#SCREENSHOTS OF ALLI WILL BE INCOMING

[azuries]

SEES RYOJI MASTERPOST i hope you guys enjoy reading through it! i was heavily inspired by all the amazing art and content ive seen of the concept that i wanted to explore it too!

ART:

Moonlight Trio

Yukari and Ryoji going shopping (SEES!Ryoji winter clothes variations)

Ryoji accidentally hitting MC with his scythe

SEES!Ryoji sketch dump

SEES!Ryoji Theurgy splash

SEES!Ryoji Theurgy Storyboard

Ryomina in Tartarus

Ryomina in Tartarus P2

Ryomina in Tartarus P3

SEES!Ryomina Illustration

Cooking with Yukari

SEES!Ryoji Sprite edit

SEES!Ryoji fanmade P3RE screenshots

Ryomina SEES!Ryoji animatic

feral SEES!Ryoji

Clumsy SEES!Ryoji

Charmed Ryoji

All Out Attack Splash

SEES!Ryoji Cut In Splash

Comic

Ryoji learns about evokers

More SEES Ryoji sketches

Ryoji killing the Reaper

Twitter post  

After Ryoji finds his resolve through the Hero, he offers to join his team. He gives him a choice to go through a better, yet harder way to get through Tartarus, a way only he can access. It features new bosses, content, and a new spin of the final fight with Strega.

Contains: Art, battle stats, Theurgy, combat dialogue, Tartarus dialogue and banter, and more!

Full post under the cut:

—-

This AU explores the idea that instead of Ryoji leaving for the last  month, he offers to join the team as a temporary team member to lend his power to help SEES reach the remaining floors of Tartarus before he merges with Nyx. More events happen that prolong the time you spend together. 

Ingame, it’s treated like a bonus mission and an addition to get to know Ryoji better during the aftermath of November. 

As a new addition to the team, he’ll join SEES in the dorm and have his own version of FTEs with plant tending, movie watching, book reading and cooking. He’ll have interactions with other party members. 

The player will also get to know more on his personal feelings as the Appriser. Through conversing with Ryoji, you learn in depth about Tartarus, and the player gets to see a more subdued side of him as he tries to come to terms with his identity. 

He uses an evoker to trigger his form as Thanatos instead of using it to summon a Persona.

The player can choose to go through this route, or play the game like how it was originally set. The ending remains the same.

Party Stats:

Level: Scaleable, 2 levels higher 

Element: Dark and Almighty

Weakness: None, reflects pierce damage 

Combat style: Prioritizes debuffing, tank 

Theurgy - Death’s Call: Deals massive almighty damage to all foes. Fears both enemies and allies. 

Theurgy condition: When Ryoji sees his friends suffer a lethal blow, he feels determined to take vengeance.

Theurgy Personality bonus:

Chance to grant Arcana Burst even without completing your Major Arcana stack.

+ More damage to weak foes. 

Intercepts an incoming lethal blow for a party member.

DIALOGUE:

Ryoji’s first Tartarus entrance dialogue: 

Ryoji: - So this is Tartarus.

I, I can feel her. She’s keeping an eye on us. On me.

Remember that I’m here to help. Tartarus is Nyx’s realm, but I should know a better way to help you get to the top. 

Keep in mind that I may not be as impenetrable while I’m here, and shadows will be a lot more hostile if we go this way. Are you sure you wanna do this?

MC:

> Nowhere to go but up.

> Let’s do this.

> Are you sure there’s no other way?

Don’t worry. Whatever‘s waiting for us, I won’t let anything happen to you. They’ll have to get through me first. 

First Summon dialogue: 

I have to do this. Everyone..I’m sorry for what you’re about to see. 

Get out here, Thanatos! 

Turning into Thanatos (Persona Summon) 

If this is what it takes.

Please look away.

Thanatos!  

Do what you must!

Combat 

Shift dialogue:

All up to you! 

We’re in this together!

Receiving end of shift dialogue: 

I’m on it! 

They’ll get what's coming to them.

Item use: 

This will help, right? 

Getting healed:

I don’t deserve this.

Death:

I-I hope it was enough. 

Sorry..

AILMENTS

Distress

It’s over.. Why do we still try?

Confuse 

Guys? What’s going on?!

Rage

Come on! Take me down if you can! 

Charm

So, how about dinner?~

Down

You’re kidding me! 

Shock

What is this?! 

AOA

Before All Out Attack:  

We’re going in! 

Before splash art: 

And that's how it's done! 

Splash art Caption: 

DEATH IS INEVITABLE

All Out Attack splash art line:

Pointless to deny your fate.

Basic victory dialogue: 

I hope it was worth it. 

Heh, how was that? 

Battle aftermath:

That was impressive. You’re all amazing!

Stairs discovery

Found the stairs. There’s no time to lose! 

Found the way up! You know best, leader.

Treasure

Ooh, something shiny! 

Hey, guys! Found something useful? Maybe?

SEES advantage: 

They never saw it coming! 

Ambush / enemy advantage: 

Leader, stay close to me!

Hit by crit: 

That’s impossible! 

SEES Tartarus dialogue w/Ryoji 

Junpei: Hey, so.. Ryoji… What’s with the long scarf? And how do you not slip from it when you run? 

Ryoji: I don’t think it’s that long! 

Yukari: Seriously? Out of all the questions you can ask him, that’s what you go with? 

—-

Mitsuru: For someone with no prior experience, you’ve been keeping up well, Ryoji-kun. 

Ryoji: I’m glad you think so, Kirijo-senpai.

Akihiko: Don’t push yourself, though, alright?

—-

Junpei: Ryoji! Now that you live with us, we have got to continue the game we were playing! 

Ryoji: I don’t think you’d want to…Didn’t I delete your save on accident?

Junpei: Eh, I wasn’t paying much attention to the story in the first place. 

—-

Ryoji: I never got to thank you before for helping me settle in, Fuuka. How about I take you out? 

Fuuka: Oh, of course! Let’s invite the others too!

Junpei: …Yikes, dude.

—-

Fuuka: I’ve always wanted to do karaoke with you all. You should join us, Ryoji-kun!

Ryoji: Oh, m-me...?

Junpei: Yeah, you’re always holed up in your room and we never know where you’re out at night! How about we sing our hearts out instead? 

Ryoji: Ahh.. haha..I… I’ll think about it. 

—-

Ryoji: *Humming Mass Destruction* 

Aigis: Ryoji-san. Were you the one making those sounds? 

Ryoji: Sorry! Makoto-kun and I were listening to some songs, and now I can’t get it out of my head. 

—-

Ryoji: Aigis..About what happened before. I feel like I should apologize one more time. 

Aigis: Instead of apologies, let’s make a promise. That we’ll see this through, together.

Ryoji: …Yeah. You’re right.  

—-

Aigis: It’s strange. In the real world, you’re impenetrable. But in Tartarus...

Ryoji: Until the promised day, I’m an obstacle to Nyx. I wouldn’t put it past her to limit my power. 

Mitsuru: So she was expecting this. Well, we just have to plan accordingly, then.

—-

Aigis: I decided to live, but…how do I even begin? How would I know? 

Ryoji: I already sense life within you, Aigis. You’re doing more than enough.

—-

Ryoji: Wandering Tartarus must feel repetitive. Maybe I can try something! I can add some arcade machines? 

Ryoji: Oh… but if I do that, Tartarus will just take it away again. *sigh* Nevermind, then.

Ken: Can.. Can you actually do that?!

Yukari: *sigh* Of course he can’t. 

—-

Akihiko: How are you holding up, Mochizuki? Think you can still keep up?

Ryoji: Heh, that’s not even a question, Senpai.

—-

Ryoji: I hope I’m not bringing you guys down. What do you think, Koromaru-san? 

Koromaru: *barks enthusiastically*

Fuuka: Hahaha. Koro-chan seems to enjoy your company!

—-

Yukari: Whew..! You guys notice the shadows have gotten…much more alert?

Akihiko: You’re right. It’s like we unlocked the deepest depths of Tartarus that Nyx didn’t want us to see.

—-

Junpei: Jeez Ryoji, you weren’t kidding. The shadows of this detour are a whole different monster! 

Ryoji: I’m sorry, Junpei. But I promise it’s just a little longer. 

Junpei: Who am I to back down from a challenge? This’ll be a piece of cake! 

—-

Mitsuru: Are you settling in the dorm well, Ryoji-kun?

Ryoji: Oh. I am, thank you. 

Mitsuru: Of course. Just let us know if you need anything.

—-

Ken: Did anyone hear footsteps in the boys’ dorm last night? 

Yukari: Must have been Aigis sneaking to Makoto’s room, even if I told her to not leave past curfew…

Aigis: It was not me. I was out for my monthly checkup. 

