#Will I ever have a protagonist who is not a mage? Dunno

[dirty-bosmer]

WIP Wednesday

Tagged by @atypicalacademic and @thequeenofthewinter. Thank you kindly, friends ❤️

Shifting focus this week to my Skryim fic, Slither and Writhe. It's much longer than I anticipated, oops. All the comparative anatomy classes have turned me into a necromancer apologist. Is it obvious 😅

Tagging: @atypicalacademic (for the new week, heheh) @gilgamish @justafoxhound @dumpsterhipster @sheirukitriesfandom @skyrim-forever @nuwanders @wispstalk @druidx @goddess-of-sorrow @burningsilence @lucien-lachance @chennnington @thana-topsy @kookaburra1701 @sylvienerevarine @expended-sleeper

“You should have absorbed me in the womb.”

“We’re not twins, Syl.”

“Yeah, but you were there.”

“As an egg.”

Sylawen sighed and kicked the rock down the hillside where it rolled into the silvery, serpentine creek below. The splash it made was only rumor, feeble and far away, and just as soon the forest silence returned to congeal upon her ears. Even with the magelight and Masser in full, the night was such a dreary, swallowing gray, and even with Rillion beside her, she felt terribly alone. He’d been distant ever since the disaster at the party. She couldn’t resent him for it. Had she the option, she’d choose to be a little farther from herself too.

“Am I repulsive?”

“Sometimes.” Rillion shrugged, and Sylawen lashed him with a baleful glare. “What?” he said. “By the eight, Syl. You asked.”

“Well, I didn’t expect you to be so bloody honest.”

“You enjoy gross things, and your experiments are creepy. Necromancy isn’t a subject most people even want to think about, so it shouldn’t be any surprise that people are uncomfortable when your thralls walk into the house uninvited. I’m sorry. It’s just… it’s unnatural.”

“Death isn’t unnatural.

“Okay, but stitching random pieces of dead bodies into some macabre pastiche is.”

“They're not random pieces," Sylawen said pointedly. "They were carefully selected, and no one complains if I stitch flesh back together for a healing spell."

"Syl, please. Don't be dense. It's not the same.'

"You mean you don’t think it’s even remotely interesting?”

Rillion grimaced, shook his head without pause. “No, it freaks me out. It always did.” Sylawen's frown deepened. When Rillion caught it, his eyes flooded with guilt, and she hated how quickly he resorted to carrying it for the both of them when her poor decisions were usually at root. But she always let him. She hated that too. “How about you tell me when you discover a cure for aging," he said with feigned hope. "Maybe then I’ll be intrigued. Just make it into a salve and make it smell pretty and don’t tell me what it’s made from.”

A scoff escaped her. "Tch, immortality is for losers. Everyone and their scamp is after the secret to lasting life.” She tried to force mirth into it, tried to turn it into laughter, tried to unburden the air that had grown so unwieldy between them. She couldn't.

“Then why do you do these things? If not to help people, why?”

“I like creating, Rillion. I want to make something new. It’s that simple.”

“So make art. I’ve seen your sketches. Even the anatomical ones are beautiful. Imagine if you tried drawing something that wasn’t a dissection for once.”

“What I do is art,” she replied, a bit more harshly than intended because no matter how many times she’d explained it before, Rillion still didn’t understand, didn’t want to. “And it breathes. It exists beyond the canvas. It lives.”

Rillion shifted, placing even more space between them. “Okay,” he said. “I guess.”

“It really is a shame you can’t see that.”

“I know. I wish I did.”

With another disgruntled sigh, Sylawen laid herself flat against the grass. The sky above was charcoal black, ripe for burning. She didn't try to tell him again. Only Tazara had understood, and even then she'd left Sylawen. She'd abandoned her, given up on all they'd discovered, on all they'd almost built together. Eventually Rillion slumped down to join her, and they fell into a strained quiet, the torchbugs winking in and out all around them, and she recalled summers when they were younger, catching them in jars, the way Rillion's eyes shined with awe when she explained how the green fire in their bellies was made. Just once, she wished he would look at her that way again. That she could show someone, anyone, her work and see something other than fear reflected back. But she didn't try to explain her studies to Rillion again. She didn't say, we’re all animals when we’re dead. We can’t talk. We can’t tell our stories, but it’s all written there on the body. Muscles made stronger by so much strain. Soft mounds of flesh from kind years and warm meals. The callouses on the fingers of a writer, how they sit differently from those on the palms of a sailor. The wounds we’ve survived. The ones we didn’t.

Rillion cleared his throat. “So… if I died, what part of me would you preserve for your experiments?”

“Your hands,” Sylawen said, reaching for the one nearest her. “So I could hold them when I miss you. “

Rillion smiled weakly, and his face was bronze in the moonlight. She’d remember him like this in the days to come, a ray of warmth when alone in the bleak wastelands of Winterhold. “That’s so disgusting  Syl,” he said, but he didn't let go “I can’t believe we’re related.”

[greengargouille]

After a good night of sleep, a reread and access to a readmore, here are some thoughts on the mol update:

-I’m glad the fight didn’t stay too long on the angel and demons, while it’s interesting to see what kind of forms demons can have, it’s just too late in the story to get invested on a whole bunch of new creatures or the danger they pose.

-Zorian almost being petty on Xvim admiring the angels’ barrier, some things never change :’)

-I like that for a moment, Zorian isn’t sure he will be able to use his ‘secret plan’. We know he will, of course; this is not the kind of story where the protagonist ultimately fail. Also Domagoj mentioned on his patreon/wordpress he considered doing a sequel centered on Zorian and Zach, which kinda imply those two survive. But it would feel too... convenient if everything went smoothly. Of course there are going to be moments were he is not sure at all his plan will work.

-Oganj being able to pass through the divine barrier is what really sold me on how impressively dangerous of a threat he is. It’s one thing to be a menace able to make a whole continent shake, but angels felt like a cut above that.

- “After a few seconds, he noticed that everyone except Zach was staring at him strangely.” I thought this would be the set-up for another ‘Zorian forgot what an average mind mage can do’, instead it turns into a moment of reminiscence on how the people we all came to know and love died in the loop. Which is excellent heartcrushing. Well played.

-Zorian’s actions being described as only being ‘a drop in the bucket’ felt a bit... surprising? I expected him to be more of an influence. It makes sense, of course, but after being used to stories where the protagonist become overpowered, it feel unexpected. Not in a bad way through.

-Can I just say that I love that we still have small moments of Zorian thinking his original self would be horrified and that he’s numb of all those atrocities he let happen to spare his mana? Too often stories brush off the mental impact those kind of fights can have on someone. I hope the epilogue will touch on this a bit more.

-An army of pigeons (and cats) to the rescue. Oh man that was hilarious. As always it makes sense because their existence was talked about multiple times, but still. How can you not laugh at the idea of cultists going their way in an intense moment to be stopped by pigeons. It also makes for a small contribution from Raynie and Haslush, which is great. Secondary characters having a role in the finale is great.

-If it weren’t for them surely being made with souls, potion monsters feels like something Zorian would invest in researching once the situation have settled. It feels like something not mana-intensive, and with a bit of mind magic to control them it would be devastating.

-Silverlake trying to get a rise out of Zorian by asking about his sexuality shows she is quite good at finding the touchy points of people, but it does makes me wonder if something happened within the loop for her to think this could potentially work. But also, she formulate the whole choice as merely a personal, selfish one (trying to save one person he is invested in instead of all the potential ones he could have helped with sabotaging the invasion from the inside), which is... quite Silverlake-y. She can’t fathom someone choosing something outside of their own interests.

[Unrelated to the update, but I did wonder some times how common would sapphic relationships be in a witch coven, what’s with them putting men aside. Surely a witch who decided to get a male partner solely for procreation, then abandoning him to go and raise her daughter with another witch must have happened at some point? If Silverlake was aware of such things happening then it would be more likely she would come up with such a question to bait Zorian] -Holy heck, Silverlake and Red Robe being full of primordial essence. It feels so obvious, but it did procure a rush of “how the heck are they going to stop them all from releasing the primordial now”. Same when Silverlake’s regeneration abilities were shown. What a fearsome adversary.

-At last, the grey hunter! It had to come up at some point, and what better prey than the one that trained it against traps. But old Silverlake appearing? It was something I would not be sure would happen. Oh, what a joyful moment, having her own selfishness and paranoia come to bite her back :’D

-The soulseizer chrysanthemum was something I saw some people predict, and it made all too much sense for it to be used. Good luck to Quatach-Ichl to find another live one to train himself to resist against it.

-Speaking of Quatach-Ichl. He might not have the crown anymore, but he have connexions, lot of power, and he is used to long-term thinking. Now that they’re back on linear time, Zorian and Zach are going to have a very troublesome enemy to think about.

-Oganj the powerful dragon mage getting both the imperial crown and orb, while we have no idea if he survives the angel going after him. He is totally not going to be a problem later on the road. (Well, best case scenario, our favorite lich will try to get his crown back and they end up fighting each other. Worst case scenario, however, is an unlikely alliance between the two. How, man, I’m glad the story is ending because I would not have been able to wait on how that would come back).

-Aaand here is the town wide web area of sigils coming up. Most people had guessed it would be used against Zach, some people did thought it would be used on Jornak, but not on both at the same time.

---

-Gosh, the Zach’s pov chapter. It’s all I wanted from such a chapter at least a canon chapter. It... did feel a little off-putting at first because I felt like... overall voice?... of it would have a different... I dunno, something more... Zach? Not that I had any expectations on how it should have gone- I wasn’t even sure we would get his point of view in the first place.

