#abyss mage lake

[ambulancie]

In honour of regaining motivation to edit my kaebedo wip, I'd like to reccomend my favourite kaebedo fic I have ever read.

It is called Abyss Mage Lake by pussybedo on ao3, and it is criminally underrated.

Read the tags carefully (it contains a few other ships), but seriously, it is such a banger, and features evryone's favourite event-specific npc, susbedo/fakebedo/dorian. I lobe him.

For your reading pleasure:

[rockingbytheseaside]

✦ Honey and Violetgrass

Pantalone with an innocent reader, who is an adventurer but strong in their own regard. Still gets spoiled by him. 

Tw: none, pure silly fluff. 

The richest man of Teyvat requires no introduction. He is a man of affluent taste, be it the most exquisite fashion to most daily commodities - his gaze sojourns only on the highest of qualities. He is the 9th of the Fatui Harbingers, after all, hence being the face of business and the Snezhnayan economy itself. Therefore, it is natural for the public to assume that his inclination in people is as wealthy as his spacious manor, correct? He is young, he is powerful and his looks are as influential as his status. If The Regrator has a significant other, surely they must be a dream partner, basked in expensive perfumes and working as a high-class model? 

So imagine the people’s bewilderment when Pantalone’s darling, who casually bursts into his office, is some adventurer…? A person of common status, with bruises adorning their knuckles from climbing and fighting the wildlife. And yet the moment you waltz into his office, whatever important business matter was at hand is now completely forgotten by the Harbinger. In fact, Pantalone’s whole exhibition of demeanor switches in an instant. 

“Oh, honey bunny! My little gem, you're finally back!” - Pantalone stood up from his desk, completely disregarding his Fatui subordinates who remained seated. With a concerned expression, he rushed to you and cupped your cheeks. “How was your expedition? You’re back later than usual… I was worried about you.” 

“Sorry! Just had a little mishap, but I am back.” - you replied with the brightest of smiles, your face beaming despite the scratches and messy hair locks. “Ah, I’m sorry, Pantalone. Did I interrupt a business meeting?” 

The Regrator froze and ceased his check-up. He remembered that some of his business associates were still in the office. He glanced at them, then glanced back at you. 

“Oh, sweetie, nonsense!” - The Harbinger let out a haughty laugh and clasped his hands together. All it took was a single stern look towards his subordinates to convey: ‘This meeting is over. Leave.’ 

The poor associates were left to their confusion, as they were silently dismissed. Now all alone in his office, your dear Harbinger helped you brush the dust of your clothes, gently sliding your coat out of your smaller form. “Where were you anyway, dear?”   

“So I was on my way to find something… But I stumbled upon a Pyro Abyss mage!” 

“Oh!” - Pantalone’s face contorted into concern behind his glasses.

“But don’t worry, because the abyss mage was stuck on a rock in the middle of a lake. They couldn’t attack me, so instead I helped the abyss mage cross the lake without drowning.” 

“Oh,” - Now the man smiled, relieved at your kind gesture towards the most boorish creatures. 

“But the abyss mage got so scared when I carried him out of the lake that a massive Lawachurl heard us and came to attack!” 

“Oh!” - that look of panic was back. 

“Turns out there was a small camp of hilichurls nearby… So I tried to convince them I meant no harm. I guess they saw what I did, and didn’t attack me.” 

“Oh…” 

“Instead I asked them to take me to the top of a cliff and help me gather some local herbs! And they surprisingly understood because that’s what we did!” 

Silence. In the past few minutes that you conveyed your story, the 9th’s face changed into an array of emotional rollercoasters. The man adjusted his glasses, and wrapped his arms around you: 

“Dear, my honey, my little heart. You know I love you but please don’t make me have a heart attack…! You must exercise caution when you’re out there exploring the wild. And on high terrain cliffs?! Just what was so important that you had to ask some… brutish hilichurls to help you?” 

You smiled at him - that bright and sunny little smile that erased any of his trouble and melted the Harbinger’s heart. You pulled out of his warm embrace, reaching somewhere in your bag to bring something carefully wrapped in cloth. You held it close and unwrapped it before Pantalone. 

“Fresh Violetgrass, Pantalone. I know they are your favorite, but you hate store-bought ones. They’re hard to acquire since they only grow on high-rise cliffs in Jueyun Karst… So it took me a while to hike and find them. Sorry to make you wait.” 