Yukari: Then… who was it?

Ryoji: It wasn’t me! 

Yukari: No one said it was you! 

—-

Ken: So, where have you been living before, well, all of this, Ryoji-senpai?

Ryoji: I-I actually don’t know. Anything outside of school and Makoto-kun becomes a blur.

Fuuka: Ryoji-kun…

—-

Ryoji: You’re amazing to lead such a capable team, Makoto-kun. You look good like this. 

—-

Yukari: Ryoji-kun and I went thrift shopping the other day. It was actually pretty fun!

Ryoji: Thanks for taking me out, Takeba-san. I wanted that jacket, though.. 

Yukari: Unless you wanna blind someone with that thing, there’s no good reason to wear it! 

Ryoji: *sighs sadly*

—-

Ryoji: There were so many couples on Paulownia Mall for Christmas Eve. It was lovely to see.

Junpei: Ooo, does our newest member have a special someone they have in mind?

Ryoji: I-I wouldn’t say that..

Junpei: Hahaha! You’re like a tomato right now, dude! 

Ryoji: Hey, knock it off!

—-

Ryoji: Wait, you’ve reached past the 200th floor?! Akihiko: All in a day’s work. Everyone has been putting in their all. 

—-

Akihiko: You’re hardly breaking a sweat. What’s your routine, Mochizuki?

Ken: I’m guessing it’s him not being human in the first place?

Akihiko: Ken, that’s not..!

Ryoji: It’s alright, I don’t mind. He has a point, though.

—-

Yukari: I won these chocolate bars, I brought them in case anyone wanted a snack. Want some? 

Ryoji: Oh, that’s okay. I don’t eat sweets that much. 

—-

Mitsuru: I have to say it was quite convenient for the Kirijo Group to have an extra weapon. 

Ken: Yeah, and what’re the odds it was a scythe too?

Ryoji: Hahaha…. I guess.

—-

Koromaru *bark*

Aigis: Koromaru-san is asking that if you’re Death, what will that make of the Reaper?

Junpei: I bet Ryoji here can take him down, no problem! 

Ryoji: I’d rather not stick around to find out. For your sakes.

—-

Ryoji: I was told you lost a close friend to the Dark Hour. I’m sorry for your loss.

Mitsuru: …Thank you, Ryoji-kun.

Akihiko: He’d want us to move forward. There’s no use dwelling in the past.

Ryoji: I guess you’re right. I’m here to help however I can. 

—-

Koromaru: *bark bark* 

Junpei: Hey… you think Koromaru sensed Ryoji’s true identity? 

Ken: Oh, do you mean because  of dogs’  intuition to ghosts and spirits? 

Fuuka: I don’t think Ryoji-kun’s just any ghost though..!

—-

Ryoji: Hey Takeba-san. Can I ask you something?

Yukari: I swear, if it’s you trying to ask me out again…

Ryoji: Oh, that’s not what I was gonna- Wait, do you want me to? Because-

Mitsuru: -I think I saw something important there, leader. Let’s check it out.

Ryoji: This feels too familiar.

—-

Junpei: Kyoto was so fun! School trips should happen more often. 

Yukari: *glare*

Junpei: Eep! 

Ryoji: Ah-! I-I swear, that wasn’t our intention! It was all a misunderstanding! Leader, tell her! 

—-

SP LOW: 

Mitsuru: Ryoji-kun. Make sure not to strain yourself. 

Ryoji: I’m fine, please don’t worry. I can’t let up in front of a pretty girl like you, now can I? 

—-

Fuuka: Leader… Ryoji seems tired. 

—-

If Makoto has low SP: 

Ryoji: You don’t look good…Please, pace yourself. I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to you.

FTEs: (WIP)

Plant tending event

anddd thats it so far!! if this post ever needs updating, i definitely will!

thank you so much for reading! it really means a lot!

[satoshi-mochida]

Pokemon Legends: Z-A launches in late 2025 - Gematsu

Pokemon Legends: Z-A will launch for Switch in late 2025, publisher The Pokemon Company and developer Game Freak announced.

Get the latest details below.

Pokemon Legends Z-A is a new title in the Pokemon series. The story takes place in Lumiose City, the largest city in the Kalos region. Prism Tower stands tall at the center of this city of beautiful vistas. These days, Lumiose is undergoing a high-tech urban redevelopment plan to turn it into a city that people and Pokemon truly share. After you arrive in Lumiose City to see the sights, you’ll meet three Pokemon, one of which will become your first partner—Chikorita, Tepig, and Totodile. You’ll choose one of these Pokemon to accompany you on a new journey as you get to know Lumiose City and its inhabitants. When you arrive in Lumiose, you’ll meet a new friend and ally—either Urbane or Tawny. The hotel where you’ll be staying is run by AZ. You’ll also meet his partner, Floette. Lumiose’s redevelopment is being managed by Quizartico Inc. You’ll become acquainted with the company’s CEO Jet and her secretary, Vinny. The different people you meet will make your time in Lumiose all the richer. To help people and Pokemon coexist, the city has set up Wild Zones. These areas, located throughout Lumiose, give wild Pokemon habitats where they can thrive. To catch one of these wild Pokemon, aim carefully, then throw a Poke Ball. If you’re having a hard time catching one, have one of your Pokemon use its moves to weaken the target, making it easier to catch. This game offers a style of Pokemon battling not seen in previous titles. Moves can have a longer or shorter reach, or different areas of effect, so choose your timing and positioning carefully to gain the upper hand. Lead your partner Pokemon through battles and dodge incoming attacks. Swap Pokemon if you need to and find the right moment to unleash a move. What’s more, certain Pokemon can go beyond evolution by undergoing Mega Evolution. When a trainer’s keystone resonates with the Mega Stone held by their Pokemon, the Pokemon will do more than just change shape. It’ll unlock a new level of power, turning the tide of battle in its favor. As Lumiose continues its transformation into a city that belongs to both people and Pokemon, who knows what kinds of encounters and experiences will await you.

More information is available via the official website.

Watch a new set of trailers below. View the first screenshots at the gallery.

Release Window Trailer

English

Extended Look

English

Japanese

[faranae]

Rant incoming (OTW/AO3 funding)

Pardon the ramble, this has been going on for months (years technically) but I saw a post again today shared by someone moderately influential and it's a "straw that broke the camel's back" thing. I'll probably pop it later.

It hurts to see how vitriolic folks can be when it comes to the OTW's (Organization for Transformative Works) fundraising. The OTW is more than just a "fanfiction host". The work they do and have done, not just with AO3 but also their other projects and occasional legal advocacy, is important to some people.

Is the OTW perfect? No. Are they struggling for funds? Also no. But these "righteous" PSAs implying the OTW is super wealthy and donations are just throwing money into a fire are misleading at best and positively reek of semi-malicious intent at worst.

So why would anyone rage so hard and write PSAs over which harmless causes other people spend their disposable income in support of?

[tinfoil hat below the cut]

Could it be partly caused by the small (but vocal) fandom-adjacent cliques that astroturf to sabotage the OTW's public image at every opportunity because they're Big Mad that AO3 fights to preserve content they don't like?

Do you really believe that if they win re: the big-nope taboos they'll abandon efforts to sour the other topics they hate? For example, LGBTQ+ content (emphasis on the T, gotta protect them kids /s) has been targeted by these same groups--over literal decades of fandom history--as have works and content created by and for victims of various abuses.

[/tinfoil]

I do not personally support the aforementioned big-nope taboos, but censorship in fandom is a slippery slope that we have fallen down before and I do not want to see that happen again.

I'm NOT saying everyone complaining about the OTW/AO3 fundraising is campaigning for or agrees with the TERFs/bigots et al who seed this shit into our communities, far from it. I am saying it is painfully obvious when a post is blindly parroting their rhetoric (which has often been carefully trimmed and presented in a way that appeals to them).

Next time you see a post hating on something (anything, really) out of nowhere, take a second to think about where they are getting their info, and whether or not that source is credible. For fuck's sake, I've even seen fake screenshots of the OTW's website tweaked just enough to "prove" their points. It's childish.

"But they have a couple million in net assets! They're not allowed to have savings!! They're a nonprofit!!!"

No, no, no. Perfect example of the "parroting" I mentioned earlier. Net assets are not cash. That is the value of everything in and owned by the OTW combined minus their debts/liabilities, not how much they have in the bank.

The OTW is pretty transparent about how much it brings in and where the money goes; They have to do this by law to maintain their nonprofit status. Hell, they'll even toss you the numbers if that's your schtick.

Again, not perfect, but nowhere near as greed-riddled as has been implied by so many posts on my dash over the past couple months. I think I'm more just upset at seeing people I know and respect falling for it hook line and sinker. It makes me angry to think about the people I love being manipulated by folks who seem to be allies, but who are simply waiting for permission to destroy us next.

