#It's truly so inspiring :D My favourite!

[sysig]

2024 Purge (Part 3)

A whole Three-Parter for 2024! Damned very completely took over my brain and I made so many many doodles about it haha <3 Also ft. Helix and SCII generally, and a few other cursory Damned-style things :)

Little mini ZEX walk cycle from his Kissing Strangers meme ♥ He’s so cute, wobbling around on these weird new legs, not used to using these stiff arms to assist him back up!

Floorplans!! Of the Vyer Estate, I unfortunately don't know the layout/room configuration of estates or mansions very well haha, so I kinda just guessed at what kind of structure the house would have - I could've looked up blueprints, but the foyer is such a strong image in my head that every other room kind of fell off around it lol - though I still oscillate between seeing the stairs in the frontmost room or to the sides, hmm

Many many speculations, including the outer spaces, yard out front and in back, what all is within their fencing, if its built on a slab or foundation, if there's a crawlspace or cellar or full basement, ahh, so many possibilities! You can see in the left full-view I mistakenly put Dex's room on the first floor lol, both his and Max's room are explicitly described as being upstairs, on a separate floor from the kitchen. Very important! But where is the master bedroom...? The two on the right are kind-of both of the same thing; the platform at the top of the foyer double stairs, and the room beneath it that leads outside to the back garden - I moved the dining room around here and there, it would be nice to open up the back doors and have a dinner party able to go in and out I think :)

Going a bit more granular, made some temps for Max's room specifically - he hangs out there a lot, it's important! Even pulled out my grid paper for this one haha, fun to have an actual floorplan kind of look with tile-spaced everything! Very Sims, quite fun. I do like the idea of him having a window seat, but he's also described as standing in front of his windows so that probably wouldn't be the Only type he'd have hmm

On the topic of the Sims, I ended up making the three mockups in the Sims 2 as well! I do like this one - I was especially surprised that Max was even able to get to the bed! I thought the dresser would be in the way but no, it’s all walkable :D Very pleased. Not fully satisfied with the placement of his en suite tho, would it encroach into his room itself, or be tucked into a wall...? I kind of like that idea of that :0

The double bay windows is maybe a bit much, but I mean. Idle rich lol. At one point he’s looking out the window and then backs Dex up against a wall, but Which wall hmmm, must align room layout with seduction attempts, very important

Switching entirely over, you might remember the card I posted of Stanley, and the small mention of having made a matching card for the Narrator... I may have made significantly more than just that lol, I can't help it!! The Damned structure is wonderfully made, it invites creative speculation and idea generation at a nearly alarming rate! I commend the game builders for their craft. So I made a bunch of the faces I'd want to see at the institute lol, I love duos the most-most, so picking a pair from several of my favourite pieces of media was just ahh! Yes!

Apaultheosis and Emma seemed like a particularly fun match :D Would that make Paul his "real" counterpart...? I mean, it says Matthew right there lol, but would he just act like Paul? Would be doubly weird if Paul-proper showed up while the Apotheosis was out swanning around haha, Apaultheosis really seems like the right level of "belongs in an institute" to have a lot of fun with :) And if it's my immune-Emma AU in particular, Emma's already used to having to be around a bunch of weirdos haha

The LAC boys!!! ♥ Making everyone's little background was a lot of fun too - yellow for the TSPs, blue splotches for the Hatchetfield duo, little devil trappings for these two :D Such fun! It was also very fun to write up everyone's little personalities in simple phrasing, really break them all down to their core characterizations haha. Helps with not pushing them too far one way or another too! Would they do any given thing because [trait]? S'fun!

Weird Duo, the Watchers pulled from And the Universe Shifts - the explorations of villains having to put up being on the same side as/having to get along with heroes really makes for an interesting examination of how they'd go about doing that! These two are still absolutely insufferable, but they're also trying to escape! It's interesting :0 Also casual headcanon of how the institute would deal with enby/trans characters, possibly something I've had a lot of thoughts about lol

Last fanduo from the first batch - all of these were made over the course of like, two days, if that lol, I was very excited about this idea - I genuinely love how anime/JRPG characters are usually given fake names also in Japanese, it's very fun :D I only did so halfway for Nova's since she's only ever had the one kind of anglicized personal name, no family name - could she also be a kid from Jersey? Such mysteries haha. She also probably wouldn't have her hair clips during the day unfortunately :P But I couldn't resist drawing them, she's not her without them! The Watchers get their masks, give my girl her barrettes!

Back to Helix, more short-haired Max! I do like this one but I also thought the pose was silly so I held off on it haha, he looks cute with short hair! <biased towards Max generally

Another one that was too silly to put anywhere haha, ZEX being attacked by an invisible Kayako - Teisel is very confused at your inexplicable reactions, Admiral!

Normally I wouldn't post my studies, partially because they're mostly for my own benefit, to better understand how to draw a character, and also because I am usually very ❤️💕💖💞💗 in my commentary lol, as evidenced. I was excited to see him!! Especially in the institute uniform!!! <3 I'd doodled him a couple times as such but Seeing it, ahh <3 <3 So cute, wonderful ♪♫

Max! Another half-study, frog mouthed boy <3 Goofy floofy lad, love him <3

And another! This time of him being teary-mad, gosh he's adorable no matter what he's up to

Hehe <3 A particularly silly one in reaction to Dexter having arm-pinned him on the floor - how different certain things look in hindsight, through the lense of a crush, hm?

