#Neath Dark Waters

[nekohooch]

From the same brain hyperfixation as the Azem Summoning Circle Gown I bring you my latest nonsense!

I went to Chicago for the Distant Worlds Symphony concert and finally got pictures of my Halloween costume from last year!!

I’m Amaurot.

I spent an IMMENSE amount of time on this and it turned out gorgeously. I only had 1 ½ yards of the top fabric in my remnants and I had to do some serious finagling to get it to all fit in that width.

This was my final idea. For some reason it took forever for the dress to do what my brain wanted but I finally finagled it into shape. I didn’t bring the original crown to Chicago because it’s HUGE but it is wonderfully ornate and beautiful

The cityscape was honestly the easiest part (if not the most tedious). My scarf was my template and I traced over it onto a sheer fabric. Then I transferred that to some black Heat and Bond and I attached it to black chiffon and then cut out the city and finally ironed it onto the fashion fabric.

So. Many. Windows.

I then attached copious rhinestones and the beautiful squiggley trim that looks like the spires.

Honestly I would still bedazzle the fuck out of this but I’m gonna take a small break to work on my Titania cosplay.

So glad I got to bring another creation to life!!

[colddsnap]

They feel both less complete and more complete than I could ever hope to be.

[travanchet-fandaniel]

On repeat for my workday!

[akirakirxaa]

Neath Dark Waters but it's the tumblr frogs instrument.

[jigschosai]

The one in the Amaurot area is my favorite, but for reasons that have nothing to do with FFXIV. I've done a lot of business travel over the years, lots of early mornings in airports before anything is open, and some late nights after everything is closed. I've stood at hotel room windows looking out over a sleeping city because my biological clock is screaming at me to be awake. The theme in that nearly empty city reminds me of those times, and how in some ways I really treasure them. If there was a song to describe business travel to someone who hasn't done it, that's what I'd play.

I HAVE A POLL FOR YOU

[harbingersecho]

neath dark waters

[yamisnuffles]

okay one more because you got me going and i'm crying over him anyway: 2, 8, and 14 for hythlodaeus.

2. Favorite canon thing about this character?

That he's perfect in every way. Kidding... or am I? I do actually legitimately love that he's beautiful, kind, clever, and thoughtful BUT he still doesn't feel like it's enough. He's got these two friends/lovers who shine so brightly that he feels dim in comparison. Yes, his soul sight is sharper than Hades' but what does it matter when he can't control aether nearly so well? He's the head of a very important Bureau and was put forward to join the Convocation and still he feels like he's nothing. He's nobody. Not compared to Emet-Selch and Azem. And I don't think they actively did anything to make him feel that way (see how Emet pushes him before Ktisis, immediately calling crap on Hyth saying he's useless) but I think it's just hard when they're both so amazing. He can't help but compare. That's heartbreaking and relatable. Even the most beautiful man alive is a walking imposter syndrome.

8. What’s something the fandom does when it comes to this character that you despise?

Hmm, Hyth is pretty well beloved and treated fairly well. I think sometimes people can be a bit dismissive of him as just a pretty face just because he's so dismissive of himself. I also think people sometimes underestimate the amount that he supports Emet. Yes, he's genuinely a very good person but he loves Emet beyond the bounds of death. In Amaurot, he's very aware of who you are and why you're there. While he certainly loved Azem, the only "help" he gives you is a better understanding of yourself and a plea to understand who Emet-Selch is before you fight him. And I'm not just talking about the shade!Hyth who was created by Emet and thus is probably a bit more biased toward him. When you see him- the REAL him- on the moon, he acts the same way. He chooses to believe in you both because of your soul and because you bear Emet's legacy and approval.

14. Assign a fashion aesthetic to this character.

Oh man, I'm not good at naming actual aesthetics lol but to me, Hyth would be very comfy casual. I think he totally could and would pull of some more high fashion looks (if he had access to more than robes lmao) but he strikes me as one of those people who would rock a really chic, casual look. He'd be lounging in leggings and an oversized sweater or something and look amazing. Plus, it would be good for skipping out on work and hanging with his besties.

[shivapvoid]

i love not processing my emotions immediately after the fact bc it means im still losing my shit over shadowbringers and endwalker

[lululeighsworld]

finished shadowbringers a year ago today and went back to watch some of my fave cutscenes now that the graphics are updated :'''''''') i don't think a day has gone by since last year where i HAVEN'T thought about these two in some way shape or form!!

[motheatenscarf]

finally dedicated time tonight to pull my favorite tracks from ffxiv out of my likes and into their own playlist

figured it'd clock in generously at maybe 2 hours for when i need to put something on shuffle while i'm writing

and

uhhh

i was not... generous enough...