/endrant

[th-chen]

1. Interactivity, Narrative, and "Battlefield 1"

I just finished my BF1 gameplay about 30 seconds ago, and the lecture topic "Games and Narrative: Opposing Elements?" came to mind.

Just like many other shooting games, there are campaign and multiplayer modes in BF1. In campaign mode, the player experiences the true story of what once happened to a man during WW1. In multiplayer mode, all the player needs to do is aim, shoot, and drive.

The narrative of the campaign mode in Chapter 1 “Storm of Steel” is quite different if the character the player is controlling dies, after showing their name and date of birth and death on the screen, you'll switch to another character on the same battlefield, sometimes the one you switch are allies, the one besides your previous character but can do nothing but watching you died, sometimes you will switch to the enemy, the one just killed your previous character. And this cycle happened again and again. “As you and your fellow Hellfighters desperately try to push back the incoming German forces, you’ll meet death time and time again, but it won’t necessarily be your fault. Sometimes death is awkwardly forced upon you if you end up surviving longer than the script expects, because death is part of the plan.”(Chloi Rad, Battlefield 1 Review, post on IGN,2017)

Fig 1.The cinematic cutscene of BF1 Chapter 1. Storm of Steal.

Fig 2.The screenshot of the BF1 gameplay in Chapter 1. A goosebump moment: One German soldier and a USA soldier aiming at each other.

Not gonna lie, my tears dropped at the end of the chapter. The narrative style shows the cruelty and nonsense of war, you will be lost after several times of side-switching, for those soldiers who fight in the front "No one is right, no one is wrong." The best campaign game I've ever played in my life.

So, are games(interactivity) and narrative the opposing elements? My answer is "No", they are both important elements that create a game, of course, if there's 0% interactivity and it can't be called a game, we call it a Movie, novel…etc. On the other hand, we can still build games with 0% narrative. Most of the time these two elements are complementary, interactivity 30% +narrative 70% or 50:50. But this time the campaign of BF1 did such a wonderful job, you feel everything while shooting continuously.

The boundary between interactivity and narrative can be broken, and when it happens, it is the birth of a masterpiece.

Bibliography: Battlefield 1 review - IGN (2017). https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/10/21/battlefield-1-review.

Fig1&2. Ruba (2016) Battlefield 1 - Storm of Steel - All cutscenes (Cinematic). https://www.youtube.com/watchv=0JFNDl1ZC7Q.

[planetary-wolf]

After checking FB while a video renders and uploads....

Someone on my FB posted about Joe Biden pardoning his son, saying it's ONE OF THE MOST CORRUPT THINGS A PRESIDENT HAS EVER DONE

so i sent a link of a wiki article of all the pardons Trump has done, along with a screenshot of the specific part about his political allies he pardoned

"WELL IT WAS HIS SON, THATS AS PERSONAL AS IT GETS"

so i sent an article about other presidents who have pardoned family members, which trump is also included in, and i said something like "yeah it's bad but he's not the only one dude"

"ITS STILL ONE OF THE MOST CORRUPT THINGS (etc)"

so someone else commented about the incoming DOJ and how he'd "absolutely protect his son"

op said "it's still corrupt!! hunter biden was fairly convicted because he did commit those crimes!!!"

the commenter responded, i shit you not:

"honestly I don't really care"

lowkey based and idk why

[turtleinsoup]

Hi Fai! You can ignore this, because it's a 2 am political ramble, but-

Idk how much you know about the shit-show that is the german political system, so I screenshot the latest poll with helpful party descriptions:

:D

As you can see, none of them have enough votes to actually get shit done! So they need to collate with at least one other party, and play game of office-chairs to form a government. Which is always a bureaucratic pissing competition.

I DO think a CDU (The Old White Man of the group) coalition with AfD (The Nazi) would make most of west Germany riot. And the west has a voting weight of 5 to 1. So I do think there is a good chance it will not happen.

The CDU/CSU candidate himself also claimed they're not going to ally with the Nazi party. But, (ironically) the wording was like: "We intend A WALL against the far-right." - 60 years ago the leader of EAST germany said: "Nobody intends A WALL (against the west)" and two months later we got a wall that shot citizens when they tried to escape into the other half of the country. So that's currently quoted & referenced all over the place. Huge general divide between East and West Germany politics rn)

The map of AfD-voter locations shows it well. The Nazi-party is strongest in the dark spots (east germany):

It‘s bizarre alternate universe we‘re in right now.

Like you do NOT even imagine how bullied the AfD is in the west particularly! - One of them (Marcel Grauf) literally said (quote) he "wants a civil war and a million people dying in the opposition, men, women children, as long as I can piss on their corpses". (I'm actually censoring it a bit, because he said other things too.) Where upon the parliament (and all of germany) stared at him for a bit, but eventually moved on, because. It's the AfD. They are just. Insane.

Just to give you an slight Idea of just how batshit they are: NOBODY (not even our furthest right-leaning parties! Not even our racist uncles!) want to sit next to the AfD-members in parliament! FR, it’s an actual point of debate of "who has to sit next to the deranged clowns" this term!

Suddenly the deranged clowns get a huge spike in popularity among young voters!?

Why?!

Okay, so long story short; Trump still has military in Germany (like that Air Base in Ramstein, just an American town in Germany, apparently the largest US base outside America)

(There's even a sorta popular band named after the Air Base in Ramstein too! Idk if you know it? It's a morbid pun on location name/ like "Plane-Crash-Place": "Ram(m)stein." I think one of their songs is about the base)

military bases:

Here's the thing: Germany LOVES having American bases! We want your military!

(The soldiers I encountered were always respectful, but more than that) it symbolized that we didn't belong to the Russians! If it hadn't been for American/allied occupation of the west, we would've been under the dictatorship too!

Germany got LARGELY decentralized and demilitarized and we have no real army of our own. Trump leaving the NATO and removing American troops leaves us without the protection we were counting on in the last 30 years or so. That's what our government was scared of during his first term.

Germany is standing with a boom-box under The USAmerican window, like: "Babe. Babe, I don't know how to drive a tank, don't leave me :'0!"

The east is poorer than the west, they are still recovering from the aftermath of the UdSSR dictatorship, and the AfD speaks to people with economic fears.

There's tons of Trump and Musk propaganda on our socials. Like there are whole as Ai-fake accounts with thousands of followers, doing propaganda for the AfD.

Our economy is slipping and it‘s terrifying everyone, but especially low-income families and young adults. So I think people vote far-right to try force the government into a different direction, to re-militarize, get their pride back, kill innocent families etc etc yada yada

The election is in two weeks, and I get to travel home for it! My sister and I go voting together, I'm honestly very excited. My boss said its okay if I leave earlier and give tasks to coworkers, because of the long travel

I'm not that scared tbh. Things are going to go fine. Even if the Nazi party is gaining more of a influence here, I don't really think this is enough to cause another world war in the foreseeable future.

(Because, again, being a Nazi in public in Germany EASILY gets you dragged into the woods, depending on where you live. Our cops will pretend to care for like 20 seconds, but AfD politicians have a reason why they don't show themselves in public. They might just literally cause a riot, as proven by last weeks events.)

So, really, I do think a war is unlikely to come soon. The EU and US still have a strong relationship, right? Putin and Trump are enemies-to-lovers PWP frenching. EU & China have a €739 billion pro ship (profit relationship) going on. China & Russia have a sugar daddy situation, honestly I'm not seeing a ww incoming in the next years.

but IF a war is going to happen lets run away to iceland and learn the art of freeland sheep herding igrth auhsr

good night ily

Let's pause the conversation about the US elections for a sec and jump real quick to Germany.... what's going on with u lot? Why did Olaf Scholz decide to fire the finance minister right now?? Why would he do something that led to the collapse of the coalition (at least acc to the news), was there some major event that triggered this? Will trump winning influence your elections? Is there an actual chance for the AfD to come to power ??(u wouldn't think tht, given tht millions of ppl protested on the streets after they heard about the deportation plans, but idk)

[ferociousqueak]

YOU GUYS

The inimitable and generous @syzara gifted me MELE!!!!

I can’t tell you how touched I am or how long the hug will be if I ever do get to meet her in real life :D

Only a little over an hour to go!!!

I AM EXCITE

THANK YOU @syzara!!

[writer-and-thrasher]

D20 Auction Tracker!

Hey, all! Because the Dimension 20 auction got super expensive -- like, immediately -- and because I'm a massive nerd who wants to earn my proficiency in Google Sheets / Microsoft Excel, I'm working on spreadsheets to track the cost of the auction (and posting it both here and TikTok so I can show it to others)! Also, spoiler alert for A Crown of Candy if you haven't seen it!

