#Spawn 77

[spawn-universe]

Spawn 77, written by Thomas Healy with art by Mark Spears

[comicweek]

Spawn 77, written by Spawn Universe Editor-in-Chief Thomas Healy with art by Mark Spears, is a new take on Todd McFarlane’s original 1977 design concept for the character, before Al Simmons took up the Spawn mantle in New York City.  Spawn battles Angels, Demons and the worst of humanity from Vatican City to New York.  Spawn 77 #1 will be released in April 2025.

[cyber54prime]

Day 1 of spawn related character challenge:

spawn 77

[toxin45]

Four New Spawn universe titles coming.

Four new spawn universe titles coming next year.

Spawn 77

Nyx

Freak

Bloodletter.

[jules-writes-stories]

WIP | Azris Week 2025

The Myth of Orpheus & Eurydice, but Azris |

“What is that, strapped to your back?” Curious golden eyes shone like coins at the bottom of a wishing well. 

But Azriel would not give in, for the prince had proven that he liked to play games and grew bored easily. He was Fae, after all. Instead, Azriel stayed quiet and sat upon a large rock. He closed his eyes and let the sun warm his face as the ancient, windy song carried through the canopy. Yellow leaves floated to earth, like stars, like rain, to land on outstretched wings.

Azriel cast his gaze away from the pretty prince to the lyre on his knee. He sang. It was a quiet song, a little sad, but each note built, until hope broke through the fissures. It was something downy and new, a secret spoken for the first time. 

The faerie prince watched him with a guarded look. Eris drew closer and in his wake were silver hounds, their lithe forms shifting from smoke to sinew. They surrounded him in a half-circle formation and listened. Finally, he had the prince’s attention. 

<><><>

The beautiful demon’s spawn, or demi-mortal, or whatever manner of creature Azriel was, sang. And no sound had ever been so ethereal, so lilting and real. It was what Eris had sought his entire immortal life: beauty that shifted and stretched, to carry on the wind and bury into earth like a seed. Tomorrow, the music could grow into something different—with notes and lyrics that told a new tale. For what else was a lasting love, but music one could dance to in every season of life?

The wind and leaves paused their constant murmurs and the wood thrush quit their chatter. A doe froze in the thicket. It was as though the Mother herself held her breath.

Azriel looked up at Eris in question. Well? What will it be? 

“You have my attention, Singer.” 

<><><>

Please let me know if you ever want on/off my Azris tag |

@the-darkestminds @fieldofdaisiies @mistandmemories @c-starstuff-man0 @molcat07 @chunkypossum @going-through-shit @talibunny30 @lilah-asteria @amalhe-kofee @futurehunt @seihdacalling @honeysuckle-daydreams13 @unanswered-stars @that-girl-reading @christeareads @g00seg1rl @pippsmcgee @nus4y @astro-h0e-4azris @neciebee @makinglongwordsslutty @palomita-de-la-sangre @brunetterebel010 @aurorasleeps-27 @iftheshoef1tz @wovendreamscapes @bloodyplunder @catboyjamesbond @buffy-vanserra @thesourcabbage @fourteentrout @molcat07 @mudandmire @shadowsandlint @born-to-riot @secret-third-thing @acourtofladydeath @witch-and-her-witcher @ysmtttty @yams-77 @olenvasynyt @wrraccountant @jolenes-library @irithiadourden @icey--stars @constantsins @invaderdreyar @greenvelvetcouture

[fishenjoyer1]

Fish of the Day

Today's fish of the day is a bit different from normal, instead of focusing on a particular species of genus we will be focusing on landlocked salmon today by special request of Topi!

(Atlantic Salmon)

Landlocked salmon are notable due to the inherent nature of the salmon life cycle, where salmon hatch in a freshwater stream, migrate to the ocean until they achieve sexual maturity, and then travel back to the same stream they hatched from. However, landlocked salmon are unable to migrate and spend their life cycles entirely in freshwater. The three main landlocked salmon would be The Kokanee salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka), which are a subspecies of sockeye salmon, the Formosan landlocked salmon (Oncorhynchus masou formosanus), which is a subspecies of masu salmon, and finally the several populations of landlocked Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar).

(Formosan landlocked salmon)

Landlocked salmon hold almost no differences to their sea run relatives, other than that which speciation provides. Almost always landlocked salmon are far smaller. Considering that salmon are mid level carnivores, whose diet shifts based on age, freshwater prey is just simply less available than marine prey is. Salmon fry survive off of zooplankton, which is available in large amounts in freshwater, but as they grow into juveniles who eat worms and larvae, but by the time they are of age to transition to the marine environment, they rely on larger prey, such as other fish or squid. This is why landlocked salmon are far smaller, and often considered a far blander flavor by fishers.

(Atlantic salmon)

Another difference between the anadromous (migratory) fish and the non migratory is based on the migration pathways themselves. Landlocked salmon species tend to spend their lives within lakes, as they tend to offer more large prey than rivers do, and when after reaching the end of their lifecycle, these fish tend to run rivers connected to lakes, searching for the same stream they were born in. Those salmon of which were transported or by some means found themselves the first generation of landlocked salmon tend to search only for a safe area, other salmon, and higher elevations during their migration. Of those salmon landlocked only in lakes with no connection to other bodies of water there is significant inbreeding, and disease often tends to kill these populations out. It is thought that salmon of which are acclimated to freshwater and intentionally landlocked have a higher chance of surviving after spawning season, as some salmon species possess the ability to survive the spawning, and return to the ocean for another year. This is something that is not fully understood, and currently being researched by many of the fish hatcheries along the Columbia river, major rivers in California, and along the Atlantic. We may understand the relation between the stresses of moving from saltwater to freshwater better in the future!

(kokanee salmon)

To focus on the landlocked variations of Atlantic salmon for a moment, these are individual populations caught in the many lakes or river systems along the Eastern coast of the United States and Canada. These fish in particular are known as some of the best for fishing in the areas they live in. These fish can be found in a range from the Atlantic coast all the way as Western as Lake Eerie in some cases, living in cold water conditions, with growth being the highest at temperatures of 67-77 degrees fahrenheit, and a diet that is mostly made up of insects and small fish, often cannibalizing other young landlocked salmon.

