#FR Bane

[defira85]

Constantine

@gortash-week "Gortoween" - Horror Movie Crossover

Enver Constantine knows his days are numbered. Trapped in hell as a teenager, his soul is bound for an eternity of suffering the moment he dies. When a peculiar woman approaches him to investigate her sister's apparent suicide, he finds himself tangled with forces determined to bring about the apocalypse - and perhaps bring his doom around that much faster

I'm a giant weenie that can't watch horror movies, but the one horror movie I HAVE watched and been permanently marked by is the 2005 Constantine. Is it sort of more superhero dark fantasy than true horror? Maybe! Like I said, I'm a weenie

The comparison between Gortash and Constantine doesn't hold water for long so unfortunately there's no fic to go with it

I'm posting early because I don't know if I'll make it to Halloween given the DATV embargo lifts today so... enjoy!

[chocolatecatcupcakecheese]

Hi! I've just read There Are Many Benefits To Being A Banite Minion and really enjoyed your interpretation of the Church of Bane.

Do you have anymore hc about the church that you'd be willing to share? Another mutual and I were talking today about how the church recruits new members so would love to hear your thoughts on that!

BIG INHALE

Hi Crystal!!! Welcome to my girlblog, you have unlocked my TED Talk. I fucking love lorecrafting and I am delighted to talk your ear off.

So I always do an embarrassing amount of research into one-line throwaways, but this sentence is incredibly load-bearing:

And as your watchful brothers and sisters close in around you, whispering their approval, you understand suddenly how cults pull people in with such efficacy.

There’s a ton of excellent articles I read which are locked behind a JSTOR subscription from back issues of sociology magazines. These went into great depth about the espoused beliefs of new age religions and cults and which parts of the human psyche these target. At the end of the day the common points are these:

Lobster in cookpot socialization: recruits will hear the least threatening version of an organization’s beliefs first. They will be welcomed with open arms and effusive lovebombing so that it feels good, feels rewarding, feels that you are part of something greater and grander than mundane life.

Carrot/stick emotional manipulation: Recruits are then made to feel guilt over actions which would go against the organization’s goals, and are praised over things which adhere to those strictures. Over time they then subconsciously gravitate to doing things which elicit the carrot, and again, make them feel good.

Control of environment and information: As the recruit is slowly boiled with increasing adherence to the organization’s will, you slap the lid on. An Us Versus Them mentality is the backbone of any good propaganda, and the organization then fosters distrust in media, in one’s friends and family, in those who just aren’t part of the organization. A sense of superiority follows here, and then you have a fresh new minion.

If this sounds familiar, it should!! You are not immune to propaganda. This is how a lot of manipulations built on belief work. State the belief. Push the belief. Make the belief the only thing worth believing. Keep the believer forever.

In 5E, Bane’s portfolio of divine influence shifts from earlier editions to “ambition, control, tyranny.” I’ve chosen to honor those in that order. Ambition first, control to achieve its end, and if that doesn’t suffice, tyranny. Might is right. Slytherinesque manipulations and power plays abound, because after the whole thing with Cyric, Bane learned that if your recruits all kill each other to rise in the ranks, soon you won’t have any recruits. Whoops. Killing is only for outsiders.

So then in my mind, recruiting for the Church of Bane works like this:

“Hey I see you’re struggling with meeting life’s basic needs. Can I interest you in a bit of mercenary work? There’s an asshole who kicks cats and owes a widow money or something and I’m trying to track him down.”

“Oh good job beating up those scoundrels, you really helped [insert name of downtrodden old widow]. Hey, if you ever need spare coin again and aren’t averse to a bit of fisticuffs, you can find me here.”

“Oh wow it’s you! Good to see you again! Here for more work? The weather’s sweltering today, I’ve got a nice surveillance mission so we can sip on chilled tea and take notes while we catch up.”

“Oh, you can’t write our Faerûnian language? Our order teaches our recruits everything. Hey, if you’re down to make more of a commitment than that of a mercenary, I’ll sponsor you and you’ll get three hots and a cot out of us.”