But first! The procedures!

Start with all of the beginning data.

Honestly, this was the easy part. Each D20 mini cost $50 at the beginning of the auction, and at $50 multiplied by 25 minis, the starting total cost was $1250. From here, though, I broke things down into different categories that I felt appropriate. First, I broke the minis into how they interacted in the world. Most of these were obvious, such as PCs and NPCs, but I quickly realized that I needed different categories from here. Not only are they selling minis for PCs that were never used, but the NPCs can break down into different types as well.

Additionally, I was curious about how each country in Calorum would fare in this. It made sense that Candians would be bid on for the highest amounts, but I wondered about the other countries, regardless of if they were allies or enemies. From here, I proceeded to create each country as its own category, as well. At the end of the beginning, my spreadsheet looked like this:

I created the category "PC+Unused" to account for backup characters that didn't need to exist because the original character didn't die, and (mostly out of curiosity), I added a category for NPCs that had been named.

2. Figure out how to use Sheets.

This part was a bit of a challenge, especially with the different categories I wanted to use. I didn't want to add everything together individually, so I had to learn how to use the algorithms on Sheets to just input the data for me. It was difficult, but once I got things set up, I could copy and paste for the most part.

One more complicated aspect of this was the Change columns. I wanted to represent the changes between each preceding week, but there's no real formula for that. While it took a long time to tweak, I eventually got it figured out. Now, looking at any data set, you can see the change between all of the previous columns in order!

3. Plug in and go!

I decided to test my skills with 48hr and 72hr checks to make sure everything was working well, and it was!

There are some interesting observations that I've noticed so far:

The Meatlands actually went down between the 48hr and 72hr checks, though this may be largely attributed to the fact that there were only four of them, and Hamdog went from being $1500 to $1100. While I don't entirely understand how that works in an auction, this did decrease the amount that the Meatlands was supplying to the overall cost of each mini, especially with total costs increasing over $1k in that timeframe.

Additionally, the range shrunk in this timeframe. While it didn't shrink by much, the fact that the most costly mini (Liam's) didn't change in cost indicates that the bottom floor for the minis is continuing to increase. In fact, 20 minutes after I took my 72hr screenshots, the lowest cost for a mini was not below $600.

I feel that it is worth saying at this time that there are two things existing at once. I am personally very glad that Dropout is able to use this auction to raise money for future episodes and for charity, and I think an auction was the perfect way to do this for their goals. Their minis are beautiful, and I'm really happy to see that so many people recognize the talent and work that goes into them. Also, as a first generation, low income college student... it does suck a bit that I immediately couldn't participate. I'm glad for Dropout, but a bit bummed out for me and others who couldn't drop $600 on a mini. I also think that this demonstrates some serious discrepancies between many members of the TTRPG community. This isn't inherently a bad thing, but it's worthy of recognition.

I'll update this post as soon as I have information following the last of the auction -- and considering that it's a popcorn style auction, it may go past the 12pmPST end time. But, I'll have some hard numbers for all of you, as well as predictions for the next three weeks!

[threetrenchcoatsinatrenchcoat]

Has anyone checked if Ally Beardsley from CollegeHumor is immortal srs answers only pls essay incoming

Okay so Aubrey Beardsley was a seminal late 19th century English ink artist and writer in the Aesthetic and Art Nouveau movements, depicting the grotesque, the erotic, the shocking, some contemporary political satire, and many androgynous and generally gnc figures. Beardsley was suspected of homosexuality, had gay references in his work and was confirmed to fraternize with local queers, including Oscar Wilde.

Not only is this exactly what Ally would’ve been doing in Victorian England, the name is nigh identical, being trans is a great justification to not show baby pictures that don’t exist, and maybe this guy who supposedly died in the 1890s cut some kind of deal that inspired Oscar Wilde to write about a man who would always stay young and beautiful... And look at them both:

[IMAGE IDS: First image, a monochrome portrait of Aubrey Beardsley, a young, white man in shirt, vest, Victorian jacket, and bow-tie with short hair and a neutral expression facing right of artist. Second image, a screenshot of Ally Beardsley from Game Changer: Survivor Part 2, a young, white non-binary person in a dark button-up and red-tinted glasses with short hair and a neutral expression facing right of camera. Honestly, they don’t look that similar. END IDS]

[battlecrazed-axe-mage]

And so, you have walked through the end. How was it? The walk, the final dungeon/trial, and that last fight. Lay it all out on the table for us

Ohhh gosh. This is going to be a long one, bear with me. Naturally, major end-of-Endwalker spoilers incoming

So we picked up the game at the Omicrons' section and went through to the end of 6.0 in a sitting. I bawled from the moment Alphinaud said the only way forward was for the two of them to sacrifice themselves, so I could walk on, to the moment Hyth and Emet showed up. All my friends' sacrifices cut deep but those were my KIDS, my BABIES, I told myself if nothing else, I'd make sure they were safe ;-; And there they are, throwing themselves into the void to keep ME safe.

Destroyed me. The endwalk was beautifully done. It really drove home that even when you're totally and completely alone...you're not alone. You have friends and allies and people who love you, all pulling for you. I was openly weeping through that whole section--up til a certain pair showed up

(Hyth applauding from an upper box like BRAVO, BRAVO)

(Look. Okay. I cannot interpret these comments in any other way than Partner A being lowkey resentful that you spend more time with Partner B. For the love of the star, my guy, just ask Azem to spend more time with you, that's all you gotta do here)

(Narrator voice: he would not)

TEARS AGAIN

HI BABY BIRB I'M HERE TO SAVE YOU

This part's a lot of screenshots so I'm gonna link to the post instead but. The part where Emet gives you a whole list of places to go and things to see. That was him going "you're not my Azem. But you're an Azem, and I know how to handle those. I'm going to motivate you the best way I know how to survive this fight. Because part of them has to live on."

Quick break to cry and gpose in the flowers

(This game gave me glowy rainbow flowers it's so good to me)

I am going to think of this the next time I see a massive flock of tiny birds in the sky. Okay, let's fight

Oh you are KIDDING me, I exclaim into the call with my raid group, who are helping with this part

KAY GUESS WE'RE DOIN THIS

The fight was VERY cool, especially the part where you have to block her big hit with a tank LB, and she goes to rewind it--only to meet with your friends helping you out

And then YOU get to enrage for once!!! Finally!!!!!

Of course we can, baby bird <33333 We have never not been friends. Welcome home <3

DON'T MIND ME I'LL JUST BE HERE CRYING FOREVER

;u; <333

AND THEN THERE'S THIS ASSHOLE

I have a feeling that is a lie

Man. I genuinely do feel for Zenos. Imagine being him. Imagine not having a single other person to connect to, because you were never taught how to make connections with other people. How very lonely his life must be. This is the fictional overpowered high-fantasy version of the dude who gets in fistfights because that's the only way he knows to achieve physical contact with another person.

How sad his life must be.

Kay, guess we're doin this

Y'all. They made that fight SO cool. The multiple-lives mechanic, the way everything flowed, it really did feel different from any other part of the game. Now I get the "A TEST OF YOUR REFLEXES" memes I've seen around. Delightful.

God damn I've actually hit the photo limit for a single post, which I had no idea existed. Continued in a reblog, I guess!

[maya-malfoy1012]

Right! Hello! It’s episode 4 (of TDJ) time. I watched this ages ago but life got in the way, so that’s why there’s been a bit of a pause from my episode reactions. So, my review/thoughts won’t be quite as in-depth as I will be referring to (my page-long) notes. But I hope they’re still entertaining!!

[Terrible quality screenshots are incoming]

I want to start off by saying that I really enjoyed this episode, I feel like it was set up nicely into 4 different sections: The court case/the Mum (Acting as the “net”, i.e the sequence of events which will lead to Daddy Bandit getting his revenge) The Dinner Party (The people he will be rounding up) J.S.A’s character reveal (The “hitch” in this plan) The backstory (The reason for the revenge)

I enjoyed Ji Sung’s acting choices in this episode, I feel like it's the first time we see real nuances to his characterisation of Daddy Bandit. I personally really enjoyed the way he interacts with Nam Jang in one of the opening scenes. He’s acting like Mister Big Bollocks but as soon as she turns away, he deflates just enough for us to know that something is going on with him. I really appreciate that subtly. 