(Atlantic landlocked Salmon)

The kokanee salmon is found along the Pacific coast, in many different lakes from Alaska to California, and as far East as Idaho, and in some rare cases, Nevada. There are also populations within lakes in Japan and Russia, although there is debate on the subject of speciation for these populations. Although some populations of kaknee have been intentionally introduced across lakes and freshwater systems much further East in the United States. Thes fish can get as large as 8-20 inches, and have a handful of morphological differences between them and sockeyes. Kokanee have a higher number of gill rakers, smaller egg size, and a higher efficiency rate in taking in red coloring from food sources to distribute in their eggs. They can live a lifespan around 4 years before spawning and passing away, as these fish do not survive after breeding, and can not interbreed with sockeye salmon.

(kokanee salmon)

The Formosan landlocked salmon, also called the Cherry salmon, is found in Taiwan. Living in the Lishan mountain range, these fish survive in cold water at extremely high altitudes, with an upper temperature limit of 60 degrees. These fish are thought to have become landlocked by the warming of the Dajia River during the last ice age. They live along the many small creeks and backwater streams, with an extremely endangered population with only around 4,000 living at any given time. Cherry salmon are exceptionally small, reaching only 30cm (around a foot) with most around only 6 inches in their adult life. Subsisting off of bugs and small terrestrial life that gets close to the water. These fish survive only around 4 to 5 years before breeding in higher colder waters, and passing away for their fry to replace them.

(Formosan landlocked salmon)

Those are the landlocked Salmon everybody! Have a wonderful day

[skotchtapeowner]

Ok frens, I have some thoughts regarding episode 77 (latest free ep) so obvious spoilers ahead

Also, this isint me hopping on the Annabel hate train, I love her to the end of time, and I want to see her character be as morally grey as possible because that’s what makes her that much more compelling;

So a lot of people think that the wallening happened because Monty Will and Ada originally wanted to put Lenore in the wall first, but then Annabel stepped in and volunteered Duke (it coudnt have been anyone else) instead to protect Lenore. That in itself is very interesting but what I would find way more intriguing is if it really was Annabel’s plan all along…

Putting lenore in a wall benefits no one, monty likes toying with her and torturing her, so getting rid of her this early on would kinda ruin his fun, I still feel like deep down, ada still really likes lenore and the Annabel wouldn’t volunteer her for obvious reasons.

So then why put duke in the wall in the first place? Well as shitty as it sounds, duke disappearance benefits Monty and Annabel the most, Monty gets his room to himself and gets to get rid of Lenore right hand man, essentially being a way to torment Lenore, and Annabel gets to get rid of Lenore’s main distraction, since Lenore is messing up Annabel’s plan to protect her friends (she could also be a lil jealous of duke getting all her attention as well)

I also find the crime to be wayyyy too specific and complexe for it to have been purely Monty will and Adas idea, Annabel is a strategist after all, and it’s kinda the perfect plan to get rid of someone in these circumstances. If duke dies, he’s in a fuckin wall with no chance to escape, and dying in Nevermore means you get orbed. Assuming your orbed soul spawns where your body was when you died, dukes orb would be stuck in the wall with no way out and no way to be found. It’s litteraly impossible to find duke. If Annabel didint have anything to do with the original plan, I think Monty and co woudve just killed him and buried him somewhere, but that woudve left a trail that could be easily traced, and hi orb could’ve been free.

The question remains, are we really gonna hate Annabel for doing what she thinks is best to save her lover? She said it herself that she sees everyone around her as pieces to her game, so this isint a deceiving move on her part, at least for us the readers. And again, this all happened before the widows watch, so Annabel didint know yet just how far Lenore would go for her friends, if she knew this information before then she might not have done what she did. And of course the method at which dukes dissappearance is mega cruel, but we can’t forget that Monty is also a there and clearly had an influence on how he wanted things to happen.

Annabel being the one behind it all is ti me the most plausible and the most interesting story line, for the angst the drama and eventually the reconciliation (lennabel are endgame after all so them getting back together is inevitable).

No hate to this theory but if annabel was just protecting Lenore, and volunteered duke in her place, I find that it’s kinda a cop out, if you’re gonna make her villainous, might as well go all out right?

We also can’t forget that this is a one for all hunger games style story, people are going to be trying to kill each other left and right since there’s only one life, and we shouldn’t expect everyone to be all friendship first or whatever.

To me, morally grey/ corrupted characters are waaayyy more interesting m, and that’s litteraly the nature of Annabel’s character, just how far would she go to get her and Lenore out of nevermore? This series dosent pull any punches when it comes to morality, and that’s why I love it so so so so much, it’s brilliant story telling!

And then personally for me, my two favorite characters are Annabel and duke so this whole scenario is ripping me apart and I love it ✨

(Also, i wouldn’t be mad at all if I’m wrong and she did in fact do a wall swap, both possibilities are interesting!)

[slainesthrone]

So trying to recreate the qsmp mos pack (Personal use ig, just sawa bunch of mods I've never seen before and when Oh Shit thats exciting, then just diecided "Fuck it gonna gather as many of the mods they're using)

I Do Not have any of knowledge of any of the dungeons that they have so I ask if you have any insight let me know.

