#This is called Kingmaking

[amaiguri]

Amai's Fantasy Noble Houses

^^ The Courthouse of Nouveau Thuille

So yesterday, I went on a big info dump about Nouveau Thuille itself, but its most important aspect is its people -- the Noble Houses of Nouveau Thuille. Factions are one of my FAVORITE PARTS of worldbuilding, so please indulge me as I gush about how COOL all my Houses are <3 <3 ,3

**House d'Magnia**

^^ The Manor d'Magnia

House d'Magnia is Arlasaire's House, my protagonist! Well, kinda. See, House d'Magnia sigil is a winged serpent and its words are "Eshew Axiom for Ascendancy" which basically means "We break the law to win." They are known for being the most brutal and underhanded in their tactics -- Giluniques, the heir, had his eye cut out as a baby with the hopes that he would become a mage. (He did.) And one of the House's favorite things to do is take in society's undesirables and turned them into hitmen. Arlasaire was one such person -- she was effectively Gil's human pet, growing up. He got to teach her to read and write and murder people and stuff. His father probably did this because Gil's mom died in childbirth with his stillborn sister and Arlasaire was a burned orphan child whose village was destroyed in a Dragonstorm. Who was going to say "No"? It wasn't a great environment for her, despite her pride in her upbringing. It really messed with her head. House d'Magnia is known for its Ysse engineering -- though Arlasaire never took to the House's art

**House d'Aramitz**

Ah, the good ole House d'Aramitz! This grand old House has controlled the military since House d'Solais ruled a united North. Their sigil (or maybe they're coats-of-arms?) is a gold sword with two shields on each side. They also are in charge of military production and were probably some of the earliest adopters of the assembly line. They value tradition and typically, their members most staunchly believe in the notion that they are keeping order and fulfilling the will of the long dead Emperor.

As of the start of my World Letters, House d'Aramitz is led by Silvestre and he has two or three sons (idk, doesn't matter) -- the eldest of whom is a sweet gay guy named Cleiv who really wishes his dad would stop trying to make him get married.

Oh, and I think their art isssssssss Martial Arts? Or maybe textilesssss? Idk, I'll roll with it now lol

**House d'Fealtoire**

House d'Fealtoire is currently being run by a young woman and her sisters are all women, but gender isn't the reason it's sometimes called "The House of Wh*res" -- that's because the House's ongoing political strategy is just to suck up to whoever is in power and keep them there. They're considered to be charming but duplicitous -- but hey! It's working! They're extremely rich and they typically end up funding the plots of the other Houses and their many, numerous smaller houses. Their sigil is a bowl of blooming Tobacco violets with vines dripping out on either side.

Lucienne d'Fealtoire is currently running the House, with her two younger sisters, Celia and Derecina. Luce has a sorted history with House d'Magnia -- she was engaged to Gil as a child and they grew up quite fond of each other. But then, her dad tried to poison every other noble at Court. Arlasaire dropped a chandelier on him to stop him. Lucienne and Gil's engagement was technically cut off at that point... except when his dad died of a heart attack a few years later, they promptly picked up where they left off. And you can imagine the kind of relationship two ambitious, horny teens have...

Anyway, House d'Fealtoire is full of musicians and dancers. Performance arts. Unfortunately, over the 5 years since I started Yssaia, I didn't always remember this and I did this whole portrait of Lucienne painting Arlasaire (below). Not that there's anything WRONG with her being multitalented, but she should definitely be an excellent actress and dancer. It just WORKS with her characterization.

**House d'Romanach**

House d'Romanach is a fan favorite because they're the House of the People. They're only three generations old, run by Lady Isaurala d'Romanach, and they're basically a factory and farmer's union that became a noble house. Isaurala's #1 priority is the well-being of the people -- but this puts her diametrically opposed to many of the Houses in the war, who are interested in fighting for independence and sovereignty, where she would rather just surrender to the seemingly less-corrupt South. Of course, she also knows when elections come, she'll keep her power and privilege, even when the others don't, so like... you know... Their sigil is a hammer and anvil, and their artform is painting.