You clarified delicately, standing there with your vibrant batch of Violentgrass, as if afraid that Pantalone might scold you for such a reckless expedition. But how could he be mad at you? How could he do anything but melt and be flustered at your adorable disposition? His little dear, so bravely hiking all the way to Liyue just to get his favorite flora as a gift? 

“O-oh, dear my. All this, just to bring it to me?” - The Regrator gasped, his arms instantly reaching to embrace you as if you were his favorite plush, smothering you with tight squeezes. “My honey bunny, you shouldn’t! These flowers look precious in full bloom; as precious as you.” 

“Ah! Pantalone, you’ll squish me… And the flowers.”  

Thus, the lovely Violetgrass flowers were now rightfully placed in a vase back home. Their purple petals emit a fragrant aroma throughout the bedroom where you and Pantalone now rest. That’s how your relationship with The Regrator was; the richest man of Teyvat who could easily buy the entire world with a single glance, was actually the one swooning over your innocent yet loving gestures. Maybe it was your sincerity, or perhaps your adventurous nature. Nonetheless, that didn’t stop the Harbinger from sitting all day and daydreaming of your experienced arms carrying him bridal style. Even if he was technically taller than you, you possessed some lovely muscles from your years of adventuring. And they certainly enticed him further. 

Most amusingly, you’d know he’s having those silly little thoughts whenever he sat silently with an endearing grin on his face. You stepped out of the bathroom, refreshed and dressed in comfortable loungewear. So you decided to ask him: “Hm? What’re you thinking about?”

“Nothing important, my dear.” - he chuckled, beckoning you to hop into bed with him for some well-earned cuddles. “Just thinking about how your arms would look gorgeous while carrying me. And I’ll instead spoil you with anything you want in the world as a reward.” 

You bury yourself against his lean chest and mumble with a smile “You want me to carry you like a princess?” 

“Anyway you deem fit - and you’ll have me at your feet, my sweet. Say, how should I reward you for your gift today? Should we go on a shopping spree? I’ll commission the best tailors of Snezhnaya to sew all the garments you dream of. Oh, or perhaps I should spoil you with newly bought cosmetics?” 

Pantalone mused to himself, all while caressing your hair. You shook your head: “No, no. You know I don’t like when you spoil me too much. I feel guilty when you spend money on me. Besides, I’ve got everything I want.”

“Don’t be too humble, my dear. If you asked me to bathe you in a honeyed milk bath and drape you with silk, you know I’d drop every Mora to do so in an instance.” - he kissed the top of your head and whispered in your ear. “Unless you wish me to bathe with you in such sweet waters, instead.” 

Pantalone expected a reaction, but instead, you quickly asked him: “Put your glasses away for a moment, please.” 

He obliged, “...Yes? -Ah!” 

Your response was slapping him with a pillow across his face. At least you were considerate with his glasses. 

“Preposterous. Can't a man feel proud at the prospect of spoiling his beloved with luxuries?”

“Pantaloons, I warn you.” - you said threateningly, though your act of bravery looked more endearing as you clutched the pillows for another attack. 

Pantalone furrowed his eyebrow “Don't start me with those nicknames, honey.”

You grinned “... Pantyhose.”

“Dear.”

“Mr… Panties.”

“That's it, you come here!” 

Not heeding his warning, the man enveloped you in ticklish embraces so you wouldn't escape. Your giggles of help and mercy were left unheard as you were pinned to the soft batch of pillows. His lips sought your own to silence those ridiculous nicknames that kept testing his patience. And undoubtedly, your kisses tasted sweeter than honey and violetgrass. 

A small illustration for this fic is here! I don't know how else to portray 'reader' without it looking awkward, so instead I drew the Traveler in it. Hope no one minds!

[sleepyorchidmonster]

Genshin event where the House of the Hearth kids come to visit Mondstadt to host a few shows (or investigate Dragonspine).

Except Klee is utterly MESMERISED by Lyney and Lynette's magic tricks and vows to become their apprentice. She dons the Veluriyam Mirage "Blossoming Starlight" skin, says she's both a mage AND magician, and sets off to find the twins.

Lyney and Lynette say that they are happy to teach her, but "Magicians can't just reveal all their secrets, so, as your first test (and challenge), why don't you surprise your teachers and dear Uncle Kaeya over there?"

Klee happily agrees and proceeds to make all the fish in Cider Lake *dissapear*. She's about to do the same to "the rest" of the Stormbearer Mountains before the others stop her.