-Him slowly giving up on ever getting out before Zorian came up in the equation, gosh that’s the kind of content I craved. I wouldn’t mind a whole chapter of this. And ah, him finding Zorian a bit scary is pretty great *stare in the distance at this fic idea that refuse to write itself*

-I hadn’t thought on how, if Zach hadn’t been through that many loops, the two would definitely had more conflicts on the way to do things. An interesting thing to think about.

-Zach isn’t just a dumb brute and I do like that this end up being Red Robe’s fatal mistake. It’s easy to fall back into this error while writing, so I appreciate that Domagoj did play on it; it’s hard writing a character being impulsive and failing to think through on a lot of things, without them coming up as completely stupid, and still making it look consistent as a whole.

-Zach is ‘just a little bit jealous’ of Zorian beating Quatach-Ichl, while Zorian himself wanted earlier to be petty and defensive of his own abilities compared to a angel barrier. Those guys, I swear.

-The diagnosis spell Zach used necessitate contact. Interesting, when a lot of divination magic shown in the story haven’t required it, or even any chant for that matter. Is it for dramatic purpose, or is it specific to divination related to healing? Or is it just ‘the closer the subject of the divination is the better the result, so of course physical contact is going to give the best answer’?

-”And Zach... felt happy. He felt disgust with himself for it, but he really did. [...] He was free, and all it cost him was the life of his best friend.” This. This is the kind of angst I live for. What a perfect conclusion to this chapter.

--- -I half-expected a Zach’s pov chapter, but a Jornak one? Now that’s unexpected, but it answers questions I did not know how to formulate- I always wanted more details on how they ended up becoming more friendly, or how Jornak did manage to get into the loop. (I... actually still want more details even after reading the chapter, but I feel like it’s one of those case where the author would rather leave it at that and let the readers make their own suppositions).

-This chapter also is good for characterisation purpose- Jornak truly believes in what he’s doing, but also show a fair amount of how his life was pretty bad and how he feels the whole world is unfair towards him- which doesn’t make him likeable, but interesting as a character.

-The grey hunter have its belly full of primordial energy after slurping Silverlake, which totally won’t be a problem later on. At least this one the cultists will have a tough time finding it for sacrifice purpose. (Though I do wonder, if the primordial essence itself is linked to the contract? It was only the souls of Silverlake and Jornak, wasn’t it? It would be way too convenient if the primordial essence disappeared after the month is over)

-Zorian making him relieve the supposed after fight over and over till he gets all his secrets. What an horrifying moment. I love it.

--

-I’m pretty sure I read the theory somewhere the soulseizer chrysanthemum would be used for bypassing mind-blank? It’s been a while since I read discussions on previous chapters. I like the explanation on the whole mind-soul-body link. It’s pretty much like cutting your computer from internet to avoid piracy, but forgetting to put an higher password on said computer when you leave your desk unattended.

-It’s reassuring to know the manifold resonance spell can only be used a few times on the same person. One thought I had on post-story problem is, would Zorian’s ability to bypass mind blank forever put a gap in his relationship with Zach, as the latter is probably still very touchy about anything to do with his memories even after his contract ended? What about anyone who learns of it? Having it being limited on uses solves (at least partially) that problem.

-Kiri’s doll is mentioned, which I totally forgot but would be sad if it did not reappear! And ah, of course, the famous trick of replacing the mini-golem with another while pretending it was just a repair. Since Kirielle is probably going to study magic (if she doesn’t go the witch path instead), I wonder if she will end up specialising in golem-making.

-If the grey hunter goes into the Dungeon and makes it its territory, is there a risk the monsters there get chased to the upper layers? Would the araneas be enough against them? Would they get into the city? What an hilariously horrible conclusion. “Oh yeah we saved the city of the invasion, but with all the monsters coming up it’s impossible to repair it, we have no choice but to abandon it”. Unlikely even if creatures did appear, as it’s just the biggest mana hole of the continent, but it’s fun to think about.

-Not only did Zorian maintained two illusionary worlds, he did so while having an hivemind, and after a long and hard fight in which he also had to redirect an enormous amount of mana into an angel summoning cube. That, plus connecting with various people all over whenever Zach tried to verify their minds. No wonder he is tired.

-It’s probably not a good idea to stay in town, and I’m not sure where that secluded and secure space is, but I bet that’s not where Zorian will wake up next chapter. Not sure in which condition are Ismaya’s house or the Noveda’s estate, but it’s probably safer out of town... Cirin, maybe. Have Zorian wake up in his bedroom and have a small heart attack thinking the loop started again.

-...I hope out of the Damien-Xvim-Alanic trio, one of them at least take the time to wait for Zach’s wake up, or leave something for him to explain the situation. Through all the contingencies Jornak prepared are way more important, so it could be possible to overlook that. Can you imagine how Zach will feel suddenly waking up in a strange room, with your best friend your mourned being unconscious but alive, and a weird pile of goo on the side. Is this an illusion. Was your previous memory an illusion. How can you be sure.

-...What’s with the orb being out of Koth now, and the Taramatula estate having gained portals to move between continents, will Daimen visits his family more now? That’s great news! ...I guess. For Fortov at least, who is sorely needing some training. If he’s still alive. Who knows. Maybe the epilogue will tell us.

[sourcherrymagiks]

Carry on Countdown 2019

Day 18 - Crack!

Lamplight

Ao3

Simon

He’s trying to avoid talking to me. That’s how it happens. There was kissing. Amazing kissing. Merlin and Morgana, he’s beautiful and when he kisses me back.....

But anyway. He’s also a stuck up twat who can avoid the shit out of anything. We were back in the room after the kissing (Great Snakes,that kiss though) and he was taking forever to hang his blazer up so he didn’t have to look at me or talk to me. What was I going to do but come up behind him and kiss his neck? I ask you, what else could I have done?

Which is how we came to stumble and fall into the wardrobe. And then straight out of the back. Into a drift of snow.

“Erm Baz, this is going to sound pretty stupid but I think we just fell into...”

“Narnia”

“Yes”

Baz

I know that this is somehow his fault. Why does he always have to involve me in his ridiculous heroics. Although, to be fair, this is well outside of his usual remit.

“Snow, might I suggest we go back? From memory Narnia has its own set of chosen ones. Lots of them. They can probably get by without you”

“I’m not sure that’s how this works, the path has gone”

I look around and he’s totally right. It’s just us, in the snow, under a lamppost.

I can’t keep the petulant tone out of my voice as I say “But you are our chosen one, you belong to the world of Mages”

He laughs and kisses me. “Didn’t know you cared you big softy” I briefly toy with the idea of snapping at him but instead I pull him back into another kiss.

When I pull away to catch my breath and try to get a hold over my treacherous body, Simon gets up. I grumble a bit under my breath but then I decide to co operate a bit. Grudgingly. It seems very unfair that we are here and not snogging in our room. Even though I was the one avoiding the snogging (Why?, I’m such an idiot)

Snow’s sketching in the snow with a stick. It looks like nonsense until I’m standing right next to him. Then it hits me at once, he’s drawn a map of Narnia. From memory.

I must be staring at him because he starts laughing.

“I know you think I’m a thick urchin who’s only ever read cereal packets but I’ve loved Narnia my whole life”

“Me too, that part is not quite right” I alter the shape of the western forest slightly so it ends further from the frozen lake. “I would definitely remember if you were the hero in it. I suppose you do have a bit of Peter about you”

“Fuck off Caspian” he throws a snowball at me. I throw one back. Then I kiss him again because this is all unbelievable.

He’s sketching plot points out now, trying to work out the timeline.

“Right you gorgeous villain, we need to get to the camp here in time for the battle. There’s enough footprints and sled tracks here to show they’ve all been through fairly recently. I don’t think we can help at any point up until the end, do you agree?”

“I do, excuse me while I try to absorb the shock of you being a reader.” He lightly punches me on the arm, he’s blushing. “Is your magic working?”

We both laugh

“As well as it ever does, yours?”

I take out my wand and cast ‘lights out’ at the lamp post. It blinks off.

“Cool. Let’s get moving. Keep your wand out. I don’t want to draw my sword until I need it and I, Erm, can I hold your hand please”

“Come here” I grab his hand and before I can stop myself I’ve kissed his knuckles.

“I like this, you,like this” he bumps my shoulder with his.

Simon

I’m really excited. I dunno if it’s the Baz thing or the Narnia thing but I’m so amped up I’m practically skipping.

“So, Caspian then?” Baz asks with his eyebrow up.

“It’s possible that I might have been not entirely straight for a while”

“You think?”

“There’s no need for that tone you wanker”

Then I’ve got him up against a tree. This want is everything. I need to touch him, kiss him, press myself against him.

He doesn’t just let me, he right there with me, pulling my hair, licking my neck, moaning into my mouth.

He pulls away gasping “Right Snow, let’s get back to the mission and stop debauching the pristine Narnian forests”

“But I like it, I like you” I’m whining a bit.

“You aren’t completely intolerable either Snow”

We seem to have been walking forever. I slept about ten minutes last night. I would kill for some Turkish delight.

“In the books it doesn’t seem this far”

I moan to Baz

“Heaven forbid that the made up world is larger than the children’s book made it appear”

“I get your point, even though you’re a twat, but its hardly made up is it?”

He shrugs. I’m rubbing off on him. That makes me smile. I nearly don’t hear the crack of the twig, I’ve disarmed the guard before I’ve had chance to worry about my sword or magic. They aren’t the best written soldiers.

“Take us to either Peter or Aslan please” I ask the battered looking Narnian as politely as I can be arsed to. I’m not great at manners when I’m hungry and tired.