Talanaaaa ♪ In actuality she removed her shirt, but how cute would it have been to tie it up at her side instead ahhh

Lovestruck Zelnick, totally listening, mmhm <3

The silliness continues! Was thinking about the little pink bits at the end of VUX tendrils and how I've sometimes seen them speculated as also being little tongues? I'm still not sure what I think about it! It is good and potentially creepy I think, but would they taste? Would they be as dexterous? Hmmm, thoughts thoughts

A dandelion for the sunshine Captain <3

There he is! The sunniest boy of them all! Sweetest sweet lad ♥ Love him :)

Speculating ZEX plushie stuff still - going over the construction of his uniform, possibly as part of his body, possibly as something to dress him in so he can be fitted into other clothes as well :0 I'm still considering the tail slot, but probably only for uniform-as-body - otherwise, laying his tunic overtop his tail would probably be the easiest all the way around. I do like VUX with short tails too tho, hmm, how to make it visible... On the right are a few more detail ideas :D Different eye styles, what would be embroidered vs. sewn together etc. - I considered felt medals and badges, but I really think embroidery would have the prettiest result! Even my notes say so haha, that and where to put weighted pellets in place of fluffy stuffing :)

Speaking of plush 👀 Ahem

An alternate Strawberry Blond panel, ZEX pulling him up fully to look at him hhh I love him <3

And also touching him a bit, what is this feeling DAX is feeling! ZEX has some ideas :3c Though when doesn't he lol

More DAX expressions! Angy and owie, they do tend to go hand-in-hand, poor lad got well-knocked around and he still ended up the least injured of the three!

Rando icons, I can't help myself ♪ This uniform has its hooks in me, is it the ominous smiley face's bright yellow on boring grey, the contrast, the sameness?? I just like it! Was a fun small and simple thing to pull together :)

I actually started this set somewhat early on, speculating what DAX's MU scene might be, but never ended up with anything solid - since he wasn't there initially, it's hard to think of what would be a fitting torture for him, apart from what Was there i.e. having to watch what ZEX went through :( That does seem like it'd leave some pretty massive mental scars on him - always always always unable to save him in the moments where it really counts! :'0 But it doesn't do anything to his Body, and that's supposed to be the point of MU! I do still like many things here, DAX's offer of self-sacrifice being rejected and him being powerless to do anything else

And the way I used hashmarks to imply his eyes going fuzzy with them both open and the stress - looks like a pause symbol haha

Also a big fan of the little corner doodle being so cute and wholesome, the two of them excitedly circling each other, excited to see each other! I love-loved that so much in their meeting <3 <3

Then there was that one time DAX and DAX met, that was fun :) If only ZEX had shown up, then what would DAX do! Self-defense in a way hehe, that's one way of getting on the same side haha

The raw doodle that eventually became Get Out of the Way! For as sad a way as it was to go out - failing to be protected, the last of his allies, not even able to wield his own weapon effectively - it does still remind me of a silly quote. Those dogs were indeed very nasty!

A temp doodle of Dexter holding both Max's clothes and ZEX's uniform after his "discharge" (;;) from the institute, the only things he has left to hold onto 💔 So very little left of him :(

I at one point asked smol who she’d put in the institute for funsies and she picked Maison Talo, and so I tossed Apaultheosis at him - they do both consider humans as prey! Just, a bit differently lol. Would the Apotheosis even be able to convert a Realtor by their lure? Where does the goo need to be to start to take effect, many questions

Stanley Icons <3 It's only fitting that my first choice for a card gets his own set of reactions! Icons like these are actually really fun to make - pulling around from my doodles, slapping a bit of colour overtop, edits to screenshots (Stanley's "Dead" reaction is probably my favourite of those, I'm sure y'all can guess which ending I pulled from lol) - and it all has me tempted to make a few more...

Back to Just-SCII! More Baby VUX!! 💖 They're so cute!!! Just little guys, adorable <3 Casual clothing and PJs and having to tie one's sash back on haha, all those complicated loops and knots :)

Also some muscle/arm shape speculations of how VUX armtips might change based on what they're doing, the roundedness of recoiling is very funny to me haha

Obviously had to make these two's versions in TS2 as well, the most fun <3 “What brings you in today, Mr. Vargas?” “That’s doctor.” “Oh, sure, right.”

More of the Doctor meme! Poor DAX haha, certainly sick with Something ♪

I think the lyric is “three times a day”? But what three times a day, that's the real question lol. ZEX has his own suggestions hmm :) I do like their hug in the first one hehe, so cute <3

Totally all better! Definitely nothing would make his symptoms flare up again!

Poor DAX <3

Digitized Dr. Doran! He really is so tiny haha, it was fun using Wander's colour scheme, mostly filled out already! The institute's dress code for staff is a mystery; presumably some of the therapists wear medical/professional clothes, but then there's Stein who still has the screw in his head - surely they'd allow jeans, right? Or is that where they draw the line lol. Look it's fine, he's meant to be the Approachable Therapist, he gets special allowances, totallyyy

All two Locked In doodles that didn't make the cut but also have nowhere else to go lol - there’s a few dozen concept sketches that haven’t been written into complete scenes yet that I'd love to post as their own sets! At some point!! Poor Oz is so put out, and Leah's big goofy grin, very silly hehe - that one's just meant to show off her outfit! It's winter, no bare legs here!

As a bonus to make up for those being the only two doodles, here’s Ozzy and Thrax in TS2 failing to get along lol. Oz! You're not good enough friends for that yet! Will they get there someday? :3c

VUX snuggles <3 Love the them so very much ♥

This is one I really want to digitize to get them a little more cosplay-accurate, but I'd been going back through some nostalgic AMVs and had the sudden realization that KuroFai, being one of my fairly early/influential ships on my heart, and now they...

Fai even loses an eye, I jfdlskafdlhfdf

Finishing out with my last set of cards, I had to make the two leads from SAOA, truly a masterwork in abridging <3 They're just such fun characters! And it's not like they're not already used to being trapped somewhere that constantly risks their lives :'0 I love them, I swear! Good things for them!

[glassblossomsthunderstorm]

Some of my favourite descriptive closed captions from this season of Dimension 20: Mentopolis

It's truly such a great season; filled with film noir tropes, that the Prefrontal PIs parody in the most hilarious way, but also inspired by the concept of Inside Out leading to incredibly touching moments, clever psychological/biological/sciency processes, oh and also so. many. puns! :D

[poemofmymessysblog]

Tragic love poet diet

Inspired by @honeysugarfree

This is my first time doing this type of a diet so any suggestions and advice will be greatly appreciated!!!:D

Your hands are cold yet heart so warm a yearning for feeling of fulfilment that no food of riches can ever satisfy with greed of hunger what others call love.

