#Get me an art tag the thrilling saga

[the-anime-man]

A view of the City of London from Bank junction and the Royal Exchange. Photographer: Tom Skipp/Bloomberg

[elshells]

Welcome, Traveler!

Hello! Ella here, it's nice to meet you. Thanks for stopping by my blog!

I've only been on Tumblr/Writeblr for a couple of years, but I've been sharing stories online since 2018, and writing for fun even longer than that. Mainly, I dabble in science fiction, fantasy, horror, and everything in between. If you read or write within these genres, we'll get along great. And even if you don't, hit me up! I'm always looking for another good read, and I'm pretty easy to please.

I enjoy asks/tag games and am always looking for an excuse to talk about my beloved characters. Granted, it takes me forever and a day to respond to literally anything, but I'd love to get to know you and your WIPs!

If I'm not writing, I'll hop on to see what y'all are up to, and sometimes I'll chime in with whatever's on my mind. Usually late at night when I should be asleep. As one does. You know how it goes around here. And if I happen to say anything hilarious, there's a 60% chance it was unintentional. I rarely think I'm funny in real life.

The bottom line is, if you enjoy my WIPs or just wanna be friends, please don't be shy to reach out! I'm often afraid to make the first move, but no matter how I end up on your feed, I hope I can make you smile!

* * *

MORE ABOUT ME

—‌Currently pursuing a degree in English creative writing and gender sexuality, and race studies, with minors in publishing and printing arts and music performance. So, naturally, I can be a busy gal.

—‌My dream is to be a published author (likely going down the indie route). I also have aspirations to be an actor in community theatre and/or voiceover work; we'll see how that goes!

—‌I've been playing the flute for almost ten years, and am slowly picking up piano and guitar. Eventually I'd love to learn my way around a drum set as well, if I ever find the time, money, and discipline. Maybe I'll even write my own music one day, who knows?

—‌I love to swim, lift weights, and do yoga, and I rode horses for several years. Beyond that, I'm pretty much hopeless at sports, especially the ones that involve good depth perception and hand-eye coordination.

—‌Occasionally, I'll find the motivation to draw. I haven't been that dedicated to the doodles lately, so I've lost a lot of my mojo, but I hope to get back into it some day and maybe share some of my art!

—‌As a teenager, I volunteered at my local zoo and aquarium—‌and I would still love to go back one day—‌but for now, I work as a lifeguard and swim instructor.

—‌PFP is my current DND character, a tiefling bard named Enyo. If you're interested in learning more about her, check out this post (which includes a full-body artistic interpretation!)

—‌Like I mentioned before, I'm here to make friends! I'll talk to anyone about anything, as long as the conversation stays friendly, safe, and respectful. I won't tolerate hate in any form.

* * *

WIP MASTER LIST

If you enjoy a chapter, please consider letting me know by reblogging and leaving a comment! I welcome anything you have to say, so long as you're kind to me, yourself, and others. Useful and constructive criticism is always encouraged if you catch something I didn't, so feel free to share any feedback, opinions, or questions you have. I'm always looking to improve and I appreciate all the support I can get!

THE HARMONT HEROES SERIES —‌A fusion of science fiction and urban fantasy told through the dual POV of two sisters on opposite ends of society. This saga features mystery and intrigue, thrills and chills, and an array of LGBTQ+ characters. -BOOK ONE: Agent Ace -BOOK TWO: TBA -BOOK THREE: TBA -BOOK FOUR: TBA

EMBR OF THE EARTH (Standalone)—‌In the far, unknown future, the world is overrun by human survivors, robot scouts, and hostile, alienesque creatures that came from nowhere. A ragtag group of teens choose to leave the safety of their satellite and return to Earth, determined to discover what happened to planet and if there's a way to save it. -ON INDEFINITE HIATUS -The current draft is still available on Wattpad; read it here.

ENCORE (Standalone) —‌An eighteen-year-old girl is rescued from a deserted island as the lone survivor with an unbelievable story. Twelve years later, the girl, now a struggling musician who's still tortured by the past, is given an opportunity to go back in time to save the others. But with such high stakes to succeed, the price may be too much to pay. -A twist on the Final Girl trope in classic horror. -COMING TO TUMBLR SOON! Get started with the first five chapters here.

POETRY

I'm not much of a poet, but I've been known to dabble. Take a look!

Water Nymphs

Witches

Alley Cat

Sea Urchin

Homebody

Puhpowee

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WHERE ELSE YOU CAN FIND ME

Wattpad: @ persephonehale

AO3: @ elshells *In the meantime, thanks for saying hi!*

[nerdferatum]

Book recommendation tag game

Rules: recommend as many books as you like. please include genre and some basic information on it (either your words or a copy+paste synopsis). feel free to include cover art, a personal review, trigger warnings, and anything else! just don’t spoil the book!

Thank you for the tag, @dekarios 💕​

Days at the Morisaki Bookshop, by Satoshi Yagisawa

Genre: Contemporary fiction

Takako has never liked reading. That's why, after a romantic let-down, she isn't too thrilled about moving into the family's bookshop with her excentric uncle. In Jimbocho, a bookworm's dream, she hopes to mend her broken heart in peace, and, maybe, start anew.

A cosy story about connecting with people you kow and people you don't. There is a sequel, but I did enjoy this book more as a stand-alone.

The adventures of Amina al-Sirafi, by Shannon Chakraborty

Genre: Fantasy, historical fiction

Amina al-Sirafi repeats time and time again how she doesn't miss her old life. After all, she says, she's too old to cross the Indian Ocean as she used to, and she made too many enemies along the way as one of the most notorious pirates of her time. But when she's presented with an offer regarding her old crewmate, how could she say no?

This book reminded me of the stories I used to read when I was little, and even though I'm not too familiar with the tradition that inspired it, I never felt lost while reading.

TW: Death, general bigotry, violence

The Blackwater saga, by Michael McDowell

Genre: Horror, southern gothic, hostorical fiction (ish)

A novel in six installments that follows the lives of the Caskeys for 50 years, with a supernatural twist. It all starts when a flood devastates the small town of Perdido, in Alabama. As Oscar and Bray try to find someone in the ruins of their hometown, they come across Ellinor, a young woman who has been trapped for several days in one of the rooms of the hotel. Or so she says.

I'm using the spanish covers because they are too beautiful not too. It had been a while since I've been so inmersed in a series like this. I don't even know what can I say that won't spoil anything.

TW: Death, rape, body horror

She who became the sun, by Shelley Parker-Chan

Genre: Fantasy, historical fiction

With the birth of their son Chongba, the Zhu family is promised a brilliant life for him. They are mystified by his fate, the likes of which they only heard in legends. They aren't surprised, though, when they are told that their daughter is as unremarkable as any other girl. Which they ignore is her strong will and her desire to survive anything in her path, including taking a fake identity to make her own fate.

A dark and brutal story about desperate people doing everything in their power to see the next day. This was sold to me as a YA cute empowerment book; it is not. It's a war story about complicated and complex people.

TW: Death, violence, sexual content, dysphoria.

The great swindle, by Pierre Lemaitre

Genre: Historical fiction

It's only a few days until the World Word I comes to an end, both side know it. That's why the attack planned by the lieutenant Pradelle is so surprising. Luckily for Albert Maillard, another man saves his life during the offensive, but the awful consequences of it will make him feel in debt with him forever. After his stay in the hospital, Édouard is left so desfigured that he refuses to meet his family again, but convinces Albert to help him to get his revenge against the french government.

A heist book set in the 1920s, basically. And the film adaptation was incredible too. Again, pretend like there is no sequel to it.

TW: Disfigurement, ableism

No pressure tags: @veeples @lookingforsomethingcuzimbored @wayhavenots

[grymmnox]

weekly fic recs #26

haha hilarious april fool’s prank right i didn’t post that’s hilarious isn’t it. (i forgot it was saturday,, again)

ship(s): soukoku, shin soukoku, kunichuuzai (is thta their ship name??), kunikidazai, and some gen fics

fandom(s): bungo stray dogs

Oneshots

friend, please (don’t take your life away from me); codhya - bungo stray dogs

not rated | 15.3k words | dazai & fukuzawa, ADA & dazai | READ TAGS

summary:

Dazai looks down at his hands that held the power to bring any kingdom to its knees. He thinks of fire and ashes and smoke. He wants to cut them off.