Here's the full list I have of confirmed mods and possible mods;

server runs on 1.20.1 qsmp 2024 mods: 1.Regions Unexplored 2.Croptopia 3.Biomes o plenty 4.born in chaos 5.exotic birds 6.enmey expansion 7.chocobo mod 8.farmers delight + some other food mods (Possibly multiple) with delight in the name. 9.Candlelight(?) 10.Handcrafted 11.Alex's mobs 12.Alex's caves (I can confirm because of a TRAP DOOR in the egg bakery. I'm in the trenches) 13.supplementaries 14.Beachparty 15.create 16.journey maps (Idk some map mod) 17.aquaculture 2 18.cluttered 19.chimes 20.fairy lights 21.FramedBlocks 22.Chipped 23.paraglider 24.Another furniture mod 25.waystones 26.connected glass 27.Create deco 28.Candlelight dinner 29.MOA DECOR 30.Tanuki decor 31.Orcz 32.Modern life 33.Bakery 34.Friends&Foes 35.Meadow 36.Abyssal decor 37.Twigs 38.lootr 39.when dungeons arise(to be confirmed) 40.nether's delight 41.rats 42.Additional lanterns 43.Alex's delight 44.Additional Lights 45.AstikorCarts Redux 46.Athena 47.Awesome dungeon net..(work?) 48.BOZOID 49.Apothic Attributes 50.AppleSkin 51.Balm 52.Better Archeology 53.Better ping Display 54.BetterF3 55.Aquaculture Delight 56.Bookshelf 57.Bygone Nether 58.CC: Tweaked 59.Artifacts 60.Camera Mod 61.Cataclysm Mod 62.Catalogue 63.Citadel 64.Cloth config v10 API 65.Clumps 66.Comforts 67.Configured 68.Controlling 69.CorgiLib 70.CoroUtil 71.Corpse 72.CosmeticArmorReworked 73.Create : Encased 74.Create Confectionery 75.Create Slice & Dice 76.Create: Interiors 77.Create: Steam 'n' Rails 78.Create: Structures 79.CreativeCore 80.Creeper Overhaul 81.Cristel Lib 82.Cupboard Utilities 83.Curios API 84.Customizable Player M(???) 85.Delightful 86.Distant Horizons 87.Domestication Innovations 88.Duckling 89.Dynamic Lights 90.Elevator Mod 91.Embeddium 92.Emotecraft 93.Enderman Overhaul 94.EntityCulling 95.Nether's exoticism 96.YUNG's (x) Mods (bridges, better dessert temples,mineshafts only ones i can confrim, might be all but idk for sure) 97.Securitycraft 98.Vinery (Confirmed because of Tubbo's drinking binge at spawn yesterday) 99.Mr.Crayfish (Furniture confirmed, possibly more) 100.Naturalist 101.Tom's simple storage

If you know or noticed mods that haven't been listed, reply/reblog with them please.

Things are numbered for my archival reasons, as some mods come in multiple separate mods (such as YUNG's) the numbering will not show the true number of the mods on the server.

I also have not checked the needed mods that any of these mods may need so.

(Please note that there may be spelling/grammar mistakes in the names of this mods!)

[pixel7777]

The First Worshipper: Ch. 5

The naughty version of the beautiful artwork commissioned from the incredible misfitlunatic (https://x.com/misfit_lunatik or https://bsky.app/profile/misfitlunatik.bsky.social) can be seen in all its glory here.

If you want to read from the beginning, searching my blog for #myfic will bring up all my fanfic posts. Link for Chapter 1. Link for art discussion post.

Read this chapter below the break here or on AO3!

77 years AB

My darling, too-distant Tav,

Seventy-seven years. Has it really been that long since we saved the world? The numbers mock me—seven decades without you, ten times longer than we had together. And yet I remember that night in the parlor as clearly as if it were yesterday...

You'd dragged me home from that dreadful party at the Silvershield estate, practically bouncing with unspent energy. Before I could even remove my coat, you grabbed my hands and pulled me into a dance. No music, just you humming that ridiculous tavern song about the polymorphed prince. I protested, of course—someone had to maintain standards—but you just laughed and spun faster until I gave in.

We waltzed between the furniture, knocking over that hideous vase your Harper friends gave us. (I never told you I broke it on purpose.) You stepped on my toes at least twice, and I pretended to be more annoyed than I was. The candlelight caught in your hair, and for a moment, I forgot about everything else—Cazador, the tadpole, all of it. Just us, dancing like fools in our own home.

Karlach's gone now. Last week. She lived exactly as she wanted—loud, bright, burning hot right until the end. Dammon is... well. He has the children and grandchildren to distract him. The great-grandchildren too, though keeping track of all their names is becoming quite the task.

I'm trying very hard not to be bitter that she got so many more more years than you did, that she got to see her children grow up and grow old themselves. She filled every moment with that insufferable joy of hers, just like you always did. I assume you're not in the same place—your souls were rather differently aligned—but I'd like to think you'd both approve of how I've looked after her family.

Even Gale is slipping away now. The gods are taking him, bit by bit. Our little chats grow shorter, his visits more distant. Soon I'll be truly alone with all these memories, unless I do something typically dramatic about it.

Don't worry, darling. I learned from the best how to make an entrance.

Forever yours,

Astarion

[A continuation of the letter, in a hastier, more agitated script]

P.S. Before you start haunting me with that disapproving look of yours—yes, I know there are still seven spawn out there who helped orchestrate everything. But they're not going anywhere, are they? Immortality has its advantages. I can take my time planning something truly... special for them.

Besides, someone needs to be here for Dammon. And Shadowheart's garden isn't going to tend itself. Even that sad little bush you insisted on planting is still alive, if you can believe it. I've kept every single one of your ridiculous plants breathing.

So there. I'm being responsible. Aren't you proud?

P.P.S. Speaking of responsibility—what I'm planning next... well. You wouldn't approve. At all. But since you're not here to play my accomplice, I suppose you'll just have to live with it.

Or not live with it, as the case may be.

Though if you'd like to change that particular situation, I'm sure our skeletal friend would be delighted to assist. No?

Well then, darling—don't judge what you're not here to fix.

* * *

From the celestial plane, Gale tried to focus on the delicate task of weaving divine energy into a new constellation. The intricate work demanded his full attention, yet Astarion's persistent prayers kept pulling at his consciousness like an insistent child tugging a sleeve. The man wouldn't stop calling his name.

With an exasperated sigh that rippled through the cosmic ether, Gale finally gave up. He manifested in Astarion's bedchamber, ready to address whatever theatrical crisis his high priest had conjured this time.

The scene that greeted him made him wish he'd stayed focused on his stars.