In terms of the revenge storyline, I like it but I do think it’s a little convenient for the plot. However, I do believe there’s something else going on beyond what we know (otherwise it’ll be too easy). I like the way he punished Nam Jang and her son (reminds me of SPOILER the rapist and his dad’s punishment from The Crowned Clown); although, I wish… right, okay, when it came to the flagellation scenes, I just wished they had used a whip, or flog, or the cat of nine tails, etc. instead of using a belt. It just didn’t have the same impact (ba dum tss), for me at least. I love the concept of the punishment and how it enraged Nam Jang, forcing her to show a lack of care towards another child. [also the Daddy Bandit cult uprising???? hello!!! that is scary]

The dinner scene…. Well….. I’m going to ignore Gaon for a sec because I have thoughts about him and instead, want to focus on Daddy Bandit being clever. I like how he’s brought Gaon into the picture and showed him the people he intends on murdering/getting revenge on (not that Gaon can see that). I like the last episode of Squid Game vibes for the dinner sequence.

I like how the classical music crescendoed to a point where the visuals and music were claustrophobic in nature.

[Side note: the sexual assault scene made me very uncomfortable because of the lack of action from the other characters. Which definitely seemed like the intended purpose and of course, for it to be something egregious enough that J.S.A broke her facade to reveal her true dominatrix Mother self…. I love this for her, I wasn’t surprised by it but I do like this choice for her character. I feel like she’s going to be such a headache and perhaps… an “ally” turned villain turned “ally” turned… so on and so on.] The actual church scene had some very nice pacing. I did find some of the choices to be a little obvious (the “rich people are scumbags” narrative and the way the fireman stole the watch… the way none of the paramedics cared to check on a burnt man and an unconscious child??? ALSO, smoke inhalation is more dangerous than fire, so they probably both would have died or become brain damaged from that level of exposure) BUT I found the sequence overall to be so tragic. Also this shot:

Is so renaissance painting… it’s frankly beautiful. The religious imagery throughout this show is really tastefully done!! I love to see it! [I feel like this shot reference an actual painting but I can't figure out which one] Also…. Daddy Bandit is Phantom of the Opera CHURCH (especially with that chalandier drop)

Okay… now onto Gaon. WHAT IS THIS BOY’S PROBLEM??? Why is he still living at DB's gothic mansion??? Why is he acting like Madame of the house? He’s bonding with his new stepdaughter/niece. He's getting reallllllly comfortable, even referring to the room he sleeps in as "his" room.... duddddeee! (gender neutral) How embarrassing! The clothes-changing scene had SO much queer-subtext that it is basically 100% text. Also, Daddy Bandit really brought his twink to a work event as his plus one and really confirmed to the audience (and himself) that Gaon is not interested in women... and actually, sexual advances/flirtatious attention from them (or any age) make him uncomfortable.

I found the unneeded physical contact to be sooooo telling. [also the opposite - almost yin and yang - colour scheme is interesting... the way Gaon's silhouette is quite "feminine"...]

ALSO also!! Is Gaon going around wearing Daddy Bandit’s clothes?

Cause, unless I missed something, they’ve not shown him going home, he hasn’t gone shopping, D.B hasn’t gone shopping… sooo??? This guy is really out here investigating his employer (with whom he lives) whilst wearing his undies. COME ON!!! he's so silly

Also TDJ and BE both have their twinks directly (and with WAY too much confidence) accusing their love interest of murdering their sibling. I just wished BE had given us Dong Sik pinning Joo Won against the wall by the throat…. Joo Won would have cried his eyes out (and just died from being too horny) whereas Gaon was super into it??? This BOY!!! I can’t! (he really said "choke me harder, daddy bandit!! prove to me you didn't kill your sibling whilst awakening a kink in me")

Anyway, yes, I wrote more notes but I don’t remember what they mean anymore. But overall, I really did enjoy this episode the most so far. I hope my ramblings are amusing! Bye for now :)

SO, hi! I'm so slow in replying to ask helpp but tbf to myself this week's been hectic (currently writing this as my sir bails on my session T-T).

Episode 04, that fucker.

So, my review/thoughts won’t be quite as in-depth as I will be referring to (my page-long) notes. But I hope they’re still entertaining!!

I love hearing your thoughts, it doesn't matter if it's in depth or not 😂 Besides how could I not find your thoughts on Hoodie-Daddy-Trauma Bandit lmao

Imo, TDJ so far has done a very good job of sectioning off arcs, scenes and interactions. (A bit derailing thought but storyline wise) Gaon is subjected to this divide between Kang Yohan the Chief and Kang Yohan the man who roams the rouse in robes and although there's certain overlaps between the two personas ("I saw him driving recklessly" "Did you see something else?"), Gaon doesn't necessarily make it a point to interact with them in a similar way? At least in the ending of Ep3 and start of Ep4 (e.g when Gaon doesn't showcase much of the deference expected in workplaces when he teases Yohan or that one scene before the party where he turns this way and that on bed talking to Yohan). But the party! I think it's intentional on Yohan's part but the party! It completely rekindled that suspicion (+forced Gaon back into the role of the spy/Judas --and that's something I find interesting too, the role given to Gaon). And you're right!

I like how he’s brought Gaon into the picture and showed him the people he intends on murdering/getting revenge on (not that Gaon can see that). I like the last episode of Squid Game vibes for the dinner sequence.

Remember the revenge plot? I only realised this way later (still stuck on ep 10 help) but Yohan is essentially showing off the face of his brother to the people he intends to get revenge on and just, waits, observes to see if anyone can remember. ANd no ONe REMEBERS. I feel like from the subtle nuances of emotions we've seen from Yohan, that even a little remorse or reflection would have gone a long way but who knows.

I like how the classical music crescendoed to a point where the visuals and music were claustrophobic in nature.

I agree, it was very Squid Game vibes. It was just, a cacophony. Something meant to be beautiful & bearable turned vicious in its stifling chaos.

[Side note: the sexual assault scene made me very uncomfortable because of the lack of action from the other characters. Which definitely seemed like the intended purpose and of course, for it to be something egregious enough that J.S.A broke her facade to reveal her true dominatrix Mother self…. I love this for her, I wasn’t surprised by it but I do like this choice for her character. I feel like she’s going to be such a headache and perhaps… an “ally” turned villain turned “ally” turned… so on and so on.]

SO, this wasn't an observation of mine but I read it somewhere where they juxtaposed this SA scene with the extremely uncomfy vibes with Chairman Seo and Oh Jinjoo from the other ball/party. How in the previous one Kang Yohan was able to save Oh Jinjoo whereas when Jung Sun-ah tried ("She's an associate Judge...") she was brushed off but in the second party Jung Sun-ah was able to save the waitress whereas Yohan couldn't because of the persona/role he was playing. It was speculated/theorised that it's the status of the victims that allowed such difference? The waitress was practically no one, so letting her go (in public) would no impact anyone but the associate judge however is a much bigger presence and holding off the chairman could have questioned the roles.

Also, when you said SA, I originally thought of Gaon being literally submerged under those ladies (i think in an interesting way, that also juxtaposes with Oh Jinjoo's experience. While her interaction was taken as something to be wary of Gaon's isn't seen with the same lense of seriousness?)

the “rich people are scumbags” narrative and the way the fireman stole the watch… the way none of the paramedics cared to check on a burnt man and an unconscious child??? ALSO, smoke inhalation is more dangerous than fire, so they probably both would have died or become brain damaged from that level of exposure) BUT I found the sequence overall to be so tragic.

It does seem like the obvious plot route for why Yohan does what he does, especially with "the rich people are scumbags but oh whats this its not like poor people are any better" (cue Yohan and Gaon's convo returning from the party) but I think the whole set up, esp the renaissance painting feel, is actually hinting at a idk Shakespearean level of tragedy?

Also the look Yohan gives the camera, cradling little Elijah is chilling

Okay so! The religious imagery! I'm not closely related or know of much Christianity so idk much but, it's very interesting how from the beginning Yohan is implied to be Jesus when Gaon is given the role of Judas, meant to betray (?) Jesus/Yohan and, "Jesus knew that Judas would betray Him. And yet He chose Judas as a disciple and kept him near. The Bible doesn't say why, other than Jesus knew that God had a plan"

So. I'm very much excited to see where this story goes. Also another reference to Yohan having the role of Jesus is the bloody cross on his back ffs.

Can we also talk about (how I totally didnt know) how Judas' full name is Judas Isacriot and how it means City Slicker??

plus, Judas is known to have betrayed Jesus because he was possessed by Satan? It's very interesting that Yohan is called the Devil when he's also hinted to be Jesus and the side portrayed to have uphold justice is associated with Devil / or the priests who called for Jesus's fall.

Also…. Daddy Bandit is Phantom of the Opera CHURCH (especially with that chalandier drop)

that chandelier drop took me out

Okay… now onto Gaon. WHAT IS THIS BOY’S PROBLEM???

I wonder the same thing... Gaon pls what is going in on your brain

Why is he still living at DB's gothic mansion??? Why is he acting like Madame of the house? He’s bonding with his new stepdaughter/niece. He's getting reallllllly comfortable, even referring to the room he sleeps in as "his" room.... duddddeee! (gender neutral) How embarrassing!

