#Empowing heroes

[stars-obsession-pit]

A cult has been causing trouble for the Infinite Realms in their search for power and eternal life. And to make things worse, the Observants suspect that they have at least one actual ghost—or possibly even a traitorous Observant—working with them and interfering with their view. This could become a major problem…

However, as Observants, they’ve sworn not to intervene directly, so they have to pick someone else to look deeper into the situation for them. And, if necessary, to deal with it.

They choose Phantom for this role, since his half-human nature means he’ll have an easier time operating in the living world. Danny’s not entirely happy with the assignment, but the situation does seem like a genuine issue so he’s willing to look into it (if in his own way).

Since he doesn’t know how prepared the cult is for ghosts, he decides that infiltration would be the best way to gather info. Thus, he takes on a new identity in his human form and approaches the cult, expressing interest in the publicly known part of their group. Then, a bit later, he manages to successfully gain admittance into some of the more private meetings. Everything is progressing as planned!

…Though he didn’t expect to like one of his fellow initiates so much. He hopes he can change their mind on things and bring them out of the cult with him when he’s done.

Meanwhile, a hero from the Justice League has also been sent to infiltrate the cult and investigate the rumors about it. It’s gone off without a hitch so far, but they’ve gained a potential entanglement in the form of one of the other new members whom they’re developing a crush on…

[mkulimited]

In this image, we showcase a range of ballistic helmets on display at a recent defence exhibition. The collection of helmets on display demonstrates the various styles and designs available, each offering unique features to provide reliable protection against ballistic threats. From traditional military-style helmets to more modern designs, this image submission provides a comprehensive visual of range of ballistic helmets available. Whether you're in law enforcement, the military, understanding the different types of ballistic helmets can help you make informed decisions about the right equipment for your needs.

[praazlwurm]

Giratina's Temple and the Celestica Ruins

aka Giratina/platinum clan theory is back (also sorry for using mspaint lmao)

So we all know about the Shrouded Ruins, yeah?

(This is the only spoiler warning for Pokemon Legends: Arceus you're gonna get)

Spooky. Ever-cloaked in mists and mystery, surrounded by black-stoned cairns like graves and home to the giant Odd Keystone that once (?) housed 108 souls. Very ghost-centric.

Well what if I told you it was a temple?

Greco-roman temples (and, problematic or otherwise the celestica are absolutely greco-roman coded) are constructed relatively uniformly, with an outer later of columns holding up the roof and an inner layer holding up an internal structure, providing additional support, ect.

We have a perfect in-game model to project from, too, in the Temple of Sinnoh (pre-explosion). You can see that some of the smaller columns are sometimes decorative - likely they held up torches or, in the case of the two nearest the 'altar,' offerings

So knowing that style and having the remaining structures we do see in-game, we can approximate a lay out of what the building may have looked like.

What makes this a temple, however, is more open to interpretation. My evidence to support that it is is actually the blue-tinged pedestals seen within the outline of the building - the place(s) of honor in any temple. Irl, the inner structure - the cella - was often fully-walled in, though sometimes this was constructed via wood and other materials that don't withstand time.

Now, ENORMOUS shout-out to pokemaniacchris and the incredible Crimson Mirelands Archeological Survey Project for a really detailed, in-character breakdown of the ruins structures throughout the mirelands. I can only assume the 'surveyors' hadn't reached Mt. Coronet yet in their explorations.

Pedestals like these (at least superficially similar) are found beneath dozens of statues around Mt. Coronet, including beneath Giratina, Palkia and Dialga in the Sacred Plaza area. Now, I know I'm supposed to be claiming that this is a temple to Giratina, but if we work on the assumption that the four pedestals corollate with Giratina, Palkia, Dialga, and Arceus, a new conclusion can, perhaps, be drawn:

That whoever built this temple saw all four of them on the same 'level' of power or -- and this is my hc taking over -- if the statues were placed in a certain orientation (see below) that they saw Arceus and Giratina on equal footing, with Dialga and Palkia one rank below.

And there is, imo, more evidence to support this disruption of the 'creation trio' into two pairs on equal footing, found in the Celestica Ruins! So, among the structures there are two notable, circular buildings that the Greeks also utilized, called tholoi (plural). Irl, tholoi were a mix of secular-use and small-scale temples, and seeing as these two are small (maybe 10ft across inside?) I would maintain the claim that they're small temples.

And they align/mirror each other just as the statues of Palkia and Dialga do.

This part becomes pure conjecture, but I like to think the smaller structures in the ruins might be other small-scale temples for the various mythicals, honoring each much as the Greeks honored a pantheon.

Lastly, the CMASP describes the "Gapejaw Bog Complex" as being potentially an entire agora all its own and I can't agree more. Such evidence would support the idea of there being two groups of Celestica (Note: Not the Clans.)

I actually found myself wondering if the mirelands weren't always quite so swampy, and instead flooded at some point in the past with the depressions around Gapejaw - left by housing foundations - filled in with swamp water.

At the end of the day, I think there's a lot of evidence that the Celestica revered Giratina as well as Arceus, Dialga and Palkia - at least early on. Something happened to cause this schism, and the Old Verses/Plate inscriptions point to an outburst of rage from Giratina -- though, in "pick a god (and pray)" I actually argue it was mispercieved on the part of the Celestica and this misperception is what caused Arceus to despair and withdraw.

Open to discussion!! fellow nerds please interact!!