They all eat fish that night. And the other days too.

Meanwhile, Freminet has befriended Albedo. They're mostly just quietly working on their own projects (a mechanical toy for Klee and a painting of the HoH siblings, respectively) in Albedo's workshop back in Dragonspine, though they also swap a few stories about their families, and a couple of tips on mechanics and arts (they're avoiding topics such as the Fatui and Khemia like the plague).

We also get Ragbros in the event! Since Kaeya is babysitting Klee and Diluc is stalking the HoH kids (we get an extra cutscene of Lyney and Diluc having an "amicable discussion" on a rqndom roof that boiled down to "hurt this city and I KILL you" "harm my siblings and I KILL you" "acceptable").

And if things suddenly go south on Dragonspine due to Abyssal influence and we have to brave the mountain to save Albedo and Freminet (they're FINE it's just a few rifthounds and lectors), well that's just par of the course.

[zweetpea]

Freedom or Anarchy? Part 1 of 2 (hopefully)

You guys wanted this you better read it cw: there’s some swears, and allusion to sleep drugs

The air was so crisp, the so grass vibrant, the sun was warm on your skin as you took in the scenery before you. The crystal blue of Starfell lake was gorgeous, and the fish were flipping about in the water; even the squirrels and Crains seemed at peace. Despite this lovely picture you were panicking.

“Heh, POV got sucked into your favorite video game and you don’t know if you’ll ever get home.” you shrug. “Guess I’ll die!” You walk over to a tree and pull on a branch. “I suppose that I should try to defend myself.”

As you say that three pyro slimes appear and chase you down the hill towards Venti’s Statue. “Hehehe, Why are you running? Why are you running?” You walk up to the statue and touch it, but nothing happens. “Wow! Honestly, I thought as a bard you would understand the mentality of “I F’ed my way into this mess, and I’ll F my way out”. Not gonna give me a vision, a shitty knock off of your power, a sword?” As you sat yelling at a lifeless statue (a/n: WTF WERE YOU THINKING? THAT IT WOULD TALK BACK?!) you heard something coming towards you. You looked to the sky and saw Dvalin flying straight toward you. “Oh shit…” You say as storm terror land next to you and rawrs in your face. “Haha, I’m in danger.” He brings his face towards you and you begin to shake  in fear. “Mr. Stark I don’t feel so good.” You whisper to yourself as tears of fear and regret stream down your face. 

Dvalin inches closer and you close your eyes only to feel something cold and wet on your face. You open your eyes only to close them again as Dvalin licks you. “Ew! Slobber!” He whimpered. You hold your hand out to pet the poor baby. “Oh it’s okay. Just let me clean up first.” You wipe off your face and go back to Dvalin. You go to pet him and a beautiful light shines from your fingers and flows through his fur. 

“Dvalin!” Someone called to him and he picked you with his tail and curled it around you so you’d be hidden and sage as he took to the sky. 

“Wait! Wasn’t that Venti? Don’t you like him?” He took to the sky and bounced you around unintentionally. 

After about 20 minutes you were finally released and found yourself in stormterrors lair. “What have you brought back?” A distorted voice echoed as a cryo abyss mage entered. 

“She is the special. She can heal me.” Dvalin responded. (A/n: do you guys remember that? Dvalin spoke) 

“You fool! Only the abyss Order can save you!” 

As the two fight you try to sneak away but you step on a twig and they look at you. Dvalin quickly pulls you by your hoodie back to his side. “I agreed to help you because the Archons abandoned me as they’ve abandoned you. I still will but it doesn’t seem like you all have found a way to cure me. I need to be at full strength to fight for you.” 

“Dvalin? I thought you liked Venti.” 

“Venti, is that what the barn calls himself now? I used to, I know that he cares for me but he didn’t ever try to help me. I have suffered for 500 years and he now shows his face. Khaenri’ah was destroyed simply because they chose to forsake the Archons. Why should we care for them?” 

You looked down, not knowing what to say. “How am I supposed to help?” You finally said.

“You can heal me.” 

“But if I do, you’ll hurt the innocent people of Mondstadt. Listen, the Tsarista is plotting a rebellion against Celestia. Celestia’s the real villain here.”

“Even so the Archons still chose to destroy Khaenri’ah.” 

“Then take it up with them, please. Those people have nothing to do with it. I’ll help you in anyway I can but please for their sake don’t hurt them. If not for them then for me.” 