Han Juwon only broke in a few thousand times but Gaon said "fuck that this is my home now" My dude honestly took to the role of spouse/lady of the house like fish in water.

The clothes-changing scene had SO much queer-subtext that it is basically 100% text.

I kid you not, I literally screamed at that scene.

Also, Daddy Bandit really brought his twink to a work event as his plus one and really confirmed to the audience (and himself) that Gaon is not interested in women... and actually, sexual advances/flirtatious attention from them (or any age) make him uncomfortable.

Kang Yohan: Two birds in one stone

I found the unneeded physical contact to be sooooo telling. [also the opposite - almost yin and yang - colour scheme is interesting... the way Gaon's silhouette is quite "feminine"...]

THE CLOTHES! THE FUCKING CLOTHES! You are so right, also love how symbolically yin/yang are masculine/feminine energies. This show hints at a lot of things, I missed 2/3 of everything when I first watched the eps.

Cause, unless I missed something, they’ve not shown him going home, he hasn’t gone shopping, D.B hasn’t gone shopping… sooo??? This guy is really out here investigating his employer (with whom he lives) whilst wearing his undies. COME ON!!! he's so silly

GEFJDCNIEFDJKC i think the clothes he wore in the manor are yohan's (or maybe new clothes who knows, daddy bandit is a rich bandit afterall) but i think maaaaybe the clothes he's wearing here are his? i mean he could very well have dropped by his house before meeting soohyun idk but itd be hilarious if they're yohan's clothes pls

I just wished BE had given us Dong Sik pinning Joo Won against the wall by the throat…. Joo Won would have cried his eyes out (and just died from being too horny) whereas Gaon was super into it??? This BOY!!! I can’t! (he really said "choke me harder, daddy bandit!! prove to me you didn't kill your sibling whilst awakening a kink in me")

REIDJKCXIRDSJKRE SDHELPP I CANTHIJDF

I agree, but! in a weird way I also can't see Dongsik doing that to Juwon? Like, hmmm idk man, maybe it's because I don't see Dongsik as a violent person? His go to is fucking with the other guy mentally not throw fists, like even with Kang Jinmook, as a victim he could have knocked the mf out and blamed it on grieving smth smth but he holds back and instead schemes and talks (even when Kang Jinmook tried to strangle him). But oh boy Yohan and Gaon. Well. Yeah they seem super into that "hold me by the throat sir"/"pin me against the wall" thingerfjkd

Anyway, yes, I wrote more notes but I don’t remember what they mean anymore. But overall, I really did enjoy this episode the most so far. I hope my ramblings are amusing! Bye for now :)

That's so fair, I write some notes I leave for 5 mins i come back I have no clue what they mean anymore. It was very amusing, thank you for your rambling lmao, ta for now :)

[benadryltarantula]

Mission 2: CLOTHING OPTIONAL

With the nukes more or less out of the players’ hands as per the Colonel wanting to keep things on the down low and Dandelion’s downtime window coming to a close the pilots all got plenty of rest. Of course I saw fit to interrupt this by making them get up in the middle of the night in a rainstorm. Without so much as time to get dressed (or to get dressed with a minor penalty to time and being yelled at more) Dandelion was awoken by blaring alarms announcing incoming bandits on radar. Given their status as “probably the best pilots on base” and the entire purpose of their squad being a combination fast attack/special support unit they were sent out to intercept and hopefully buy their comrades time to prepare.

(No one really left their mech all mission, so the sprites kind of went to waste, we’ll use them later somehow.)

The trek out to intercept the low flying transport helicopters (just roll with it, there’s already mechs, animal people, and nuclear war) and their escorts was interrupted by a spotty distress call coming from a friendly patrol engaged in combat. After a brief discussion about whether or not this was a trap, the squadron course-corrected to save a bunch of kids in way over their heads.

(The composition on these fake screenshots keeps getting worse! There were also body sprites, but I still don’t know tumblr’s policy on posting that kind of thing yet.) A battle against some Gramiitian mechs and specialist troops ensued. I learned a valuable lesson about how annoying giving the players allied NPC’s is and the players learned that I’m not going all out on making them fail missions yet. We had fun. I even threw in an assassin hiding in some ruins at them.

After saving everyone who wasn’t already dead at the distress call like some kind of big shot heroes, the squadron went back to their initial job of intercepting the small invasion force heading right for their base of operations. The rescue mission only set them back a little bit and after an initial skirmish one of the transport helicopters demanded that the players lower their weapons as they are performing a nuclear inspection as allowed by post-nuclear treaties and international law. The exact situation of who shot first is kind of fuzzy given that the players weren’t there to see if the patrol opened fire or not. Honestly I forgot to have them announce this before the players started fighting because I was excited to use the guy who calls you slurs as an action. Oh well. One intense fight of downing helicopters and Oswald’s mech getting trashed, falling into a bog, and ejecting himself sideways into a rocky mudbank when his cockpit started filling with water later all the transports were shot down and their escorts/surviving occupants were chased off.

So now I had the predicament of having an hour and a half left in session, nowhere to be tomorrow, and a player with no mech and a character with a shattered arm. I decided to make a third and final sitrep for the mission while we went over how bad Oswald was taking his opiate dosing and mud-soaked undergarments.

He was stuffed into the back of Micah’s mech and allowed to perform a tech attack as a free action if he could manage it with one hand and being drugged up.

The way home was blocked by an invisible swordsman, a signal jamming puppeteer, and some guy with rockets strapped to his back who failed to do anything and exploded. It got pretty dicey as mechs started overheating, someone got nearly cut in half, and comms couldn’t be established, but they pulled through in the end. Next week: License Level 2, war!, and an intelligence agent.

[lastsonlost]

Many of the women promoting the “cancellation” of men in comics, and demanding they post the recent empty promise known as #ComicsPledge, are in fact hypocrites.  In this article, I’m going to present evidence of lies, collusion, rumor spreading, and, in my opinion, defamation and contract interference.

I personally know that they’ve colluded for YEARS to take down men. Specifically those with conservative politics and philosophies. This is an ongoing, coordinated effort. How do I know this?

Because I obtained access to their PRIVATE FACEBOOK GROUP.

This is Part 1 of the #Hypocralypse leaks

There is simply too much to put in one leak, so I will make the following three points for now.

1. The so-called Comic Book Whisper Network, which has been dismissed as conspiracy since 2016, is real, and I have hundreds of screenshots to prove it.

2. The Whisper Network has been targeting men and trying to destroy their careers, and use their connections in the comic book media to do so.

 3. Whisper Network members have acted unprofessionally and unethically at best. At worst, they have engaged in what I believe could be illegal behavior.

MY STORY

I first heard about the Whisper Network back in mid-2016 from folks I knew at Image, DC, Marvel, and later, Valiant.  Depending on who I chatted with, sometimes the group was called ‘The Women’s Network’, other times ‘The Whisper Network’, occasionally ‘The Whisper Campaign’, and eventually there were more conspiratorial names used mockingly (a friend called them a gender-swapped 4Chan, which became ‘FemChan’ to some insiders).

Regardless of the name, it was all the same group.

The same five or six names kept popping up in conversation over and again. As time ticked on, I noticed a trend on Social Media: half a decade of rumors, false allegations, cancellation attempts , and they almost always traced back to these same five or six people.  The goal of this Whisper Network, according to industry folks, was simple: choose a target, smear them until they lose their reputation, their income, and are ultimately blacklisted – opening up job opportunities for the same people who started these smear campaigns in the first place.

 Behind the scenes these “cancellations” are painted as morally or politically motivated, but in the end it’s all financial. As time passed, the group in question seemed more and more like a reality. I saw their influence. I saw things I knew to be verifiably untrue go viral online, appearing in what I thought were legit news sources. I felt angry and helpless seeing innocent people getting attacked, but did not know what to do. 

A few years passed and by 2018 almost everyone I interacted with in the industry seemed to know about the Network, from top level editors right down to the letterers. It was an open secret, but no one was willing to speak up for fear of being targeted themselves. They knew the consequences.

And after all, this was a secret network. Without proof, there was no point in going public because members would just deny its existence, and use their media connections to smear anyone who challenged them.

 THEN THINGS GOT INTERESTING

December 16, 2018, Whisper Network member Gail Simone, who joined the Network 6 years ago (4 years before the following tweet was posted), mocks “doofuses” who speculate that a “whisper campaign” exists.

At this point in late 2018, I was still skeptical of the Whisper Network’s existence. I’d heard many stories of individuals spreading rumors and lies, and plenty of malicious behavior was going on behind closed doors. Though I wasn’t ready to believe it was a coordinated effort, or collusion was involved.  Then, certain people began openly mentioning the Whisper Network and my attitude changed.