Your love is truly tragic,not as light as others your eyes have seen,not for ones of light hearts it's shade of such red it feels like poisoned kiss.

How do you want readers decades from now to see you as you are and what you will be. Unknown,unseen kind of divine as your poems of the brightly nights shine,you should look and thrive basked in the nights loving sky,shine of moonlight that won't be known by many eyes.

Food is sweetness to the bitterness and love in your heart as you see what you shall not,and feel the unforgivable loving though.eat sweet fruits and write of your forbidden binding love,such as pomegranate,grapes,red apples, strawberries, cherries, raspberries and blueberries, blackberries and wild berries. Add some honey for extra sweetness to the fruits if you wish so! (Optional!)(max 150 cal)

Get in some vegetables as well as a quick tomato salad for lunch should satisfy,add some seasoning such as spice or feta cheese and some cucamber<3(max 200 çãl)

Write down what you ate and describe it as it is,a night is long so why not get some coffee and cream and a cigarette(Optional,if you don't smoke or drink coffee get yourself some tea such as green tea ,nana tea, cinnamon!! Or cup of low cal warm chocolate) while watching the sun turn into the moon and day into the night with slightly fading light<3(max 150 çãl)

Walk when you can listen to music in your earphones, look at the falling leafs and blushing trees,make some steps!(At least 4k)

Have a snack if you need to calm your mind<3(my personal favourite is rice cake with tsp of honey for sweet dreams)

Max 600c net!!(Optional!!)

Last rice cake photo is mine,from time I actually took a picture<3 also Tumblr limited my photos:(

[darkbluekies]

What are the yanderes favourite seasons? Or favourite kind of weather? What your favourite season, Blue? :D

I personally love calm rainy weathers :3 perfect to sit on the balcony, sipping tea and reading something while listening to the rain dropping on leaves ^^

Silas: since he is from Greece I feel like he's a summer person. I feel like he wants a reason to show off his muscles. And he does not like being crammed in a winter jacket. Sunny, hot and warm breeze<3

Dr Kry: spring!! Life is starting to come back after a long winter, and he is fascinated by how the greeney is coming back to life. He starts his gardening and gets his will to live back. Sunny, not too hot and crisp air<3

King Edmund: probably autumn? Hard to say. I think he likes the atmosphere of autumn. He likes the smell of the forest after rain, the fact that he doesn't sweat his ass off anymore and likes the look of leaves in the wind. Sunny, crisp air, after it has just been raining<3

Jerry: this girl likes spring. I feel like she secretly likes to see the flowers and definitely likes warmer weather. Summer is also nice for her, but I feel like she isn't that big of a fan of sunshine. Cloudy, warm breeze<3

Hedwig: summer!!!!!!!!!! This girl will not stay in England once she becomes a real adult because she can't stand the weather!!!!! She loves to be by the pool, to wear summer dresses etc. Loves summer. Sunny, warm wind, extremely hot<3

And yours truly, I love all seasons, honestly. I think that autumn might be my favorite because of the atmosphere. I get all good book ideas in fall (example being the "story 1" of my private ones i showed a while ago lol) and I just love the look of the leaves and fog and such.

But my ABSOLUTE favorite weather is during the summer, when the sky is so unbelievably dark that there's a dark hue over the world, just before the rain starts. NOTHING gives me inspiration to write like that!!!

My favorite season to run is in winter because I don't sweat, it's dark early and the snow is fun to run in + everything is beautiful<333

[perryrata]

Welcome to Tumblr! I have watched your content a lot lately and I love your designs of the lifers! Etho's has to be my favourite!

What inspired you to design him the way you do along with the other Lifers?

I thank you for your support :D <3

And truthfully, I just saw other artists doing fox etho, so for a while I did red fox etho because idk?? But I decided eventually that the colors clashed too much so I caved and made him entirely furry arctic fox. And the same thing truly goes for the rest of em’ seeing stuff I like but doing it in a slightly different way that I find more enjoyable to create. (Everything I do is sporadic too- I don’t have a real ref sheet for any of them 😔)

[makedonsgriva]

Random, what are your top favorite fics that you've written (feel free how much that you want to list)? Why they're special to you? Is there a specific inspiration when you wrote them?

Oh this is a pretty cool ask!

I will list five here!

1. We Should Just Kiss (Like Real People Do)

I’m actually pretty proud of this fic because it’s the first one I wrote after a pretty long hiatus and I was very nervous about it because a) it was my first fic for a new fandom b) it has explicit sexual content and I wasn’t sure if could pull it off nicely c) writing calamity xie lian and wu ming was a task alright like this fic took me almost a month i guess?? and d) since it was something I’d written after so long I was nervous my writing would be crappy

But people liked it and even I was very satisfied and pleased with how it turned out in the end! I’m pretty proud of it. Idk how I was inspired to write this fic because I started on a draft of it in the notes app of my phone while I was commuting back to home after my internship (harrowing experience fr)

(Maybe the fic made me channel out all my frustrations caused by the internship via xie lian)

2. I Really Like Your Company

I love this fic because it’s the first multi chapter fic I completed and posted. Also because it was my lifeline fr while I was grappling with many things. I’d started it as a gift for one of my dear friends and then it just became so much more. It’s so warm and comforting.

I was throwing in tropes and all cute stuff I could imagine in it and it made me happy. Writing that fic, getting comments on it made me very happy. I love that fic.

3. Once More We Try

Okay I’m actually still working on this fic and as a matter of fact I was working on its latest chapter before this and I truly think this fic has quickly become one of my favourites because I love writing all the characters in it so much. There’s so much to explore and so much to write and it’s a challenge but such a good challenge!

Idk how I got the inspiration for the fic I was just scrolling through tumblr one day and I randomly got this thought that huh what if SY had died instead of throwing Binghe in the abyss? And then I posted that idea and.