Baz

Peter is beautiful, not a patch on Snow obviously, but still. The two of them together are blinding. Simon offers our assistance and Peter accepts a little unwillingly. I’m not sure he would at all if not for the wonderful Lucy. She never sees herself as the protagonist so she doesn’t have the same struggle as Peter. To be fair I wouldn’t want to share my story with Simon bloody Snow if I already had three siblings and a lion muscling in on the action. Poor fuck.

The two of them spend the afternoon practicing, Snow is better trained and in great shape but Peter is faster and lighter in his feet. It’s glorious.

When Simon fights Edmund it’s a different thing. No longer a master class in heroic swordplay fought by two golden leaders. Now it’s like a cunning bar fight. Simon has to stop himself from head butting Edmond. When he throws an elbow at Edmond’s face,then stops before it connects, Edmond is not so polite and punches Simon in his exposed ribs. It’s very feral.

When they’re done he comes over and presses his sweaty lips to mine. I don’t know how I avoid making a scene.

Obviously it’s still a bit of a scene. Uncomfortable coughs and averted eyes abound. Then simultaneously everyone decides to ignore it and peace is restored.

I leave to speak with Lucy. She’s got magic and I want to see if I can help her use it. It doesn’t work like ours though. She can’t harness it. I advise her to go to Watford as soon as she can when she returns home. She probably won’t.

She gives Simon a small banner embroidered with a dragon holding a blazing sun. He tucks it into his pocket because the courageous fuck won’t wear armour. He kisses her head. I’m completely flabbergasted when she gives me one emblazoned with a flaming moon. I must be allergic to it because my eyes are watering.

After dinner we talk tactics. Simon keeps quiet about upcoming plot points and focuses on the battle. Simon and Peter lean over the map, blond hair and copper curls tumbling together as the argue over every inch. From his plan I deduce that Snow’s aim is to kill the witch while keeping all the kids well out of the way. This goes down like a sack of shit with Peter. It’s his story and he is the king. Gorgeous (and capable) as Simon is he can’t lead this army. They aren’t loyal to him. Also he won’t play by their outdated battle rules, fight in a line and die, because he knows better. They finally agree on enough compromises to keep everyone happy and save lives. A lot of lives.

In spite of the protests I hold my ground. I will stay by his side regardless of what he thinks he’s going to order me to do.

It’s fun. Really. I mean there is an impending battle but, Crowley, I’ve read that battle so many times. It’s going to be brilliant. I catch Simon’s eye and I know he feels it too.

Simon

I can’t fucking sleep. This is going to be epic. I’m traipsing around the camp looking for anything to take my mind off the combination of wanting to get into this battle and wanting to do unspeakable things to Baz.

It’s not the time though, right?

We still haven’t talked. It’s possible we’ve managed to bring a fictional world to life to avoid talking. But I’m going to tell him after the battle. Hopefully it will be dead romantic.

Baz

The battle starts off early and badly, not quite as badly as I remember because Simon is genius at this and Peter listened to about a quarter of his suggestions. Plus there are two of them.

The absolute confidence of them helps keep up the morale that’s been damaged by Aslan fucking off.

Simon hadn’t mentioned that he was the bearer of a flaming sword or that he had a particularly impressive brand of violent, pulsing magic so when he calls his sword, the fear it causes slams the first wave right back.

I cast quickly and use so much magic that I’m nearly spent in moments but I have taken down most of the ogres and a couple of hags. Peter, Edmond and Simon smash through line after line of the White Witch’s army. Simon is actually grinning, the prat.

I wait for Simon’s signal to disarm the White Witch. Then he’s on her in a moment with Edmond and Peter. She never stands a chance.

By the time Aslan arrives back with the girls there’s only cleaning up and healing to do. He growls at Simon and Simon shrugs at him. He turns his back clearly as pissed off as a magical lion gets.

“This was not your battle Mage”

“Explain how it just was then wise one?”

Simon is brillant at one liners, when he’s not fighting me. I guess it’s in the job description. Aslan grunts and continues back to his tent. What a prick. I guess he’s not willing to let the homoerotic subtext turn into the story.

It’s very clear we’ve outstayed our welcome.

Simon

That was mega. But now it’s time to go. I don’t want to fuck with these guys and I also don’t want Aslan to eat me.

It’s a pretty shitty deal those kids have got anyway. Kings and queens in one land but not able to stay. We hug them goodbye. At least I live where I live. Except for right now obviously.

I grab Baz and we set off back to the lamppost.

“That was amazing, you were amazing” I say to him

He looks at me like he thinks I might he taking the piss.

“You did an ok job yourself Snow. You’re not as pretty as Peter though”

I’m glad he catches me when I jump on him. “Take that back Pitch”

“It’s an objective fact Snow, he is more dashing, I just prefer you”

“You do?”

“Yes you attention seeking numpty, I have appalling taste so I prefer you to most people”

“Good. Because, well, I’m, I think I might be, falling, you know, for you” Merlin. I doubt he’s even going to understand that.

Then he kisses me and I know he does.

Baz

I’ve been kissing Snow for hours. We don’t know how time works here relative to Watford so we should get back. But it’s complicated there and easy here under a lamppost in a forest full of spring.

It’s also not our story.

Simon still has his own story to finish.

“Ready Sweetheart?”

“Not really love”

“Shall we do it anyway?”

“After you”

[seigephoenix]

DA OCs

Questions from this post: http://gothzenyatta.tumblr.com/post/145321138317

My Elaina Cousland, Guinevere Hawke, and Niyra Cadash for this one.  Under a cut because of length.

1. What would your Warden generally think of your Hawke and your inquisitor?

Elaina Cousland - I have met Guinevere Hawke.  I doubt she remembers me, it was just after the events of Kirkwall.  She's…  Best taken in small doses if you dislike crass personalities.

Niyra Cadash is a practical businesswoman who I respect.  While she's not the most diplomatic leaders, she knows her weaknesses.  And Lady Montilyet is a lovely woman to speak with.

2. What would your Hawke generally think of your warden and your Inquisitor?

Hawke - The Warden lost everything, was a wanted criminal, and rose beyond that to become Ferelden's fucking queen.  Hell yes I respect the hell out of her.  She's got a very nice ass too.

Niyra Cadash wouldn't have been my choice for Inquisitor.  I mean, this is supposed to be a religious organization, and she's not only a dwarf but a Carta dwarf.  Impressed with how she runs things.  Don't get into a drinking contest with her.  Skyhold is really cold, don't ask how I know...

3. What would your Inquisitor generally think of your warden and your Hawke?

Niyra Cadash - The Warden has my respect.  She's helped turn that country around and deals with whining nobles all day without stabbing one.  Impressive.

As for Hawke.  Can't hold her liquor for shit but after what she went through?  Hard not to respect a woman trying to atone for past mistakes.  Plus she's Varric's best friend.  The man may have questionable taste in certain things but he can judge a person very well.

4. What would they think about each other’s love interests (if they romanced someone of course)

Cousland - I've no doubt that Fenris is a lovely man.  He's definitely an impressive warrior.  And as for Isabela?  *smiles sweetly*

Hawke - You've slept with Isabela too?  *laughs*  Well, I mean.  It's obvious the King of Ferelden is still head over heels for his queen.  Ball and chain my ass.  As for Cadash's love interest?  I still wanna know the story from Varric.  He's kept his lips shut regarding his relationship with the Inquisitor.

Cadash - The King of Ferelden is still a fierce warrior who loves his queen.  What can I say?  I am a closet romantic.  Fenris and Isabela compliment Hawke, and I think their relationship works for them.

5. Is your inquisitor jealous that both the warden and Hawke have a mabari hound?

Cadash - Nah.  I have my own pet nuggalope.  And a dracolisk.  Kinda hard to top those.

6. What would they think of each other’s combat skills/techniques?

Cousland - Hawke's impressive on the battlefield.  Have you seen her lift that bastard sword?  As for Cadash, she's as in your face on the battleground as in the ballroom.

Hawke - Cousland's still a top notch archer.  She didn't train to be a Bard for nothing.  And Cadash hits hard with that shield.  Enemies underestimate her and she takes full advantage.

Cadash - Hawke's hot on the battlefield with that sword of hers.  Cousland's never gone soft on the throne.  Pretty sure most of the nobles know it too.  *laughs*

7. Are all your protagonists the same combat class? And what specializations did they take?

Elaina Cousland is a rogue archer that specializes in Bard.

Guinevere Hawke is a two handed warrior that specializes in Reaver.

Niyra Cadash is a sword and shield warrior that specializes in Champion.

8.What would your inquisitor and warden think of what happened in Kirkwall? Would they have supported Hawke’s decisions?

Cousland - Was there ever a right answer?  Too much has happened to say if what Hawke did was right or wrong.  She says she had no idea Anders was going to blow up the Chantry.  I believe her.  I cannot publicly make a comment you understand, but I don't see how she could have been wrong.  She did what a leader does, stepped up and made a choice.  Then lived with the consequences.

Cadash - Hawke made whatever decision she felt was right.  No one else was going to step up and do it.  She did it and lives with the guilt.  She's endured enough.  I would've supported her in Kirkwall for sure.

9. Would your warden or Hawke have actually accepted the role of inquisitor if Cassandra had located them as she’d planned to? Would they have been a good leader for the Inquisition?

Cousland - I'm afraid not.  Alistair would likely have a fit if I did.  But I wouldn't regardless, my time is done.  I'll lead my country until it's time for the next generation.

Hawke - You're joking right?  Me as the ‘Herald of Andraste’.  *dissolves into laughter*

10. Do your protagonists share the same opinions on the Chantry?

Cousland - While not perfect, it gives believers hope and guidance.

Hawke - It can kick rocks.  Though I'm okay with how the new Divine is running things.