 March 26, 2019, Heather Antos, a member herself, did not outright mention the Whisper Network or her involvement, but she made what some took as a veiled threat to those who got on her bad side.

 Heather “milkshake girl” Antos’ colorful backstory at Marvel, and later at Valiant, is notorious in the comic industry. A conversation about office rumor-spreading and bullying is never complete without someone bringing up a juicy Antos anecdote. Everyone has one.

Up until then, I still hadn’t seen ACTUAL PROOF of a larger scheme. But then, something changed in 2020.

January 8, 2020, Alex de Campi, who I would discover is one of the most active Whisper Network members, openly admits there is a Network. I have no idea if this was a slip or a brazen attempt to show off her power and influence, but this appeared.

Eventually, everything I had heard and read was confirmed beyond any shadow of a doubt after I gained access to their private Facebook group.

I WAS INSIDE THE WHISPER NETWORK!

This is the place where the Whispher Network has been colluding for years. And although their activity is not confined to just this site, from what I can tell, this was where they first met, and started their coordinated campaigns.

Members of the Secret Group called “Comic Book Women”

At present time, there are 440+ members of the secret Facebook group, called COMIC BOOK WOMEN. From what I can tell, a few are regular users, though many of them have never posted.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/comicbookwomen/ 

*unless you are a member, this will not show up in a search

Secret Facebook groups offer the same level of privacy as closed groups, but operate under a cloak of invisibility. No one can search for secret groups or even request to join them. The only way to get in one is to know someone who can invite you. Everything shared in a secret group is visible only to its members.

This secret group includes a list of members whose actions and connections speak for themselves. Members such as:

Zoe Quinn

Gail Simone

Alex de Campi

Heather Antos (aka Heather Marie)

Mags Visaggio (aka Magdalene Francis)

Mairghread Scott

And several key members of the group are women who work in the comics media and can be used to run damage control, including women like Heidi MacDonald of Comics Beat.  They have contacts outside of the secret network as well, with some male allies in both comics and the media.

Just the fact that all of these folks were secretly linked in a private network came as a shock to me, considering their reputations and the accusations that they’ve made. Immediately I began to connect the dots…

They’ve denied for YEARS that they coordinate their actions in private. And yet they always coincidentally appear on Twitter, retweeting and amplifying each other’s accusations, signal boosting one another, and helping them gain traction. And their allies in media – Bleeding Cool and CBR specifically – will turn those same tweets into stories almost instantly & with no fact-checking or verification, sometimes within the hour.

I’m going to start explaining who the key actors are, and, from my perspective, how they coordinate these attacks.

KEY ACTORS

There are too many people to focus on at once, so I will have to break this into several posts, but I will start with one of the clear group leaders IMO.

Alex de Campi is well connected, despite never being part of the Big Two (since, from what I’ve been told management is well aware of her bullying, harassment, rumor-spreading and unethical behavior that goes back years, and depending on who you talk to she’s almost as notorious as Antos or Tess Fowler).  She just wrapped up a graphic novel campaign on Kickstarter with David Bowie’s son, the Hollywood film director Duncan Jones. It grossed over $366K

All the while she makes baseless accusations while demanding transparency from everyone else.

Now, I’ll take you into their private network.

Two years ago, on May 13, 2018, De Campi launched a private campaign to target an independent creator, claiming she was using her connections to have Simon & Schuster cancel their book.

In addition to contacting the publisher, others in the Whisper Network coordinated their efforts to contact media outlets to have the narrative changed, according to the posts in this thread.  Again, in my opinion, this could end up as a defamation or tortious interference case, and has many implications regarding media bias as well.

 

The following month, on June 23, 2018, de Campi posted private text messages between herself and writer Max Bemis in what appeared to be an attempt to damage his career. Despite Bemis being mentally ill (diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2014), de Campi still posted the private messages with malicious intent IMO. According to US and UK law this is an actionable offense: posting private texts without both parties consenting.

[pridewon]

(ushijima: super volleyball maniac) (don’t reblog!) part 1: ushijima, reon & semi.

i’m super tired, which means i don’t have the brain capacity to resist hyperfixation, so I’ve collected 70+ screenshots of Ushijima’s important moments to make a few headcanon/analysis posts, I am so very sorry in advance, it turns out I have a ridiculous lot to say about this volleyball idiot, and I’m glad I found an English version that doesn’t sound too word-to-word, because he says so little, and so little is said about him, everything easily gets lost in translation. ANYWAY, Shiratorizawa as a whole team deserves more love (seriously where are my Reon roleplayers especially), so here is a post about Wakatoshi and some of his teammates to start things off! Third years today, the other kiddos tomorrow because EESH this got long. (I blame the size of the pictures)

Very early on, Shiratorizawa is presented as a team whose strategy relies on two simple principles: height and power. No player on the team cristallises those ideals more than Ushijima: hence, the entire organisation of the team revolves around him. He is the ace and face of Shiratorizawa; but there are a few players who stand out both in contrast and in parallel to him: Reon, Semi, Shirabu, and, of course, Gôshiki. I wanted to talk about all of them in this post, but I had too much to say, so Shirabu and Gôshiki will have their own post tomorrow.

Ushijima and Reon Ohira.

Possibly one of the least discussed yet crucial characters in Shiratorizawa’s volleyball team, Reon is, like Ushijima, a hitter (or wing spiker, although I’ve learnt that ‘wing spiker’ isn’t really the right English nomenclature). His role in the team and in relation to Ushijima is explicitly stated right when we first meet him, when Hinata calls him “Benkei” - although the reference and significance of the nickname is easily lost on us non-Japanese audiences. 

For context, “Ushiwaka” is Ushijima’s nickname, and the childhood nickname of very popular Japanese samurai “Minamoto no Yoshitsune”. In his travels, Minamoto no Yoshitsune defeats and gains the loyalty and allegiance of an until then undefeated sôhei, a warrior monk: Benkei. The two became inseparable, to the point that Benkei died defending Yoshitsune. When hearing the name “Ushiwaka”, it would be completely normal for a Japanese audience, Hinata included, to look for a “Benkei”. Benkei was “Ushiwakamaru”’s companion, right-hand man, and bodyguard: all roles that Reon embodies in relation to Ushijima (even if Reon himself seems a bit sceptical, bless his heart).

Right-hand man? Ushijima is the team’s captain. Furudate’s portrait of Reon has him pinned as the vice-captain (somehow in the scene at Shiratorizawa after the match against Karasuno, the designated captain is a guy named Soekawa - either a mistake, or the current second year taking over the position, now that 3rd year Reon is leaving the team). 

Companion and bodyguard? Reon literally puts himself between Ushijima and the ball when a serve is aimed at Ushijima, so that Wakatoshi can dedicate himself entirely to the incoming attack. Doing the dirty work so their star ace has his hands free to shine and win the battle. And of course, Wakatoshi doesn’t make a single move to go towards the ball even thoughhe’s a very adept receiver himself: he knows Reon will be there to catch it for him. Reon, on top of his hitter duties, play the very detrimental role of relieving Wakatoshi of any “superfluous” moves that may get in the way of his primary role: scoring. He “sacrifices” himself so that his captain can save his energy, his moves, and focus on bludgeoning the other team with his spikes. 

Not to mention he’s also watching out for moments when the team (especially Tendô) might be relying a bit too much on Ushijima. Reon is both Wakatoshi’s steadiest ally on the court, he’s also his keeper, and a bit of a mediator between him and the rest of the team when expectations fly a bit too high (especially since Wakatoshi himself never says a single word about having too much pressure put on him). 

Fortunately for Reon, he’s not the only one to have that role!

Ushijima & Eita Semi. 

Semi, aka Shiratorizawa’s Sugawara. Well, kind of. Maybe more of a perfect mix between Suga and Kageyama, really. or the exemplification of what could have happened to Kageyama, had he been accepted at Shiratorizawa. But I digress. Semi is Shiratorizawa’s other setter, who recently got benched in favour of Shirabu. His problem? Too much individuality for Shiratorizawa’s style. Again, Shiratorizawa’s entire strategy is centered around Wakatoshi, and Wakatoshi only - in their coach’s ideal world, only he really gets to stand out as their main weapon. Semi’s style, as a setter, clashes with this strategy, because he wants to (and can) shine on his own as a setter, instead of disappearing in Wakatoshi’s shadow like Shirabu does. 