[jpegcompressor]

past 11 pm is tomorrow and tomorrow hours. nobody fucking talking to me

[astrxealis]

ffxiv ancients you are so insane

[ferrret]

i think shadowbringers might be my favorite ffxiv expansion

[noxtivagus]

i love love ffxiv sm fr (to the edge)

[akirakirxaa]

14. Rubbing your partner's back until they fall asleep

Slams hand down on the WoL x Emet button

This is a continuation drabble based on my fic Unwound because now I have the brainworms. The fic can be found here. More info in the tags.

Akira lay on her stomach, face pressed into her pillow as if trying to hide from the decision she had made with full faculties, with no drink to blame. She could hear the voices of everyone she cared about asking her what was she thinking? And yet, she didn't want to take it back. She just more wished the situation was different. That she wasn't who she was and he wasn't who he was.

"A bit late for second thoughts don't you think, Hero?" Emet-Selch's hand ran up and down her back, fingers lightly tracing along each obsidian scale. If she could just get rid of this guilt, it would probably lull her to sleep. She lifted one arm and pressed her index finger over his mouth, still not looking up.

"Stop talking," she grumbled into her pillow, and she felt him pull away from her.

"Well, if you want me to go-" Her hand snapped to his wrist without her full permission, as if now that she'd admitted to herself that she wanted him she was going to keep him right where she wanted him. He resumed his ministrations with a small huff of laughter, so quiet she almost missed it.

"I'm getting mixed signals, Hero."

"So am I." The noise he made was louder this time, a scoff of protest.

"I have been very clear-"

"Not from you." He was quiet for several moments and she sighed, knowing he was waiting for her to explain. Even though she knew he knew. He had to know, right? She pointed at her still hidden face as her explanation.

"Ah. You're still not sure what it is you want." She could hear the smirk in his voice.

"No. Just not sure I should want it." Akira curled her arms under the pillow, the soft material giving under her horns. She could feel some threads catching but she'd long since gotten past feeling bad over every pillow her horns ruined. He gave a long suffering sigh and, before she could protest, hauled her by arm and leg over him until she draped across his torso, her head nestled into the crook between his neck and shoulder. The tip of one horn was not even an ilm from his throat, but if it bothered him he didn't show it.

"What're you doing?" she asked cautiously, still tense at the sudden movement.

"You don't want me to leave, so I was planning on getting some sleep if you don't mind," the words sounded irritated, but his hand had resumed its gentle rubbing of her back, not put off in the least by the body she still regarded at times as strange and unfamiliar. She wondered if he was trying to lull her into a false sense of security. As if he could read her mind, he let out another sigh.

"I'm not going to kill you in the night," he insisted. "I said I wanted cooperation and I meant it."

"Somehow I don't think this is what you originally meant."

"Besides," he continued, as if he didn't hear her. "You deserve to know when your death is coming for you." Akira was quiet for several long moments. What a strange compliment, but it did feel like one. Still uncertain, she leaned on her Echo senses. They were never wrong, and while in the midst of battle she might miss their signs, when it was quiet and she was still, she could hear them clearly.

Nothing. No looming danger. He was telling the truth. She was still loath to sleep while someone she knew for a fact would prefer her dead or at least gone was still in her bed, but asking him to leave felt even worse. She swallowed hard, then tried to relax, finding it somehow far too easy now that she'd established even with her preternatural danger senses that she was safe.

"Emet-Selch?"

"Hm?"

"Goodnight," she mumbled quietly, feeling her face heat just slightly as she adjusted just a little, just enough to assure herself she wasn't going to accidentally stab him with her horn in the night.

"Sweet dreams, Hero," he replied, and she could hear the slight smile in his voice, the softness that crept in occasionally when his guard fell ever so slightly.

Akira closed her eyes, letting her lose herself in the small circles he was now rubbing into her back, and as she was drifting off she could hear him humming something. It was just this side of familiar, like something she'd heard long ago, something she'd forgotten. But she was too far gone now.

Sleep claimed her, dragging her under to gentle touches and quiet songs sung by her enemy.

[failbettergames]

You dream of rain. You dream that the ink that is your flesh is running off the page, smeared into dark rivulets on the vellum. When you wake, you can still feel a stiffness in your back; as if your spine is being held tautly by yarn.

In the dark of the cabin, your mind enumerates sensations as your eyes adjust: The sway of the gondola. The vibration from the engine in the starboard nacelle above you, rattling slightly – still no replacement for the broken fuel intake.