[banite training montage] let’s get down to business to defeat the cyricists and other enemies of our order

“Oh hey you killed a man but it was in self-defense! Hey don’t worry you aren’t damned for that in the eyes of OUR god haha… wink wonk…”

“Oh wow it turns out that those people you killed were just the personal enemies of one of our members, but hey, they were bad people yanno?”

“Oh we are just killing people for personal power of our superiors, but that’s fine isn’t it? After all, you’ve been doing the same thing, hurting people just to eat something better than the slop they serve at the poorhouse. And look what all you’ve learned and gained at our hands. If you hate it, rise up in the ranks, rule over your lessers, and make our mission what YOU want it to be.”

???

Profit. Which in this case is “kiss Enver Gortash.”

[oriato]

Just doodling some haircut hcs as a lil break for myself 🧡💜

[o-sunny-day]

“Don’t… don’t tell him you think dingbat fonts are cool.”

AUGH @forgettable-au fanart :3 been on another roll with it (in agony constantly)

theres some untranslated wingdings cause i love translating it myself, hope others do too :D

not confident on how “canon” or in-character this is but- I HAD FUN this AU has really got me in the rendering spirit, I really enjoy taking inspiration but also adding mu own silly twists on it and AAA everything looks even more tasty now

I view this as them in New Home after getting something to eat (after the last page update) and heading back the same way since Alphys’ place is on the way to The Lab. The font convo comes back up again and then yeah

Alsoooo if youre interested in behind the scenes stuff heres the speedpaint :3

also i never poster about this- but i had another forgettable dream. it didn’t make any godamn sense. I woke up and drew the only scene I could remember:

Wingdings and Sans had a fight and ig wingdings killed Sans 😭😭😭 in a stairwell for some reason

and current Sans, Papyrus brother Sans, is like watching all of this and was brought here by Lancer like a Ghost Of Christmas Past type situation. Idk why. I choose not to attempt to make sense of this anymore. But i swear this is an actual dream i had 😭

[mawsmauls]

How cruel a trait; Kindness so foul will seal your fate.

[iambecomeahamburger]

[kasirose]

Saw a shirt like this floating around and thought it'd be funny to put Alec in it since it matches his general mood so here's a lil sketch XD

[yayll]

heyyy! I just read ur rockstar!Dazai fic and it honestly reminded me of this idea I had!!! (loved the fic btw!) Are you able to write an actor!dazai x fem!actor reader and they r fake dating while secretly being rivals ?? (I’d like 2 be known as 🦎-anon!)

hiiii 🦎 anon hehe

i'm sorry this was quite the wait, i LOVED your idea and i wanted to write it properly and i kind of took some liberties so i hope you enjoy it regardless? thank you for trusting me w your fic idea actor!dazai now haunts me actually dazai in any like, imagine just fucks my shit up that man is a menace in any story i put him in and i'm so glad others agree. i love u baby mwah u get so many ivy kisses

~ a little something about you and actor!Dazai keeping up appearances ~

"You're choking meee!"

"I'm just fixing your tie, Osamu-"

"It's babe, actually."

"It's whatever I want if you want me to keep holding your hand in public, jerk."

He pouts at this. What a cute little meanie you were! Always scolding him and spewing empty threats as if you were hot shit. You were hot shit, and that was only the beginning of his problems... The biggest one right now being backstage with you while attending the hottest awards show of the year.

Just before he can respond, the curtains are drawn and it's a stagehand whisking you two away to present the next award infront of thousands of fans. You're walking side by side, your heels clicking with each step when Dazai leans in to whisper something.

"You should stand on my left, my right side is more attractive."

"We're both facing forward, does it matter?"

He raises a brow and huffs dramatically in typical Dazai fashion. You two had been 'dating' for a year now, everyone was invested in this blooming romance ever since you both started in that drama together, now it's nothing but red hearts for you two.

It wasn't planned, it just kind of happened... It also wasn't completely awful, but it was the goddamn ego on Dazai that really made you want to strangle him sometimes. He knew he was pretty and desired, and what a threat you were with such an iconic streak in all of your latest projects. No wonder you two had to be paired together, on your own you were both dynamite. An unstable formula that needed to be stabilized by combining it together. Thanks to Dazai, you learned very quickly it could always get worse.