“If it’s what the adored one desires then I shall deliver it unto you.” 

“What’s that supposed to mean?” You asked suspiciously. 

“Funny. Now heal him if you REALLY can!” The abyss mage, snarked from the corner. You climbed on top of Dvalin and put your hands on his horn. White light erupted and Dvalin’s head fell to the ground as he’d passed out. You fell off and the abyss mage ran out of the room screaming about how the day of reckoning was upon them or something. You fell asleep nuzzled into Dvalin’s side and dreamt of lots of yummy food. 

When you woke up you found a pyro abyss mage, and hydro abyss mage cooking some kind of fowl meat. Over a makeshift campfire. The pyro abyss mage brings it over to your and the hydro abyss mage hands you the food and some water. “Is this clean?” You ask the two and they nod.  You take the food and water and start to eat. “Thanks.” You say after you’re finished. 

“Dvalin. Do you want to head out somewhere?” 

“Where would you like to go, Adored one?” 

“Would you hate me if I said Dragonspine?” 

“If that’s what you wish.” He picks you up and flies you over there. 

You direct him to a cave in the side of the mountain. 

“Honey! I’m home!” You say as you saunter into the cave. “Albedo? I guess he’s not here.” You say as you turn to leave. 

“Incredible. Stormterror sitting right outside of my Laboratory.” He only roars at the blonde. 

“Sir Albedo?” You inquire as you step out of his lab. You pet Dvalin to put him at ease.

“Hello, may I help you?”

“Sorry I don’t mean to snoop in your lab, I was just wondering if you were here. I have a bit of a conundrum.” 

“You wish to go home.” 

“How did you-” 

“How did I know?” He cuts you off. “I’ll explain in due time. Please step into my laboratory, I’ll get you some tea. Word of advice though, it can get kinda cold out here so you might want to send Stormterror away before he gets cold.” 

Dvalin growled. “I’ll be fine. You can come get me later tonight okay?” He nodded and flew off. It was about noon so you figured that you had a while before the twins would steal the harp and try to take down Dvalin. 

“How did you manage to tame him?” Albedo asked, as you sat on a stool near a campfire. 

“I healed him somehow.” 

“So Gold’s stories were true.” 

“Rhinedottir knows about this?” 

“Yes, she’s the one who told me. Someone would come down from Celestia and they’d tame the beasts of Teyvat as well as the members of the Abyss Order.” He hands you the Tea and you drink it. 

“I still don’t understand how you knew I’m not from here.” 

“I just told you Gold told me you’re from Celestia. Unless of course, you aren’t.” 

“Dvalin referred to me as the Adored One. Do you know what that means?” 

“Adored throughout Teyvat and the realm above. You are the honored one no?” 

“I don’t… what…?” You started to get lightheaded. “Albedo?” You sloshed as you fell off your seat. 

“I’m sorry Adored One, but I have to put Klee first. Now that you’ve heeled Stormterror you’re a threat to the people of Mondstadt. I’m going to hand you over to the knights for terrorism and endangering the public.” 

[makiandcheese]

i thought of this while on the commute but he hangs klee's drawings inside his closet because he has spare tacks and didn't want let them all go to waste so he made a binder of all of her drawings

buys specific souveniers for everyone he is friends with whenever he is on a trip

Random Kaeya HCs I have:

- he can knit and crochet. The grannies taught him that. His favorite work so far was a tiny bucket hat for Klee that she sometimes put on top of Dodoco

- he also gossips with the grannies. Kaeya lives for it. The people around his age don't know where he get his information on them.

- he is a very good artist. He usually draws for Klee's survival guide and making treasure maps

- speaking of treasure maps, I bet he saw random treasure chests as a child while going around with his biological father. His childhood imagination treated it like pirate treasure

- he actually can't wink, but no one could tell because he has always worn an eyepatch (he told Diluc when they were younger. Diluc wonders why Kaeya told him, and Kaeya explains that no one would believe him. Diluc despairs)

- he's a picky eater. The food has to taste right or else he wouldn't like it

- you can tell if he likes to eat something based on how slow he eats it

- that kinda led him to not finish his food on multiple occasions when on a rush at work unfortunately

- yes Diluc has scolded him about that before, especially back when Diluc was cavalry captain (now, Diluc would sometimes place a plate of mushroom skewers when Kaeya is looking a bit too fatigued at the bar)