(On Dazai Osamu, black holes and Fukuzawa Yukichi)

Set Adrift; lileura - bungo stray dogs

general audiences | 1.1k words | mostly fluff but dazai does attempt

summary:

Fukuzawa fishes Dazai out of the river. Dazai doesn't really get it.

the hollow of my mute being; intimatopia - bungo stray dogs

mature | 2.5k words | dazai & fukuzawa | READ TAGS

summary:

Dazai followed Fukuzawa into his office, plonking himself down on one of the client sofas. “What’s going on?” “A letter arrived yesterday,” Fukuzawa said. Dazai didn’t flinch but he wanted to, felt like someone had dumped ice water over his head. “From Mori,” Dazai guessed.

all brutal mirrors cracked; intimatopia - bungo stray dogs

teen and up | 12.4k words | chuuya/dazai/kunikida | READ TAGS

summary:

The one in which Dazai and Kunikida are swapped into each other's bodies by a mirror, and then their day gets worse.

the (latte) art of seduction; wytism - bungo stray dogs

general audiences | 4.1k words | chuuya/dazai

summary:

Dazai glances down at Chuuya’s name tag. “Chuuya, huh?” he questions. “A pretty name for a pretty face.”

“Listen,” Chuuya starts, “I’m flattered—,” he doesn’t sound flattered, “—but can you please just grab your coffee and get the fuck out?”

or: dazai being repeatedly owned by the sick and tired barista at the new cafe—a thrilling saga.

sure it’s a calming notion (perpetual in motion); saffroncassis - bungo stray dogs

teen and up | 5.3k words | dazai/kunikida, dazai & yosano

summary:

“So,” Kunikida tries again, awkward in a gruff sort of way, adjusting his glasses and eyes shifting. “Dazai, you… you like me?” Fuck, shit, abort, abort, please fucking abort, Dazai thinks, and waves the allegation of actually having feelings off as best he can, with a nervous laugh and a “Ha ha, pshh, as if! I don’t like you, I just want your dick!” Kunikida freezes just as Dazai realizes what he’s said seconds too late.

Or, the one where Dazai digs himself a hole, and then just keeps digging deeper.

tie our hearts together; setosdarkness - bungo stray dogs

teen and up | 3.1k words | chuuya/dazai

summary:

A powerful Ability compels Yokohama’s citizens to stick close to the person or object they want to protect the most.

Dazai lets out a whine, “Why is nobody trying to get into my personal space?!”

“I’m sorry Dazai-san, I guess everyone here thinks you can handle things on your own?”

do me a favor, and tell me to go away; quarterweeb - bungo stray dogs

teen and up | 6.5k words | dazai & kunikida (or dazai/kunikida), chuuya & dazai (or chuuya/dazai)

summary:

Dazai Osamu's relationship with touch is...complicated.

Admit Defeat; StarshipDancer - bungo stray dogs

teen and up | 3.6k words | chuuya/dazai

summary:

Something was wrong.

Something had been wrong for several days now, and Dazai still couldn’t pinpoint just what it was that kept making his chest ache so horribly. He felt like he was slowly dying, his very being swallowed up by the gaping hole that had opened up where a normal human’s heart would be.

“Chuuya,” Dazai started again. The ache was back, amplified by the sight of such a loathsome hatrack, and Dazai swallowed around the lump obstructing his throat. “Chuuya, I think I’m dying.”

a chance to breathe; refectory - bungo stray dogs

general audiences | 14.8k words | chuuya/dazai | READ TAGS

summary:

The threat is gone; Dazai can rest now. Except, he doesn't really know how to do that?

Chuuya tries to show him.

//

or: Dazai and Chuuya move in together. More or less.

self-recognition; calicotheory - bungo stray dogs

general audiences | 1.3k words | dazai & ranpo

summary:

"Do not let Yosano-san hear you asking if alcohol counts as food," Ranpo deadpans.

(Or: The Ranpo & Dazai both having ARFID headcanon fic, because if nobody else is going to do it, I will.)

growing in degrees; Ch_ee_rios - bungo stray dogs

teen and up | 2.5k words | dazai & ranpo, ADA & dazai, dazai & kunikida | READ TAGS

summary:

The second the poor, wounded thing walked into the office, Ranpo knew it tied its bandages too tight around its throat.

Or: Ranpo realizes he maybe doesn't hate Dazai that much Or or: Dazai is doing his best. His best just isn’t that great yet. Or or or: the Ranpo and Dazai cuddle scene you were all promised

Complete

cries for salvation; calysland - bungo stray dogs

teen and up | 2 chapters | 10.4k words | dazai & oda | READ TAGS

summary:

His legs brought him here subconsciously, because deep down, Dazai knew. He knew he couldn't deal with it that day, not with his mind slowly drifting away and Mori's men probably already trailing from behind to find him and bring him back to him, so he could—

Stop that.

Still, he stayed there, hand going up and down a few times, not sure if he should knock on the door or not.

Oda was good. Oda was safe.

But he hesitated.

...

Mori is a creepy asshole, Dazai is a desperate sixteen year old with way more burden than he could carry on his shoulders and Oda is waiting with open arms, being the excellent friend he is.

come back for me; kagshina - bungo stray dogs

mature | 3 chapters | 10.6k words | chuuya/dazai

summary:

Dazai and Chuuya are in love.

It only takes them nine years and a body swap to figure it out.

Incomplete

Constant As the Stars Above; Present_Mom - bungo stray dogs

teen and up | 3/? chapters | 8.7k words | atsushi & ranpo, fukuzawa & ranpo, atsushi & fukuzawa, oda & ranpo, atsushi & oda, fukuzawa & oda, dazai & ranpo, atsushi & dazai, dazai & fukuzawa | typical atsushi and dazai cw; abuse, s/h, etc.

summary:

Edogawa Ranpo is just trying to survive life, okay? His parents just died, he's trying to make the job thing work, it's hard, but he's trying.

And then a shady-as-fuck orphanage has the police investigate who a thief is.

Ranpo knows who the thief is, do these people not have eyes!?

Ranpo wants to know who's being kept in the basement.

-------

If you had told Fukuzawa Yukichi that taking this job would start him on his way to adopting all adorable, troublesome children that crossed his path, he would laugh in your face and walk away.

But alas.

Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction.

We Are Never Ever, Ever, Getting Back Together (Right?); sabiEMr - bungo stray dogs

teen and up | 5/? chapters | 21.1k words | chuuya/dazai, akutagawa/atsushi, ADA & chuuya

summary:

Dazai had left. Maybe Chuuya simply wasn’t worth staying for. Maybe his name didn’t even cross Dazai’s mind the night he left. Why would Chuuya ever care anyway?

Or:

Fukuzawa and Mori decide to have an exchange student program! Chuuya gets sent to the ADA and he's furious because who wants to spend quality time together with your ex? Chaos ensues. Lots of love, crack, crying, and gay people.

[matookahitaki]

Let’s get some fun recommendations goin around here! What’s a piece of clone content (art, fic, etc) that has stuck with you as being notably excellent? Tag it in your answer so we can all find some new fun to read! If you want, of course; feel free to ignore! 💕

The Bad Batch growin up by alligatorpie1945 Has me VERY emotional

Clone Horse 99 by papanowo is somthing that occupies my brain sososoososososoo much Docs Adventures by staycalmandhugaclone has got to be the most investing and thrilling fanfic saga ive read in a long time, i highly recommend it. ANYTHING made by isthereanechoinhere96 is absolute gold

[the-anime-man]

op i hope you dont mind a contribution based off this:

really really enjoying arc-v's cast

[stillthesunkenstars]

I like women and lesbians

Check out more of my bs art on twitter @_qwqvi_

art blog @ivqks159 , my name is 艾文启 / ivq , I’m an adult

art tag is #my art / I draw what I want + gore/r18g + occasional nsfw

also made a benny discord server w liria if u want in

tankies not welcome

FUB free | DO NOT repost my drawings

COLLECTION ERA BFBS listening/reading order

intro to the Benny series for brax fans

#bfbs for archived BFBS materials / Bernice Summerfield: Inside Story (behind the scenes reference book)

brax character facade meta / brax & Shakespearean mode of drama

Refracted Lives PDF ( @bennyzine )

BS/BRAX FIC RECS

man, bound

Academy era, brax plays eighth man bound in one of theta’s party in on drunken impulse and gazes into his own future. Perfect characterization of academy brax, if you like this please go read

and we will sail a boat to the ocean at the start of the world

by the same author! Brax builds a boat for theta in the last summer before theta leaves for academy

sepelio chapter art / sepelio

Dellah era / God arc cannibalism au, a thrill to read and wonderfully plotted, I've draw a lot of fanart got it in my #sepelio tag

A Guest Lecture Delivered to Undergraduates in St Oscar's Archaeology Department

Dellah era, PERFECT brax voice I can't recommend unincased's brax writing enough

And They Became Monsters (the fall of great men)

Gallifrey to Dellah to Collection era, 94 chapter saga reinterpretation of brax's timeline, reading it all the way through made me see the world in a new light, fanart in my #atbmtfogm tag

Sinister, Dexterous

Gallifrey, snippet of how the main 4 operated during the time war with divergences to canon.

