent life and decides he just wants everything around him to disappear into nothingness...

Evanesse' is voiced in the English dub by Dylan Sprouse.

[nodawnesperia]

Current Status Report (faction status part 2)

The second part, this should be the final of the worldbuilding posts at least for now. After this, I'd like to start getting into specific characters/events. Not sure who I'll start with so if you have a preference, do let me know (same for specific events). Reminder that the Graveborn faction is mostly the same but I will point out the few things that changed. The Hypogeans will be more about their general structure as a faction since the canon provides little to no info on it put concisely. The Celestials though? That's where things will get a little more curious.

This one is short, much shorter than the previous posts. Have fun!

Graveborn

The School of the Dead: The Metamorphs

Previously: The School of the Dead is split between two factions: The Spiritualists and the Metamorphs. While the Spiritualists practice necromancy through magic only, the Metamorphs utilize alchemy and experiment with various other substances in order to further the limits of necromancy. Currently: With the Hypogean backing and support, the Metamorphs of the School of the Dead came up with a new way of reanimating bodies – using Hypogean magic. The resulting creations are tireless, hardworking, intelligent, and brutal warriors.

The Boneyard: The Whispering Doom

Previously: A massive tower looming over the Boneyard, it is filled with sinister spirits known as the Harvesters who collect the lost souls of Esperia, purifying them and stuffing them in new bodies, creating legions of submissive Graveborn soldiers. Currently: With Annih back in the picture, lost souls are no longer present in Esperia. However, for the sake of the alliance, fragile as it may be, Annih allows Niru as the head of the Whispering Doom to choose a limited number of souls for the Graveborn armies.

Hypogeans

Creatures of chaos and destruction exist all over the universe, spawned by the leaking powers of the elder god Lutos. Most of them are disorganized and chaotic, barely capable of any rational thought. In Esperia, however, many influences affected their creation to the point where many are born sentient and even intelligent. There is a wide variety of them now, the only thing tying them all together being their natural draw to destruction.

However, united under the leadership of Annih and Uemiss, the Hypogeans are a formidable force. Annih appointed two high commanders of the Hypogean armies, Kane and Conrad, to lead the lesser Hypogeans and make up for their lack of intelligence. Kane is a strategic attacker while Conrad takes care of the Hypogeans' steadfast defense. By promising domains, power, and their pickings of prisoners and captives, Annih managed to sway the will of most other powerful Hypogeans as well, using their vast array of powers and skills to form a strike force the likes of which have never been seen in Esperia.

Celestials

When Dura created the Barred Gate, she made the remaining gods swear a divine oath to protect it and guard it from ever breaking again. However, when Uemiss began trying to reclaim his power over Altor, many Celestials abandoned their posts to go and combat the galactic threat. When the Gate shattered, so too did the gods' divinity. And as more and more of Esperia fell to the Hypogeans and the mortal faith weakened, even the remaining demigod powers quickly weakened.

At present, the Celestials are either scattered around Esperia or hiding within the deepest parts of the Celestial Sanctum, unable to shed their physical bodies or put up much of a fight. Some died, others got captured. Most of them remain free but it is only freedom in the name. The worse the situation gets, the more desperate the Celestials grow, employing means they once deemed beneath them to secure even the smallest of victories. Mortal faith no longer sustains them so they, in turn, no longer care about the mortal lives. If a hundred mortals die to kill ten Hypogeans, the Celestials only see the dead Hypogeans. Those who are unwilling to submit to such cruel methods are abandoned, left without a faction, allies, or place to belong.

[tgrailwar-zero]

This was the first time that you had used the stroke of a Command Spell in this context. It was an odd feeling. It didn't seem painful, though you could see CONSTANTINE tense a bit, his own will and actions being suppressed under a geyser of concentrated mana.

He took a breath, nodding his head.

CONSTANTINE: "…Very well. If that is your resolve, then so be it."

[ You've used a Command Spell! CONSTANTINE will have a harder time going against your orders now! ]

KUKULKAN spoke up.

KUKULKAN: "If you're done, we have to continue onward. Like you said, we've spent enough time here as-is."

CONSTANTINE: "…Right. Let's be off."

There was less conversation on that topic than you expected. It seemed like he really did concede to whatever choice you made, and left it at that. He was your Servant, and was acting as such.

The two continued forth, the trek remaining uneventful until grass turned to stone, and stone turned to metal as you approached the Crimson Citadel.

Though… it didn't just seem like a 'Citadel' anymore.

It was an entire city.

You could see NPCs and Attack Programs marching back and forth, protecting them. It felt both authoritative and yet sheltering, like the cover of an overbearing parent. Nothing about it seemed malicious, simply 'intense'.

KUKULKAN: "This is something else… was it always like this, Constantine?"

