#Divinity of Conflict

[we-are-a-dragon]

M (playing Kjell): I deal 18 damage to Lolth and continue raging.

DM: You manage to shave one of the spiky hairs off her big spider leg.

Tati (playing Seraph): I say loudly, "Please can we leave?"

Adam (playing Billie): "Thaddeus, Galwyn, can we get Kjell out of here? Thaddeus, buddy? You okay?"

Hamish (playing Thaddeus): I shake myself out of my religious terror with some effort.

DM: Galwyn is also rather shaken. Despite his longevity, he's never met a god.

Tati: He was so blasé about celestials when we met Steve. Guess he was just skiting to impress Kjell.

[captainofthetidesbreath]

it's kind of funny that we're back at the start, as it was known from the very beginning, as the story always was, the old lore: "the Divine Gate was built in response to the destruction and suffering of the Calamity as the Prime Deities realized was far too much and, as such, they needed to also remove themselves from Exandria to protect it from the ruin that the gods dwelling here brings"

[stardustdiiving]

I get to stressed out when ppl complain the gods in genshin dont “act/feel like gods” or feel “too human” like that’s the point…! That is the point of every single one of their characters and one of the themes of Genshin impact the video game !!!!!!!

[mazeyphaedra]

ON THE PRECARIOUS POWER OF DIVINITIES AND THE PARASITIC POTENTIAL OF BELIEVERS

Fantasy High, Prompocalypse Part 2 // Darshana Suresh, Howling at the Moon // Fantasy High: Junior Year, Infernal Conflict // Christina Im, On Loving Helen // Andy Warhol, Are You Different? (Positive) // Fantasy High: Junior Year, The Name // Dacia Maraini, Dreams of Clytemnestra // Marina Abramović & Uwe Laysiepen, Rest Energy // Fantasy High: Junior Year, Infernal Conflict // Gustave Doré, The Judas Kiss // Fantasy High: Junior Year, Infernal Conflict // Anne Carson, An Oresteia

[magistralucis]

Conflict in Literature + Necron Books

(Read more for titles and notes, watch out for spoilers)

Man vs. Nature - Devourer This is not the only necron vs. tyranid lit, but I thought the cover illustrated the conflict best. Out of all the horribad things in WH40K, the tyranids tend to be presented as the closest faction to a natural disaster; certainly in Devourer they do not logically justify their presence, nor can they be reasoned with, not by the Blood Angels or Anrakyr or the Tomb World he's trying to wake. Not mindless, but an amoral happenstance, like nature itself.

Man vs. Society - The Lords of Borsis Necron court intrigue played straight, with a sprinkle of delusion on the side. Since this story revolves entirely around the schemings and plottings of necron(tyr) society, with changes in dynastic hierarchy as the final objective, it fits best here.

Man vs. Technology - Indomitus This is an awkward placement, since Indomitus was not, well... a compelling story, with most of its tropes not being explored beyond their first introduction. But it is the most bare-bones way of describing this book's premise. Humans battling a robotic malignancy, albeit with a Bolivian Army Ending, which doesn't conclude the plot in either direction 😞

Man vs. Man - The Twice-Dead King: Ruin Ruin is an exceptionally deep novel, and fits every conflict listed here. It was the hardest one to place, because it's not so much choosing the one that goes best, rather crossing off every other conflict not central to the story. Both gods and the absence-of-gods are a problem in Ruin, as well as nature and technology, but they're not at the heart of Oltyx's problem. Society could be a big one, since Oltyx is an exile - but he’s not trying to antagonize his society throughout Ruin, he's trying to work with it, or at least save it from doom. Self and reality both count, but fit better with other stories in the Nate Crowley corpus. So man vs. man it is. His most important clashes are all with individuals ('man') - Djoseras, Unnas, Hemiun, arguably Yenekh in reserve - and by the end, his crownworld is overrun by the Imperium, who will become the antagonists for the second part of his tale. Man vs. 'Man', with a capital M.

Man vs. Self - The Twice-Dead King: Reign Again, this could have gone elsewhere. In man vs. reality, perhaps, or the god-related ones. But the self is where the conflict of Reign truly lies, since Oltyx's greatest obstacle is himself, and it is his inability to accept that which brings his dynasty close to destruction. Thank goodness he got over that one.