Blue and silver clerical robes lay scattered across the marble floors, and Astarion was on the bed, tangled in the sheets with a woman. Her legs were wrapped around his waist as he moved against her with an almost predatory grace. Gale caught a glimpse of Astarion's lips against her neck, leaving a trail of kisses that elicited a series of moans from her.

No, not just moans. Not generic, harmless moans.  She was moaning Gale's name.  And so was Astarion.  That was what had called him here.

"Really, Astarion?" Gale pinched the bridge of his nose, averting his gaze from the tableau before him. He tried to ignore the heat that flared within him at the sight of Astarion's lean form, slick with sweat and straining with exertion.

Astarion's grin was positively wicked as he broke away from his lover's neck, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Ah, there you are! We were just discussing proper forms of worship."

The woman lifted her head and looked Gale up and down. “Is that… Gale Dekarios? Our God of Ambition himself?!”

“Why, yes. Isn’t it thrilling? Divine blessings on demand, darling.” Astarion continued rolling his hips but his eyes were laser focused on Gale. "I told you sleeping your way to the top was a valid form of ambition for our generous deity."

"Oh, Gale, your divine presence honors us! Astarion, I should never have doubted you!"

"Sister Elena," Gale recognized with dismay. "Aren't you supposed to be leading the novice prayer circle right now."

"Oh, she's leading something." Astarion's expression grew even more pleased with himself as he adjusted his angle and Sister Elena moaned again, “Oh, Gale! Oh, Gale, yes! Yes, like that!”

Gale spent his days on a plane of existence that regularly defied reality as mortals knew it, and yet this was the the most surreal moment Gale could recall experiencing. "But why are you calling out my name?  Astarion, did you tell her you were me?"

"Like anyone could confuse the two of us." Astarion grinned at the Sister who giggled in response.

Gale turned his back, then tried and failed to regain his composure. "Then…why?"

"Well, who else am I supposed to cry out for? ‘Oh, god’? That’s so generic. ‘Oh, Gale’ has a much nicer ring to it. Plus you have to admit as prayers go these are much less boring than the usual pleas for promotion or profit.”

“This is the last time I answer one of your ridiculous ‘prayers,’ Astarion. Find a better expletive!”

Gale could hear the pout in Astarion's voice. “But you’re my favorite.”

“I am not your personal plaything.”

Astarion laughed low, that register he used to flirt. “A shame. You’d be so good at it.”

"I'm leaving," Gale announced flatly. "And we will never speak of this again. If I ever speak to you again."

Astarion sighed heavily. "Elena, darling, I'm going need to deal with this. We can pick this up later.  I'll make it up to you very generously."

Gale listened as Elena giggled, gathered up her clothes, and scurried from the room.

Once Elena's footsteps faded, Gale whirled to face Astarion, who was now lounging against the headboard with a sheet draped artfully across his hips.

"This has to stop." Divine energy crackled around Gale's form. "You've turned prayer into a mockery, my worship into a joke."

"Come now, darling. I've built you the grandest temple in Baldur's Gate."

"A temple you use to host orgies and scheme against your enemies! You're not my high priest - you're using my name as a shield while you entertain yourself at my expense." What would Tav think? Utterly unacceptable to bring her into it, but the words were threatening to burst out anyway.  I mean, I wanted him to move on, but…

Astarion's smirk faltered. "I've given you followers, influence-"

"Followers who think I'm some sort of divine matchmaker! Who pray to me for bedroom advice!" Gale's voice rose as centuries of frustration burst forth. "You've never truly supported my role. Everything - the statues, the ceremonies, even this ridiculous display - it's all been about you."

"What did you expect?" Astarion sat up, eyes flashing. "That I'd spend eternity singing hymns and burning incense? That's not who I am."

"No, you're just the vampire who hijacked my divinity to distract himself from his own life."

"At least I'm still here!" Astarion's voice cracked. "While you float around in your celestial plane, playing with stars and ignoring everything below. You abandoned us - abandoned me - the moment you got your precious godhood."

"That's not-"

"Oh, but it is. Too busy with divine duties to attend Karlach's funeral. Too occupied with cosmic balance to help track down Tav's killers." Astarion's facade crumbled, revealing raw pain. "You chose your ambition over our friendship, Gale. Don't pretend otherwise.  You only ever show up anymore if I provoke you into it."  Astarion gestured dramatically at the bed and his own form. "For example…"

The accusation hit Gale like a physical blow.

Gale's divine sight had shown him too much - Astarion's late nights hunched over parchment, the tears falling onto ink, the ritual of burning letters that never reached their intended recipient. The weight of that knowledge pressed against his chest.

"You accuse me of abandonment?" Gale's voice carried the resonance of divinity despite his efforts to temper it. "While you write letters to a ghost and push away everyone who tries to reach you?"

Astarion went very still. "You've been spying on me?"

"I see everything my followers do, remember? Including your nightly correspondence with someone who can't write back."

"That's private." Astarion's words came out as a hiss.

"You go through the motions of moving forward - the parties, the schemes, even the temple. But you're not really here. You haven't been since Tav died."

"Oh, spare me the divine wisdom." Astarion pulled the sheet around himself like armor. "Is this jealousy speaking? Worried your first worshipper's devotion isn't pure enough?"

"This isn't about worship. This is about you demanding I be constantly present while you're only ever half here yourself." Gale stepped closer, power crackling around him.  A marble tile between Gale's feet cracked in three places.  Gale took a deep breath and tried to control himself. "When was the last time you had a real conversation with anyone? Let someone actually know you're hurting?"

"Please." Astarion's smile was sharp as the broken glass. "As if you'd understand, floating above it all in your cosmic perfection. Some of us are still stuck down here in the mess of mortality."

"I understand more than you think. I see you, Astarion. Every letter. Every tear. Every time you push someone away before they can get close enough to matter."

"Get out." Astarion's voice was deadly quiet.

"You can't keep living like this-"

"I said get out!" Astarion hurled a crystal goblet. It passed harmlessly through Gale's divine form and shattered against the wall. "Leave me to my mess of mortality, since you're so above it all now."