CONSTANTINE: "A lot has changed in the few days I was gone. This is almost a completely different area."

As CONSTANTINE and KUKULKAN gawked, a voice called out to them.

???: "Impressive, right? Or is it more 'cool'?"

With deft movements and a high jump, a figure landed in front of KUKULKAN and CONSTANTINE.

A young woman with blonde hair and shining armor and weaponry stood before them.

BRADAMANTE: "Hello, Interloper Masters and Servants. And welcome back, Rider. I am the Bouclier Saber, Bradamante. His Majesty was already made aware of your presence as soon as you stepped into his Noble Phantasm, Carolus Patricius. Welcome to the future of the Solar Cell."

That name… 'Carolus Patricus'. That Noble Phantasm could only belong to one man. SABER was...

CHARLEMAGNE.

Charles the Great. Karl der Große. A grand ruler of both fact and fiction, focused in his actions, devout in his faith, and known throughout the world as the man who unified Western Europe. As a Servant, he would be a man of incredible power and renown.

The fact that one of his warrior so freely gave his True Name at this point was a show of absolute strength and confidence.

KUKULKAN: "Ah, so that's what I'm sensing~! This place has a high 'Civilization Level'! This 'Charlemagne' must be an expert!"

CONSTANTINE: "This is certainly something, but he's but one Servant. To hold up a Noble Phantasm such as this would require a tremendous amount of magical energy."

BRADAMANTE: "You don't recognize it? He's drawing power from the Keys held by the former Interloper Servants. With the proper authority, he was able to wring out enough magical energy from four keys. The Key of the Thunderous Berserker, The Key of the Pious Caster, The Key of the Blooming Foreigner, and the Key of the Shining Rider."

KINTOKI. DANTE. VAN GOGH. MANDRICARDO...

The paladin continued to speak, beaming with pride.

BRADAMANTE: "By combining strength, piety, creativity, and fortitude, such a miracle could be created. To turn the Origin War, a moment of destruction and chaos, into a tool of creation. This is the power of the Interlopers combined with the will of the Solar Cell, the might of King Charlemagne!"

So that was another use for the Trigger Keys… at least the ones belonging to your Servants. Utilizing the remaining magical energy in order to enhance one's abilities… though you feel as if that was less of a common capability, and instead something forced about through some form of Imperial Privilege.

There may be more to this than just 'drawing power from the keys'.

Nonetheless, this was a bit more than expected. Based on what PRETENDER had said, and CONSTANTINE's worries, they made it seem like SABER was on the back foot- but that seemed incorrect.

Those thoughts aside, BRADAMANTE's expression grew serious.

BRADAMANTE: "But now is time for you to state your reasons for being here. If you've come here for destruction, then I will have to battle you as a paladin. If you've come here for the sake of unity, then I will gladly let you pass. But be careful, even if you feel as if you can lie to me, His Majesty can see past any falsehoods."

[fairylandblog]

Faerie Protection Agency

Within the complex realm of faerie legend, the Seely Court is a haven of magic and intrigue. The Faerie Protection Agency (FPA) is involved in several activities, one of which is to keep the mortal world unaware that faeries exist. This organization employs a blend of magic and cunning to safeguard the delicate balance between the faerie and human realms. The underlying premise of the FPA's purpose is that the discovery of faeries has the potential to upend the natural order, resulting in chaos and exploitation. Mortals are dangerous to the faerie community because of their voracious curiosity and inclination to rule the unknown. The FPA protects the security and sanctity of both worlds by remaining covert. Despite the magical and whimsical nature of faeries, their vulnerabilities and unique abilities necessitate avoiding human intervention.

Using glamour and enchantments is essential to the agency's operations. These enchanted veils change the memory of individuals who go too close to the truth, conceal enchanted sites, and mask faerie meetings. Talented faeries, proficient in these techniques, collaborate with the FPA to swiftly eliminate any evidence of their realm. Because of the agency's actions, mortals who witness faerie activities might only remember them as dreams or transient illusions. In addition to magic, the FPA uses intelligence and surveillance to keep an eye out for possible secret breaches. Agents, stationed in high-faerie activity zones, blend in with human culture while closely monitoring contacts between the two worlds. To avoid exposure, they get information, monitor rumors, and take appropriate action as needed. This operational network swiftly locates and eliminates any threat to the anonymity of faeries. Additionally, the agency develops contacts with reliable human allies who are cognizant of the faerie realm. These people are usually visionaries, poets, or painters who see the value of preserving the enchantment and mystery of the world. Periodically, the faerie realm grants them glimpses in exchange for their secrecy, gently influencing their art and elevating human civilization. Even with its careful work, the FPA occasionally runs into problems. The current world's media and technologies pose unique challenges to maintaining secrecy. The agency must constantly develop and adapt, as evidence of the supernatural can spread swiftly thanks to cameras and the internet. To keep up the appearance of incredulity, faerie agents may need to alter media narratives or digital data.