All Gifts (Have a Price)

Collection era, brax attempts to contain pandora in his head. unincased is goated in every one of their brax fics feels like there's a pit sinking in my stomach, comic I’ve drawn for all gifts

Little Mother

Collection era, unincased wrote it for the bennyzine!! Brax and Avril Fenman discuss protecting the future, accompanying illustration

pull the rider down

Legion era, there is a shapeshifting assassin out to get irving and it's taken the form of one of his friends...!! Super fun read, thebigcat's plots are always well thought out and enjoyable

[celticheartedfangirl]

My OUAT Rewatch -- S5E11 -- Swan Song

Link to Rewatch Review and Ranking archive

Me getting through this episode . . . . . . . 

So . . . . this is gonna be LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG.  I have time, I have opinions, and I’m not holding back.  Under the cut for length and just a heads up there WILL BE BELLE CRITICISM UNDER HERE.  When I get to that point I will strike out all of the Belle critical stuff like this.  It doesn’t mean I don’t MEAN IT -- I just want to give those who can’t handle Belle being dragged the opportunity to easily bypass that section.  

Are we ready?

Me AFTER I watched this episode, BTW . . . . . . 

So, honestly, as has been the case since this arc crap started, this is a rushed, sloppy, choppy, hacked up episode with a bunch of shit going on, it’s clearly a hot mess of shit, there are OBVIOUS deleted scenes we never saw and never WILL see, and I can totally understand why so many just flat out noped the fuck out of this show at this point.  Because it really is NOT enjoyable and frankly, even knowing what comes, it still makes me stabby.  

But I have to find a way of plodding through this here, so let’s do a point by point order of things, in no particular order:

1.  So Hook murdered his dad and left his little brother an orphan.  Whatta guy!  Honestly, here’s the thing -- all the anti-Rumple folk bitch about how many people he killed, and really I don’t think his body count is higher than Hook’s.  Rumple kills when he’s pissed off, and almost always in a heat of the moment thing (see: Milah, the dudes that used to bully him as a spinner, Tamara).  He doesn’t just go off killing to kill for thrills and funsies and murder trinkets.  Hook has admitted ON SCREEN to killing dozens -- and this was as a mortal with no dark curse whispering in his ear 24/7.  What’s HIS excuse?  

2.  OMG, Emma really just got completely destroyed at this point, didn’t she.  I found a VERY GOOD meta on the destruction of Emma Swan and why CS is such utter bullshit so I thought I’d share it here:

https://celticheartedfangirl.tumblr.com/post/134225913047/lana-ny-swanmills-cs-is-literally-so-terrible

3.  Slight fun side note -- DON’S Mess with OQ, yo!  

From the OFFICIAL Once Upon a Time Twitter!  Happy Endgins!  

Okay where was I . . . . this is what happens when I scroll through late 2015 me . . . ahem . . . 

4.  This would have been the perfect way to keep Zee the fuck off the show forever.  Just saying . . . . . . 

5.  Side note 2: some fun times with December 2015 me live blogging this shitfest . . . . . 

http://celticheartedfangirl.tumblr.com/post/134695062042/any-wagers-on-them-cutting-that-scene-of-belle

Yup . . . they cut it . . . shocking, right?

https://celticheartedfangirl.tumblr.com/post/134695563322/so-hold-up

https://celticheartedfangirl.tumblr.com/post/134694787487/that-was-literally-the-worst-writing-ive-seen

https://celticheartedfangirl.tumblr.com/post/134704968232/rumple-moving-the-darkness-didnt-even-make-sense

https://celticheartedfangirl.tumblr.com/post/135222506932/friendly-reminder-that-killian-was-a-dead-man

6.  Post-episode Adam Horowitz being an absolute DICK to fans on Twitter -- just follow our vision, FUCK your vision, you hack! (Bonus points for a hijacking of this post by some asshole CS fan):

https://celticheartedfangirl.tumblr.com/post/134802058737/rumplegasm-mybittersweetblasphemy

7.  The AMY MANSON saga:

https://celticheartedfangirl.tumblr.com/post/134756133022/amy-manson-deleted-her-retweets-of-ouat-negativity

There are also BTS somewhere of Merida marching Arthur out of Storybrooke that were filmed for this episode.  Remember . . . at the end of The Bear King, Merida promised she was coming for Arthur.  Did that ever happen?  Of course not.  HACKS.  Also Amy did PRESS for this episode and so it’s clear they never even TOLD HER that her scenes for this episode were CUT.  So there’s also that.  HACKS. 

8.  Check out the Lily Sparks review of this episode because it is EVERYTHING:

http://www.tv.com/news/once-upon-a-time-swan-song-review-headed-to-hell-in-a-handbasket-144942941967/

I want to point out specifically, on page 3, what she says about Rumple taking back the Dark One powers:

And then Emma heard all the Parseltongue and followed the sounds to the pawnshop and Rumple was like, "LOL okay you got me, I totally performed a quick spell that somehow cleaved apart the Excalibur and became the Dark One because eff everybody invested in my character. I essentially have a multiple-personality disorder and no one on the writing staff gave me the memo about not trying to convey a genuine struggle while I was playing Rumple these last three years." I'm sorry but this twist was so lazy it infuriated me. I can't believe that shit made it out of a first draft, let alone through studio and network notes.

Which, sadly . . . . . . brings me to Belle and Rumbelle.

9. Belle’s theme song:

Yeah, it’s not gonna get better from here . . . . 

So damn . . . . Belle really was kind of a bitch in this episode, huh?  I mean . . . . at the TIME I was happy for the hugs and kisses and sex but watching it again just . . . DAMN . . . . . 

Also, “For the first time ever you were selfless” GTFO of here!!!!!

For the first time EVER????  GTFO, what kind of shit writing is this???  How did Emilie even deliver that garbage fire of a line with a straight face, and how did Bobby even react to it without a lot of cursing?  Or maybe he did.  We do know that they wanted Rumbelle to bang on the bed in the shop and Bobby put his foot down on that one and they literally created a bedroom set for that 30 second scene because Bobby wasn’t gonna have them film the post-coital scene in the shop.  

So yay for Bobby?  

10.  I wrote this post regarding this episode IN DEFENSE OF RUMPLE -- still stand by every word (there is Belle dragging and I mean DRAGGING in this post -- you’ve been warned):

https://celticheartedfangirl.tumblr.com/post/177022910487/in-defense-of-rumpelstiltskin-in-s5e11

11.  In closing -- A SUMMARY:

https://celticheartedfangirl.tumblr.com/post/135191267572/summary-of-ouat-finale

Here have some fan art:

https://celticheartedfangirl.tumblr.com/post/135246399887/retrogrlfan-there-is-no-reason-for-this

https://celticheartedfangirl.tumblr.com/post/135223382862/retrogrlfan-more-pink-rumple

Points tally:

40 points to start

20 points for 2 Rumbelle hugs

20 points for 2 Rumbelle kisses

5 points for Swan Queen

20 points deducted for BOTH OOC Belle and Rumple nonsense

10 points deducted for Hook & Zelena

Full 25 deducted and I want to give bonus for the Rumbelle sex but . . . . this episode just doesn’t deserve it.  

Total points: 30

Moving on .  . . are we ready?

Follow #celtichearted OUAT ranking tag for more to come!

[lycorogue]

Who Wants to Meet My OCs? (Part 2 - Gyateara)

First and foremost, I meant to have this whole series to be sort of churned out the same day/week as Part 1. Life.... didn’t let that happen. I then figured “okay, I’ll update the series every Sunday” and then yesterday came and went...

Regardless, from the NEXT POST onward, I’m aiming to update every Sunday. Now, back to the series itself.

Ever since at least November, I’ve wanted to do individual posts for each of my OCs so you could meet them all. Well, I’m finally getting off my butt and working on this massive project (we’ll ignore that I’m spending hours working on this instead of my ML fanfic.... >_>).

In Part 1, I gave a broad overview of this whole Meet My OCs series, as well as gave some generic IRL background to the two main worlds my OCs hail from:

1) Gyateara

2) Glitches

Well, in this part of the series, I’m going to stay IRL as I explain where each individual OC within the Gyateara universe came from. If this is interesting to you, feel free to check below the break.

If you’d rather just skip ahead to the character bios themselves, my first one about my Glitches character Willow should be up in two weeks (sorry for the wait).