It’s a bitter situation, but my guy Semi doesn’t hold it against Wakatoshi. Even better, he tries to guide Shirabu in his new role, and continues to support Ushijima in whatever capacity he can. Shirabu is a second year and Shiratorizawa almost never puts first years on starting positions: that means that in all likeliness, Semi was Wakatoshi’s setter for two whole years. And he’s not about to let their new setter forget it, or to let his experience and knowledge of Wakatoshi’s limits go to waste. On top of tossing to him when he’s on the court, Semi directly calls out Shirabu twice for his excessive use of Ushijima (again, because Ushijima most likely won’t call for a break himself, and because Semi is the kind of player who can see the larger picture and not rely on their one main weapon only). 

Semi probably knows exactly how much pressure Ushijima can handle, when Shirabu is still learning. He has only been setting for Ushijima for a few months, after all, where Semi has had two full years and many matches, including at national level, to learn exactly how Ushijima works. We barely get to see them interact, but - considering how blunt Ushijima is and that he’s always within earshot when Semi and Shirabu talk, I would think that if he thought Semi exaggerated, he would say so and assure them that he’s fine. Instead, he says nothing: I’m probably venturing into headcanon territory here, but what are we doing if not constantly offering our own interpreations: I want to believe that Ushijima stays quiet because just like he has faith in Reon, he has faith in Semi’s judgement, both as an experienced high level setter advising a less experienced setter, and as his former setter.

On a lighter and more openly wholesome level: even Wakatoshi makes it explicit that he believes in Semi. We know he doesn’t exactly pay compliments, and that for him, the simpler words speak louder than grand declarations. Just like he asks Gôshiki why he panics, when he has such abilities, this is what he does after Semi scores off an amazing serve. What better proof do you need that Ushijima thinkis highly of your serves, when he literally tells you “let’s use your serves to finish this set”? That’s how I interpret this panel, anyway - Semi is deliberately highlighted and has a “!” reaction, Ushijima was addressing him, specifically. How awesome of a server must you be, that Shiratorizawa’s star scorer implies he’s counting on you to wrap this up?

Oh, and also: supportive  Semi is the best Semi. Love this boy.

And to bring it back to Reon, look at them watching over their friend and captain from afar, even outside the court. I love them.

There are a few panels pointing at Wakatoshi, Reon, and Eita being really good friends too, but this post was more focused on team dynamics than friendships and also I want to sleep. But they are undeniably the third-years trinity of Shiratorizawa, on and off the court. And that’s it for now, tune in tomorrow for bbies Shirabu and Gôshiki or tell me to shut up, that’s acceptable too. If you read everything this far: thank you for your patience, here is a hot chocolate for your trouble:  ☕.

[transcendencism]

screenshots incoming later but i finished the class story with Kyaiit!!!!! despite only being Dark 1 i still got the Nox title (which, okay, is my favorite because Imperius and Occulus don’t sound as good) though I was aiming for Occulus. oh well!

of course, the problem Kyaiit faces now is that she’s out of survival mode, and actually has to figure what her goals are & finding allies on the Dark Council, so uh... she’s panicking a little bit. Very happy to have finally disposed of Thanaton though.

[chidoroki]

The Promised Neverland S2EP1

aka: when you scream into the void and it finally answers back, because AAAHHH IT’S HERE! IT’S ALL HAPPENING!! HELL YES!

Here I am, trying my best to breathe normally, and the kids are having just as much trouble doing the same as they run for their lives.. this is wonderful.

“It’s fine! Think of it as a game of tag!” Oh my sweet daughter, I waited so long to hear your voice again.

But wow we’re starting with a wild demon chase right off the bat? No Isabella scene?.. should I be concerned?

OP I waited so anxiously for you, please blow me away.

How they used the flowers and vida to represent the human and demon bodies respectively was real nice.

Ohhh and they used that scene from the “Zettai Zetsumei” ending too!

Wow, they aren’t holding back the idea of children being food huh.

They even teased Norman with a fully bloomed vida flower.. how cruel.

Leslie and Conny aww.

Mujika, Phil and Isabella with her hair down aahh yesss!

Peter? Hello?? Don’t you show up much later?

Emmaaaa!! And her hair is braided already?

Ahh it is! She has the hairclips! She doesn’t get those until she meets Sandy at Goldy Pond though.. Cloverworks, please. you better not be getting my hopes up for nothing, I swear.

I’m surprised to see all the escapees wearing the shelter jackets though. The.. SHELTER! JACKETS! Bunker dad incoming!

Fucking hell girl, why must you be so beautiful??

And my boy Ray!! Yeess!

They left that large space beside Emma as a reminder that Norman is no longer around anymore huh.. ow my heart.

I vibe with “Identity” so much.. I love it. The sequence was beautiful. You’re winning me over so far Cloverworks.

Now that I finally moved on from watching the OP several times.. hello children! And vida flowers..

Haahaha the way Lanni just falls like that from the tree.. I’m dying.

Aw Emma sweetheart, you’re already pushing yourself too much.

Okay, Ray didn’t bonk her on the head with the water but the reaction she gave along with her facial expression was great, so I’ll let that change slide.

Also, my son!! I missed you so much!

“Sorry, Emma.” Bro, his voice was so soft when saying that!

“As long as you’re alive and smiling, that’s all I need.” aaah.. AND HIS FUCKING SMILE AFTER SHE SAYS THAT! OH MY GOD!

“Emma.. I’ll live. I’ll live and protect this family. Everyone in this family, just like you. This time, for sure, I swear. No matter what happens, I’ll never abandon them again.” They really had him say it all. The entire thing.. yeeesss! Character development at its finest btw!

“So don’t bear this burden alone.” *glances at ch180*

It’s been a half hour since I started this episode and yet I’m only 5 minutes in.. help.

“Southeast?” “Between south and east.” “Gilda, I know that much.” I love this little addition between them so much.

They also included Don and Gilda into this scene with the pen.

And the pen actually has a map now? It was Ray who figured out how the number/letter sequence worked in the manga in terms of location but here Emma just touched the screen and a map appeared.. hmm, I’m conflicted.

The younger kids are watching all this now too.

“I miss Norman.” Aww Alicia.. and everyone else is adorable too.

Ahh the new soundtracks hit different.

They really are including the other kids into the story more.. for a while it was usually just Emma & Ray figuring stuff out.

“And we’ll find more allies, then go back for Phil and the others!” *deep sigh*

Honey, I’m begging you, please take a moment to relax!

Hey there demons.

No wonder they get chased so soon, they have their lanterns lit at night making them such easy targets.

Ah, so this is the scene where that screenshot of Ray & Emma came from.

Oh yeah, y’all better fucking run.

Cgi demon looks odd, but then again demons aren’t supposed to look normal regardless, so it’s okay.

They changed how they introduced the snakes of alvapinera huh.

Hold up, we’re already on ch42? Right now? Okay wow..

“Who’s the better one at tag?” “You are.” Aaaaha.

Aw man, I thought Ray was finally going to start a fire once he threw that lantern and having it break.

Ah, and that’s where the blood splatter from the preview came from, the GF demon slaying the wild one.

“The others are already dead.” Look at his smug face! I LOVE HIM!

Aww Jemima is worried about our boy.

Rossi, you’re such a sweet child.

I’m sorta glad they didn’t show her completely passing out, but EMMA!!

Oh sweet lord, Mujika! We’re meeting you already??

They did a great job making this scene have an eerie feel though.

Aw, the scarf!

Goddamn, they made Ray look so out of breath and winded.. nice!

Okay, but the way he fell though.. sorta prefer how determined he was to try and take another step despite him struggling to do so in the manga rather than having him just.. fall over like that.

But Sonju coming in clutch!

Are we for real already at ch45 and gonna get the Rayemma hug? oh my god.

They’re gonna end the episode with Ray questioning our demons friends, aren’t they..

My poor boy is spooked.

LOOK HOW RELIEVED HE IS WHEN SHE FINALLY WAKES UP!

THE DAMN HUG! IT HAPPENED! SOMEONE HOLD ME I FEEL SO SOFT RIGHT NOW!

But why no head pat though hmm?

I’m surprised they actually remembered the bell.

He held out his arm out to shield her.. aww.

This music.. sounds good. Anndd it just got better.

Yup, figures they would end the episode there.

Okay ending song, make me emotional.

Oh? We’re seeing more of the outside world alongside Sonju & Mujika?

Wow, and hello to all the kids being shipped out.

And some quick glimpses of the sisters and mothers too.

I really like the art style they have going on here.

Interesting.. also, no Isabella scene? At all? Oh no..

And I just realized they completely left out the entire snakes of alvapinera scene.. hm.

But yeah, this is going way quicker than I originally thought.. I don’t want to get my hopes up in case GP doesn’t happen, but at this pace, hey, who knows.

I can’t believe I got three of my favorite demon forest scenes in the first episode.. fucking wild dude.

Now I can relax.. by finally diving into the tags and consuming every bit of good food available! Finally aboard the hype train!