- He can run well with heels on (he figured that if he had to do an infiltration it would be smart to be able to run no matter what disguise he uses) and has once made men under his command run laps with them on, to the amusement of many, especially the female knights who were being bullied at the time

- like Jean, he has his own fair share of children who would like to be like him one day. He doesn't like talking nor thinking about it. He definitely doesn't want them to end up like him

- thanks to all the time in his youth playing with a slingshot, he actually ended up being great with a bow and arrow as well

- he chose to continue using a sword because to him, it is more thrilling to get close to his opponent

- in his teens, he actually had a fleeting idea of studying at the akademiya just to get to Sumeru, but eventually decided against it because he now wanted to stay with the Ragnvindrs

- he thought about it again when Diluc left, but he wanted to get Eroch and the other corrupt officials out of their positions more

I'm ending it here for now. I'll make more next time!

[ofandrastes]

andres trevelyan, dragon age verse

statistics.

FULL NAME Andres Maxwell Trevelyan.

NICKNAMES Dre, Trevelyan

RACE Human.

GENDER & PRONOUNS Cisgender male, he/him/his.

SEXUALITY Bisexual.

NATIONALITY Ostiwicker.

RELIGION Andrastian.

POSITIVE TRAITS Noble, Courageous, Disciplined, Humble

NEGATIVE TRAITS Impatient, Paranoid, Rigid, Headstrong

AFFILIATION Herald of Andraste, Inquisitor

skills & abilities.

CLASS Warrior.

SPECIALIZATION Templar.

WEAPON Greatsword.

biography via the keep

As the youngest child of the Trevelyan noble house, Andres grew up in the Free Marcher city of Ostwick and have enjoyed a life of privilege. With close family ties to the Chantry, and many relatives among the priesthood and the templars, Andres was always expected to follow a similar path in service of the Maker.

In 9:41 Dragon, several members of House Trevelyan attended a Chantry conclave seeking to put an end to the Mage-Templar War. Included among the delegation was the youngest child of Bann Trevelyan, who was sent to assist their relatives or, if a mage, formed a part of the Mage delegation.

additional headcanon

Andres was betrothed to Marcello Freyette, the second son of an Orlesian Marquis, an engagement borne out of political allyship and, later, love. Marcello was also present at the Conclave and, unfortunately, was one of the many killed. This devastated Andres greatly, though in the time passed since he's had little time to grieve -- the title of the Herald of Andraste, the Inquisitor, does not afford him that privilege. First, he must save the world, and then...

decisions under cut

EXPLORING THEDAS reached the inner sanctum, investigated the dwarven ruins, rescued troops from the avaar, helped refugees, did not gain cultists' allegiance, fairbanks revealed to be a noble, fairbanks defeated the freemen, closed the lake's rift in crestwood, imshael was slain, captured suledin keep, claimed griffon wing keep

OPERATIONS inquisition forces deployed regularly, sutherland's company wasn't formed, jecin and celeste married for love, contacted johi

THE WRATH OF HEAVEN inquisitor accepts being chosen by andraste

CHAMPION OF THE JUST inquisitor went to therinfal redoubt, templars leashed, ser barris is alive

IN YOUR HEART SHALL BURN player declared for order

HERE LIES THE ABYSS grey wardens rebuilt, warden contact left in fade

WICKED EYES AND WICKED HEARTS celene rules, reconciled with briala, empress celene lived, grand duchess florianne killed

WHAT PRIDE HAD WROUGHT morrigan drinks from the well, respected temple tradition & allied with guardians

DOOM UPON ALL THE WORLD leliana is divine

JUDGEMENTS AT SKYHOLD inquisitor was a recruiting judge

companions & advisors

DORIAN romanced, planned to return to tevinter, reconciled with his father.

BLACKWALL recruited and stayed, left prison as rainier

IRON BULL recruited, saved the chargers, tal-vashoth

CASSANDRA rebuilt seekers, discovered book of secrets

SERA recruited, killed harmond

COLE recruited and stayed, more human

SOLAS freed his friend

VARRIC tracked the red lyrium source

VIVIENNE gave snowy wyvern heart

CULLEN encouraged not to use lyrium

JOSEPHINE did favors for du paraquettes

LELIANA steeled

TRESPASSER disbanded inquisition, stop solas at all costs

SHIPPING in my canon gameplay, andres ends up with dorian but truthfully i can see him with anyone. he's a big romantic, and sharing his faith will most likely bridge that gap quicker than others, though he's not opposed to those who do not believe or have different beliefs. please keep in mind that andres, through my personal headcanon for him, is very much grieving the death of his fiancé, so that will be an obstacle to overcome.