The raw anguish in Astarion's voice tore at something in Gale's chest. Even as a god, he felt the weight of his friend's pain like a physical thing. The bedroom's oppressive silence stretched between them, broken only by the sound of crystal shards settling on marble.

Astarion had turned away, his shoulders rigid beneath the sheet he'd pulled around himself like armor. The casual sensuality and teasing provocation from moments ago had vanished, replaced by something brittle and sharp-edged.

"Astarion..." Gale reached out, then let his hand drop. What could he possibly say now? He'd pushed too far, torn open wounds his friend wasn't ready to face. But when would he be ready? "You think I don’t miss her too? You think this—" He gestured at himself, divine light flickering, "makes it easier? Every time you write to her, I wonder if I should be the one to deliver the message. But she’s not coming back, Astarion. She chose to leave us behind."

"I believe I told you to leave." Astarion's voice was flat, emptied of its usual wit and charm. He didn't turn around.

Gale observed the tense line of Astarion's spine, the way his fingers gripped the sheet until his knuckles went white. The vampire spawn's usual masks had crumbled, leaving something raw and wounded exposed beneath.

"I shouldn't have—" Gale started.

"Don't." The word cracked like a whip. "Just go back to your stars, Gale. That's what you're good at."

The dismissal stung, but Gale knew he deserved it. He'd violated his friend's privacy, thrown Tav's memory in his face like a weapon. Some wounds weren't meant to be prodded, even by gods, no matter how much time had passed.

With a heavy heart, Gale let his divine form fade. The last thing he saw was Astarion's silhouette against the window, still as a statue, waiting for him to go.

From his celestial vantage, Gale watched Astarion's unnatural stillness persist long after his departure. No breath stirred his chest, no subtle shifts of weight betrayed discomfort. Just that statue-like pose that screamed of suppressed emotion.

The memory of their argument twisted in Gale's chest. He'd pushed too hard, said too much. But watching his friend spiral through increasingly outrageous distractions had become unbearable.

When he'd first convinced Astarion to abandon his Underdark revenge quest, Gale had thought proximity to their remaining companions would help. Karlach's warmth, Wyll's steadfast friendship, even Shadowheart's sharp-edged concern—surely these connections would anchor him.

Instead, Astarion had transformed the cathedral into an endless parade of excess. Each celebration more elaborate than the last, each ritual more irreverent, each "prayer service" more scandalous. The parties grew wilder, the jokes more pointed, the provocations more desperate.

Yet beneath it all, that terrible stillness waited. Gale saw it in the quiet moments between performances - when Astarion thought no one was watching. The way his smile dropped the instant his audience turned away. The mechanical precision with which he went through the motions of living.

Seven decades had passed since Tav's death. Time enough, Gale thought, to heal his wounds. But Astarion remained frozen in that moment of loss, preserved in grief like an insect in amber.

Gale's divine sight revealed the letter already taking shape on Astarion's desk—another missive to join the ashes of countless others. Another conversation with a ghost who couldn't answer.

If only Tav were here—she'd known exactly how to handle Astarion's moods. She'd always had that gift for reading people, for seeing past their defenses to the truth beneath.

But Tav's soul remained frustratingly beyond his reach, even as a god. He'd searched the planes, traced the paths of departed spirits, but found nothing. Whatever choice she'd made in death, it had taken her somewhere even divine sight couldn't penetrate.  Or least his. Withers would know, but Withers would never tell.

The irony wasn't lost on him. Here he was, a god with the power to shape reality, and he couldn't even help his best friend or find the one person who could. Should he maintain his distance, let Astarion work through his grief without divine intervention? Or would that just drive him further into isolation?

Tav would have known. She'd always understood the delicate balance between support and space, when to offer comfort and when to step back. But she wasn't here to guide either of them anymore. Perhaps he was never meant to guide Astarion out of his pain. Tav had done that once, and without her... Gale’s chest tightened. No amount of divinity could replace what they’d lost.

Gale sighed.  His presence wasn't helping.  Maybe it was time to try removing himself as a crutch and force Astarion to turn to someone else, someone who could spend every day at his side and coax him truly into the world again.  Someone who lived in the same world.

Gale closed his eyes as his heart clenched painfully in his chest.  He didn't know if he could actually refuse to answer when Astarion called.  He ignored a thousand idiotic prayers every day, all prompted by his wayward high priest, but he had a terrible record when it came to ignoring the high priest himself.  He would have to find the strength.  It would be for the best.

* * *

My too-patient Tav,

I've been terribly remiss, haven't I? Playing at being a priest, throwing parties, entertaining nobles who wouldn't have spat on me two centuries ago. What would you say if you could see me now? Actually, don't answer that. I can picture your expression perfectly—that little half-smile that always meant I was being ridiculous. It used to irritate me, that knowing look of yours. Now I’d give anything to see it again. Anything.

I've let myself get distracted by these... entertainments. Meanwhile, those responsible for taking you from me are still standing. Three down was a good start, but seven remain. Did you know they've scattered like rats through the Underdark? Smart of them, really. Makes hunting them so much more interesting.

Gale's been positively insufferable about it all. "Think about what you're doing, Astarion." "This isn't what Tav would want." As if he has any right to speak for you now. He barely shows his divine face anymore and when he does he's insufferable.

The thing is, love... I'm bored. These walls feel like they're closing in, all polish and propriety. No, it’s more than that. Gale’s sanctimonious little visit reminded me of something: I’m not made for this. I’m not you. I can’t pretend the world is a kinder place than it is. Blood is what I know. Blood is what I’m owed. I need to feel something real. And what could be more real than finishing what I started?

So I'm going hunting. Proper hunting this time. No more of these "accidents" that keep Gale marginally appeased. Let him sulk in his celestial plane—I don't need his approval or his protection.

You always said I had a flair for the dramatic. Well, darling, you haven't seen anything yet.

Yours in bloody revenge,

A.