IT BLEW UP?

so I thought whoa why wait for someone else to write it when I can write it so I got down to business and here we are! It’s super fun. I love this fic so much. It’s also my first fic for scum villain fandom and I’m so glad it’s been so well received ❤️

4. Song of The River City

Another TGCF fanfic! I’ve put it on hold for now as I’m planning to complete OMWT before I get back to it. I’m actually very proud of this AU where we have ghost king! Xie Lian who had died during the hundred sword scene and cultivator! Hua Cheng (who had dispersed his soul as Wu Ming and was re incarcerated as the cultivator). I’m planning to do great things with this AU and I also love writing a darker XL.

The inspiration for this fic was that I was just thinking about the hundred sword scene and I thought, huh what if that guy died here? So I got down to work.

I love this fic and writing all the characters in it and plotting out the backstories is very fun! Especially the latest chapter where I’d posted the fengqing backstory is one of my favourites. I’m proud of it.

5. I Remember It

So this is just 100 words long and I love this fic because I feel like I managed to break mine and all its readers hearts in so few words. I love writing drabbles because they are always a good challenge for me and this one is a particular favorite of mine. The inspiration for it was actually a fic idea that I later scrapped away. The fic was supposed to be from the pov of snowbaz’s kid and her experience with them as she got older and they aged too and yeah.. somehow it turned into that.

Thank you so much for the ask!

[toomuchracket]

bday party girlie and matty at the met gala! and charli and george too!

girls stun while the boys simp and cause mayhem

MAYHEM MENTIONED???? nah fr though i love thinking about this, especially if it's like the first Big event you and matty go to as a couple. i haven't yet moved on from that time matty was working with dior, so in my mind that's who you're both wearing, and god knows you analysed the essay/story they gave as theme inspiration within an inch of its life because "there is no way in HELL i am letting some tiktok twink call my dress off-theme. not a fucking chance" - matty is so fucking entertained by that, all ":D i love you so much" lol, and there's also no way in hell you're letting him turn up in a black suit, so that's that. anyway!! your outfits aren't matching, but they do correspond perfectly together, and actually you assume you'll barely get a wink of sleep the night before the met because you're so fucking excited to see your boyfriend all dressed up and hot, but he tires you out enough (wink wink) that you're both very well-rested. and matty's SO cute while you're getting ready - he's documenting it all on video like "an angel! glowing! most gorgeous woman in existence!", and you're like "baby please stop making me giggle my foundation will crease" (but actually you very much enjoy him just sitting shirtless and wet-haired and looking at you lovingly. you're only human, after all). he actually tears up when he sees you completely ready for the first time, which your MUA gets on video, and you really do feel like the prettiest girl in the world when he sniffles like "christ, you are SO beautiful. i love you. and i'm honoured to do that", bless him. and GOD, matty looks amazing, all curls and slut hoop and clean-shaven face and the colour of his shirt making his skin glow, so you have to take approximately eight million pics of and with him before you can leave. in terms of walking the carpet, you start alone and then go up the stairs and take pics together (matty's adamant he's helping you up the steps in your heels "just so you don't have a jason derulo moment, babe"), and it's testament to how truly happy matty is to be with you that he smiles for almost every pic you take together; there are a couple where you whisper "baby. i think we should be cunty" and it's both of you smizing/giving blue steel lmfao, but most are just big smiles for the camera and tender glances at each other where it is so blisteringly obvious that you're in love. they split up couples at the dinner section of the met, but it's still nice getting to meet people you think are cool at your table (zendaya! she likes your dress! she said she had your first book recommended to her and loved it!), and you sneak off to hang out with your boyfriend in the toilets (iconic, really) or the smoking area. and of course you run into charli and george - literally, the boys aren't looking where they're going and walk into each other and find it absolutely hilarious - and take some (illegal!) pics; once again, george is like "we really are punching above our weight with the girls, aren't we? look how good they look" to matty while you and charli force them to take pics of you together, and matty's literally like "yeah..." in a daze just looking at you lmfao. and if you think he's simping now, well, seeing you in your minidress for the afterparty is SO MUCH WORSE - he's jaw-on-the-floor like "must we go? i can't just keep you all to myself?", and you're like "we have to go, but i do actually plan on clinging to you on and off the dancefloor the whole night", and needless to say he's convinced lol. the events are so much fun, but your favourite bit is getting back to the hotel and ordering room service to eat in bed with the love of your life, before giggling in the shower with him while you wash each other's hair, and then falling asleep curled up safe in his arms. perfect <3

[kirain]

Hi! I love your metas and I had a question if you don't mind. I love Barcus but I'm a bit confused by the Ironhand gnomes and why they were so mad at the Gondians? Did I maybe miss something?

Omg, I'm so glad someone asked me this! Thank you, anon. I broached this exact subject with my friend a few days ago, and I'd already considered writing a post about it, so this was the kick I needed! Barcus is hands down my favourite NPC (perhaps of all time) and the gnome plight is easily my favourite side quest in the entire game, so I'm excited to share what I've learned!

To preface, I'd like to mention that most gnomes, according to D&D lore, live in clans and keep to themselves. This is especially true for deep gnomes, as the Underdark is an exceedingly dangerous homeland. Their people are often enslaved by drow or duergar, or eaten by other nefarious creatures that lurk in the shadows. As such, they have become a profoundly somber and cynical race, relying only on each other for survival. They're also extremely wary of strangers, as Barcus perfectly demonstrates when we first meet him.

Now, a history lesson. The Ironhand Gnomes, who at some point left the Underdark, worked in Baldur's Gate for generations, providing the city with the best mechanomagical inventions the populace had ever seen. Though they still kept to themselves and worked in isolation, they were well respected by the citizens, and flourished enough to inspire other gnomes to seek a new life in the city as well. This may not have been their goal, but whether they meant to or not, they brought gnomish innovation to the forefront of one of the most multicultural cities in all of Faerûn.

More importantly, the Ironhand Gnomes worshipped a lesser deity called Gaerdal Ironhand, who Wulbren's ancestor, Wolverforce Bongle, allegedly conversed with. Massive however, in all of my research, I haven't been able to find any evidence that he was truly capable of such a feat, nor is he ever referred to as a "Chosen" by either himself or anyone from his clan. Therefore, it's possible this is nothing more than an unsubstantiated claim made by zealots. A book called Ironhand Gnomes: Our Grievances can be found in the gnome hideout in Act 3, verifying some of this information, but it's glaringly biased against the Gondians, with radically religious and violent undertones.