CLOSED SHIPS: Dorian

TEMPLARS VS MAGES as a trevelyan, andres' ties to the templar order run deep and go back generations. at the beginning of the game he is less sympathetic to the mage's plight hence why he chooses to approach the templars to enlist. however, seeing as they are just as capable of being corrupted, he begins to soften his stance hence why he leashes them by the end of champon of the just. also, if he is romancing a mage, that helps him balance his opinions better as well.

ANDRASTIANISM andres grew up a devout andrastian, and i don't believe that changes by the end of the game. he does struggle with the notion of being the 'herald of andraste', however, torn between feeling like a fraud and wondering if he actually could have been chosen for this -- which then makes him question pretty much everything. however, by the end he's faith is reaffirmed, believing that although he may not have been a prophet chosen by the maker, he was set on this path toward victory for a reason.

[anemoi-i]

You Conjure Such A Beautiful World - 2

Diluven | 1.3k Words | Rated T | Canon Divergent/Different First Meeting | No Reposts

The first time Diluc crosses paths with Venti after his return to Mondstadt.

Part 1 | Part 2 (final / you're here.)

If you like my work, consider becoming a member.

Credits: Title Banner: Me. | Divider Credit

The Archon of Mondstadt was always around. Always watching.

He was the one Diluc saw playing his lyre in the square, the one who’s actions he could not read (and the reason now is clear as the waters of Cider Lake) and the one that acted as a mere human in a nation that he himself presides over. There were clergy in the square that prayed to him faithfully. There were Church services dedicated to him, the very same ones he’s attended as a child with his father. He’s heard pleas from Adventurers at his Statues of the Seven for safe passage in their explorations. The shocking reality of the situation had Diluc locked up inside his own Winery and dare he admit it, afraid to approach the Archon about all of his concerns and feelings.

Being targeted by the Fatui Harbingers was less of a fright.

His feelings about everything are conflicting and confusing. He’d much rather stay at the Winery to sort them out lest he say anything offensive. Even his staff are conflicted, as he has not requested any services, instead insisting he wished to remain in solitude and that he would request anything should he need it. This was fine, as he would also take the time to ensure there were no viable threats to Mondstadt.

He loves Mondstadt like no other and loves all who dwell in it… and takes special care to those that protect Mondstadt under the cover of night.

He’s reminded of that night and the Archon’s words. They were oddly specific, but now…

Of course he would know who goes out of their way to protect his lands and would know his identity.

I shouldn’t be surprised.

Interrupting his throughts, his eagle flies into his study with a caw and a rolled up paper that drops in his hands. This was a nightly occurrence. In a better attempt to scour the lands of Mondstadt, he sent his eagle out to search for any threats. Members of his Intelligence Network were always available, always watching—ironically enough, just like Barbatos. If a member came across his eagle, they would call out to it and leave a note.

There were two codes. Attn: It’s Sunny. That was reserved for no threats. A peaceful outcome. The best outcome.

Then there was the other code.

Attn: It’s Snowing.

Cape Oath.

Diluc burned the letter as per usual and left quietly. Good. Whether it be the Fatui, foolish Treasure Hoarders or Abyss Mages, his claymore was ready and held tightly in his hand. Handling this little issue would do wonders to clear his mind. Diluc makes his trip as quickly as possible and of course, unseen. He’d take a couple of short rests until he made his way to Cape Oath.

It was silent when he arrived, but ominous. Diluc knew something was amiss, especially since the winds blew harshly. A Mondstadter always knew when something was wrong by feeling the winds, even if they weren’t devout to Barbatos or magically adept. The winds never blew harshly. The winds were always calm. Mondstadt was the prime location for a retreat because of this well known fact. His hair blows violently, it’s hard to walk, but Diluc makes his way towards the edge of Cape Oath.

Only to see a Fatuus fall to the ground, groaning.

In fact, there are many of them wriething in pain, clutching their sides. He can’t say he cares, for he would have been harsher in his attacks.

But he flinches once he realizes who exactly is responsible for this.

He is before Barbatos, who holds his divine lyre in his hands. It gradually disappears and strangely enough, turns back into the faux Anemo Vision he wore on his waist. His eyes are filled with contempt. There were sayings that the winds reflected Barbatos’ mood—calm when pleased, violent when angered or melancholy, but seeing it in person is different from the books.