[mspaintbrush]

Lucio thoughts

Sleeps in a hammock (he needs this weight of sinking into the cloth and the whole thing still moving slightly)

Topless with baggy comfy pants, hair cap to protect braids

Morning routine: wake up, clean face, moisturize skin and hair, trim beard, put hair up, go into kitchen, brew coffee (black, pure, raw energy - Overwatch coffee isnt as strong as the brazilian coffee he is used to, so as a treat he gets some imported), lil bit of breadrolls/toast with butter

Dog person, spoiling Murphy

Still gets along fine with cats though, Mitzi likes to chill in his room (Mitzi lives at the base in my head because yes)

Owns several pairs of heelies

If he doesnt wear skates he wears heelies

Would put rolls on patent shoes to wear with a suit

Skates in the halls and gets flamed by Phara for it (continues to do it, nothing will stop the rio drift)

Would be great at skateboarding but never actually tried it even though its on his bucket list (Genji was a skateboard kid for sure, he would definitely love to teach him)

Can play guitar and ukulele

Strumming a little tune helps him calm down and keep his fingers and head occupied

Regularily carries both his instruments around the base and forgets where they are (lore behind the guitar in helicarrier spawn)

Baggy comfy clothes for the win, comfort over style

Used to casually wear a lot of sports team shirts and still does

Gets cold quickly (brazil curse) so often wearing more layers than others (bro is already complaining at around 25°C/77°F)

Saw snow for the first time in his life just one year ago and still gets all bubbly and excited when Mei tells him its going to be snowing during a mission/at the base

Desperately needs social contact and feels anxiously lonely very quickly

Charges up by being around people and just enjoying their company, even if everyone is kinda doing their own thing

Often hangs around DVa, Bap or Brig since they are very cheerful and fun to be around

They play videogames together (Im sure DVa owns a retro game collection so they play wii sports or guitar hero or smth)

Eats burger with knife and fork and gets laughed at for it

Good cook! Likes veggies :)

Dont look at the state of the kitchen after he is done though

Not the most organized or tidiest person, proud owner of a clothing pile in the corner of his room

That clothing pile is Mitzi's favourite spot

Honestly I see him having his hammock hung up over his normal bed. And he uses the bed as a couch or storage room even when Winston offered him multiple times to take it out of the room.

When you visit his room you just hear "oh wait I'll make some space" and the noise of a bunch of stuff being "moved" to the floor before he offers you to sit on the bed

One of the people you'd hear roaming through the base at 2am looking for food or his guitar he left somewhere

At the same time very concerned about other people's sleep schedule (DVa will not know peace)

Responsible for the music playing during helicarrier flights, master of the aux cord

Custom mixtapes based on destination (he takes it very serious)

Has playlists set up for each Overwatch Agent and carefully builds them up as he tries to figure out everyone's music taste

this started because Reinhardt asked him about David Hasselhoff

not everyone knows about their playlists yet, Lucio himself decides when the time is right to solemnly present it

[archivist-crow]

Talking Heads - Talking Heads: 77 (1977)

Forty-seven years ago today, on September 16, 1977, Talking Heads: 77, the debut album by Talking Heads, was released. While the album spawned three singles, only one of them, “Psycho Killer,” would break onto the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 92. The album itself received a somewhat muted response from critics and would peak at number 97. Despite the underwhelming reception, the album has gone on to be acclaimed—not only for the retrospective originality of the band’s music but also for being the initial step in what became a legendary act in rock history.

[melishade]

Attack on Prime Chapter 90: The Big Twist

Spoilers ahead if you haven't read the chapter. I recommend that you do if you haven't.

So.....

let’s talk about Primus. Eh?

So looking back on the Transformers franchise as a whole, Primus himself isn't really capitalized on. In a few of the shows, he’s only name-dropped or doesn’t even exist like TFA. In shows like TFP and the book the Covenant of Primus, he is alluded to and even given a brief backstory of his and Unicron’s origins before shifting gears to the Primes and their dynamics, but never makes an on screen appearance. He’s shown as the core and that’s it. We don’t know what he looks like in the Aligned Continuity. I think there is a toy out for him, but it was never said to be official. The only Transformers content that really explores on Primus is the IDW comics. Where Primus has aligned himself with three other transformer deities, but one of them got really angry with him for some reason and as punishment, got rid of his god powers, made everyone forget ever knowing him after he so much as left the room. (Look my info on IDW is spotty. I never got the chance to read the comics in full. Although god being a therapist is hilarious).

Besides IDW, there aren’t many interpretations or characterizations of Primus, which is a damn shame, considering we’ve always seen Unicron in almost all Transformers iterations. So it was something that I’ve always wanted to take a crack at: putting my own spin on the creator of the Transformers. I wanted to bring him into Attack on Prime, but before the AOT story was completed, I had no clue how to bring Primus into the story without it sounding so contrived and out of nowhere. I couldn’t have him pop out in the sky, tell everyone to stop fighting, and then have him leave, confusing everyone. It wouldn’t have made sense. In fact, I was all but ready to scrap the idea for AOP…until the Paths chapters dropped in the AOT manga, and I realized:

And I immediately got to work on how to incorporate Primus into the story while also making it make sense. Which took a while. I’ve worked on multiple rewrites of Primus’ character and his interactions with Eren and Zeke before creating the final draft for the chapter. I started my brainstorming of my characterization of Primus in late 2019 with the document titled RELGN 132 (which was the title of a religion course I took at UCLA, so fairly on the nose). So yeah, I’ve been working on it for 4+ years.

But first let’s talk about the multiple lead up I’ve had up until this point, because again, I’m meticulous with my foreshadowing. Chapter of foreshadowing include:

Chapter 45 Chapter 69 Chapter 70 Chapter 72 Chapter 77 Chapter 81 Chapter 82 Chapter 86

(And a bunch of other additional chapter do have foreshadowing and there is a small inkling of Primus' presence, and I might explain that later, but I want to see if people can piece it together by re-reading the chapter. If not, then I'll probably just say it outright, IDK.)

But, some moments might’ve been noticeable, some not so much. I knew that I didn’t want Primus’ introduction in the Paths to feel out of nowhere. Eren and Zeke are talking and suddenly this guy just pops out of nowhere. I needed him to be alluded to, which is where the 4th notebook and Pieck come in, oh and also Unicron. Well, at least Unicron's powerset.