Moreover, not every faerie supports the goals of the FPA. Curiosity or mischievousness may lead some to consciously or unintentionally seek out human connection and expose themselves. The agency must resolve these internal tensions by striking a balance between the general need for concealment and the wishes of specific faeries. The Faerie Protection Agency essentially embodies the Seely Court's dedication to maintaining the magical balance between faeries and mortals. It protects a magical realm that exists in the shadows by utilizing a blend of enchantment, cunning, and diplomacy. The FPA ensures that faeries remain the subject of stories and fantasies, facilitating a nuanced dance between mystery and imagination where humans and faeries coexist.

[thsc-stuffs]

Chaos Levels

HELLO HI I AM FINALLY WRITING DOWN HOW I IMAGINE CHAOS LEVELS WORK. FINALLY. So, let's get right into it!!

Chaos Levels are present in 'anomalous' beings and items, such as those with strong magical abilities (Henry, Ellie), items capable of magic or other strange things (the Teleporter, the Toppat leader portraits). Such entities 'give off' Chaos Energy, which can be read using certain tech. Interestingly, this expended energy can also be absorbed into things/people these entities have continuous contact with (Charles absorbing energy from Henry and Ellie, most Toppats having traces from anomalous treasures).

Normal entities have a level of 0. Cases of trace energy absorption never exceed a level of 2. People with very minor abilities never exceed a level of 4. People with greater abilities (Earthbending, Force manipulation) are typically around a level of 5. A chaos level of 8 is considered disastrous, and a level of 10 is considered universe-breaking.

Henry's chaos level when fully utilizing his abilities (aka, during one of the 'games') is 10.6. Between games/when not fully active, it drops to a 9.6. Ellie's chaos level is a 6, and Charles' level is a 2.9! Some other people have notably high levels; Reginald's is a 2, RHM's is a 3.5 with RHMR's going up to a 4.7, General Galeforce's is around a 1.4! Jaques' portrait gives off a 8.3 in comparison to the 3.1 of the other portraits, and Jaques themself had a level of 7.7!

[the-bio-ska]

You did with Rimi before, but how about Noelle, her girlfriend?

Remember that throw away bit about a wild card demi-goddess? Well, we get to see that side.

Name: 70th Pope of the Church of Her Rudely Snubbed Noelle Selios

Species: Cambion(Nebiros Decendent)

Age: 19(Born post mutation)

Occupation: Worshiper of Discordianism; Drummer for Ur Utero

Affiliations: The Church of Her Rudely Snubbed; Ur Utero; "Brittany's Bitches"

Bio: The drummer for the band Ur Utero. Noelle met Rimi when their college's local Discordians held a club meeting. While Rimi initially went to keep an eye on the club, Noelle was almost all in as a member as a member of the Church of Her Rudely Snubbed.

After repeat "inspections", Rimi decided to hang out more with Noelle, and Noelle introduced her to a whole network of people that are part of the church. Which just so happened to be Post Punk band that Rimi would sing for.

Powers and abilities: Mildly below average Chaos Magic- Mastery of Hysmina: As a user of chaos magic, Noelle does have the ability to alter aspects of reality in subtle ways. Despite the "authority" of her title, she is mildly below average in terms of causing massive changes. Where she shines as a chaos practitioner is in the art of Hysmina, or causing fights. Noelle may not be good in a fight, but can push others into one.

The way Hysmina works is that Noelle can set an aura around a number of different individuals or things. From there it then attracts those things to participate in, or used in a brawl. She has mastered the ability of setting up fights with the machine like precision.

The drawback is that the power does not enhance anyone's ability, least of all hers. If Noelle uses her Hysmina on more than 4 things, she can become a target of those of under her influence. Despite being able to set them up fast, the disengaging process is not as fast, often times getting hit for this weakness.

Average Fire and Mineral Magic: Can utilize fire and a mineral magic.

Personality: Noelle is a very rash, energetic and passionate person who does care for her friends consistently, and fans(if she is feeling lazy/slow that day). Despite being part of a religious order known for its high turn over in membership, she does follow the Discordian principals of optimistic nihilism, and has practiced for more than 3 years. She believes everything is nothing, nothing is everything, ergo and life is granted to apply whatever meaning you want.

This does not stop her from using the principles to justify poor decisions. This is something Noelle leans into, both for amusement and to try and get some kind of advantage. Her favorite trick is evoking the pope title to start trouble, or demand stuff for free. Even Brittany, who is notoriously a troll herself, has been genuinely angered by her to where her she popped her violet goat form and yelled at her in a way that shook everyone that was round to see it. If she does hurt a friend or an ally in a major way, she will try to make it right.