If I’m talking about Gyateara characters, I should probably talk about the one that first birthed the world: 

Amara Yori

Amara was my first-ever D&D character. I had known of the game for ages since my father used to play it frequently (and apparently roped my mother into at least running the monsters so she’d be included; ignoring that she’d rather not be included XD). 

I really got interested in D&D when I was a teen and saw the gorgeously stylized covers for AD&D ver 3.5. My father had passed away before officially introducing me to the game (although we did used to play Dungeon all the time, so that was a start...), and none of my friends were going to touch that “nerd culture” with a 10ft pole, so I simply admired the books, but never actually played. Then I went to college and managed to Nerd Out.

Hubby (then boyfriend) offered to help me build my first-ever character, but in 2004 the D&D 3.5 expansions were so massive I had far too many choices to choose from.

So Hubby had me go through some of his extra minis, and let me pick out one that I really liked. With his help, I ended up with the 2003 version of the Wood Elf Skirmisher.

Based solely on this mini, I started building Amara.

Hubby suggested that I try out the Scout class for my first one, since I couldn’t choose between a Rogue, Ranger, or Druid, and Scout is sort of in between at least the Rogue and Ranger classes. For whatever reason - I can’t remember it now - I also decided I wanted to play a half-elf.

Upon reading the generic backstory description the D&D books had for the Scout class, I figured my character needed some sort of Tragic BackstoryTM that would explain her scouting skills. Things like trap finding and dismantling, masterful rope use skills, hiding and tracking skills, and connection to animals.

I was in a big The Vision of Escaflowne kick at the time - which shows up in a couple other characters’ backstories - and was fascinated with the history between Van Fanel’s parents. Van’s human father Goau stumbled upon Varie, a Draconian woman, in the woods one day. Draconians have the ability to manifest feathered wings which allow them flight. It was rare to see a Draconian, and her beauty - with her wings shimmering in the moonlight as she waded in a small pool of water - mesmerized Goau. He instantly fell in love and brought Varie home to be his wife. The duo seemed to love each other deeply. Amara’s parents, on the other hand....

I’ll get into more when I break down their actual bios, but I took the idea of “Human stumbles upon exotic non-human in the woods and instantly marries her” and twisted it slightly. Amara’s mother was very much emotionally, and possibly even physically (I haven’t confirmed this yet), abused by Amara’s father. Amara, being a half-elf, also had to deal with abuse at the hands of many of her fellow clansmen - both the human and the elven clans; pretty much exclusively because she was a “half-breed” (Yes, I was really into InuYasha then too).

As I kept building Amara, I kept adding more and more tragedy to her backstory. I do enjoy what I created, but, especially after reading a lot of posts here on Tumblr, I’m afraid her history is nothing but a giant knotted ball of cliches and tropes. For now, though, I’m running with it. Perhaps I can figure out work-arounds later....

I never did get to play more than a session or two with Amara before the game disbanded (which seems to be a repeat thing with my gaming group), but she still lives on in my mind, and eventually in Gyateara.

Natalie

As I mentioned above, The Vision of Escaflowne very much inspired me while I was working on the earliest bits of Gyateara. Therefore, Natalie is your basic Isekai protagonist.

For those who don’t know the term (I didn’t know an official genre term existed until about a year ago), Isekai refers to a subgenre of fantasy/speculative fiction where the main character is abruptly teleported from their world to a new one; usually one with a fantasy setting.

It’s a massive subgenre and includes most of the fantasy animes I’ve watched:

InuYasha

The Vision of Escaflowne

Fushigi Yuugi

The Devil is a Part-Timer

The Rise of the Shield-hero

The Saga of Tanya the Evil

The Familiar of Zero

How to NOT Summon a Demon Lord

Sword Art Online (technically)

.Hack//Sign (technically)

Digimon (first season, specifically)

Psyren (manga)

The list can go on, but that’s not the point of this post. Getting back to the actual point, I clearly enjoyed this genre without even realizing there was a term for it, and created my own Isekai story. Natalie is from our world, but is abruptly teleported to Gyateara’s main Northern Isle, where she must save the country from being destroyed by a power-hungry, put painfully charismatic, villain.

I had taken elements from Kagome (InuYasha), Hitomi (The Vision of Escaflowne), Miaka (Fushigi Yuugi), and I think I had Ariel (The Little Mermaid) in there as well at one point. She was - and still kind of is - just “Generic Isekai Female Protagonist”, which is one of the main reasons the story she was in failed so soon into NaNoWriMo back in... 2014, I think. Almost a solid decade after I started dreaming up her Isekai story. She definitely needs to go back to the drawing board a bit to be properly fleshed out.

Connor

He was from the same story as Natalie. Connor was a denizen of Gyateara’s Northern Isles, and became Natalie’s traveling companion as he helped her try to find a way home. Ya know, that old Isekai chestnut. I even leaned heavily into the cliche and had the two of them fall in love throughout their journey. Which would lead to a third-act twist of “Okay, we can defeat the villain, but then what? Could they stay together? Would Natalie stay on Gyateara? Will Connor instead try to go home to Earth with her?” Real original. I know. Add in that Connor was a sort of Frankenstein’s monster of a character. Grab a snack, this is going to take a minute...

Connor’s traits included:

The basic backstory and drive of the player character in the video game Fable, in which his father was killed, his mother and sister tortured (and presumed dead, only to be proven still alive and captured), his home village burnt down, and he was taken in by the local guild so the guild master could train Connor to become the hero the GM believed Connor was prophesied to be.

The half-demon traits of InuYasha (InuYasha), which transformed him into a sort of were-cat. His mother, a full-demon, could become a 15ft (4.57m) tall panther with split tails. Connor’s half-demon heritage was hidden from him, and he only transformed under extreme moments of stress.

Yes. The “love interest is the only one who can snap the protag back from a monstrous rage” trope was heavily evident throughout the story.

His overall look was inspired by Link (Legend of Zelda video game franchise). His basic fighting style - swordsmanship and expert archery - was a sort of tag-teamed “thieving” from Link as well as Van (The Vision of Escaflowne).

A highly resistant, and begrudging submission to become the Hero of Prophecy lifted off of Tamahome (Fushigi Yuugi).

I know he was much more influenced by Van from Escaflowne when I was first making him. I even used Van as a reference guide when I tried to create character head shots of him. I just can’t recall now what else I swiped from that character.

I feel like there are also other male anime/video game protags I swiped traits from, but I can’t recall them anymore. Regardless, I threw them in a blender, and poured out the mixture that became Connor.

Jolene Crisslebalm

Ah, the character whose last name I always have to look up, because I can’t recall how I spelled it. Good starting point, right?

I am a very reserved person. In particular, a very sexually reserved person. But I do enjoy sex, and I love the act of flirting, and the “thrill of the chase” when it comes to dating, so a part of me always wonders what I would be like if I had let go of my reservations and just enjoyed the carnal pleasures of life.

So, two characters in particular - Willow (from Glitches) and Jolene - are my exploration of that Path Not Traveled. 

A friend of mine was hosting a D&D campaign via Roll20.net, and wondered if I wanted in. I hadn’t been involved in a D&D game in a year or so at that point, and I’ve enjoyed playing a couple of one-offs with him DMing, so I leapt at the chance to join. I had almost always played a form of Rogue class (hence the internet persona) in previous D&D campaigns, so I decided to stay the course, but with a twist I hadn’t tried before.

I wanted Jolene to be a sort of reluctant adventurer, preferring instead to be a cat burgler, but I also wanted that sexual/sensual exploration of character. So, she was a traveling prostitute (not exactly legal without proper ties to a brothel; much like a Sex Trade Guild sort of thing), but she also used her “alone time with clients” to scope out the place to see if it’s worth robbing.

Fast forward about 3 years, and I end up watching the first episode of the Freeform Marvel series Cloak and Dagger... where I saw Tandy doing the same thing, but roofying her targets instead of sleeping with them first... Great minds, and all that?

Eh, Jolene figures “might as well make money off of them before coming back and robbing the rest... less to carry later...”

In the end, while Jolene had an.... interesting run... and one I actually did enjoy role playing, even if it did leave me a bit frustrated afterwards (a good frustrated?)... Jolene just didn’t fit the world the DM created, nor did she fit in quite as well as I would have hoped with the other players.

They were all AMAZING players, by the way. Some of the best role players I’ve had the pleasure of meeting, and such fantastic writers as well. BTW, we wrote out everything in the Roll20 chat log instead of verbally playing or using video-chat. I must admit, I was quite envious of their skills. It was just a tighter knit group, and I wasn’t able to feel out their play-style well enough to continue with the group. Eventually they all had to go their separate ways anyway when their schedules no longer lined up.

Still, I LOVED Jolene, and she was the D&D character I had the joy of running the longest, so she NEEDED to live on. She did, in my first NaNoWriMo “win”. I managed to hit those 50,000 words, but I still had about 3/5ths of her story to write. 