**House d'Solais** (Gone)

House d'Solais -- or actually, just House Solais because grammar worked differently 400 years ago -- died when Riavh d'Solais, the Once and Future Emperor, the Sun King, etc. etc. died in a civil war with his son. Under the justness of his rule (and very nice, Dragon-summoning sword and amazing propaganda machine and a wife who could see all the possibilities of the future to pick the best one), Riavh united the North 400 years ago. He rose to power at age 14, when he pulled a sword out of an anvil at the back of the last king's Trialhall. He married a fairy for his wife. And his champion was the strongest and most charming fighter in all the land. But the world was not ready for a man so pure and kind. And so, he was killed by his own, wicked son in a revolt. (It was definitely the son's fault. Definitely. And Riavh was definitely not a depressed, young father with incredible military advisors who could only unite a culturally diverse North for barely a generation under the threat of force.) Their sigil is a radiant sun-shaped crown. Riavh did not leave behind a Trialhall for a next Emperor -- instead, he is allegedly sleeping until such a time arises that he can rise again and bring about a world without war. And the Noble Houses hold his crown until this inevitable return.

Which House do you think you'd work for?

[yayakoishii]

just read Ch. 366

it got better. it keeps getting better. HOW does it keep getting better and better omg I love love love what's going on, I seriously can't wait to see what happens next 😭 each weekly update just makes it even better, more interesting and my anticipation is making me vibrate;;

Mephistopheles, Kingmaker, I can't wait to see the guiding light you can be when allowed to. I can't wait to see how you can make Iruma grow even more, and how you can make him king. I can't wait !!!

[grifff17]

Audiodrama Sunday 12/8/2024

Happy AD Sunday! I caught up on a lot of shows this week, after falling behind last week.

NEW SHOW ALERT @goodmorningevildoers - HR broadcasts from a cartoonishly evil organization. This is a really funny show. Starting the show with a joke about LED highlights being the product of pure evil was a very strong start.

@brimstonevalleymall - I can never get over how good this show is at writing heart-to-hearts for a silly comedy. The conversation between Zaphan and Belzagor and then Zaphan talking to Nisroch during the lunch rush in the next episode were both so good. Unrelated, the terrible kissing sfx at the end of the scene where Zaphan asked Azormias for advice was so funny, comedy purely in sfx is so hard to do well.

@worldgonewrongpod- This season is written by Gabriel Urbena! I noticed the empty man reference and checked the credits. Jamie is really losing it in this episode, this has to be the most she's lost it since the apocalypse started. Are we every going to find out what Leonard is? I would guess not.

@asbestos4president - you can tell the writer for this episode was having so much fun with the terrible space opera audiobook writing. I love how everyone in this show is completely insane.

@midstpodcast - And now they descend into the fold. I wonder if they'll find something similar all the way down. Sucking out your soul is some Mothers shit for sure. Its interesting that only Dot remembers clearly, probably because of their Mother training.

Skyjacks: Couriers Call - The “doom of returning” that June experienced felt very personal for me. I totally understand the sense of impending doom about the end of something. It ties in to how the "return to the mundane" step of the Hero's Journey always feels tragic to me. Also, how is it that literally every Luminary they draw is perfect for the story.

@kingmakerpod - This was a great episode, I see why people were talking about it. Holtzmann's plan's are finally coming to pass, and that rich guy totally wants to fuck a horse.

@innbetween - Season 3 finished. I had theorized that Castor was a warlock but now they confirmed it. This show loves its "academics on the run from their dark past" huh?

@lostterminalpod - A very dramatic ending to this episode. Sealed in a room with an old battery on the verge of exploding is very bad. One more episode in the season.

Case Study: IREC-A59 - This episode was really neat, I love a good creation myth, and this is a really cool one. The act of living is to participate in a conversation between Life and Death, and you are obliged to tell Death stories of your life when you meet them, so they can remember their love.

This was a really good week for audiodramas. Tons of great new stuff, though some of it was backlog from last week. Can't wait for Stories from Ylelmore to end its hiatus soon!

[innbetween]

Inn Between 🤝 Where the Stars Fell 🤝 Kingmaker Histories 🤝 Absolutely No Adventures

Body Swap Shenanigans

[kingmakerpod]

For anyone who was wondering what a volcanic nightglass straight razor looks like.