Cadash - I'm a dwarf…  *pauses*  Let Leliana rule that department.  I've got nothing to say on the matter.  The ‘Herald of Andraste’ isn't exactly that religious anyway.

11. Do your protagonists share the same opinions on mages rights?

Cousland - We freed the Circle in Ferelden.  The mages govern themselves with scholars from universities and the Chantry alongside them.  It's worked for us.

Hawke - If I hear mage rights one more time. *shakes fist*  Look, no one deserves to be shackled.  No one.  But without some way of keeping balance corruption happens.  On both sides.

Cadash - Eh.  I let Viviene and Leliana handle that.  As long as it's balanced and fair I stay out of it.

12. Do your protagonists share the same opinions on blood magic?

Cousland - There are certain benefits if it is used without malice or a lust for power.

Hawke - Too much temptation.  Glad it's outlawed.  Nothing good has come from it that I've seen.

Cadash - I imagine it can be used like a tool.  In experienced hands, it can create masterworks.  In inept hands, disaster strikes.  I can't use magic so I prefer to leave it to the experts.

13. Do your protagonists share the same opinions on The Game?

Cousland - *sigh* a necessary evil if one wants to barter with Orlais.

Hawke - Fuck the ‘Game’.

Cadash - I hate it.  I'm not a diplomat so it was a disaster in Halamshiral.  Josephine almost throttled me after the incident in the garden.

Hawke - WHAT INCIDENT IN THE GARDEN!?  DID IT INVOLVE VARRIC!?  TELL ME WOMAN!

14. If they’d been in each other’s places would they have made the same or different choices? And who would they have romanced, if anyone?

Cousland - I believe I would in Cadash's shoes.  We both tend to look at the bottom line before making decisions.  *whispers* I might also have flirted with Cullen.  *clears throat*  

Hawke - I dunno about Cadash but pretty sure I'd make similar choices regarding Cousland.  Though I'd go for the witty assassin myself.  You're sure Morrigan isn't into woman?

Cadash - Who knows?  I probably would have in Hawke's shoes.  But my tastes run towards sarcastic dwarves that have a tendency for bad puns.

Hawke - Maker's balls, tell me how you and Varric got together!

15. Would your protagonists have the same character alignment?  

Oh definitely for all three.  That's who they are.  Though Niyra would be a bit more rough around the edges.  She'd have been 27ish in Origins and no one fucked with her at that age.

16. Would your protagonists have the same Hogwarts house?

Hahaha no.

Cadash - Slytherin.  

Cousland - Gryffindor

Hawke - Slytherin

17. If Origins and Inquisition had the 3 personalities (Diplomatic, Sarcastic, Aggressive) which would your warden and inquisitor have predominately been? And what one did your Hawke have?

Cousland - Diplomatic for sure

Cadash - Sarcastic/Aggressive

Hawke - Pure purple baby.

18. What is the biggest similarity between your protagonists?

Err their gender?  There isn't much too similar between all three really.

Cadash and Cousland are slightly more diplomatic than Hawke, so they share that in common.  They see potential benefits to making nice with nobles versus telling it like it is.

Hawke and Cadash both prefer to just say what they need to say.  Cadash's is tempered a bit with diplomacy and knowing the opponent.

19. What is the biggest difference between your protagonists?

How they view the world and deal with problems.

Cousland has seen war and what it does to men.  She's been betrayed and didn't let it destroy her ability to trust in people.  She's not the whole epitome of sunshine but she's definitely not the burn it to the ground types.

Hawke is a burn it to the ground types.  She's bitter about the events in Kirkwall and the betrayal from Anders was a slap in the face.  Carver had almost been a casualty of the Chantry, if he hadn't late thanks to Varric he would've been in the Chantry that night.  So she's got some major bitterness leftover.  It makes her less inclined to play nice.  Her found family in Kirkwall are the only exceptions to this.

Cadash balances diplomat and smartass.  Sometimes she prefers to be the smartass over the diplomat regardless of the outcome.  Overall she isn't a burn it to the ground unless all other options have been exhausted.  Then?  Then you'd better watch the fuck out because you won't see her coming.

20. Who handles responsibility the best? And who handles it the worst?

Cousland handles it the best.  She's used to it at this point.

Hawke the worst.  She isn't the best at handling it, and never wants anything heavier than what's for dinner anymore.

Cadash hates responsibility and pawns it off whenever she can if it doesn't benefit her.

21. Do they share any of the same hobbies?

No.  

Cousland - is a musician

Hawke - has learned how to forge weapons.

Cadash - writes in her spare time.  Don't tell Varric.

22. Would you ever ship any of them together?

Ah no.  They're too different to get along in a ship.  

Hawke - Mmmaaayyybbbeeee a one night stand.

Cadash - Well considering I'm the only one that hasn't slept with Isabela, I think that should be rectified.

Hawke - Don't tell Varric.  He'd write it into his books.

23. How old were each of your protagonists at the start of their respective games? Do you think their age affected the choices they made?  Looking back would they have done any major action differently?

Cousland - 19 at the beginning of Origins

Hawke - 24 at the beginning of DA2

Cadash - 38 at the beginning of Inquisition

24. How do each of your protagonists handle loss?

Cousland - She's lost so much that she's learned to keep it inside until in private.  She mourns by having a good cry and then talking about it.  Even if it is just to her faithful Mabari when Alistair isn't there.

Hawke - Doesn't deal with it well…  She likes to pick a fight with someone and just lash out as if a physical wound can help replace the emotional one.

Cadash - She gets quiet and retreats to a safe space.  Only a few trusted individuals are allowed close when she's grieving.

25. What is/was their relationship with their family like?

Cousland - was close to her family.  Is still close to Fergus.

Hawke - is close to Carver and Bethany.  Wasn't as close to Leandra, she always felt like a disappointment to her mother.  

Cadash - is as close as you can be in a Carta family.  Her mother and grandmother are the two matriarchs of the family and found it fucking amusing their grand/child was the head of the Inquisition.  She keeps in touch regularly.

26. Do any of your protagonists marry and/or have children?

Cousland and Alistair marry.  They have one child together after six years married.  A complete surprise.

Hawke never marries her partners but they all remain together.  No kids though.  They don't feel like kids belong in their little family, they each have too much baggage.

Cadash and Varric get married eventually.  He has to talk her into it because at first she thinks it's a joke.  No kids as they claim to be too old at that point for kids.

27. What would their fears on the graves in the fade during Here Lies The Abyss be?

Cousland - Betrayal or Succumbing (to the Taint)

Hawke - Failure

Cadash - Loss of Self

28. What is their favourite location within their own game and what would be their favourite in each others?

Cousland - Castle Cousland.  It's home.  But away from that?  Virgil's Keep.  I'd love to visit Skyhold.

Hawke - The Hanged Man, end of story.  The Herald's Rest in Skyhold.

Cadash - Skyhold for sure.  Though Varric tells me The Hanged Man doesn't serve mead that tastes completely like piss.  So we'll see.

29. How do they each feel about the Deep Roads?

*crickets* Probably better off not talking about that one with them.

30. Out of your Warden, Hawke, and Inquisitor, who is your favorite?

I can't decide.  I really can't.  Elaina was going to be my sunshine OC but she developed into a strong leader.  Cadash is my older OC (I'm 34 myself), so I can identify with her.  Hawke though…  Hawke is the closest.  I made her when I was in the depths of hurting and just wanted to lash out at how unfair my life was.  Then she stayed because I wanted to see if she could get out.  

So Hawke out of these three.

[uneryx]

Uhhhh, and those fans are... where?

I've been in this fandom since pre-s1 and I haven't seen anything like that.

What I *have* seen is one particular *Callum* stan grossly misrepresenting Rayla, her family and people who are Rayla/Rayllum fans this way, and using a BOJILLION sock puppets to make it seem like it's an abundant, common opinion when it's one loser who needs a better hobby. And frankly I really dislike this attitude towards Rayla and her family, because she is just as much of a protagonist as Ezran and Callum are, and ideally the show should be split three ways between them.

Why on earth are Rayla's (still living/dubiously alive) parents less important than Ezran and Callum's very much dead parents, when Rayla is given equal narrative weight to Callum and Ezran? Why isn't Rayla allowed to be special and cool? Is it because she's a girl?

If you open your eyes and don't listen to one person with a bajillion sock puppets and way too much free time who has edited half of the TV Tropes wiki to support their (unsupported by canon) ideas and theories, you'll see that most of the fandom actually wants Callum, Rayla and Ezran to have equal narrative weight and to deal with their respective issues in a balanced and nuanced manner.

And when we (a largely afab fanbase, especially on tumblr) say equal, we mean EQUAL, not sidelining rayla so Callum can rehash the same tired ubermensch heroes journey bullshit that Luke Skywalker or any other dude-centered fantasy goes through.

Also, given the newness of this blog and the fact that a post several posts deep into my blog is what you chose to interact with in a very specific anti Rayla way? I'm about 90% that you're hordika/Ser Ulrich/Jarring Turnip/whatever stupid randomly generated moniker you've pulled out of your ass this time, pulling even MORE socks out of the sock drawer, sooooooo

I dunno, maybe read the post again? Because when I said "Or a certain set of Callum stans deciding to cram my inbox full of insistence that he’s going to be the coolest most badass mage ever because I dared say I don’t particularly like that theory.)" I FUCKING MEANT YOU, HORDIKA.

erhaps controversial take based on shenanigans I’ve been seeing here + SU drama because white SU fans got butthurt about a PSA where Pearl (rightly) calls the erasure of Black history racist: 

The version of a character that exists inside your head is not the canon character. Sorry, but unless you have a direct hand in the creation of an IP, your version isn’t canon.