See, while coming up with Jolene’s jaded attitude towards love and her pull towards a more hedonistic lifestyle, I went with the good old cliche of Heartbreak Was The Culprit. (With so many cliches in my character builds, is it a wonder why I just stick with fanfiction... the characters are already created...)

Jolene had her heart broken five times between the ages of 13 and 21. She was the type who fell quick into love, and fell HARD into it, and always felt intensely betrayed by her lovers when they left her. To be fair... they did routinely leave her for a woman of better social standing, or - in her youth - someone more willing to put out, or just straight up abandon her without so much as a farewell note. Eventually, she gave up on trying to find love, and joined a brothel, and then the thieves guild, and then headed out on her own from there.

The DM thought it unlikely that she was a prostitute for the better part of 5 years without a single pregnancy, so he rolled for it, and Jolene had one miscarriage, one still born, and one healthy child she gave up for adoption. I was not expecting to include that in her backstory, but it actually worked fairly well.

And all of that was the subject of my NaNo project: Lost Loves and Paramours. Jolene’s full biography leading up to the campaign: every man she fell in love with, every person she slept with, the one client who tried to murder her to avoid a scandal of his lust getting the better of him, the pain of her miscarry, the devastation of her stillborn, the heart break of giving up her surviving child, the struggles against a stalker, and her over-all YOLO attitude.

(Bitmoji is a beautiful thing...)

Well, second long post of this series is now complete. Next week, I’ll talk about the IRL inspiration for my Glitches characters. Thank you so much for indulging me on these epic ramblings.

[parf-fan]

2018 in-house shows posted!

Once more, no mention on their facebook page or in their emails, but I suppose that’s what I’m here for.  If you go to PARF’s website, you’ll find that the list of in-house shows has at last been updated for this season.  I took the liberty of copy-pasting it all here nonetheless.

King’s Court King Henry and Queen Catherine host the visiting king and queen of France. Never before have so many monarchs gathered upon a Mt. Hope stage! Will the Master of Revels, Sir Walter Roderick Kensington, be up to the task of entertaining four royals? Join them at the Endgame stage, and watch the saga of the Field of Cloth of Gold commence!

(I am so pleased that they specifically mentioned the question of whether Sir Walter will be able to cope with four monarchs.)

Human Chess King Henry and King Francis, in the spirit of friendly competition, have agreed to match wits in a game of Human Chess. All the denizens of Mt. Hope, from lowly peasants to noble knights, will take the board as members of the kings’ armies. But as the ring of steel fills their ears, and the thrill of battle heats their blood, will the contest stay friendly for long?

(I didn’t read the above description, for it undoubtedly contains what would count as spoilers to me.)

Ultimate Joust

As the sun sets upon Bosworth Field, four knights will meet in mounted combat, as a crowd of thousands looks on. Come and cheer for your favorite knight; thrill to the pounding hooves and the clash of steed and steel. Join the royal court and all the villagers of the Shire, in the epic Ultimate Joust that has made Mt. Hope famous.

(I didn’t read the above description, for it undoubtedly contains what would count as spoilers to me.)

Finale in Song

As the festival day draws to a close, the town gathers for a final celebration of song, dance, and laughter. Join King Henry and Queen Catherine, along with King Francis and Queen Claude of France, and the entire town of Mt. Hope, in a village event that reveals the very heart of the Shire.

(I didn’t read the above description, for it undoubtedly contains what would count as spoilers to me.)

Grand MacGuffin Melee Good Master MacGuffin has not had much luck with his establishment. It seems like every new business venture he tries always winds up in a massive brawl. But this time, he has decided to attract a fancier sort of clientele. Come attend the grand opening of MacGuffin’s Gallerie of Fine Arte. With such a high-class aspiration, what could possibly go wrong?

(I’d finished reading this before I registered that it was for a show I consider storyline, and therefore didn’t want spoilers for.  That said, this can only end well.)

Disasterpiece Theatre The Master of Revels, Sir Walter Roderick Kensington, has assembled the shire's best performers (who had nothing else going on at the time) to delight our guests with a masterpiece on the stage. They present a different modern story with a 16th century twist every weekend; and of course when Sir Walter tries to get something done-- anything that can go wrong will go wrong. It will truly be a Disasterpiece!

(As soon as I’d read the title and the fact that the description starts with naming Sir Walter, I was already dying with laughter.  I am so glad that character and his particular style of overwroughtness managed to become so iconic.  This promises to be fantastic.  I predict that they will definitely adapt Mean Girls, if nothing else.  I also vote for an adaptation of Newsies.  Les Mis would be great, but I dunno that that counts as “modern”, and it’s also a little long, ya kno?)

Bloody Best Attend the tale of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, He Who Would be King of Scotland. ‘Tis forty minutes of brutal combat, murder most foul, and disturbingly comic violence. And blood. There will be blood.

(B l o o d y B e s t i s t h e S c o t t i s h P l a y.  Which should be interesting, because the entirety of the grounds count as a theatre, and it’s only safe to name the play if it’s in the script.  So what if someone tries to interact with the performers regarding the contents of Bloody Best after the show is over?  Would improvised interaction be close enough to keep them safe?  Or will it call down the curse if they are forced to utter it in that circumstance?  And if the latter is true, will they then be able to get to the edge of the grounds / the gate into the performer-only area [that is, leave the theatre] in time to be able to perform the ritual to lift the curse?  Most importantly, am I cruel enough to put this to the test?)

The Sirens The pirate crew of the Relentless Contessa is out for blood and gold...on any other normal day, but today, they are taking a break to demonstrate their fierce musicality, daring boldness, and filthy pirate jests!

(THE SIRENS ARE PYRATES THIS TIME AT LAST FINALLY YESYESYES I HAVE BEEN WANTING THIS FOR YEEEEAAAARRRRS!!!) (No Bloody Shame [THE BLOODY SHAME!] though. I’m sad.)

The Rakish Rogues What happens when two French Nobles and two English Nobles are employed by Their Majesties to entertain the masses? They don't know either! Watch these charming nobles sing revelrous songs and regale you with rowdy vulgarities.

(After years of the Rogues being in some of the more lightweight outfits, their day of reckoning has finally come.  Boys, welcome to the excessively  heatstroke-laden life of a noble.)

The Irish Revels The three Eugenia Sisters, proprietors of The Wild Rose Inn, are celebrating the return of their father by reassembling the family band. Join them for rousing Irish folk music and quirky family values.

(THE IRISH REVELS ARE RETURNING THE IRISH REVELS ARE RETURNING THE IRISH REVELS ARE RETUUUURNIIIIINNNNNG!!!!!) (Yo, the MacGuffin Stables and Tavern has competition!)

Friday Knights Come see our Improv Track perform feats of mental, verbal, and physical agility for your entertainment! Presented in 2 acts, the first half is a competition of comedy as 2 teams face off against each other in "Whose Line..." style improv games hoping to earn the laughs and love of our audience judges. Then, after the intermission, both teams come together to perform a completely improvised musical based on the audience's suggestion!

(Quite pleased this is back.  Rest assured I shall actually attend this time.)

Neighborhoods Kings and Queens are great and all, but what do the average citizens of Mount Hope do on a festival day? Seek out these interactive stories that you can get involved in all over the shire to find out! Provide your expert opinion at a Town Hall Meeting; help track and arrest a wanted thief (or help the thief escape!). Get involved in the happenings of Mount Hope and influence the lives of its inhabitants at these scenarios found not on stages, but in the neighborhoods all around the shire.

(So.... literally exactly what it’s always been.  It’s just listed here this time.)

Music with Their Majesties Take a break with Their Majesties, as they demonstrate Their musical merits and host the best of entertainment from the realm.

(!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Robin Hood You think you know the story of Robin Hood? You've probably never heard it like our Apprentice of Revels and her rag-tag team are going to tell it to you.

(........ Apprentice of Revels?  There’s a Apprentice of Revels now?  Sir Walter has a hecking apprentice this year!  I’m like really really hyped about this character’s existence.  For some reason, my mom is convinced this role is gonna be played by Katie Markey.)

Finale Dumb Show Have you missed every Plot Show during the Faire day? Did you not even know there WAS a plot? Arrive to the Globe Stage 15 minutes before Finale In Song to catch up on what happened in the silliest way possible!

(I am left with a deep-seated happiness over the Dumbshow’s return.  But they wrote it wrong.  I have it from the actors, it is oNE WORD!)

The Legend of One-Eyed Willy The Cabin Boy of the "Relentless Contessa" has been tasked with finding more members for the ship's Pirate Crew. Come join his crew, and witness the tale of the most feared pirate to ever sail the seven seas! Presented by The Mount Hope Players!