[adrift-in-thyme]

I’m so normal about the fact that the Song of Healing is the first song Shade teaches Link

[arceus-insanity]

Two Series Recommendations

So My Hero Academia is ending

I have two series I would recommend

First on a light note:

Psych House, it is a new series only having 12 chapters as I'm writing this, accessable on Viz with a Shonen Jump subscription, which I'm sure many people already have as it's one of the ways to read MHA, it even comes out on Sundays as well

The story so far is light hearted following Kotone a high school girl with the power to teleport objects, joining a house for people with powers. The setting has it so only a few people have powers, or as they call them psychs, they aren't being hunted down or going to large lengths to hide them, they just aren't well known

Now especially for my fellow disappointed villain Stans I recommend Empowered by Adam Warren

Now heads up the series starts as a bondage fetish comic with hints of meta-awareness and seriousness, but much like how Bojack Horseman started as a comedy that turned into a serious drama, it is now a much more serious meta comic with hints of the bondage

It does a much better job of presenting its protagonist as an underdog as while they give their protagonist Empowered (or Emp for short) threatening villains, she is presented as the underdog to other heroes. They do a good job balancing her powers so it feels realistic both when she's struggling and when she does win. This is largely because she's set up as a glass cannon with a lot of mystery around her powers.

Emp wants to save everyone, not just the convenient, she treats her villains and fellow heroes with respect even when no one else does and she isn't. One of the other characters has capitán as part of their name, and while everyone else goes to the English pronunciation, Emp calls him his proper title.

Emp is also capable of being made and upset at her situation and being screwed over, and who screw her over. If she forgives someone, it's because they earn it, not some halfassed and performative apology.

With big bads there are three roles that they filled out a lot better. A mysterious and incredibly dangerous threat, well Willy Pete just wiped out a lot of capes, and remains an ongoing threat. A tragic villain that can't be saved, how about a telepath that started making edits to his perceived flaws, removing things like empathy, fear, and compassion. A hypocrite, how about a guy who has been bullying Emp right along side everyone else, and when he claims it was her suffering that inspired him to take revenge, he demands sexual favors to not kill her boyfriend and best friend who never joined in with and was against the bullying

[minibatson]

Unironically, Mary had one of my favorite female superhero costumes.

It's feminine, but not sexy. A lot of female heroes have sexy costumes, where you wonder how that haven't been stabbed in the chest yet, but Mary doesn't. None of the Shazam villains really go for the legs, so having her legs exposed isn't much of an issue. And it's also an entirely unique outfit. Kara has a skirt, but in the most popular iterations she wears a crop top. Mary's top half is fully covered.

This could be due to her being, like, twelve, though. I can't see it being a good idea to put a child in the deadly-pinup doll style of costuming. But it's still refreshing, and it's nice that they haven't changed it even though she's older on the comics now and at an age where you could possibly get away with it.

(I also don't like most of Kori'ander's. What a shock.)

She's also naturally kind, and often the boys' babysitter, but still allowed to kick ass. She'll be nurturing, and take care of them the way a big sister would, but she's also allowed to be rude and break guy's jaws.

I love her, and the fandom needs to put more respect on her name.

[spitblaze]

If I had a nickel for every incarnation of princess zelda I think is transmasc. I'd have two nickels

[elisabethbabarci]

Be the advocate for those that are unable to speak for themselves. Respect all life. You make the difference now.

Elisabeth Babarci

[victimized-martyr]

As awful as Cartman is, his true desires are simple. He just wants attention and praise— and it’s not only important to Cartman that he gets that praise, but also by whom it’s being said. (there’s a reason Jimbo is one of the people to say good job)

[idiosyncraticrednebula]

Many people, including Disney fans themselves, view the Disney Prince (with very, very few exceptions) as a guy who is just....there and the least interesting, compelling, most bland and personality-less character in the whole cast, but the thing is that this stereotype applies to the very old ones (and this is primarily because back then it was damn near an impossible task to animate a realistic-looking human, let alone a MALE human), yet it has been applied to any Disney Prince that isn't Flynn Rider (and quite possibly Naveen, even) and it low-key upsets me because it's far from true. I saw a post that said that there were only two Disney Princes (guess who they were!) that were "worth anything" (obviously stating the rest were just worthless) and that pissed me off. The only time they ever get brought up is to bash the Princessess instead of looking at the positive qualities that they have because, yes, they do have those! They aren't just there to look good and exist. I think they should be defended more because I honestly think they are just as misunderstood, if not more, in some cases.

[fredricwertham]

[jasontoddsguns]

do you consider h-dial holders nepotism

Honestly yeah, but I could be biased because I hate the h-dial.

[carcinized]

lindsey horan is my hero i think holy fucking shit

[luxshine]

#empowered by @adam_warren_art is still the best #superherocomedy I've ever read. It's sexy, it's funny, it's dramatic, and it has the #GoddamnMaidman. I still hope that, if they ever do a live action, #Jensenackles gets the role. Oh, and i made a video about this! https://youtu.be/J9oSJDswDo0?si=QvHbqMEMUm7P92nf

[shiocreator]

woag... love when the heros are fighting some high villain creature thats trying to destroy the entirety of the world and suddenly they are losing there is no way they will win

Then the people theyve helped along the way and befriended help empower them with their voices yelling their positivity that they can do it and it works

its so cheesy its SO cheesey but i cry every time i dont KNOW WHY-

[prismbearer]

Ardbert really got the rough end of the deal tbh, I cannot imagine my WoL doing and sacrificing what he did and remaining even remotely recognizable.