If the creators & writers of a show go a different direction with a character than what you wanted, that character is not OOC. What gets put on the screen is that characters character. What gets put into canon is canon.

You are allowed to dislike canon. You are allowed to write fanfic that is wildly divergent from canon. You are allowed to reject canon and substitute your own headcanons. You’re allowed to hate a direction that a show went and be mad that the show didn’t turn out the way you wanted. 

(I should clarify that I am talking about benign opinions on characterization, not “oh hm turns out JKR is a TERF” or “Wow Moffat sure hates his fans” or being racist, homophobic, transphobic or a deliberate asshole. That shit should be called out. This is more about people calling Pearl OOC for caring about racism, or Viren stans being mad that he was written as more obviously a villain than they intially thought and expected. Or a certain set of Callum stans deciding to cram my inbox full of insistence that he’s going to be the coolest most badass mage ever because I dared say I don’t particularly like that theory.)

You do not get to tell other people that your version is the “right” version. You do not get to bully other fans for liking the canon version. And you ABSOLUTELY do not get to be a dick to the creators, VAs and animators because the canon decisicions don’t match your headcanons or kins.

You are not entitled to the works of others. It is a playground that was built for you to enjoy and share, and waltzing in and acting like it’s yours and no one else gets to enjoy the monkey bars differently from how you enjoy them is rude to both creators, cast and crew, and to your fellow fans.

If you’re pissed at canon (or, heaven forbid, a fanfic author) for not telling the story the way you wanted it told, hey guess what.

You can make OCs. You can write your own fanfic. You can write your own original stories. You can walk away from the things that no longer serve you or make you happy and find something that does. 

Don’t be an asshole to other fans when they disagree with your headcanons, and VERY MUCH do not be an asshole to creators and VAs, either for benign narrative choices they made that you don’t like, or because there wasn’t the “right” kind of rep, likely due to exec meddling.

And if the creator was a shitbag, and you want to pretend that the thing they made is yours now because they’re shitty, maybe take a closer look at the thing you’re defending because if the creator is shitty enough to spout their fuckery in public, it’s probably stitched into the very seams of the thing you love.

There’s a line between critique and being a dick and far too many fans mistake constructive criticism for being an absolute assbag. If you don’t like something, you can walk away, and that’s fine, good and healthy. Don’t cling to things that upset you and for fuck’s sack, don’t be a dick.

[punwolf]

Yeah yeah more Dragon Age Inquisition rambling

The last 2 times I played I sided with the Mages. The first time I went templars because that’s what my character (yes a mage - gasp) would have done. I like to mix things up and see the whole game or I get bored. The last time I played was with someone else’s character for a video game so I did what he asked me to for recording footage. He went mage so magery it was.

First of all there’s Dorian. How can you ever have too much Dorian in your life? Hint: you can’t. That perfect mustache and immaculate hair. That wit and humor and snark. He’s just Dorian and that’s all that need be said. So there’s that about siding with the mages.

You also get that side quest with Cullen to ruin Samson’s day armor. That’s super cool. I liked running around extra with Cullen and it was an interesting bit of insight into Samson.

Third... Gideon Emery. That man could read the instruction manual to a toaster to me and I’d hang on his words. Even if I hate Samson as a character he’s like Rendon Howe, I can’t help but love to listen to him because of the VA. Also, I was surprised how Cullen reacted to turning Samson over to him. He was incredibly ... nice... about it. I kind of expected Cullen to lop his head off like Alsitair did Loghain and wouldn’t have stopped him if he would have.

No freaking timer. That’s a big one. I hate the timer on the Templar version. I’ve had a hate-hate relationship with timers since Mario was the most sophisticated game in existence.

The things that happened to Leliana and how they decided to explain why the Origins crew never got Blight sick, poor Felix, Conner and the last stand of your red lyrium infected friends. Gut wrenching stuff. Leliana had some slick moves there, too. She’s been watching Arrow, obviously. Seriously, though, that’s some great animation.

Okay but now for the down sides. Cole. Dorian is a human being so he makes sense - more or less. Cole on the other hand is weird. In a good, sweet, I love the spirit-person way but not human. If you don’t go Templar, Cole shows up out of nowhere and somehow the Inquisitor knows all about him? That could have been done better because it’s a bit jarring.

Time travel. Parallel universes and time travel have long been the stuff of fantasy and Sci-Fi. If the Eluvian idea wasn’t lifted straight out of The Magician’s Nephew I’d probably dislike it more. Magic, yes, I got it. Really though... time travel? I expect that in Sci-Fi, not in fantasy inspired by Tolkien and G.R.R. Martin. I groaned the first time I did it and couldn’t believe they played the time travel card in Dragon Age. I’ll never be 100% on board with that. Personal preference.

Now for the Templars.

People have different ways that they’re creeped out but damn... the Envy demon poking around in my character’s head (particularly a mage) is a big one for me. My mages’ biggest fear is usually to be taken over like Uldred, Sophia Dryden, Orsino I guess? I dunno, maybe he just turned himself into that reused DLC monster at the end and wasn’t an Abomination. I’m not a fan of DA2 so I don’t remember. Even Anders had problems because Justice could break out and take control. That body you were born with? Not yours anymore. You’re a Muppet without any cuteness or Jim Hensen. You’re a meat puppet being played on a demons strings. A great horror concept and why I’m in Viv’s court about the world needing templars ... just not asshole templars who abuse mages and are drunk on power.

Cole. Covered already.

Ser Barris. Because he’s awesome and good.

It felt more personal to me because so much of it was centered around my character and made the protagonist literally face themselves.

Cullen getting his throat cut by Leliana. Ouch. Being threatened with a carving knife by psycho-Josie. Yikes.

I also prefer Calpernia’s story over Samson’s. Hers felt more interesting and complex. You also have an option with her at the end that you can release her after turning her against Corypheus. I like that being an option, at least.

Overall I think I still like the Templar one better in some ways, but like the choices back in Origins, I tend to like them both for different reasons.

[chopperiv]

Template credit goes to @trashwarden

So I’ve been playing a lot of Dragon Age recently, found this relationship template thing and thought I’d give a go at it. Lines extending from the player character are their feelings towards the other character, lines extending from other characters are their feelings towards the PC (with a gradient where the colours meet). Descriptions of each chart under the cut.

Warden Dribnif Aeducan was a fun piece of work. A total asshole, but he was fun to play, definitely my favourite playthrough of DA:O. Dude was an avid non-believer in magic, despite falling into a relationship with Morrigan, and nothing--absolutely nothing--could convince him it was real. “She’s not using magic,” he would say to Alistair. “She’s just flashing some pretty sparkles that distract the enemies long enough for me to plug them with arrows.” “What? Then what’s she making the sparkles with, if not magic?” Alistair would reply. Dribnif would shrug. “Some kind of glowing mushrooms made into a poultice or something. Trust me, I know my glowing mushrooms. I’m a dwarf, you know.” “Yes, I can see that, but...how do you explain her transforming into a spider? That’s clearly magic.” “It is not. Morrigan just throws a big black woollen cloak over herself and sticks some black tree branches out from under it. I dunno, she seems to enjoy it, and our enemies seem to be dumb enough to fall for it, so I let her have her fun.”

I noticed that with a lot of these templates I’ve seen filled out, there’s a lot of green lines or yellow, very few purple or grey, and I’ve never seen one with a black line (save for maybe one towards Loghain that I’ve forgotten about). Not with Dribnif Aeducan. He was a very polarizing PC. He had strong opinions and he would not hesitate to let you know them. 

Alistair and him were on good terms for most of the game, but all of Alistair’s friendliness towards him was vaporized by Dribnif’s decision to induct Loghain into the Grey Wardens. Dribnif wanted to remain on good terms, but Alistair never forgave his former friend. 

Dribnif himself never forgave Wynne for her constant nagging and berating him for his love for Morrigan, though she wasn’t quite as vehemently rude to him back. 

Oghren and Dribnif were thick as thieves. Both being dwarves, they found common ground complaining about Orzammar and drinking. 

Leliana didn’t appreciate Dribnif claiming her Maker didn’t exist (Dribnif thought religion was stupid in general--why worry about some kind of gods or ancestors or whoever having a hand in things when events are happening and affecting people right now?), and Dribnif didn’t appreciate her attempts to usurp him as the party’s archer.

Dribnif was thrilled to have a qunari on his side smashing heads in, and Sten appreciated Dribnif’s bluntness and pragmatism.

Loghain felt to Dribnif like a stopgap replacement for Alistair, but he came to genuinely respect the man, and actually ended up considering him more of a friend than he ever considered Alistair to be, to the surprise of all involved.

Loghain’s daughter Anora, on the other hand, rubbed Dribnif the wrong way from day 1. Maybe it was her odd speaking style that always made it seem like she was trying to hide something, maybe it was her inherent ties to the man that Dribnif at the time considered his biggest enemy...whatever it was, Dribnif decided he couldn’t trust her on the throne and cooked up a plan to get the country’s ruler in his pocket. His plan got Alistair a wife and a kingdom and got himself a top-tier general and veteran fighter in addition to his friend on the throne...but for some dumb reason Alistair didn’t seem very appreciative, meaning most of Dribnif’s work was pointless. Jerk.

Dribnif gushed about having Shale under his control for at least a full month after activating her. “I HAVE A GOLEM YOU GUYS THIS IS AWESOME.” Shale, for her part, tolerated him, but eventually came to respect the squishy short man.