(was One-Eyed Willy aboard the original Bloody Shame [THE BLOODY SHAME!]?  That wold be a good reason to fear them.)

King's Cavalry Join the Master of Revels and The Lady Mayor for some literal horse-play on the chessboard directly before our Human Chess match! Bring your nipperkins so that they may join the King's Royal Mounted Cavalry!

(Everybody who, like me, attends King’s Cavalry because they went to Chess early to secure good seats, Y’ALL BETTER FUCKIN’ CLAP AND CHEER FOR THOSE KIDS, I SWEAR!)

King Arthur: The Legend of Murray Everyone knows that King Arthur was the Wizard Merlin's greatest apprentice, but did you know Merlin had another apprentice after Arthur? Come experience the tale of Merlin's OTHER apprentice: Murray!

(I’m gonna have to figure out how to make this fit with the canon of BBC’s Merlin, friggin’ fantastic.)

Is... is there no Tournament Joust this year then, or....

[obvidalous]

WIP Meme

Rules: List all the things you’re currently working on in as much or little detail as you’d like, then tag some friends to see what they’re working on. This can be writing, art, vids, gifsets - anything at all!

I was tagged by the sweet @bitter-stella, thank you!!

Don’t worry, it won’t be that long :p

Finish Honesty is the best policy (the second part of the Let’s push things forward series, my ME:A/f!reyder fanfiction). 7 chapters written already, and probably 2 or 3 more to write. Let’s say 3 chapters to come. Apparently, I have many things to say and it’s already longer than I had planned ;)

I’m also already working on the outline of a third part. With more plot, more action, a focus on the Ryders background, and (of course) my favorite couple! The outline is coming out great so far. I’m planning on at least 12 chapters, and I’m really thrilled!

Non-fandom related, I also have a WIP in French, which I started to work on more than a year ago. It’s a collection of novellas, centered around the theme of loneliness, and called Soledad. I have 3 novellas already written, which I’m almost satisfied with, and ideas for 5 or 6 more. In the end, it should make a decent book, and I might try to get it published one day… who knows ;)

And, last but not least, I always wanted to create an epic saga and a whole new universe, a mix of all the things I love about my favorite authors (Tolkien, Lovecraft, Asimov, Martin… I cannot name them all!). I’m not really in the process of writing it, though, but I have many ideas that I jot down from time to time and I really like some of them, it feels like some day I could really make something great out of it. But I think this is a work of a lifetime, and if I ever finish it, I will be at least 70 years old (it’s Georges Martin’s style, so why not mine, too??) xD

And I tag my usual suspects (but don’t mind me if you’ve done this already…) @notebookalpha @makocartwheels @kenshi-vakarian7

[the-anime-man]

i think way too much about this guy and i still haven't gotten him in the gacha yet

full images

[pixelrender]

Every game on my wishlist, part 1

Let’s do this, I’ll share all games on all of my wishlists and write a short reasoning for every single one of them. My goal is to find out, whether I really want to own and play all of these games and how many I will be able to remove from them without much of a regret. There probably are more productive ways to spend free time, but let’s do this.

Itch.io

The list on itch.io is the messiest one of the three. I keep adding and removing and returning games a lot. Right now it features 6 times, 2 games I would like to write about here and 23 games I intended to buy and play at some point. I know I will only have time to play 3-4 or four big games in next 2 years and this list consist mostly of smaller and experimental projects. So, many of them have a good chance of getting played. Let's take a look at individual items now.

1. and 2. Far Future Tourism and Zones

I really want to play some of Sherlock Connor's walking sims. The world's he created are different, a personal expression through the medium of video games. It's not necessary to have two packs on the wishlist and I'll remove one for now.

3. Walden, a game

I guess I might read Thoreau's book first? He's a personality, who intrigues me a lot and a game based on his life could be an interesting time. Also, the game's nature looks stunning. It makes me want to go outside and I don't think I ought to play this instead. To keep my life simple, the game leaves the list.

4. Sagebrush

I'm excited about this one. It's a walking sim with little more direction, a disturbing theme and stunning lo-fi graphics. My cup of tea and an item of high priority on the list.

5. The Haunted Island: A Frog Detective Game

It just feel like a kind game, which can help you out, when you feel down. Together with Sagebrush, these are the two games I need to play asap.

6., 7. and 8. Sokpop Games

A small selection of Sokpop titles (kamer, moreas, huts). They're cheap, original and bite sized. The three selected titles focus more on ambiance than activity/action and that's why I'm interested in them. I don't see any reason in favour of removing them.

9. Voyageur

This game's very likely an underrated gem. It has trading and an interesting narrative but it's also way more stressful than survival space games. Just check out the trailer, this game stays.

10. EarthTongue

You care about an alien ecosystem mostly composed of fungi. That and a recommendation from Natalie Lawhead Is enough for the game to be kept on the list.

11. Of Gods and Men: Daybreak Empire

I want to keep track of this game, but there are so many other tactics games I'd rather play and I own many of them already. This has to go.

12. Dujanah

They say the story is incredible and the art direction reminds me of Catemites, but I'm tired of narrative games rn. Dujanah, you're off the list.

13. Seek Etyliv

This is the most minimalist grid based game I know. Everything about it intrigues me and that's why I need to play it.

14. Overland

I love polished low poly micro worlds of this tactics game. Also, it's a road trip. They say it's not as good as Into the Breach and I agree that they should have released it earlier. But I still want to play it. 15. Sunset

An ambient game about revolution and class, but I'm not all that interested in it and I probably wouldn't be able to run it on my potato of a machine. 16. Art Sqool

It rhymes with cool! Also, I think that it brings something new in video games, that this game indeed is art. I definitely need to play this soon.

17. The Stillness of the Wind

I appreciate a lot what is this game trying to accomplish with minimalist storytelling devices, but I can't get over the color palette.

18. Glass Staircase

I enjoy Puppet Combo. I admire their low poly approach to horror games. They def participated on the renaissance of the genre and ps one era graphics. This is probably their most polished game, but It would be possible to replace it with something else from their catalogue.

19. and 20.  Far Blade and Backlands

The two Bcubedlabs' games have stunning graphics, simple mechanics and almost no stories. Their visual value and low price tag are the two reasons both games are staying.

21. The Space Between

A year ago, even six months ago, I would have been thrilled about it. But that was before I lost interest in stories of any kind. Now I only want an impression or an emotion. I don't want to follow a story to feel sad. I feel sad right now. This might return on my list in 2021, when I change mind again.

22. Caves of Qud

This a complicated hardcore retro hardcore everything ultima inspired features and death heavy rpg I'd love to try out one day. But it will take a long time for me to get there. Also, I don't think it fits with the rest of the list.

23. Pagan: Autogeny

I added this few days ago and I'm interested in it because the gamepage promises a bag of candy. In this game you roam around an abandoned mmo and occasionally come across content. I especially like the promise of 100 acres. It clearly invites the photographer in me in. This might be the right game to make paintings of too.

Humble Bundle

My second wishlist is neatly organized. It contains 16 items in a 4x4 grid. Each row is supposed to have a theme and every purchase breaks it a little. I removed some 30 items from this wishlist in May, so there aren't any items I think should be removed. But talking about every one of them might change that. 1. Gris

I used to be a Devolver fanboy and I still like their making off documentaries, but the majority of their releases are too violent and too much of a crowd pleaser. I still enjoy a game of theirs from time to time and I received a super strong recommendation to play Gris, which isn't violent. It's melancholic. And I think I might add to the discourse, which has been uncritical so far.

2. Timespinner

I like myself a good metroidvania and despite the average reviews, Timespinner has that Mega Drive aesthetic I can't resist.

3. Chasm

They say it's only decent, but let's consider two other factors. Comfort food is 7 out of 10 and so are Comfort Games. Metroidvanias became that for me as a genre and Chasm looks like a delightful diversion from all these superb titles coming out.

4. Feudal Alloy

Another decent non-linear platformer with rpg elements on my list. This one earned its spot with the unique combination of theme and graphic style. It's just lovely looking.

5. and 6. Banner Sagas

I like tactics games and for some reason the story of Banner Saga still appeals to me. I want to play through it and see how much I will have to sacrifice and to which end. 

7. Expedition: Vikings

Expedition: Conquistador is one of the most underrated tactics games. It's because fights themselves are little less involved that the rest of game. You play with a flawed crew, which forces you into bad decisions all the time. I heard great thing about it in an episode of 3MA dedicated to Vikings.

8. Bad North: Jotunn Edition

Bad North is purty and it looks like delightful, smart little game made with minimalism on mind.