Man vs. Reality - Severed The emotional and philosophical core of this novella relies on it. Zahndrekh's inability to see the world as it is brings about the whole plot, and is at the centre of all of Obyron's musings. Interestingly, reality does not win at the end, at least not what necrons envision reality to be: a place of cold hard facts, with no room for emotion. Zahndrekh would rather dream the impossible dream, which might be the healthier way to deal with their situation.

Man vs. God - The Infinite and the Divine 🚨 𝔻𝕆 ℕ𝕆𝕋 𝔹𝔼 𝔻𝔼ℂ𝔼𝕀𝕍𝔼𝔻 🚨

Man vs. No God - Crusade: Pariah Nexus Not a novel, not 100% about necrons, not even out yet as of now (Dec 2023). This is an inherently problematic conflict for WH40K, because gods are very real and very present in that universe... here I'm only thinking about the necron perspective, and the civil war unfolding in their lore. They banded together in a shared purpose eons ago, destroying the Old Ones who oppressed them, and sundering the star gods who subjected them to biotransference. Now they are as antigod as they could be, and they did not retain their bonds, they have once again turned on each other. So it goes.

Man vs. Author - Codex: Necrons (10th Ed.) (Collector's Ed.) James Workshop knows what they did. 😑

[cointell]

@carljungmemes on instagram

[themotherofrevelation]

She who has an enemy has a spine.

[myobsession]

"Franca gazed at the lobotomized Psychiatrist for a few seconds before sighing.

“Sometimes, we’re still too naive. We might even think of ourselves as the protagonist.”

Lumian knew that “we” referred to the members of the Curly-Haired Baboons Research Society."

I feel like this is the main reason I really love the fact that Lumian is our protagonist in the second series. Every epoch was almost completely dominated by a trasmigrator and our last series revolved entirely around the thoughts and feelings of a lonely transmigrator. But in the second series, our main protagonist is a true native of the era.

He is someone who finds themselves deeply entrenched in the midst of secrets, gods, and transmigrators without having the background that any of these people have. He did change after meeting his transmigrated sister, but he grew up with the same morals and viewpoints as his fellow natives. He believes in the gods and is in awe of their powers and might. He is someone who can hold back his curiosity in matters because he grew up in an environment where knowing too much will literally kill/corrupt you. He thinks transmigrators are a bit silly and naive but also powerful and full of unheard knowledge. He's a normal guy of his era that got caught in a shitty situation but grits his teeth to keep moving forward. He is a boy who has been stomped down by fate numerous times but still retains the light of hope in his heart. And I think that was something really needed in this series.

Excerpt From

Lord of the Mysteries: Circle of Inevitability, Volume 3: Conspirer, Chapter 409

Cuttlefish That Loves Diving (爱潜水的乌贼)

[theslasherslut]

Fate's unchosen bride

Chapter 2:

The Confrontation

Warning: foul language

---

The chamber was bathed in flickering torchlight, casting shifting shadows across the ancient tapestries that adorned the walls. Evelyn stood before King Edward, her wrists encumbered by heavy iron handcuffs. She was dressed in a magnificent wedding gown that cascaded in soft ivory folds around her chubby, pear-shaped form. Her fiery red hair, adorned with intricate jewels, framed her freckled face, now a mask of defiance and frustration.

"You have brought me here under false pretenses," Evelyn's voice cut through the tense silence, sharp and uncompromising. She glared at King Edward, whose normally piercing blue eyes now shimmered with an unsettling pink glow, reflecting the torchlight with an ethereal luminescence.

King Edward remained seated on his ornate throne, his demeanor a mix of sympathy and steely resolve. His features, carved with regal authority, softened under the dual influence of his own presence and that of the goddess of love, Aphrodisia. His hair, a deep chestnut brown, framed a face etched with determination and a hint of weariness from the weight of his responsibilities.

"Evelyn, I implore you to listen," King Edward began, his voice carrying a profound echo that resonated with a dual tone—one his own, and the other a gentle, authoritative voice that bore the wisdom of millennia. "I am not just a king. I am a vessel for the gods, and Aphrodisia, the goddess of love, speaks through me. I am tasked with guiding you towards your true path."

"Bullshit," Evelyn snapped, her eyes flashing with fury. "You think you can just parade around, calling yourself a vessel for the gods, and expect me to believe it? Prove it, you lying bastard."

A ripple passed through King Edward's demeanor as the pink glow in his eyes intensified, casting an ethereal light across his face. The voice of Aphrodisia, gentle yet commanding, resonated through him as he spoke.