In the Covenant of Primus, Primus and Unicron are said to come from the same being: The One, who split apart due to its own internal conflict regarding the state of the universe. If Primus and Unicron come from the same being, they must have the same abilities. Or similar abilities at least. One of the abilities should include: using their blood to communicate with others who carry their blood. Dark energon flows through Unicron while energon flows through Primus. Through energon, all Cybertronians are connected and return to the place they spawned from after their death, regardless of how good or bad their intentions were. If this concept can apply to Cybertronian, surely it could apply to titan shifters, who’s powers even defy death itself on some level. Once all the titan shifters, or at least the Founder, had access to energon, Primus had access to them, and would have found a way to enter the Paths, either through his own power or Vector’s help, since the Paths operate outside of space time. (Primus himself will provide a brief explanation in the Paths II. And the In Between OVA that I keep bringing up, is simply AOP from Primus' perspective. God I am so happy I can say that now!)

But because the Paths operate outside of space and time and the fact that the full powers of the Founder hadn't been utilized on the flow of time, Primus lacked the tools he needs to figure out what the hell was going on or even eliminate the power of the titans. He is flung through the memories and lives of each titan shifter; however, some memories are blocked from him and he doesn’t know why. And because of Primus lack of control, he can’t properly interact with the world around him. He can only interact with other titan shifters as a distorted image. A shadow. He can’t give so much information to Kruger and Pieck. He can only provide images, hidden clues because of the barrier between them. And Primus wants to learn about the truth of the AOT world, so he sees through their eyes and listens to their stories. Even when Kruger and Pieck interact with Primus and even touch him, they are met with a warm, gentle, touch of comfort. Something to show that he is other worldly. In addition to that, the allusion to the overlap of voices, how Primus knows about even that happened thousands of years into the past, his glowing blue eyes, how he forces Kruger to feel the pain and suffering of the people he turned into titans, how Primus had called Megatron and Arcee by name before asking Pieck to believe in Optimus, proclaiming he would be the one to end the power of the titans. The longer Primus is on screen as the shadow, the more ‘in your face’ the information becomes. If you haven’t pieced together the shadow is Primus, then at the very least, you know that the shadow is Cybertronian.

Other pieces of information that are not so subtle, is actually the local therapist Rung in the Cybertron OVA. If you know your transformers lore, then you should know that Rung is Primus. That was one of the obvious bits of information that I was incorporating here. Some of the interactions that Rung has includes him not batting an eye when Starscream lashes out at him and catches the energon cube with such ease that he completely forgets to react the way a normal person would. The scene that Rung had alone where he looks at the Jackhammer in a remorse manner, almost as if he knows what’s going to happen but can’t do anything about it. Finally, when Rung places a comforting hand on Arcee, Arcee notes that the hand feels warm and comforting, and she feels a swell of emotions. Ya know, like every other interaction he’s had with humans on screen. Not to mention that Rung recommended that Arcee leave the planet on purpose because of prior knowledge of the AOT world because I’ve hinted at the fact that Primus in the story right now is from a time where the events of AOT haven’t happened yet. Right before he sends Optimus (Of course, this will be explain more cohesively within the In between OVA, which is going to focus on Primus and what’s he’s been doing throughout the AOP story).

More subtle bits of information when foreshadowing Primus’ role in the story is the drawing of Optimus Prime’s holoform, or rather Primus, from the 4th notebook. The drawing is led to believe and cement the fact that the Attack Titan can see into the future. Which is true, Primus’ appearance in the story is a future event, however, I have to make a note that what they are looking at is not Optimus. It’s Primus wearing Optimus’ face. So I had to have someone who would take notice of the way that Primus is wearing Optimus’ face. Erwin had to be the observation because he’s the only human that has been known to notice those subtle details and connections. He of course brought this up with Megatron and Megatron does notice the difference. But the drawing is not Megatron’s concern, assuming that someone trying to interpret someone from memory is going to get a few details wrong. Also, they have other priorities to take care of besides a drawing from the past. Megatron and ultimately Erwin let it go, but I’m letting the audience know, something is clearly up. Adding on top of that, Kruger has never met Optimus, but he had seen the shadow’s face before dying. That should be another indicator that it’s not Optimus. It’s the shadow. It’s Primus.

Finally, the more subtle indication of Primus’ presence in the story is the conversation that Eren and Kenshin had about the existence of gods in general. While Kenshin believes that god exists, Eren does not. He critiques god and believe god to be hypocritical while Kenshin believes that god cares and wants the creation to live freely. It’s supposed to be an engaging conversation while also hinting at the fact that Eren’s definitely going to talk to a deity with his mentality and future visions and get the crap kicked out of him.

I’m certain that I missed something but what I’ve wanted to say but the foreshadowing of Primus is there, and I wanted it to be clear. However, Primus’ characterization is something I wanted to discuss for a long time too. Again, we don’t know much about Primus’ character besides Rung, and I didn’t want him to be a stoic deity. That’s boring. I wanted to have some fun. I wanted Primus to be the complete opposite of Unicron. While Unicron is haughty and prideful, Primus is kind and humble. While Unicron loathes the idea of existence and wants death and destruction, Primus believes in life and creation. Unicron believes that everything is beneath him while Primus sees the value of even the smallest living thing. Unicron believes in working alone, and that he is the most powerful being. No one else should have his power. Primus believes in cooperation, unity, and sharing his power. Unicron wants to destroy the universe, Primus wants to be a part of it.

With that in mind, I was able to write a characterization of Primus: a gentle, kind being that cares deeply for the lives of others that may or may not even be his own. Someone who gets excited at the prospect of learning new things about new beings, someone who mourns the loss of life, and someone who gets angry at the prospect of someone wanting to take that life away. Someone who genuinely tries to understand the individual and their experiences in order to truly understand the meaning of life.