You present the award holding hands the entire time, an act highly encouraged by the need to convince, and yet when it's you two doing it it never feels as forced as you'd like it to be. There is a comfortability in the role of this relationship, you've come to realize yet supress. You'll hold hands for so long you begin to get clammy, and it's certainly not because he dotes on you almost every time he speaks! Which he hates doing... It's just a script, after all. Duh.

You're both making your way out of the venue towards the car that awaits to drive you to the after party when you're ambushed by interviewers and hundreds of flashes that yell out speed questions.

"Does the beautiful couple have time to stop and answer a few things for us tonight!"

Dazai loves that shit. Of course he has the time, he doesn't care if you don't. He has to sell it, obviously, since you don't put in the effort according to him. He flashes the interviewer that sardonic little smirk you hate and speaks innocently.

"Why, us? Sure! Right, honey?"

He turns to you and the crowd loves it. You hold back how badly you want to roll your eyes and simply smile, holding yourself high with grace and a ton of media training.

"We'd love to."

The interviewer is overjoyed as she looks between you and Dazai, taking in that affection that radiates from your false words. She grins as she goes along to ask her question.

"So, I think a lot of the fans are wondering..."

You and Dazai perk up, not even realizing that you're clutching the bottom of your dress so tighty that your knuckles are white. The interviewer looks directly at you.

"The two of you have been the most stunning couple the industry has seen in a while. Any plans for the future?"

You freeze. Ugh, not this again. You shake your head, smirking to yourself at the absurdity of the concept alone.

"Thank you, but honestly we're just taking things day by day. There's no rush between us, we have all we need right here and now."

The journalist smiles again and nods, seemingly impressed by your laid back attitude. Dazai snorts and suddenly interjects, clearly having a cheeky response to give to the crowd of journalists.

"We'll have tons of kids in the future, actually~"

Your panic is so instant that you literally laugh out loud, yet recover quickly by turning your shock into a playful glance at your lover. You manage a more sweet giggle and smack him on the chest a little harder than people would guess.

"Ooh, he's joking, of course."

The journalist rejoices, finding your banter and your overall interaction as a couple cute. The ideal power couple! Dazai grins and turns to you again, leaning in to tease you, his narrowed Hazelnut eyes piercing into you like a promise.

"Not joking. One day we're going to have a massive pack of little kids running around. And it's going to be your fault for being sooo cute~"

And with that, he leans in all the way into a million dollar kiss on your confused and parted lips. You're taken so offguard you almost fall back and of course grab onto him a little tighter... and run your fingers through his disheveled hair you forgot to nag him to cut... As the cameras go off like crazy, you wonder if it's worth ruining your public image for a while just so you can slap him harder than you ever have before.

Everyone's cooing and you're fuming, so you settle for a quick thank you and goodbye as you drag Dazai off the red carpet and into the car. He's giggling the entire time, of course. As soon as the door shuts out the screaming fans watching you drive off, you turn to Dazai and whisper ardently.

"What was that all about?! We didn't discuss this prior to-"

"... You liked it."

"Huh?"

"You liked it when I kissed you."

You scoff, though it sounds like you're choking.

"I did not. I just did what I had-"

"... And you want to have my babies. That's adorable, how devoted of you!"

You smack him on the arm but he's smiling like a cat who's had too much catnip, too far gone into his delusions to care about the repercussions. Love is love, after all...

"I think we should break up, like officially. You're nuts. The press won't let that go, Osamu."

He perks up, snapping out of his stasis and crinkles his nose in disapproval. He shakes his head, his hand on his chin as if in deep thought. Dazai mutters, barely above a whisper.

"... We won't actually break up, though."

"And why not?"

"Because in about 60 seconds we're going to kiss again and you'll be clinging onto me the entire night."

You snort into a laugh, tilting your head in disbelief. The car slowly comes to a halt as you arrive at the after party where a familiar roar of the crowd awaits to greet you once more. You begin your futile argument yet again.

"I don't see why I would do that."