"Evelyn, dear child," the voice echoed softly. "You have suffered much at the hands of those who did not understand your worth. This path, though fraught with challenges, is a journey to finding your true love, even if it comes in a form you do not expect."

Evelyn scoffed, her skepticism battling with the strange aura that surrounded the king. "True love?" she retorted bitterly, her voice thick with sarcasm. "What do you know of true love, hidden behind your throne and divine illusions? You have no right to decide my fate. Who the hell do you think you are?"

The voice of Aphrodisia within King Edward echoed again, its tone now tinged with a hint of sorrow. "I have seen the depths of your heart, Evelyn," it intoned softly. "Your resilience, your spirit—it is a beacon that deserves to be cherished, even if the vessel of that love is unconventional."

"Fuck you," Evelyn spat, her anger boiling over. "I won't be your pawn. You want me to believe in this destiny crap? Show me proof. Show me that this isn't just another one of your manipulative schemes."

The pink glow in King Edward's eyes shimmered as he slowly rose from his throne, the torchlight flickering in rhythm with his movements. With deliberate grace, he approached Evelyn, his gaze unwavering as he reached out to gently touch her cheek.

In that moment, Evelyn felt a surge of warmth spreading from his touch, a sensation that bypassed her skepticism and stirred something deeper within her. She met his gaze, searching for any hint of deceit or manipulation, but found only sincerity and a strange, unexpected tenderness.

"I cannot change your past, Evelyn," King Edward's voice, now his own again, spoke softly. "But I can guide you towards a future where your heart finds solace and your spirit finds peace."

Evelyn hesitated, the weight of his words and the strange aura surrounding him pulling at the edges of her resolve. "If this is true," she whispered, her voice barely audible above the crackling torches, "then prove it to me. Prove that this path leads to something more than just sacrifice and duty."

The pink glow in King Edward's eyes intensified once more, and suddenly his demeanor shifted. His voice, deep and resonant, now carried an undeniable feminine undertone as Aphrodisia took full control.

"Evelyn," the goddess spoke through him, her voice a harmonious blend of strength and compassion. "You deserve love after all the pain you’ve endured. Your ex-fiancé's betrayal, sleeping with your bridesmaid on your wedding day, is not your fate. Lamorak, though a beast, has a heart that beats with a love as fierce as your spirit. This is the way to find your true love."

Evelyn's eyes widened, her defiance momentarily shattered by the profound truth in the goddess's words. "Fuckin' prove it," she demanded again, her voice trembling. "Show me that you're not just some twisted fantasy." Tears welled up in her eyes, streaming down her cheeks as her anger battled with a glimmer of hope.

Aphrodisia’s presence grew stronger, and Evelyn felt a comforting warmth envelop her. "Lamorak the Enchanter awaits," the goddess continued. "He is an enigmatic figure, a powerful presence. Though his wrath has laid waste to villages, within him lies a love that you will uncover."

Evelyn's tears mingled with a mix of fear and reluctant curiosity. "You expect me to believe that marrying a fucking monster is my destiny? That after all the shit I've been through, this is what I get? I deserve better!"

Aphrodisia's voice softened, the glow in King Edward's eyes dimming slightly. "Evelyn, you are right to question, to challenge. But sometimes, love and destiny come in forms we least expect. This path is not just for Lamorak, but for you to find the love and respect you truly deserve."

Evelyn's resolve wavered, the weight of her past and the uncertainty of her future pressing heavily upon her. Could it be possible that amidst the darkness, there lay a chance for true love and redemption?

"Prove it," she whispered once more, her voice a fragile echo of her defiance. "Show me that this is real."

Aphrodisia's presence faded, leaving King Edward to look upon Evelyn with a mixture of hope and determination. "We will show you, Evelyn. Trust in this path, and you may find the love you have always sought."

King Edward gently placed a hand on Evelyn's shoulder, guiding her towards the grand doors of the chamber. "We will show you within due time, Evelyn. Just trust in this path, and you may find the love you always sought."

As the massive doors creaked open, Evelyn found herself standing at the beginning of a long, winding path that led through the heart of the kingdom. The streets were lined with villagers, their faces etched with sorrow and grief. Many of them wept openly, their tears flowing freely for the beloved maiden being led to an uncertain fate.