However, there is a fatal flaw to Primus. People I've talked with in the transformers fandom, myself included, have criticized Primus for his own inaction during the war. He gave the Matrix to Optimus, sure, but he did nothing to stop the War in its tracks or even stop the caste system from taking place. Why didn’t he help out Megatron and his people? Why didn’t he stop Megatron when he had gone insane? Why did he make Optimus shoulder all his responsibilities twice? Why does Primus not step in when there are life-threatening events that could destroy the universe? The very thing he values and wants to be part of? It’s very simple: Primus is an immortal deity, with powers to see beyond the veil of time and defy reality if he wanted to but chooses not to based on the safety of the whole universe and every living creature. A personal theory I've come up with is the Unicron prophecy in TFP. Unicron was set to reawaken on Earth, but Cybertron doesn’t know about Earth until the war happens. Sure, if the war didn’t happen, the caste system could have been fixed and Cybertron could have been a better place to live, but Unicron would have awakened with no one to stop him and would have destroyed the whole universe, Cybertron included. It’s an example of Primus trying to see the bigger picture and that’s where his flaw lies. When seeing the bigger picture, he ignores the sufferings of mortals who lead very limited lives compared to him. Primus has all the time in the universe to figure everything out, but not Cybertron, and not everyone else. His purpose even if Cybertron is destroyed is to battle Unicron once more. It’s an endless cycle. But Primus ends up missing the point that he wants to understand. There’s a quote from Steven Universe’s character Sapphire that encapsulates this perfectly:

“I keep looking into the future when all of this has already been solved, as if it doesn’t matter how you feel in the present. No wonder you think I don’t care.”

The meaning of life to a mortal is vastly different to that of an immortal. As a result, Primus will never fully understand them and can’t be part of the universe like he wants to. He cannot live and die like they can. But even so, he still tries to, and that’s what makes him all the more understanding. This is what I want to encapsulate for my characterization of Primus in AOP. Now he has to confront two titan shifters with their own flaws and failings: one that wishes to die, and one that wishes to destroy. And he is not happy with either of them trying to play god out of selfishness.

(There's other things that I want to discuss, like Primus' design and other actions within the story, but I think I'll take care of that tomorrow. Still if you haven't, please leave a comment. That would be greatly appreciated. And I encourage you to read back through AOP to find those clues of Primus' presence.

Not to mention, chapter 45 isn't Primus' first appearance.)

[savage-kult-of-gorthaur]

FEATHERED FORM MEETS SOUTH OF HEAVEN.

PIC INFO: Spotlight on promotional images for Wings of Redemption Spawn six inch action figure (based on "SPAWN" comic book cover Vol. 1 #77), part of Spawn Series 21: "Alternate Realities," released by McFarlane Toys in February 2002.

BRAND: Spawn

GENRE: Comics

PRODUCT TYPE: Action figure

SERIES: "SPAWN" Series 21

Sources: https://mcfarlane.com/toys/wings-of-redemption-spawn-2 & Pinterest.

[ooihcnoiwlerh]

Okay. So. I've been rereading Some Things Are Meant to Be, and I've seen your headcanon of Elvis and Manager/Reader getting married and having a baby in '77. This has spawned an unhinged headcanon of mine, and I decided to share it with you because why not? We know that Elvis and Manager/Reader are endlessly horny, and that Elvis, the sweet man that he is, would know about basically nothing about sex during pregnancy. I imagine him being even more attracted to her when she gets pregnant, if that's even possible, but being terrified to touch her because he doesn't want to hurt the little one. She finally realizes what's up and explains to him that he's not going to hurt the baby, at which point they have dirty sex, as is tradition. Anyway! This has been living rent-free in my head for two days, so I wanted to share the love.

Thank you for the ask and for sharing your headcanon! I think in this biopic-based AU he'd definitely be even more protective of her than usual and as much as he knows about sex probably got some misinformation about what is or isn't safe for pregnant women in bed. While in this AU he has been married before and has a child to prove it, I could definitely see him maybe under the impression that only certain things were allowed and his first wife, who hadn't been with anyone except him, believing him and not pressing the issue. The Reader would 100% know better, though, as someone who had sex continuously throughout her first pregnancy up until midway through her third trimester. Giggling at the idea of how that conversation would go down, tbh. Thank you for suggesting it.

Elvis: it's a shame we'll only be able to do hand-and-mouth stuff for the next several months.

Reader:....What?

Elvis: So we don't hurt the baby.

Reader: Going about our regular routine won't hurt the baby.

Elvis:...What?

Reader: And once my fatigue and the worst of the morning sickness is over and I start getting my energy back, I'm going to want you to rail me on a regular basis again.

Elvis: Yes, ma'am.

[codexmaledictus]

✒️ Codex Fragment 77-Omega

The glyphs burned before we etched them.

The vat cracked before we knew there was a ritual.

One Vermin erupted from the green. It is not alone.

Each spawn is a sentence in the Codex.

Each breath a verse of Nurgle’s gospel.

Chapter I hasn’t been released.

But it has already happened.

🎥 Birth Footage – Vault 77-Omega 📖 Prologue – The First Glyph

#codexmaledictus #nurgle #deathguard #mutoidvermin #plaguehorror #chaos40k #thecodexremembers

[lectern-fullcauldron]

when I first began watching docm77, it was late season six. i didn't know what was coming when he marked out a border with yellow and black concrete and quarantined some aliens.

doc built projects in area 77, brand new projects that turned the old minecraft I knew to dust. village and pillage was here, and tango's abandoned iron farm at spawn was obsolete.

the first time horror struck me, that first moment when I looked at my scream and said: something is horribly wrong, is when he started building that first infinity portal.

weeks and weeks went by and that portal warped under his hands. and doc only explained it when the sun set on the season, and the hermits dived through the portal with its edges glittering with diamond.

weeks and weeks went by and he'd end his episode by changing one block on that portal, and he wouldn't tell us how, or why. it was terrifying, it was mastery.

the hippies were saying that horrors were happening in area 77 and they weren't wrong. doc was showing us that they weren't wrong.

it was brilliant storytelling on his part. I'd definitely recommend watching it, if you haven't seen it