Dribnif never liked elves in general, but saw promise in Zevran as a hostage he could possibly use to blackmail the Antivan Crows. Unfortunately for him, the plot backfired when Zevran swore loyalty to him before demands could be made. (Probably for the best, honestly.) Dribnif never forgave Zevran for a) being an elf and b) trying to kill him. He also couldn’t believe that Zevran couldn’t even open a simple locked box.

Dribnif always had a thing for tall women. The revealing outfit probably helped too.

DOG. DRIBNIF LOVE DOG. DOG’S NAME WAS WESTLETON AND HE WAS GOOD DOG.

Bonus Dribnif chart:

Nathaniel was a decent enough guy, and as a fellow archer he and Dribnif traded archery tips. (Bows were so good in Awakening that I often brought Nathaniel despite the weapon usage overlap.)

Dribnif was faithful to Morrigan, but if they hadn’t been together he probably would have made a move on Sigrun. A cheerful, stabby dwarf who’s a member of the Legion of the Dead? Sold.

Oghren and Dribnif were always pals, but Dribnif helping him out with his family troubles really solidified things.

Anders was a swell guy. Dribnif was more of a dog person than a cat person, though.

Justice is one of my personal favourite companions. Dribnif liked him too. Justice does not understand this thing you call “friendship”. What a guy.

Who is Velanna again? She’s the aggressive mage girl right? Bah. Elves. Dribnif was not a fan.

Champion Bongo Hawke has one of my favourite designs I’ve ever made for a character (and I was disappointed I couldn’t get him looking just right when he came back in Inquisition). He was a snarky bastard and supported the mage rebellion, though he had to kill Anders because what the fuck, guy. His unusual name was the result of me wondering “why would everybody only ever refer to him as Hawke, even his own blood relatives?”

Carver: “I’m not calling you that, no matter how you plead.” Hawke: “Come on, brother, don’t be like that. You know as well as I do this is the name that father wanted for me. You can’t keep calling me Hawke when we’re both named Hawke.” Carver: “Don’t care. Still not going to do it.” Hawke: “It’s a fine name! It’s our great-grandfather’s name!” Carver: “Great-Grandfather was insane! He stabbed fruits and furniture out of fear they were getting ready to steal his ears!” Hawke: “But he and father was very close, so father wanted me to have his name in his memory.” Carver: “His name was Matthias! He only starting referring to himself as Bongo after father was born! Bongo Bongongus, drum-lord of Southern Ferelden!” Hawke: “...I like that name. Maybe I should get everyone to call me Bongongus instead?” Carver: “NO”

Anyway, relationships.

Bethany was a nice girl and Hawke loved his little sister but she died.

Carver and Hawke didn’t see eye to eye for the longest of times, but eventually, after Carver returned from the Grey Wardens and got over his emo teen phase, their brotherly bond deepened.

Hawke was willing to overlook Merrill’s whole “blood magic” thing because...fuck, man. She’s really cute. Her accent is adorable.

Varric is the absolute best friend a guy like Hawke could ask for. Especially considering Hawke was very snarky. They had great banter.

Hawke and Tallis always had a rocky relationship, but the reveal that she was qunari put him over the edge. Bongo’s not a fan of qunari, after the whole trying-to-destroy/enslave-Kirkwall incident.

Hawke was ok with Anders, but he was very wary of the whole “Justice/Vengeance” thing and the fact that Anders never shut up about mage opression. Maybe it was because he grew up as an apostate and hadn’t witnessed the horrors of the Circles firsthand, only heard about them, but Hawke felt that Anders could stand to lighten the hell up a bit, at least once in a while. And then Anders went and started the Mage-Templar War. Hawke was forced to execute him. Fun!

Hawke’s uncle is a DICK and no one likes him

Isabela was cool, but she skipped town during the whole qunari thing and never came back. Rude.

Aveline was Tank-Mom. Hawke relished in getting her and Donnic together and brought her on pretty much every outing. (Aveline is rad u guys)

Fenris. Ah yes, the Western JRPG Protagonist. He was a dick because Hawke was a mage. Hawke didn’t much care for his dicketry. They did not get along.

Sebastian respected Hawke, but Hawke thought the guy needed to put a damn sock in it. OK. YES. PIOUSNESS AND STUFF. SHUT UP ABOUT THE FUCKING CHANTRY.

Inquisitor Verganon Lavellan was a good, polite man who went to elf-church and did his homework and ate his vegetables. He also drank from the Well of Sorrows, because screw you Morrigan I know more about this shit than you do, I am an elf mage

Cole’s a good kid. Like most of the companions (and players), Verganon took him under his wing, and encouraged him to be more human. Kid got a girlfriend out of it, so...I’m calling this a win.

Verganon thought Leliana did her job well enough, so he left her alone and didn’t try to soften her up. Why would we want our spymaster to be a big softie, anyway? It’s not like he knew her back when she was fun and actually went on adventures with the PC, though (as you can see above regarding Dribnif and Leliana’s relationship) she didn’t go on many.

Cassandra and Verganon had a strictly business oriented relationship. They went out, killed things, came back, said goodbye, and went about their business. (I mean, I still did her personal quest, but...)

Dorian’s a mage. Verganon’s a mage. MAGE BUDDIES.

Apparently Verganon was too elfy for Sera. Shove it up your quiver, jerkwad. Mythal does exist, and so does Fen’harel, so presumably the other elven gods do too. I WAS RIIIIGHT

Vivienne was far too hypocritical for Verganon’s tastes. Ok, so you want to reinstate the circles, fine...but would you want to spend your days cooped up in a tower taking orders from templars? No, not a chance? And there you have it. We at least shared a specialization so we could run into battle with our lightsabers carving shit up.

I AM DRINKING FROM THE FUCKING WELL OF SORROWS MORRIGAN OUT OF MY WAY S L U R P

Blackwall started off being someone Verganon wasn’t sure about, but as time went on his snarky nature and genuinely good heart won him over. (Also I really like his personal quest.) Although he’d never admit it, Verganon always did harbour a small crush for Blackwall...’s beard. It’s so majestic. HOW DID HE GROW IT HIMSELF, IT HAD TO HAVE BEEN BESTOWED UPON HIM BY THE GODS. ELVES CAN’T GROW BEARDS SO JEALOUS

Continuing on Hawke’s trend of people making friends with Varric...Verganon made great friends with Varric. Love that dude.

Iron Bull and Verganon killed a dragon together. After you do that with somebody you’re kind of automatically best friends. Then they went drinking and Verganon got fucking trashed

Cullen’s aight. Dig the collar.

Josephine’s politeness matched Verganon’s nicely, and he couldn’t get enough of the way she blushed whenever he gave her a compliment. Before long he was head-over-heels for her and somehow wound up in Val Royeaux trying to stab a man for her affections.

...Goddammit, now I want to go replay the series again. I’ll be back once I’ve completed all three games again.

[crystalelemental]

FE Fates Replay - part 9

We have finally completed the Conquest route.

From Chapter 22 to the end of the game, it’s a pretty straight-shot.  Your goal is solely to storm Hoshido and take control.  Chapter 22 is against Sakura.  It’s not a particularly challenging map.  The only annoyance is their long-range shuriken ballista, which...boy are those obnoxious.  When you complete the map, Sakura, her retainers, and Yukimura are taken captive, only for Hans, Iago, and Garon to show up and do what they do best: get in the way and insist on killing everyone.  So thanks for that I guess.

Okay, this is going to be recurring, so let’s just get it out the way now: why do the villains here insist on such intense pretense?  Like, we know you’re evil.  Everyone knows.  And you know that we’re trying to spare our enemies.  Like, blatantly trying.  We don’t even hide it.  Except the one time we did and somehow that’s the one we got called out on.  Okay, sure.  Like, what infuriates me the most about Garon, Iago, and Hans isn’t that they’re massacring people and interfering at obnoxious times.  There is the making of good drama there.  It’s that not once does Corrin ever properly play along, and despite that, not once do they ever actually suffer a consequence.  This is the biggest problem with the Conquest route.  Had Corrin adapted better and behaved more like the other siblings, able to turn a blind eye or act cold and disant properly when needed, or had Garon actually ever done anything to punish Corrin’s empathy, maybe these scenes would’ve felt heavy.  Instead, we’re left feeling like every instance of this is a waste of time.  Time and time again, Corrin will act shocked at atrocities her father commands.  Time and time again, Garon will get buttmad about it and Iago will shout some nonsense about being a traitor or whatever the fuck.  Time and time again, no actual consequences will occur.  So why bother?  Why bother having what is effectively the same exact scene played out 10 different times?  We get it, they’re evil, but so ineffectually evil that they’re not going to do anything to Corrin or the main protagonists.  We’ll just make a show of cruelty to the enemy in war, and they’ll say a lot of stuff about being merciless toward their own as well, but it’s never shown or felt.  So just cut the bullshit and either remove these unnecessary scenes, or nut up and show an actual consequence for Corrin.

Chapter 23 is Takumi.  After the last chapter, we’re supposed to feel like we’re backed into a corner and have to kill him, but really, this is the one time I’m on board.  I’ll kill him.  I’ll kill the fuck out of him.  Corrin specifically did, too.  See, it turns out that you can pair Camilla and Corrin up, and have Azura dance Camilla so she can fly to where the archer sniper is.  Corrin in Dragon form takes basically no damage, especially with Camilla’s defense being added in.  Corrin basically took the wall solo while the others handled the nonsense outside.  Must’ve gained like 7 levels this chapter.  Enough that I actually took off her main skill.  The story is mostly to set up Takumi’s continuing temper tantrum, as, despite Corrin making every effort to get him captured and taken away from Garon before he can command an execution, Takumi just keeps shouting about Corrin’s “betrayal” and jumps off the bridge.  No, this does not kill him.  I’m crying also.