9. Titan Souls

To be totally honest, this one's on the list for graphics. They're great and I really appreciate selection of browns and greys, which are dominant, but without an effect of the game looking lifeless.

10. Samurai Gunn

I talked about this game many times. It looks pretty, it sounds amazing with the soundtrack from Doseone. The trailer is my favourite video game trailer of all times and the gameplay looks like fun if you have couch and friends, who enjoy games.

11. Nantucket

It's all about the theme of whale fishing and the swag this gem has. Mechanically it seems to be quite a journey too. I enjoyed FTL and this is building upon some of its mechanics, but makes it less about surviving and more about chaining successful hunts, methinks.

12. Dishonored

The last game from the row of giants and whales is the single first person modern AAA title I crave to play. Architecture and world-building in the series are exceptional and the whole design reminds me of Half-Life, the best shooter of all times.

13. Ultraworld

A weirdly available commercial piece from the creators of Secret Habitat, one of my favourite walking sims and my favourite digital gallery. Obviously, this can't be removed.

14. Koma

I wasn't interested in this atmospheric roaming game at first but the more I heard and saw, the more hooked I got. I don't care about the mystery being second tier. The atmosphere is dripping from screenshot and that's enough (btw can't run it, so it's of lower priority).

15. Californium

I like that it's a French game about America inspired by an American. I remember people talking about it quite fondly, when it was released. Californium is weird and colorful and filled with things to take a picture of.

16. Crying Suns

An upcoming game published by Humble Bundle. The hook is that it takes FTL and battles from games such a Homeworld and stories such as Dune and meshes it all together. If it turns out to be any good, this might be my next time submarine.

Steam

The third and last list has 22 items and more than a half of them are metroid inspired designs. Both released and upcoming.  I curated this list a lot in the past as some of my friends can see it and I felt little embarrassed, when it was reaching over 100 items. Truth to be said, I bought most of these items meanwhile. Now let's see what I can do about the rest.By the end of 2019 I would love this list to consist only from Symphony of the Night clones.

1. Knights and Bikes

I bragged about this one a lot recently. Just scroll down for more. It's number one, because it's the next game I'm buying (unless sales).

2. Legendary Gary

I really hope I will find funds and time and play what could be the Bojack Horseman of nerds. The trailer for this game deeply resonated with the situation I've been for several last years and I think the game can have a deep impact on me if the writings as good as its soundtrack.

3. Anodyne 2: Return to Dust

Ok, one more time. Anodyne was unique and the sequel looks great in its low poly glory and promises to be bigger and better.

4. The Eternal Castle

The trailer for this one's stylish. I watched it at least five times in a row. But it doesn't tell a whole lot about the game and It's possible that the intro is the best part of the game. It probably will leave my list. 5. INFRA

Infra is s a puzzle game made in source (half-life engine, the best engine). Basically it all starts as a surveillance of pipes and ends up with you uncovering a conspiracy. What attracts me to it are beautiful environments and some well remembered textures and it should perform great on my rustworthy laptop. Also, I read great things about it on RPS before it became a completely different site.

6-22. Non-linear platformers

I won't be buying or playing any of these this or the next year. But 2022 should be a year for them to thrive. I will feature here some of them in a foreseeable future as some of them are pretty interesting and maybe make a comprehensive piece on castleoids for Christmas. The list goes: Axiom Verge, Timespinner, Chasm, Feudal Alloy, Visual Out, Redo!, Gato Roboto, Grizzland, Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom, Eagle Island, Minoria, Witch and 66 Mushrooms, Refoil, Nykra, Outbuddies, Biomass, Divinium

And that used to be my wishlist. I don’t know why I had such a sudden urge to make an article about it, but here it is and now I can delete some of these items without regret and always look back here if I need to find them.

[withered-rose-unbreakable-lotus]

I was tagged by @the-damnedest-creature to play her j-rock game, thank you ^^ If I write too much I am soooo sorry ;;

RULES: Repost and answer the questions, then tag at least 3 of your followers :)

1. When and how did you get into j-rock? Even though I was introduced to visual kei by a friend in 2010, I officially got into it in 2012 when I really needed new music and my favorite artists hadn’t released anything for a while, so I thought I could give a chance to that thing that friend had called “visual kei” back then. It was hard for me to find sth I liked because, yes, the visuals were amazing and totally my thing, but music-wise, everything I found was full of screams and too heavy music for me. Then I came across AND eccentric agent, though, I fell in love with their sound and slowly gave in to the visual kei world completely, after this.

2. List your current most favorite band(s). I am a big visual kei trash, so my most favorite bands are around 40  (disbanded bands included and usually new projects of those members turn out to be favorites) and there is no such thing as recent and older favorites for me ^^’ It might sound too much, but after having checked the music of almost 800 jrock and visual kei bands and solos, I think it’s not that much ^^’. Bare with me, please m(_ _)m AND-ECCENTRIC AGENT Versailles (and Kamijo’s and Hizaki’s solo projects) Screw A9 (and Saga’s solo project) The GazettE D (and Asagi’s and Ruiza’s solo projects) Megaromania 9GOATS BLACK OUT (and every project Ryo started after them, except from TAG) BORN REIGN DIAURA Kaya (both solo and band projects) Dog inThePWO Kiryu MALICE MIZER (and the solo projects of Klaha & Kozi) Gackt Codomo Dragon Liraizo Purple Stone SuG (and Uwakimono) The Valentine. Tokami Vistlip (and Lill) Vaniru Anli Pollicino RAZOR Metis Gretel Plastic Tree Lareine Hyde (every band he’s been in creates amazing music so you can count L’arc en Ciel and Vamps in one) Fi’ance Synk;yet SchwarzKain Hizaki Grace Project Sukekiyo

(and yes my wallet hates me ^^’)

3. How many j-rock concerts have you been to? (If you haven’t been to any, which band would you like to see the most in the future?) Never been to one but I’d love to see all my still active favorites as well as a couple of others that seem to have amazing energy live, such as R-shitei, DEZERT, Shinotsuku Ame and the recently formed DIMLIM. 4. Which j-rock band do you think is the most underrated? Reign 5. Which j-rock band do you think is the most overrated? I will be hated even by you if I answer that XD Okay fine, it’s just my opinion I hope you won’t get mad at me for that: Dir En Grey. 6. Who is your ultimate bias in j-rock? Optionally: Post your most favorite picture(s) of them. I don’t know if I could call him bias, I don’t like using this term, but fav jrocker out of everyone I admire, for sure. It’s Ikuma of Reign. Some pics of him I really like are:

7. What is your most treasured j-rock related memory? I have so many to count but, one that really stands out is how I became a Gazette fan. When I got into visual kei, I absolutely refused to listen to the Gazette and I will explain why. I have been a fan of American and European music for as long as I can remember myself and if I had learnt sth from it, is that usually, around 2010s for sure, the artists that most people listen to aren’t really worth listening. For my tastes again, I mean, don’t bite. I just thought that around that time, what was popular wasn’t as amusing for my ears (for example, Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus). I just had that feeling that, the more people were making a fuss about an artist, the more shit that artist would be for my tastes. So, I thought that was the same for Japan and, seeing Gazette everywhere around so much, when I got into visual kei, pissed me off. I would often say their music isn’t that of a big deal, I mean the vocalist is just screaming, they are just pretty and all, and seem obnoxious and show offs. One day, though, as I was checking out some visual kei bands, I came across the part of their Decade concert during which they were all crying. I watched it, kind of surprised to see such a big band at this state, I mean I don’t often see 30 year old men cry on stage, curious to know what on earth was going on. I felt a big knot in my chest as I watched. Even though I hated them, there was sth that made me wanna cry too. I scrolled down in the comments to see if anyone had mentioned what was going on and, finding it, made me burst into tears and sob for around half an hour. Again, being a fan of Hollywood artists, I had only seen my favorites rise and thrive and never break down once they had claimed their position in the industry, but these guys...they were in their 30s, standing on the stages for 10 whole years and still crying for what? Their dream. They were still so passionate about the reason they started this whole thing that reaching 10 years was a milestone that brought them to their knees. I am a dreamer myself, I knew the thrill of being able to survive in an industry like that for so long is hard to receive and would bring me in tears, too, if I made it. I swore that day that I would find at least one song of theirs I would like and I would follow them for as long as they’re active and listen to their music till I die. This kind of artists is what I stand for. I don't like those who start with a dream and end with a job, if you know what I mean. I do understand that some get bored of it with time and claim it as just their job and income production, but I am a person of limits and I  love me some big dreamers that once they get to their dream they continue fighting to keep it and the fire never ceases to exist. The more passionate an artist is with what they do the more I take my hat off to them and support them no matter what. This is a memory I treasure a lot. My becoming a Sixth Gun through tears ^^’