At such a silly reply, Dazai softens his voice, looking at you like he first did when you both met on set a year ago. A lifetime ago. You're so cute when you're playing dumb. He shrugs, carefree.

"Neither do I, which is why I want to know too. I want to know what you're thinking about, if it's me."

You hate the way he sounds so sincere, like a real boyfriend would if he were trying to convince you you're just as into him as he is into you. Mind games is what it is, or at least you hope so. You really hope so.

You sigh, suddenly over the conversation as you open the car door to begin climbing out. Dazai follows suit and the roar of the crowd makes your chest feel tight as overstimulation takes over. You want to be anywhere but here and you wonder if you're having some sort of panic attack, but it just doesn't feel describable.

You turn wildly, disoriented by the camera flashes and instant fuss of the press, only to be faced by your one and only savior: the omnipotent Osamu Dazai. You don't know what it is about him in that moment, you just glide into his arms and complete the prophecy as you hook your arm with his, taking deep breaths as you finally ground yourself. It feels like the right kind of wrong, and you don't care to question it.

You feel a squeeze and a soft velvety voice whisper to you once again, you don't even have to look at him to know he's as smug as ever. But amongst the teasing, there's affection there too...

"So, am I?"

"Are you what, Osamu?"

"On your mind."

"At this point you're practically a permanent resident."

You hear him hum, a smile still present on his lips, the world simply frozen for him to continue his private conversation with you in public.

"Hmm, remind me to have you repeat that to me later."

This causes you to squeeze his arm back and murmur in genuine curiosity, finally daring to face him. He's already looking right at you, so devilish and angelic at the same time that you can't even look away.

"Why?"

"Because your time's up. 60 seconds, remember? Now come and kiss me already, the camera's are waiting~"

The photos of you two that night were the envy of couples everywhere. If only they knew how the ride back to the hotel went, it would be a scandal! Or simply the next step in your future?

[bookwormbynight]

If he ever got the chance, the Joker would absolutely lick blood out of Batman's mouth, no hesitation. And then he would make a really poor joke about bats and reverse-vampires.

Mr Joker, could you please fuck off. Batman is internally bleeding.

[morgan-fairchild]

Do you think Will Herondale is sobbing crying and throwing up after watching Kit run away to a different country because he's angsty and in love?

[something-random18]

[irritated-empath]

Hungover on a distant star.

[carelessflower]

the most unrealistic part of cohf was how little (almost to none) interaction we had between izzy and alec post malec breakup and make up era. she's his ride or die, don't forget she fully concocted a plan and drag people to annoy magnus with voicemails and also storm the loft of a 600 years old experienced warlock with nothing but her whip, heels, good hair and an alec lightwood supremacy banner so why wouldn't she have some qualm after they get back together

[cloudywoodland]

I love how malec is almost every love trope glued together. Love at first sight? Yes. Second chance? Yes. Love triangle? Yes. Forced proximity? Yes. Enemies to lovers? Yes. Friends to lovers? Low key yes. Age gap? Lmao

See? Told you. You name it. They are the best

[the-chattering-tower]

i see ppl talking about their dream wind ancient and i must add my own two cents bc my ultimate dream is a flying whale but barring that i want just. a wholeass azhdarchid

give me a giant umbrella with chopsticks for a face

[oifaaa]

Everyone sending you their Alfred hate, my take is I like Alfred maybe 70% of the time as a character in the DC world where literally everyone is a weird as hell, mild-moderately offensive stereotype. If he existed irl though I would hate his guts just like I would hate pretty much every single member of the extended Batfamily. Maybe some of the pets get a pass, Batcow is on thin ice

I do seem to be the hub for alfred hate this week I should really tone it down this level of negativity isn't really good - but yeah I get where your coming from I think like I said just for me personally it's bc I dont see alfred as a character as much as he's a easy don't think about it explainer for writers to not have to worry about the little things like Alfreds been dead since 2018 and I know alot of people joke that they keep forgetting about that bc you know he's still showing up in comics and dc will bring him back eventually but I also put it to you it's bc he had so little character presents like it doesn't feel like anything has changed since he died