Chapter 24 is Hinoka’s turn, and man, this one’s alright.  The map itself is a bit weird, and those Dragon Veins are dangerous.  Normally I’d try to just let Camilla blast through, but they had a lot of flying archers who then got crazy range, so none of that.  Instead, this is another map you have to use your own dragon veins to slow down fliers.  In actuality, all this does is negate the problem Hinoka continuously repeats.  She speeds up fliers and slows down everyone else, but your dragon veins reverse the effect, making everything neutral.  It’s not a bad gimmick.  The story is also, for once, not so bad.  Instead of the usual Garon interruption, you actually get Hinoka to flee, and take her lance as proof of her death.  An attempt at subterfuge was made.  I can respect that.

Oh wait, then Chapter 25 happens, and Iago is immediately like “If she’s dead, why didn’t you bring her head?  The lance doesn’t prove the body’s not moving.”  Which is super accurate, and it’s annoying as shit that the one time Corrin actually tried things, she’s called out on it.  Not that it matters, because Garon hasn’t a single care in the world about it.  Honestly, just...why do we have these scenes?

You then encounter Ryoma, who upon seeing the lance, proves that he’s not as smart as Iago, which was already a really low bar to be setting, and flies into a rage over Corrin killing his sister.  Not too much of a rage, though.  Otherwise, how would you clear the rest of the map?  See, he will actually just sit there, doing nothing, for 25 fucking turns.  And for context, I had cleared the rest of the map in about 14.  Oh, if you open the gates and the others can move?  He still won’t act.  You active the Dragon Vein that turns the high defense and recovery tiles your both on to avoid penalty tiles?  Still won’t move.  Attack him directly?  Still won’t retaliate, until those 25 turns are done.  This was the saddest excuse of a boss fight, and the worst part is, it didn’t have to be.  The defense tiles give so much added defense that both he and Corrin would take single-digit damage, which would be healed automatically by the floor.  Truth be told?  Just have him attack immediately.  Neither side would die, guaranteed.  The only thing that would encourage you to get your ass moving, is the fact that Ryoma has a crit rate and can attack from two spaces.  If he gets that lucky crit, Corrin isn’t going to die outright, but you’re in danger and can’t dawdle.  That would’ve made the map much more tense.  But instead, it’s like a leisurely walk through the halls of Hoshido while Ryoma hangs out picking his nose.  Furiously picking his nose, mind you.  Because of how mad he is that his sister’s dead.  Even though she’s not.

After you win, Corrin is able to tell Ryoma that she didn’t actually kill Hinoka, fuckwit.  Garon then shows up and insists on having Corrin kill Ryoma directly in front of him, so there’s no way to avoid it.  Ryoma then takes it upon himself.  He kills himself right there, and with his dying words leaves things to Corrin.  Now, again...you’d think Garon or Iago would be like “hey, the fuck’s that about?”  But they don’t.  Iago tries to be annoying by pointing out Corrin didn’t do it herself, and Garon’s like “Eh, whatever.” and fucks off.  So if you didn’t care, why didn’t you just do it when you showed up and move on?  Also, Ryoma, buddy, if your plan was to spare Corrin from the evil king she’s stuck working under, maybe you could’ve sold the performance a bit better?  I dunno, shout something about how you’d rather die with honor than die at the hands of your enemies, or something like that?  No, gonna go the route of outing her intentions to undermine the king before going out?  Okay, cool.

Chapter 26 is catharsis that should’ve taken place ages ago.  Finally, FINALLY, Iago and Hans are on their own, and the royal siblings have had enough of their shit.  So you finally get to kill them.  The map itself annoys me.  It’s a lot of really tough enemies behind closed doors that you have to break down.  My problem is...you cannot bait them.  Even if they have range, they won’t attack unless the door is opened.  This is especially dangerous with the mage room on the right.  They deal crazy damage.  Also, Iago is a pain in the ass.  He can use staves without it consuming their uses, and has Enfeeble, Freeze, and Silence.  And when you do get to him, he has a tome with an insane crit rate, so only a handful of units can engage safely.  Fuck you, buddy. By god, fuck you.

This leads to the finale.  Finally, after all this time, Corrin is able to tell the others that Garon isn’t their dad, he’s not even human.  He’s some weird goo monster.  Everyone’s all surprised and doesn’t entirely believe, but are willing to hear Corrin out.  Now...here’s what I have against this.  It plays in to the stupidest parts of the plot, which are mostly revealed in Revelations, where we learn about the kingdom of Valla in more depth.  Basically, if anyone speaks of the hidden kingdom or anything about it, they are transported there immediately and become completely subservient to the dragon god.  Which is already contrived as hell.  And the reason they couldn’t tell anyone about Garon was simply that they’d vanish too.  So instead, their brilliant plan was to invade and conquer Hoshido, and have Garon sit on the throne that displays someone’s core essence.  This would prove he was a good monster, and then they could take him out and restore peace.

Except...you could’ve just taken everyone into Valla.  Azura goes there regularly.  Hell, we followed her there in Chapter 15.  So the others can go, see it for themselves without you having to say a goddamn word, and then return going “Oh shit, our dad’s a goo monster, we should probably fix that.”  Then, actually go the route they hinted at in Chapter 23: have a civil war break out.  Xander leads the charge against a corrupt king, and the soldiers either back him and his way of peace, or stick with the king who wants to genocide Hoshido.  Net innocent casualties: way fewer than you taking over a kingdom for a goo monster that’s out to kill everyone.  Hell, I still hate that the goo monster is a thing at all.  Honestly, if Xander’s virtues were half of what they should be, at some point along the campaign trail, Corrin should only have to mention she thinks Garon’s corrupt and is calling for too much violence.  Again, use that concept of a schism in the ranks to set the stage for a coup mid-campaign.  Xander has directly seen enough to know the atrocities his father carries out.  You shouldn’t need this nonsense about a goo monster for this story to have weight.

But, we got the goo monster, so we have to put it down.  The map’s fairly simple, though the individual rooms are a little scary, and 100% fuck those asshole soldiers with Counter and Magic Counter.  Those are the worst skills the series has ever introduced, and by god I hope that Three Houses doesn’t have them.  Nothing is stupider than some jackoff with a high HP count and nothing else running up to you, hitting you for some damage, and then having your own attacks reflected 100% back at you, killing your unit because their inflated HP stat let them cheat the encounter.  Magic Counter was added this game, and it’s somehow worse.  Now if they have Counter, Magic Counter also reflects any and all magic damage back at you.  At least Counter had the fucking decency to only work when adjacent, so archers could mess with it.  These skills are just the exact opposite of engaging.

Garon himself is a bitch, though.  I think he had under a 50% chance to hit Xander at all, and even if he did it was like 20% of his HP, while Xander takes out like 40% of his.  You tried, goo man.

After finally killing Garon, you’d think it would be over.  But nope!  One more encounter with the champion of tantrums, Takumi!  It turns out, he’s been corrupted by...something?  I played this game years ago, on all routes, and I’m still not sure how the hell this works.  Corrin waxes philosophical afterward about whether anger and hatred can simply corrupt people into becoming monsters and avatars of destruction, but it’s gotta have some connection to Valla.  Anyway, at first, Corrin decides to let Takumi just throw his hissy-fit to get him to calm down.  This results in him pushing her shit in with a single arrow that shatters the Yato blade.  Oops.  Thankfully, conveniences!  Corrin has that dream sequence when you’re on the verge of death and meet with all the people who died along the way, and the real Takumi gives her the Fujin Yumi, which...doesn’t really exist?  And somehow repairs her Yato blade instantly?  Then Azura starts singing and it allegedly weakens Takumi?  So you clear out the map, which is mostly just tearing through some enemies and putting up the barricades before his attacks, and beat up Takumi really easily with Corrin and Xander.  You all revel in the victory until you realize Azura is gone.  It’s probably fine, probably just needed the bathroom.  I’m sure she’ll be back.

The ending sequence throws us directly into Xander coronation, where the kingdoms are brought together peacefully.  A big festival is held, and Corrin leaves for a bit to catch her breath near the lake.  She meets with Azura for a minute, who disappears after asking Corrin to close her eyes.  Corrin’s not even sure if it was real or an illusion, and is called back to the party.  Now, this?  This I kinda like.  Just the feel of the scene, you know?  I have a thing for bittersweet endings, and this has the right kind of feel.  The problem is...we have no idea why this is happening.  Presumably, it’s the song.  But she’s used the song before without this kind of serious backlash.  Or any backlash, really.  Like, remember when she tried to reveal the truth about Garon at the theater?  She used the mystic powers of her song there, and there was no blowback at all.  But now she vanishes forever?  It’s just strange, and another sort of contrivance where the conditions are vague at best, but typically nonexistent.

With that though, the game is finally over.  I’m gonna be honest, the story is just as stupid as I remembered, but it kinda feels less infuriating now.  I don’t know if it’s just my expectations going in were set so low or what, but the story, stupid as it is, feels more like a goofy B-movie than an outright disasterfuck and a blight on the world.  It’s stupid and childish, and very little is thought through.  Having also recently played Awakening, I understand where the developers were coming from when they said Awakening’s core story felt a little weak, but how anyone felt like this game was a step in the right direction is beyond me.

By comparison, the gameplay is fantastic.  Conquest is actually a ton of fun to just play through.  The maps are way more varied in their gimmicks and goals than anything Awakening had to offer.  Stats cap a lot lower, too, and enemy stats never feel overwhelming.  Even leveling up felt appropriate.  In Awakening, I could reach max level of a class promotion by around Chapter 17-18.  Even in the Radiant Games, Bonus EXP lets you reach level cap way before you’re supposed to.  But Conquest...actually had me reach level cap for only two units, Corrin and Camilla, at Chapter 26.  Everyone else either didn’t reach cap, or got there at the last map against Takumi.  Stats themselves also didn’t always cap, but could once you got close to level cap.  Camilla and Corrin had a few more than others because I used those seals that raise level cap, but still.  I actually really like the balance of the game.