But where did this hatred come from? Well, according to the book, the Ironhand Gnomes shared some of their expertise with other clans, and some of those clans took what they learned and opened their own workshops. The Gondians, who worship Gond, did particularly well, constructing their own factories and becoming quick competition. They even built a Gondian Church in the city, and attributed their success to Gond; god of craft, smithing, and inventiveness. For whatever reason, the Ironhands didn't appreciate this and accused the Gondians of stealing their methods and designs, as well as pointing out flaws in their "shoddy" craftsmanship.

However, Gondian work was relatively flawless, as well as artifice-based, meaning it relied on science and raw materials. The Ironhands specialised in mechanomagical inventions, meaning they imbued their engines with arcane influence. This put the Gondians and Ironhands at odds with each other, as Gond espoused artifice supremacy, whereas Gaerdal Ironhand, according to Wolverforce, accused Gond of being a thief. So yes, we've reached the crux of the issue—religious turmoil. Both gods, I should mention, are good-aligned and easily misinterpreted, so of course that adds another layer of complications.

In response to the Ironhand's accusations, the Gondians started slandering the Ironhand clan, losing them favour in the city. In other words, the feud quite literally became a he said/she said situation, with both clans acting like petty children. Whether or not the Ironhand Gnomes taught the Gondians a few tricks, they weren't owed credit for their inventions. That would be like my friend showing me how to use Adobe Animate, then demanding credit for all of my artwork thereafter ... and all while criticising it. And the Gondians, though attempting to protect their reputation, had no right to spread lies about the Ironhand clan, not all of whom participated in the drama. They could've let their work speak for itself.

But this war of finger-pointing dragged on, with both sides losing and gaining support from confused Baldurians. Eventually, the Ironhands became desperate to get the upperhand, rousing Wolverforce to experiment with the thought-to-be mythical runepowder. This led to what became known as the "Unfortunate Runepowder Incident", wherein the overweening Wolverforce caused a massive explosion, killing himself and countless others in the blast. Wulbren blames this tragedy on the Gondians alone, and many Ironhands seem to feel it was the root of their exile, but there's more to it.

In reality, the Ironhand Gnomes were banished from Baldur's Gate because they aligned themselves with Sarevok Anchev, the Bhaalspawn who tried to destroy the city in the first game. For some reason, Wulbren completely glosses over this detail, likely because he can't bring himself to admit the Ironhands are responsible for their own downfall. In fact, he brushes it off, as if it's some insignificant happenstance that deserves forgiveness without merit. After all, it happened over a century ago. Then, in Act 3, he says a painfully backwards line about how he thinks the Gondians would've joined Sarevok, if given the chance. But they did have a chance, and they didn't join him. The Ironhands did. As far as I'm concerned, this highlights Wulbren's extensive denial.

Which brings me around to Barcus and why he's such an endearing character. He doesn't care about ancient feuds or gnome supremacy. He made a name for himself, despite his clan's reputation. The Gondians never saw him as an enemy, and he in turn saw the value in their work. He prefers diplomacy and open dialogue, and he abhors violence to the highest degree. With a little hard work, he proved that the Ironhand Gnomes could've redeemed themselves without resorting to such extreme and radical measures; which is why I will always argue for him to take leadership. He's the best. He's everything. He is the shining future of unity and creation.

[remedyturtles]

I just finished reading chapter 40. I want to share the experience with you.

When I read Leo taking Donnie into his mind scape, letting him in for the first time to truly see the horror of his own thoughts, I was in the car, the sound of tires distant compared to the water droplets pouring over the metallic roof. Thunder louder than I’ve heard pounding in my ears and vibrating within my body after each bright flash of crackling light. While I read of Leo’s mind scape and of the storm raging inside his head, I heard the storm around me. As the ice cold room was described I felt the cold AC. Then, once I had finished, I looked up. I turned my eyes to the window and processed the chapter I had just read, I saw the charcoal gray clouds retreat and the light begin to seep back into the sky. The rain still poured all around, above was still gray, thunder was still sounding, lighting was still flashing, and yet the light began to shine.

I couldn’t help but think of the chapter. The situation is still awful, it’s still dark, and damp, but you can see the light began to shine; the hope of recovery distant, but still present, still growing closer, and shining brighter through the storm.

Well that’s enough of that! Onto my unintelligible screaming in awe of the incredible chapter.

FIREFIGHT IS SO GOOD. YOU PORTAY EMOTION SO WELL. AKDJNDSCIJNCSDKJNCKJSDNCKSKDNCSD IM NOT OKAY THESE CHAPTERS ARE FANTASTIC. YOU ARE A HUGE INSPIRATION TO ME AND MY WRITING. YOU DESCRIPTIONS ARE SO ENGAGING. YOUR DIALOG IS SO REAL. THE EMOTION IS SO PRESENT. JUST EVERYTHING IS SO GOOD. KSDVNSCJOCNSDOCKNCSDLKCNSCOKNCSDKJCNEFIJNVIJFSJNFSV

LEOPLEASEALLOWYOURFAMILYTOLOVEYOU!!!!!!!!

one of my FAVOURITE things is when people tell me what was going on while they were reading my fics, and this is definitely one of the best ones. WOW!!!! i love that so so much :D

[bellamby]

I saw Transformers One. I am so normal about it (SPOILERS AHEAD)

(Some OC doodles to hide the spoilers! If you have a cool name for her, lemme know ^^)

Honest Review: 9/10

I went in with high expectations and I was not disappointed. The best summary I can think of is that this movie is truly a love letter to the fans.

I could rant for days, but I'm gonna break it down into sections so I don't talk myself in circles ^^

Story:

The story focusing on how the war began was such a good move on the writers' part! It showed a version of Cybertron that I haven't really seen in other Transformers films, and the setting was incredibly explored.