The noise of water rapping against a porthole window.

Hello, delicious friends. It appears that time, very disrespectfully, has chosen to march on until it is very nearly April. The time has come to talk about our major future plans for Fallen London.

A new major storyline

Firmament is Fallen London’s next major expansion, a main story arc that adds on to the game’s ongoing progression. Acquire an airship – permanently, this time. Fly to the Roof. Explore the stalactite fields ruled by the Starved Men, the carved paths of the Moon-MIsers, the inverted jungles of the Antipelago, and more.

This expansion focuses on the Roof. Just like the unterzee gets stranger and darker as you zail away from familiar shores, so do the upper airs of the Neath contain more than what you know about. As these castles on the ceiling open to you, you will learn more.

Firmament will launch over the course of April, with a prologue becoming available on April 11th, and the full first chapter on April 18th.

While Firmament is in some ways a follow-up to the Railway storyline, we are aware of how long it takes to get to the very end of the game’s (current) highest-level story. When Firmament launches, you will be able to start it as long as you have already begun the Railway storyline and reached Ealing. While you will need to advance your railway further to access the latter parts of Firmament, there should be ample time to catch up on the Railway in between Firmament chapters.

New mechanics

The Railway arc added new advanced skills. During the Zeefarer cycle we added revamped Zee travel and the new Boon/Burden mechanic. This set of updates comes with its own mechanical expansions to the game.

New item slots

Airships make their return as full-fledged items. Much like zeefaring ships, they serve you mostly in air travel – Aerial Prowess and Aerial Armament also make their return. But we’re also adding a few other item slots, while we’re at it.

Adornment includes all manner of jewellery and accessories – rings, necklaces, earrings, neckties, brooches, and more. Previously, items in this vein would appear in slots like Gloves or Clothing, leading to the somewhat odd mental image of wearing your Pendant of Helicon Amber and nothing else. With this update, these items gain their own space, enabling more player expression and empowering players to reach slightly higher stats.

Several existing items will be shifted to the Adornment slot, slightly buffing them by allowing them to stack with other existing items. Adornment is intended to be a part of the game from relatively early on – around the later parts of Making Your Name. A new Bazaar store, selling Adornments, will be added in a future update.

Crew is a complement to both ships and airships. We’ve long wanted to give ship crews (distinct from the vessels themselves) a bit more personality. Are they experienced or green? Are they Admiralty men through and through, or a band of privateers and villains? These kinds of concepts never really fit the Companion or Affiliation slots, so we are creating a purposeful slot for them.

Crews will be made available in a future update, initially accessible to players who have a ship.

Luggage may seem like a slightly odd addition, but so much of Fallen London, and Victorian fiction in general, is about travel and the mystique of travel. A battered steamer trunk that’s been everywhere. A briefcase full of secrets. Phileas Fogg’s carpetbag. Luggage is intended as a midgame slot. In a future update, you will be able to assemble some initial Luggage items in the Bazaar Side-Streets.

New Skills

We are conscious of not adding too much complexity to the game, especially not all at once. Firmament doesn’t add a full suite of new skills, like the Railway. It adds one new skill, and two new qualities of a somewhat skill-like nature.

Chthonosophy, the study of the root of things, has already been teased – but you’ve not really been able to obtain it, thus far. It is the major new skill for Firmament, playing a role similar to the role Zeefaring had in Evolution.

Inerrant and Insubstantial join Neathproofed as its two other counterparts. Like Neathproofed, these will appear more as additive benefits; they help your checks with other skills, more so than being checked in themselves. They exist to add a little extra, to help differentiate otherwise-similar items, and to act as an occasional bonus. As part of Firmament, we are pushing to make more use of Neathproofed, and carve out that space for its new counterparts, also.

Roof Travel

I won’t go into too many details about Roof travel, other than to set expectations. Yes, there is a new map. No, Roof travel is not quite a fully-fledged activity like zailing is.

We aimed it at a sort of middle ground between Railway travel (which is convenient and fairly predictable) and Zee travel (which is a whole venture unto itself.) Traveling from point to point on the Roof mostly takes one action; very occasionally, two. But it is drastically more variable than rail travel. There’s a broad variety of different things you can encounter in the upper airs of the Neath. And as you progress this storyline, you will encounter stranger things as you travel through the air.

And other delights…

Of course, we have other things planned for the rest of 2024. Our usual festivals will run as usual. A new Estival. Monthly Exceptional Stories. Various other surprises, including a series of more grounded new stories set in London. But we’ll talk about these things in detail sometime after Whitsun, which should take place, as usual, in May.