[harlequinalis]

playing Kingmaker while i ignore my life stressing me tf out in the background. anyways I love characters who lie <3

[artifeast]

bisexual lighting ily

[slarxsa]

Is it just me that was so 100% certain she was going to say 'The Kingmaker'???

[secretsimpleness]

Is Kesten a kinda stick-in-the-mud who probably works way too much? Yeah. Did I like him from the very first moment he was introduced? Yeah...

The (newly!) Baroness, Kesten Garess / Pathfinder Kingmaker (c) Owlcat Games

[gae-bolg-alternative-dot-exe]

I think the next stream will be Wrath of the Righteous

[scribblesscribblings]

The newest group of adventurers trying their luck to claim the Stolen Lands!

We’ve got Minerva the elven Silence in the Snow Witch, Xioyun the human Warpriest Cleric of Cayden Cailean, Ashahera the elven Monk, and Belladonna the tiefling Mastermind Rogue!

Hopefully I’ll be able to record their shenanigans where I can!

Height ref for funsies:

[six-improbable-things]

I only started playing today... We shall see how I feel about this game. It's no WotR, but I am having fun!!!

[cannibalmukbang]

full body alt of Colette in the Girl from Video Violence 2 outfit because I'm gay and I believe in hairy girl supremacy

[grifff17]

Audiodrama Sunday 11/17/2024

Once again I forgot to do a write-up last week, but I have my notes I took as I listened to stuff, so this is going to be a long one.

@storiesfromylelmore - This was a serious episode but I lost my shit at “mom are you a furry?”. I fully had to pause the episode to laugh out loud. Does everybody else imagine the kids’ school as looking identical to their own middle school? Like the layout, the lockers, the front office, everything.

@innbetween - I started this show and binged the first 2 seasons. I really love this show, it's so funny and has great character work. The “previously” and “next time on” for events that happen offscreen is so clever, I've never seen a story do that and I like it so much. I love how it's clearly a d&d campaign with Fina making real-world references.

Skyjacks: Couriers Call - Alba leaving destroyed me god damn. Why did they have to draw The River. The first half of this episode was brutal.

@starfallpod - Leona popped the fuck off. “I am the highest power here” was amazing. The conflict between Leona and Fel in this episode had the vibes of a really good d&d campaign.

Mall Brats - This was the “Fenton buying rats flashback” episode! Truly the best flashback of all time.

@lostterminalpod - Three AIs on the same network violates the principle created by Seth’s mom. Interested to learn more about this.

@witherburn-after-school-news - Great season finale, I really like this show. Normally horror isn't my thing, but the low stakes town stuff mixed in really makes it work for me. Can't wait for the next season!

Starwhal Odyssey - Andrathel’s introduction was cool. I love a scene in an AP where the players aren’t present. I’m so excited for the wedding, when they get to it.

@worldgonewrongpod - Time travel! That was fun. How do they know about incoming time waves? Do kids under the age of 10 blip out of existence for an hour? I need to know more of the worldbuilding!

@brimstonevalleymall - Timeskip! Damien and Raven being traded to Nisroch is so funny. After so long we finally learn the deal with Hornbloss.

@secondfiddles - More people are part of the cult! I wonder how long until we get another episode focused on Tammy

@midstpodcast - The description of the oasis was so cool. Mother Artifice is quickly becoming one of my favorite characters.

@kingmakerpod - The sound design during the rockslide was amazing, I listened to it in my car and it sounded so good. I loved Telesphore’s detective moment at the end too.

@midnightburgr - Ava speaking into Caspar's head was so funny. We never learned what the deal with this copy of earth was. Normally I hate scifi plots where Earth has great intergalactic importance for no reason (see: the entire MCU), but I trust the MB team to do it well. They definitely have so far!

Bitcherton - This show has started fully airing after a pilot to promote the Kickstarter. Katie Marovitch is so funny, I can't wait to hear more of her.

[mountainashfae]

Oh? The flea of the Stolen Lands? Well Irovetti, fleas bite.

[loderlied]

having completely normal thoughts (gortash wotr au)