When it comes to the origins of Cybertron and the whole "Primus/Unicron" battle, I think it was well explained considering the limited time they have in the movie.

Overall, a well-paced and actually interesting NON-HUMAN-FOCUSED story, but I will agree with others that I just wish the movie had more time to explain some things. That's basically my only complaint: the movie wasn't long enough 😭

Art:

The animation style is gorgeous, and really takes inspiration from that Retro/VHS style and colours and merges them with a shiny modern look. It took a good chunk of inspiration from the 80s vibes and I think that really showed how much care was put into it.

When it comes to the designs, I freaking LOVE the way we see them level up throughout the movie!

Characters:

Orion Pax/OP = I loved him. I will love him in every continuity, but this one especially, showing him with all his flaws and then how he rises above them for what he believes. His relationship with D-16 was so well built up, and to see it torn down so harshly as the movie went on was the level of brutal I was expecting.

The scene where he finally gets the Matrix of Leadership was SO well done. My hype for Solus Prime will never die.

D-16 = He needs a hug so badly. He's the classic tale of "Never meet your heroes". To see him shift from "I made peace with my misery, why did you have to ruin it?" To "I'm going to destroy the people who made me this way" was such a painful thing to watch. But I can't even be mad because this is literally what Megatron's whole story is about.

His origin will almost always come from a point of seeing injustice and wanting to rise against it, and they showed the lengths he'd go to really well here.

Elita One = MY QUEEN. I will follow this woman into battle any day of the week (and so would Shockwave). I feel like there was a point where she was mainly just regarded as "Orion/Optimus' GF", but they really separated her from that stereotype in this. She's not just "pink Orion Pax", she's a character in her own right.

Seeing Orion have to earn her respect helped show just why the two hold each other in high regard. I hope we get to see more of her as a Commander in the sequel!

BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE = MY PRECIOUS BOY. Okay, there was a point in the trailer where I was really worried he was going to just be the comic relief character who makes a joke every time something serious is happening, but instead he's an awkward bot who means well. He doesn't always get it right, but he also doesn't actively mess things up for the group.

Bumblebee's wholesomeness was so well captured especially the part where he's like "Orion Orion! Watch me cut these guys in half!" While the guys in question are literally running away in fear. He's so cute, I can't. I am going to fight D-16 if he's actually the one who tears out his voicebox, I swear to Primus.

Can you tell who my favourite is? ^^

Favourite details:

- Starscream's high-pitched voice origin. The second he started sounding like that I was like "OHHHHH, MEGS DID THAT?!?!"

- "I'm...speechless" BEEEEE STAAAAWWP

- Alpha Trion's "ROAR" era.

- Sentinel's Death. I love that we can get away with gore in PG films when it comes to robots. Man literally got snapped in half like a KitKat, and the age rating people were like "...yeah, 5-year-olds can watch this"

- Origins of the Decepticon symbol being from Megatronus. Before, I just headcanonned Megs sitting over a desk with several balled up bits of paper trying to come up with a super cool symbol to show his Ex that he'd moved on (he hasn't)

- Chromia's little moment of rage when she won the Iacon 5000. Not enough people talk about Chromia, but I love how Ironhide matches her wild, slightly-unhinged energy.

Conclusion: Hasbro, more movie, please

I NEED to know where this goes. This movie is such a fresh change of pace from all the hesitation and back and forth in recent years. There have been so many different series and continuities starting up that it seems Hasbro is unsure of which one will stick, but this is my plea to them:

YOU HAVE STRUCK ENERGON, HERE, DO NOT WASTE IT

We're getting a sequel either way, but it's up to Hasbro whether that's written by them or by a hero on AO3 or Fanfiction.net

Thank you for coming to my TED talk. I have several nights of crying to do now.

[wickedwanchii]

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY !!

You already know I had to do something for these two dingbats (affectionate). Anyways, a friend of mine suggested a plane museum date and I couldn't not do it.

Nerd stuff below the cut --

So fun fact- the background was inspired by my personal favourite aviation museum, the Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington, USA. In their WWII section, there are two planes facing each other: a Yakovlev-9U (Soviet) and a Republic P-47-D (American). Me, being the brain-rotted plane nerd I am, I wanted to draw something AmeRus related for Valentine's Day as an excuse to draw some planes.

The markings of the planes in the drawing aren't exact to the two planes you can see IRL, but the inspiration for the depicted versions are the restored Yak-9U Construction Number 0815346 and P-47 Serial Number 42-8205.

The Yak-9U is painted in the markings of Russian WWII ace, Gen Maesky, however this specific plane was restored in 1992 with no service history available prior to that. Restoration was completed in 1994, and the project used the original engine and propeller with the rest of the parts likely sourced from the Yak-9P or other miscellaneous manufacturing.

The P-47 has more documentation regarding its history since it was in active use up to the 70's and in the hands of a collector/restoration team after that. It was constructed in 1942 as a P-47D-2-RE and used by the USAAF under the SN 42-8205. Sometime around 1949, this plane was provided to the Bolivian Air Force under SN 007. It remained in service with the Fuerza Aerea Boliviana until 1976 when it was brought back to the US to be restored. In 1991, the "Big Stud 88" markings were applied, and it was finished in the marking style of Colonel Robert Baselers of the 325th Fighter Group, who were famous for their checkered tail paint scheme.

This is not the original Big Stud as flown by Col. Robert Baseler, it was just decorated with it's markings.

Anyways, here is a pic taken by yours truly of the IRL planes !!

[merakiui]

Omg Cupid Parasite!! That's one of my favourite otome games because of how funny and unhinged it can be. If you do get around to playing it please tell us about your experience as much as possible(lol).

I love, love your writing Mera!! I am lowkey obsessed with your blog and the way you manage to come up with so many ideas and execute them so nicely. I'm very curious to know how what your journey was to becoming a writer. What pieces of fiction inspired you to start writing? Do you have any favourite novels? Also, do you think you'd ever want to publish your own novels someday? If so, what genre would you most want to delve into? Hope I'm not bombarding you with questions😭😭

You can count on it, anon!!! (˵ •̀ ᴗ - ˵ ) ✧ I will gladly share the full experience once I buy and play through it. >w< Meraki Game Review!!!!!