That said: this only works because I did not recruit a single child character.  I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating, children characters had no place in Fates.  They were included because children were included in Awakening, Awakening literally saved the series, but to this day none of them know how it did that.  So Fates assumed certain major mechanics from Awakening were required for it to sell well, and thus, children.  But having those extra maps would’ve broken this balance to pieces, not to mention the absolute nightmare that is the Baby Realm.  I honest feel like the game is substantially better without the children characters at all.  Had I gone to get them, I would’ve needed to be very specific in how I supported units, gone out of my way to deploy units that didn’t matter just to get their kids, and then probably never used their kids.  I could not be happier that Three Houses isn’t going to be bringing in children characters.

Overall, I’m pleasantly surprised by the Conquest route.  A few of the characters have really grown on me, and the gameplay was...actually really solid.  The story just drags it down so hard.  So hard, it’s unbelievable.  There are so many areas of the plot of this route where things could’ve been handled in a way where it had actual weight and impact, but instead it just feels very...hollow.  Emotional scenes are attempted, and sometimes even executed well in a vacuum, but within the broader context, all of this could’ve been avoided.  Corrin’s constant anguish over sacrifices being made rings completely hollow when you consider all the ways in which bloodshed could’ve been avoided, or at least this specific path of bloodshed.  Fighting would happen regardless, and as Azura and Xander expressed in the endgame, no one path is purely right or purely wrong.  You’d have to push forward regardless, and things become difficult no matter what path you take.  But if there’s one thing to consider on the Conquest route, it’s that Corrin is really, unspeakably terrible at subterfuge and planning, and that Xander is really, really dense.

Now, time to start up the Birthright path.  I always liked the Nohrian siblings better, but we’ll see if anything changes with that.  I will, again, not be recruiting the children characters, and supports will happen as we go but I’m not going out of my way.  Hopefully this route also feels more positive the second time through, if only because of gameplay.

[tumblunni]

Huh! An Idea!

Hey I just heard about a very cool-seeming anime called (I think?) Rehibilitaion Of An MMO Junkie! It seems really nice cos its one of those stories about hikkomori (I think thats the japanese word for it?)- depressed people who stay at home all day and are socially anxious about going out in public. LOL RELATEABLE, AMIRITE? no but seriously beyond just Jokes, this is a very sad modern manifestation of a timeless mental illness, and i know these feelings well and i wish people could have less stigma about this and instead just give these people the help they need. And that’s why i love this anime concept, cos its a sympathetic take on one of these people as a protagonist, and how videogames as escapism can be A Good Thing and how long distance relationships Are Also Good. Like wtf, subverting all the cliches at once?? Its a really cute looking romance story of her meeting a guy online via vidjagaems, and their love being absolutely real and pure, and it rekindling her will to live and helping her find the courage to take more risks in real life and start the road to recovery. And then they work thru all their various issues as a couple and meet up in real life and have a happily ever after! :D

Now okay, that sounds really cool and I ABSOLUTELY want to watch this show and I will make more posts about it when I do! But also it gave me a bit of a story idea so i’m gonna ramble!!!!!

Okay so kind of a wasted potential thing here is how it has a plot about the two halves of the couple playing as the opposite gender online and like.. nothing is done with it? Nothing really creative or relevant to like.. gender. It just seems like a weird way they could invoke LGBT imagery but technically not be LGBT I guess? Like neither character is trans or has any deep reason for playing that character except ‘my fave colour is pink and people would make fun of me if they knew i was a dude’ and ‘i wanna play a hot guy cos i was kinda lonely and drunk when i saw this MMO’. But then a lot of stuff about it kinda feels like the writers were.. not predjudiced against LGBT or anything?? like the lady protag has NO angst about getting a crush on a seemingly female player, it seems perfectly acceptable in-universe and nobody even mentions homophobia. And there’s a pair of characters that for all extents and purposes looks like a gay couple for half of the game its just like a footnote that one of them is female in real life. So like I don’t know if this was someone being overly careful to censor stuff while still hinting at it, or like if it was never intended to look LGBT and it was all a weird accident?? But anyway thats why it made me go WTF THERE WOULD BE SO MUCH POTENTIAL IN AN LGBT MMO ROMANCE and hey here we go!

THE IDEA TIME what if there was an anime about someone who plays a (presumed) cis dude in an mmo who is actually a trans dude irl? so you could have the same plots about keeping a secret and having a big difference between real and internet personas, but also it could be a wish fullfillment persona and the plot could be less about ‘i’m lying about myself’ and more about ‘the only place i can be the real me is online’. And how sad that is and then how triumphant it could be at the end to be able to be himself in the real world too! and also like... its already coincidental enough that two people would fall in love in an mmo and then end up to be living in the same neighbourhood in real life. so if this anime has me have to believe that silliness, its not too silly to say that two trans people could bump into each other in an mmo! have a trans man and a trans woman who meet as their online personas without knowing either of them is trans, and then their adventures online forming their relationship, learning about each othr, and like meeting a bunch of other LGBT players and forming a guild to fight discrimination in the mmo community?

Also it could be interesting to maybe combine this with the ‘trapped in an mmo world’ genre? Like it’d be extra cool to be a trans dude who’s like.. one of the only people who doesnt want to escape the MMO world. And people could think he’s just a childish jerk who’s addicted to the fantasy life, not knowing about his secret reason he loves this new life. So maybe his personality could be a very ordinary and cute looking dude whose personality is like.. absolutely fearless monster battle man! Like everyone else’s mmo avatars are all super idealized cliche buff and hot people and his is just as close as he could get to his real self but post transition. So he’s five foot tall and chubby and has big ol soulful dragon ball Z krillin eyes and then his job class is something unfitting like gladiator or barbarian with an axe twice his body size! And then in retrospect that’s the most cliche masculine class so maybe the female lead could be a not cliche feminine class, so it doesnt seem like I’m making any statement? cos ‘youre not trans if you dont act stereotypically your gender’ is a real issue within the community, sadly. Oh! Maybe! Maybe theyre both buff classes! But like he could be a tank type that protects his allies and she’s just a regular warrior with no extra functionality. Or another DPS class like thief or black mage? But I like the idea of two very shy and adorable people who both prefer buffness, and then having kind of a badass hero role amoungst their guild and the plot itself. Like, winning the actual battles against bosses is less of a challenge than conquering their various real life worries and being emotionally ready to return home at the end of the journey. Its like a slice of life hiding as an action show! Except you still do see action, its just all comparatively effortless like one punch man. Oh and maybe while male lead made his avatar look just like himself but post transition, female lead’s avatar is kind of an exaggerated ideal stereotypical female thing? Because she’s self concious about being very tall and not very curvy and stuff, even post transition. And like she’s angsting about being forced into further cosmetic plastic surgery that she doesn’t really want, to get a body that she doesn’t really want, but feels like she HAS to have. Like maybe she has some sort of friend in real life who’s like a Fedora Wearing Fake Nice Guy who keeps trying to get her to give in and date him like ‘you’ll never get anyone else’, and trying to make her change herself. Negging champion of utter hateability!

And then female lead could be kind of a mentor role to male lead because she’s post transition, and motivates him to believe that someday he’ll be able to transition too and he doesn’t need to stay trapped forever in a fake world in order to be himself. And he could also be the same mentor role to her because he’s like... happy? Well, obviously he isn’t 100% happy because that’s his whole problem, but he doesn’t have the same social anxiety issues and he’s more confident in his anxiety without worrying that he’s wrong and he really is a girl, etc etc. Like he’s at peace with being trans and his obstacle is just feeling like he’ll never pass successfully without surgery, and never be able to get that surgery. It took him ages to even get on HRT, possibly because of something like being trapped in an abusive family that didnt aknowledge his gender? or possibly just because of being in a country where he’d need a lot of money to get the treatment he needs, or because of struggling to find a good doctor? So anyway now he’s just started HRT and he expected everything to be okay now, but he’s getting frustrated how long it’s taking to have the amount of visual change he needs to be respected by his coworkers and stuff, and now he’s had some sort of other money emergency and he may not be able to get top surgery in the end. So at the time of starting this MMO he was really un-optimistic about his future and looking for an escape. And she was looking for a similar escape because she didnt have any support group while transitioning, and had got trapped into an abusive relationship with this other dude that was making her feel like a fake woman who’d never be loved by anyone except him. So she was considering giving in and falling into his trap, and that’s her reason to be terrified of going back to the real world... And so they both are all OH MY GOD YOURE SO AMAZING I’M SO TRASH about each other, and they help teach each other two different aspects of self love that they were missing, and they make a bunch of other friends in the LGBT community, and generally find the love and support they always needed! And then in the end they could go back to the real world and move in together and slap negging man in the face, and keep in touch with all the other guildmates and create a better community for all queer folks playing this game! Woo! And also maybe the final scene could be like ‘wow we havent seen you guys for ages’ ‘yeah we were so busy with the wedding, we couldnt play!��� and then the guild’s wedding gift to them was saving up for a rare ingame item that lets you re-customize your character, and female lead makes one that looks closer to her real life appearance cos now she’s happy with herself! and then we pan out and see that male lead now also looks totally identical to his ingame self, and he did manage to transition in the end! ...and then i dunno, cliche anime everyone looks at the camera and jumps and the theme tune plays, lol