8. How do you support and enjoy j-rock the most? Buying CDs? Going to lives? Just full on going to Japan for it? I enjoy j-rock the most when I am listening to it, or watching pvs and when I am creating digital fanart of any sort, but support is an entirely different story for me. The moment I feel I support my favorite vkei artists completely is when I buy their cds, but often comes the time that I see their posts on twitter and realize that the support they like the most is that of people going to see them live. It kind of bothers me, because not all of us can attend their shows, but there is nothing I can do so far, so if they aren’t satisfied with what I am giving, I guess I have to wait to get to Japan someday, otherwise I will just keep being an inadequate fan I guess xd. The moment, though, I think I will feel the joy of being a visual kei fan in my bones and that I am being fully supportive of them, is when some miracle will happen and I will get the chance not just to see them live, but also be part of their work. In other words, I will never feel complete as a fan and supporter of this movement, if I don’t get the chance to work besides such inspirational people. I don’t think I match their talent yet, but I have much gratefulness in me for what they have offered me through their music that I want to show my full support by serving them. 9. How does your family feel about this hobby of yours? My parents know music and arts have been life for me since I was really young, so getting into visual kei didn’t surprise them at all. I have always liked things and sounds that were different from what was common and accepted for most people and they are ok with it. My mom used to be a rock fan too as a child, she even played the guitar, so she was fascinated by them right away. She likes their looks and she often says they look like they’ve jumped out of some videogame, she loves guitar solos very much and she even has favorites. She loves Takeru and Versailles, for example. It’s funny to admit she was even the one who told me hizaki is a man XD. I had only been listening to their music at first, so i didn’t know any info about them, but when I showed her a video she told me he was a man. And then of course I searched and found out she was right XD. I often ask her opinion on new pvs. As for my father, he often freaks out when they growl, but he finds calmer songs impressive. He doesn’t understand the whole idea and often asks me if all these guys are men, or straight, but other than that, it’s my taste and he doesn’t interfere. Fun fact about my dad’s reactions, since I mentioned one of my mom’s, too, is how he reacted when I told him Ryutaro Arimura is his age xd. He just wouldn’t accept it. XD 10.What is the craziest j-rock fandom story that you have I haven’t been involved in any and can’t remember anything that crazy, but if you are looking for crazy fandom stories and you aren’t a gazette fan, yet, I’d suggest you hurried up and joined the ride XD We got plenty of crazy in this fandom for you. :p No shade :p Even Ruki has said it XD

That’s it whoaaaaa, sorry for the long post, I love talking about visual kei and j-rock. I tag you back @the-damnedest-creature since you made the game but I saw no answers there :p I am sure others will tag you back, too, but anywayz :p I also tag @hinata-nina and my third choise was already tagged by you so, no more from me. ^^ Thank you again for tagging me ^_^

[lokidmyheart]

Masterlist

Ongoing Reader Saga

Since I jump around with my imagines, the following list is subject to change. (i.e. Part 2 could end up becoming Part 5, etc) Therefore, they are labeled with a short description next to the link. I will post a thorough masterlist on my home (but less used) blog, @asfromtheattic, eventually that encompasses all these imagines. This is getting real, folks, and I couldn't be more thrilled with myself! Thank you all for taking this unique journey with me. Enjoy!

Part 1 -- Curls

Part 2 -- Under the Stars

Part 3 -- Haze

Part 4 -- Breeze

Part 5-- The Library 

Part 6 -- The Engagement

Part 7 -- Jotun

Part 8 -- The Balcony

Part 9 -- Behind Glass

Part 10 -- Return

Part 11 -- Prisoner

Part 12 -- The Battle

Part 13 -- Reunion

Part 14 -- Passion (Pre-smut)

Part 15 -- Morning After

Part 16 -- Gaze

Part 17 -- Find Me

Part 18 -- The Walk

Part 19 -- What’s Missing

Part 20 -- Finding Peace

Part 21 -- Dance (Crossover with Kisuke)

Part 22 -- Mortality

Part 23 -- The Memory

Part 24 -- Savior

Part 25 -- Safety

Part 26 -- Waking (Crossover from Supernatural--Sequel to Part 21-23)

Part 27 -- Always Enough

Part 28 -- Night Walk

Part 29 -- Nightmares

Part 30 -- Normal Day

Part 31 -- Snowfall

Part 32 -- Simple Hello

Part 33 -- The Storm

Poems & Answers & Misc

My random ramblings because I have quite a lot of thoughts.

Answers

First Marvel movie & when I started the Loki obsession (Q&A)

Favorite/least favorite Loki scene (Q&A)

Gender fluid Loki (Q&A)

Magic Show reaction (Q&A)

Poems

Broken Heart

Love You Anyway 

In the Morning Light

Autumn Haiku

Ode to the Winter Willow

Yearning Soul

The Wind

Golden Strands

Souls

Where Secrets are Stowed

Midnight

The Soul's Breath

Love's Mask

Animal

Misc

Live

My love

In Love

Feelings on IW

Nitpicking

Requests

Keep them coming folks!

Sister

IW Fix It

Captured Pt 1

Captured Pt 2

More Than Friends

Gifs

The Truth -- from my fandom blog

Jonathon Pine -- from my fandom blog, but...Tom...so... :)

Beautiful

I shout your name

My Love

Art/Videos

Demons Hide -- from my fandom blog

Ragnarok Doodle

Infinity War Doodle

Tag List

Perpetual tags. Let me know if you want to be added (or removed) or only tagged with certain things. Right now I tag the list on everything imagine. Some are tagged because you asked; others are tagged because you are blogs I enjoy and it seems we share similar appreciation in Loki.

@ariel-snow-tmnt @ajokeformur-ray @blue-automne  @drakesfiance​ @friska101cg @just-the-hiddles​ @lady-loki-ren  @lokiloveforever​ @lokipascal @lokiperfection​ @lokismistressofmayhem @lonely--witch @markusstraya @marvelouslytrekking @moonfaery @mrfeenysmustache @musingsofafangirl-blog @ohhhmyloki @omgopalsapphire @river-the-fox  @sallymagnoliaposts​ @saratour @sherlockfan4life @sebastianshoe  @secretlygrantaire  @storm-howlett @tfwqueenidjit @wester-than-west @venusbustos @artsy-crow @lokis-little-fawn @lokihiddleston @lokisgoodgirl​

Let Yours Truly know if you want to be mixed with the beans. :)

[biolizardboils]

yo

i know i went off about this on thanksgiving but now that its been a full year, i wanna try and tell yall again how much these last 365 days mean to me

remember back when Captain Underpants was trending and everyone was sharing their favorite jokes and how they’d smuggle the books at school or even make their own comics? that period alone was great, but then it snowballed into an avalanche of fun times and good vibes that still hasnt stopped??

some cool things that happened (in no real order)

everybody shared their talents and made cute-as-hell art and wrote sad-as-hell fics and some people made art in response to those fics

OC’S!!! STUDENT OC’S TEACHER OC’S VILLAIN OC’S

that time some marketers held an official AMA on 4/20, roleplayed with six different accounts, and made a new subreddit for the sake of a joke

“to fight crime o.k.?”

when everybody concluded that Krupp had to have read the comics

when that lead to a bunch of posts psychoanalyzing him and my opinion of him did a complete 180?? whoever started this i owe you my life

when the movie came out and not only added more fuel to this fire but confirmed he read the comics oh my god

when a pic of Edith got leaked and everyone fell head over heels for her

then a few months later somebody said “guys i think she might be an alien” and everyone was posting possible evidence

and then Soren CONFIRMED IT (it was in an early draft of the movie but STILL)

the saga of the dog man comix post

i made my first ask blog ever and people made really nice posts about it and my writing skills??? im still sad i had to end it but when i revealed i was the op and yall screamed?? priceless

and then theres the irl stuff that happened after that.... like?? i know how weird it sounds but rediscovering these books and meeting you all helped me in a major and personal way. 

you ever read a story where the protagonist remembers a pivotal moment from their childhood, and suddenly their whole life makes sense? ive spent years doubting i could find a job i could do well, let alone enjoy. but honest to god, after remembering what Dav and his books stand for - and getting so much encouragement over at @treehouseblogsinc - i finally found my calling and i’ve been working towards it since.

and to think it all started with a 3-minute trailer.

im not gonna name names or tag anybody, but if youre reading this and youve added to the CU fandom at all (even if youre not really in it anymore), i wanna thank you from the bottom of my heart. im so much happier than i was a year ago because of you. i hope i can share my brainchild with you all when its finally made public.

here’s to another year of action, thrills and laffs, huh?