AAAAA thank youuuuUUUU!!!! T^T <3 I'm so happy you enjoy my writing and blog!!!!!!! Also,,, thank you for being curious about my writing journey!! :D you're not bombarding me with questions at all!! I love to ramble about writing hehe.

✧ what pieces of fiction inspired you to start writing?

A lot of fantasy and adventure novels! I used to read those genres obsessively when I was little. The first story I ever wrote was an adventure plot for a school assignment. It was 17 pages and even illustrated by yours truly lol. The page limit was 1-2, but eight-year-old Meraki couldn't tell a story in such short page length! I remember I used a piano bench as my table and I didn't stop writing and drawing until I was finished. I would snack on cucumber slices during the process. Even though it's such a random memory, I cherish it dearly because it was the first time I realized I was genuinely passionate about storytelling.

Anime/manga was also another big inspiration! In my early teenage years, I loved shows like Assassination Classroom, Black Butler, Watamote, Owari no Seraph, Pandora Hearts, Danganronpa, HETALIA. Omg,,,, what an era that was.........

Reading yan oc stories also inspired me to write yandere fics!! Before writing yan fandom, I wrote a lot of yandere ocs. They are my most beloveds. I adore my ocs. ( ᴗ͈ˬᴗ͈)ഒ

✧ do you have any favorite novels?

I do! I love the Red Eye series. It's a collection of various horror novels. I read them a lot in my early teenage years. They're all wonderfully written. So much atmosphere in each one! I really enjoy YA literature, especially YA horror. There are plenty of other novels (lots of horror classics), but I can't seem to recall all of them at the moment. ;;;; orz too many to keep up with...

✧ do you think you'd ever want to publish novels someday?

YES. OTL it's been my dream ever since I was little. I've always wanted to publish a novel.

✧ what genre would you delve into?

Definitely horror/thriller! I'd also like to write a fantasy/adventure series. I have plenty of novel plots/concepts and wips, so there is definitely plenty of material to work with.

[joecamberwell]

Why am I making The Secret of Madame Legerdemain?

Here's the story behind the story. For the last three years I've been playing and streaming D&D online with some truly awesome and talented people.

A slot came up for me to run a session and I pitched them this idea: come up characters who are so desperate for an impossible favour that they will risk almost certain death to retrieve a mysterious box.

Here are us goofs playing it:

My players knocked it out of the park with their backstories and motivations. Intrigue, honour, tragedy, double crossing, a cursed ancestor, and a searing love story.

I've always loved interactive fiction (the Sorcery series is a personal favourite) and the success of Baldur's Gate 3 got me thinking "huh, interactive fiction and D&D". And "if my made my own D&D game, what would the origin characters be?" So of course this story popped right back into my head, and I had to tell it.

So that's the journey I'm on: making an interactive novel that's really a love letter to some incredible characters made by my friends and to the worldbuilding we did together.

The idea is that the finished game will have three or four wildly different endings for each character - including the ones that actually happened, and some fascinating ones that didn't!

Want to see what I've done so far? You can play the public preview here:

[hags-lair-zine]

MEET ZINE ARTIST: PICKLE

Meet @picklelee!

● Follow Pickle on TWITTER

● Follow Pickle on BSKY

« I got Baldur’s Gate 3 in early access and I knew from the moment I played it that it was going to become a big part of my life. I’ve always been into the western high fantasy genre, whether it be in video games or other media. I’ve played Dungeons and Dragon for over half of my life now, and majority of my favourite video games of all time have been ones inspired by D&D. That being said, the sheer magnitude of open choice that BG3 offers is truly a work of art. It inspired me so much with its characters, world building, and story, and has helped me find a wonderful community of people, as well encouraged me to find art enjoyable again after a long break. »

Join Hag's Lair: Discord server dedicated to Baldur's Gate villains

[morelikeravenbore]

✨🎶 Have yourself a merry little Christmas, Let your heart be light... 🎶✨

*POP!*

Good morning, Miss Aura! Ummmm… where does Snowflake even begin… Oh, nice song, by the way!

So, there was... a tiny fire? In the library tonight? Honestly, Snowflake is very much relieved not to be on library duty this morning! They say it's such a disaster! Madam Scribner is crying. No school books were damaged, though, just some desks...

Anyway! Before all that strange and unexpected chaos, Snowflake might have sneaked out a part of Good Boy—to avoid getting caught with the whole book, of course. The section was called… something Indifference. *blushes* Can you believe it, Snowflake managed to read just one page! Before the rest was confiscated by... oh, right, Snowflake can’t say. But that someone was so very rude!

And, well... *blushes more* from just that one page, Snowflake is... constantly red now. So odd. Actually, that's why the S.P.E.W. activists asked Snowflake to inform Miss Aura that you’re... ummmm... officially funding Snowflake’s therapy now.

✨🎶Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock, Jingle bells chime in jingle bell time...🎶✨

Anyway! That section of your book has become so popular around here. Snowflake keeps overhearing people saying just how much they want to read more like this by Miss Aura. Like, more. And more. And constantly! Snowflake completely understands their excitement, but oh dear, such pressure!

That’s why Snowflake is here today to remind Miss Aura (even though Snowflake is sure you know this perfectly, but)—you write whatever inspires you! Whenever you want! And take a breather whenever you need! And truly enjoy your time!

To help Miss Aura always remember this, Snowflake brought her this ✨⏳ iTime-Turner Pro Max! It’s… rather unusual one, and it's bit broken, so no time travel (don’t even try, Miss Aura, please), but it’s enchanted to remind you twice a day that all your creations are worth waiting for. And your audience (including Snowflake, yes!) loves everything you create! Well, the iTime-Turner Pro Max might be saying a bit more apart from that, but…

Oh, no! Snowflake is running late! Anyway, have a good day, Miss Aura!