The parade moved slowly, King Edward walking beside Evelyn with a regal yet solemn air. She tried to hold her head high, but the weight of her situation pressed heavily upon her. Every step felt like a march towards doom, her heart pounding in her chest as she absorbed the sorrowful expressions of the people who had once been her neighbors, friends, and confidants.

Children clung to their mothers' skirts, their wide eyes filled with confusion and fear. Elderly men and women bowed their heads in reverence, their lips moving in silent prayers. Evelyn felt a pang of guilt and sorrow, knowing that her departure was a source of such profound sadness for them.

As they neared the towering gates at the end of the path, Evelyn's breath hitched. The gates loomed ominously, a stark reminder of the beast that awaited her on the other side. The air grew colder, and the sounds of the villagers' cries seemed to fade into a haunting silence.

Evelyn's heart pounded as she took in the imposing figure that stood just beyond the gates. Though she couldn't see his face, she felt the intensity of his presence, a mixture of wrath and enigmatic allure. Lamorak the Enchanter awaited her, a creature of legend and fear, and her fate was now inexorably tied to his.

The gates began to open with a slow, creaking groan, and Evelyn's eyes widened as she took in the sight before her.

To be continued...

[we-are-a-dragon]

Tati (playing Seraph): Ughhhhh. Lolth?? If it had been almost any other god, literally. Anyone else.

DM: Ioreth has always been the fortune teller, and the fortune teller has always been Lolth, right from the first moment you met her.

Adam (playing Billie): That was, what? Two years ago irl? Three?

Tati: It was before I started playing Seraph, I remember Hanako comforting you about your fortune. Lyra catching us with that long game again. We shouldn't even be surprised.

M (playing Kjell): We've met so many powerful beings now. Lolth, Demogorgon, Steve... It feels like we're not high enough level for this.

Tati: This is the lead-in to Epic Tier. We're meeting the big players.

DM: That's exactly it. You're only three levels away from 21.

Andy (playing Una): I want to go back and look at all the prophecies again in the light of them being given by Lolth.

Adam: Oh yeah, that's a thought.

Tati: I wonder if Maria knows who she is. I hope not.

M: *frowns*

Hamish (playing Thaddeus): How upset are you going to be if we refuse to do your Lolth quest?

DM: Not at all. I knew there was a strong likelihood, but I don't write quests based only on what your characters would do. This world has a story that you can be part of, but it will continue to evolve without your input. I'm just going to have to write a new Epic Tier campaign for you. No biggie.

[wolfsong-the-bloody-beast]

[eastgaysian]

well for now i'm still posting my da oc ramblings here at midnight. my dragon age white GIRL #feminism . and her cancelled wife who im still figuring out how to draw

[dailydivination365]

It's a time when you feel a lack of direction or control. Things aren't working the way they used to.

This difficulty likely stems from your unconscious. It's drawing your attention to something you've been running away from.

Ironically, you're in a position where your material life is abundant. You have enough money, a home, a job, and good health. But something's missing.

What's clear is that you're an independent person. A go-getter who gets things done without anyone's help.

However, this is the problem. You're emotionally drained as the missing thing is emotional connection.

A figure who can give you love, support, and care for you when you're not feeling well. The reality is that you're insecure and don't believe you're worth it.

This has made you greedy and untrusting. You struggle to share your sensual wealth, your inner gem, out of fear of losing.

This may have been unknown to you, but the truth always comes to the surface.

So, you have to face your fears and nightmares. Maybe you were hurt in the past and refuse to commit because of it.

You may have been abused by someone ruthless with their words. On the contrary, you may have been the ruthless one out of fear of being hurt.

You're naturally busy, but it's time to reign in your focus on the problem at hand. You can't run away from your desire to connect with people emotionally. Now, you must balance your work life with finding a connection.

When you make an honest effort to trust and experience the emotional riches a relationship provides, you'll have lasting wealth that you'll enjoy for many years.

Your answer is in front of you. It'll take work, but if you're willing to do it, you'll get what you need.

TAROT INFO:

The chariot - reversed

The moon - reversed

9 of pentacles

Queen of wands

Ace of cups - reversed

The empress - reversed

4 of pentacles - reversed

Justice

9 of swords

Page of swords - reversed

2 of pentacles

10 of pentacles

[revindicatedbyhistory]

reading about tsar alexander III hving russia enter world war I: wow... tsar alexander III was a tankie

[huellitaa]

hello (threateningly)

[themotherofrevelation]

The lion-heart/lion-womb runs toward the threat.