*POP!—off to the therapy session*

S.P.E.W. thanks you for just making a 50-Galleon donation to Snowflake’s mental health fund. <3 And in case you were going to ask what's the year now—don't :D

oh my god I traumatised the elf

I'm sitting on the floor of the library (since all the desks are... um, missing) calculating how much of my income I'm going to have to put towards elf therapy when a sudden commotion drowns out of sound of Madam Scribner's sobs.

Expecting to see the usual freckled chaos gremlin that haunts my every waking moment, I'm surprised to see its someone else for once. With dark swoopy hair, a long sleeve shirt under a band tee and extremely baggy pants, the stranger cruises through the library on a skateboard before coming to a screeching halt before me.

"I've just been to Hot Topic," says he, piffing a black Kohl eyeliner and matching nail polish at my face. "I got you these, I know they're your favourite."

It's only when he swoops back his long fringe that I realise who it is.

My mouth drops open.

"Sebastian????"

"What?" he frowns. "Smudgey eyeliner and black nails, that's your thing right?"

Nothing about this sentence makes any sense to me. I shake my head, confused.

"Why are you dressed like that?" I ask.

He looks down at his Good Charlotte shirt, ripped jeans and black converse. "Like what?"

"Like you're straight out of —" Then it hits me like a whoa-oh middle-eight in a pop-punk song. Horrified, all the air squeezes from my lungs like I'm wearing the skinniest pair of skinny jeans ever made. I look down: I am wearing the skinniest pair of skinny jeans ever made.

No—!

Sebastian is talking, but I can't process his words.

"What?" I ask.

"I don't know," he tells me.

I grasp the i-Time-Turner Pro Max in my fist. How could this be? I was so careful —!

"Sebastian!" I try to stand but my pants are too tight. "Sebastian, what year is it? TELL ME!"

"Rawr ur so rAnDoM" he laughs.

Oh, god, no.

I grab Sebastian's hand and turn the faulty i-Time-Turner Pro Max three times over, hoping it brings us back to... um, whichever obscure time period I'm supposed to be writing this from.

The sound of Scribner crying is the last thing I hear...

[entamewitchlulu]

For the Yugioh character ask meme, I'm giving you autismn personified aka Akaba Reiji

Why I like them/why I don’t

I just. Where do i start.

he's just. he's so. -clenches fist- he's so compelling. i love that he's so good at putting on a facade that even the viewers think he should have been a villain. he does his absolute best to act like one at the beginning, because maybe it's easier that way for him, if the others view him as an antagonist. he can work with antagonism. he's been doing it for years, probably, as a child attempting to gain dominance in a world of adults who looked down on him and dismissed him.

And yet despite this facade. he's so good??? he's so purely straightforward. at his core he is a Hero with a capital H, but he doesn't believe he is. He's just doing What He's Supposed To Do, after all. he considers all of his decisions as sacrifices for a greater good, and he doesn't expect anyone to like him or agree with him. He'll be the Bad Guy making the Hard Decisions if he has to be.

And YET!!! beneath all of that he is just a child. he is just a kid, who wants to fix things. who wants to protect people. who strides straight forward and just has the pretense of being a mastermind when he's really just winging it.

He's so intelligent but he's not and never has been a puppetmaster type character because he acknowledges the fact that plans fall apart. he puts on the act of being a master planner, but he's actually a master adapter. He's so good at being a chameleon of what people want to see him as until it's time to get to work and show that he was just holding back the whole time.

i JUST. i could talk about him for hours. He's so good. He's so complicated and yet so straightforward. he needs a hug. he needs a decent adult in his life so he can take a nap.

What I like about their appearance

he's genuinely so handsome??? my Character Type i'm weak for is someone with white/silver hair and either violet or red eyes and he checks ALL the boxes.

like look at him. he's so handsome.

Do I prefer their dub names or original names?

SUB SUB SUB SUB SUB SUB SUB my GOD every time i see the name declan for him i wanna shrivel up. i understand WHY they did it, to match his D/D/Ds, but 1) it completely ruins the Rei theming and 2) any time i see the name Declan all i can fucking think about is the wedding shaming post about the lady who was going to go backpacking in the mountains after no one would give her 1000$ a piece to have her destination wedding and her kid was named declan

i kid you not i have considered downloading a word replacement extension specifically to replace all mentions of his dub name with his real name.

OTP

do i even gotta say it

I'm so soft for them all the time. i love that yuya was the first person to distract Reiji from his plans, and he was like "well obviously it's because i need his power to take down my dad" but then he started having image battles with yuya involuntarily and i was just like oh you're kind of like. he's doing things to you isn't he.

I love how their relationship develops from pure antagonism to Yuya starting to realize just how much of Reiji is a facade and then choosing to trust him unconditionally despite what others say about him, even though before he hated Reiji so much he wanted to punch him! And they become a total battle couple by the end??? they may not be traditional rivals in a yugioh sense, but they truly do push and inspire each other to push beyond their limits and see beyond their originally more narrow viewpoints, and it's so beautiful.

NOTP

I really just don't like anything where reiji is in a relationship with a woman. i'm sorry he's just gay to me. the only exception is yuzu and that's only when yuya is there too.

OT3

As stated above, i do enjoy orchestrashipping now and then. to be honest though, reiji is one of those few characters i ship pretty monogamously.

Favourite card they use

to be completely honest his deck doesn't really do it for me; i'm not a huge fan of the more mechanical designs. if i have to pick though i love how iconic his main three kings are

Also, gotta give a shoutout to how much i think about his contract cards and how his entire deck is built around the concept of broken promises. i promise you i'm normal about this (lying).

Favourite moment they were in

well.

but NO in actuality it has to be his duel against Roget. i love that they were built up all season as like one-to-one rivals, in that Roget was totally focused on him and taking him down, considering him a rival chessmaster, only for when the duel happened for Reiji to completely wipe the floor with him and prove that there was never a contest to begin with.

Least favourite moment

none. any moment he is in i love <333

Would I fuck, marry or kill them

become him

i guess i'd marry him if i have to pick one. he's rich so that would be nice.

thank you for the ask :)