“Oh,” he says, nonchalant. “Hello, Master Diluc.”

He bows to no man, but this is his Archon displaying his power. It would be foolish not to.

“Barbatos.”

“I don’t ask for anyone to submit to me.” he responded. “So, there is no need to stand on ceremony.”

Barbatos looked around. He flicked his wrist and the members of the Fatui on the ground were binded with Anemo.

“I’d called the Ordo Favonius, but…”

That was your first mistake, My Lord.

“…Dealing with them myself was more… enjoyable, I guess? Der Frühling, my trusty lyre. It was a long while since it tasted blood.”

Diluc shivered as he stood.

“I would not have minded taking care of the problem for you.”

“I’m aware of that,” Barbatos smiled. “The very lovely member of your Intelligence Network was nice enough to give me your calling codes. But, we’ll talk more later.”

He gestured behind him. Several members of the Ordo Favonius arrived on scene to access the situation. They were thanked for their hard work and the Fatui taken away. In those moments, Barbatos credited Diluc with the apprehension of them and it bewildered him.

“It’s been a while since I fought. I’m a bit rusty.”

He said he was the weakest. I knew that was a load of nonsense when he said it.

The winds calm. The moon peaks through the clouds and gives off a glow that surrounds Barbatos, making him look as the divine being he is. Then he ascended slightly, extending his hand towards Diluc and beckoned him to approach.

“I wouldn’t be such a cruel Archon as to make you walk back so deep into the midnight hours.”

Without question, Diluc takes his hand. It happens in seconds. They’re back at the Dawn Winery and entering quietly.

“We have not seen each other since we helped Dvalin. I’m that scary, that you would avoid me?”

“I—I wasn’t avoiding—”

“You are a man of many skills, Diluc Ragnvindr. Lying isn’t one of them.”

“My apologies,” he conceded. “I was troubled.”

“Now that is the truth. Good.”

Diluc took a deep breath and  sat down.

“I am the source of your troubles,” Barbatos sighed, sitting next to him. “Sorry.”

“I could never fault you. Even when I felt abandoned, I could never truly blame anyone but myself. It was my choice to go on the path I did, no one else’s.”

“Still,” Barbatos responded. “I have many sins to bear and I am not short on those hateful prayers from those that felt abandoned by me and felt as if I did not care.”

“I…” Diluc didn’t know what to say.

“I don’t desire to rule over anyone, but as you mortals say, it is a “double-edged sword.” The reason why Mondstadt is peaceful is because of the people. Because of you. It was never my efforts.”

Diluc snapped, “With all due given respect, Barbatos, that’s a load of bullshit. It’s unbecoming of you to dismiss your contributions so easily.”

Barbatos gasped. Diluc took this as initiative to continue. In fact, he stood.

“Do you want to know why Mondstadt still stands, Lord Barbatos? It is the people’s faith in you. That desire you have for Mondstadt to prosper without a ruler was embedded into the people’s minds and it is that wish that drives us to protect your city without fail. If you did not provide, they would be no faith in you! There would be no recognition!”

Remaining silent, Barbatos looked at him, wishing him to continue.

“Those hateful “prayers” you spoke of earlier are from those that want their wishes handed to them on a silver platter and are not worth your time. Even now, look at yourself. You are afraid even to give yourself credit for stopping the Fatui. That is where your weakness lies. It was never your strength, but your heart.”

“You and I share a weakness, then.”

Realizing what he said, Diluc’s passionate  resolve breaks.

Barbatos continued, “I guess that makes us more alike?”

“…You wanted me to say this. This was your plan, wasn’t it?”

A smile forms on the Archon’s face.

“If this was years prior, you would have never had the strength to say what you did now. You were lost, as I told you during our unofficial meeting. You thought everything was your fault, your burden to carry and you still hold yourself in contempt.”

“I don’t understand you, Barbatos,” Diluc sighed with frustration. “Why are you doing this?”

“Do you want to understand me?”

“Yes! Celestia above, I want to understand you! I know each and every person in Mondstadt! I know everyone’s routines, I know who is a threat and who is not! But you—You I can’t have a handle on! Ever since that first night, I wanted to speak with you. You did eventually come again but it wasn’t satisfying at all! You acted as if we did not meet. Tell me, do you play these games with everyone?!”

“Oh, Diluc,” Barbatos stood up and approached him. Grasping his hands, he shook his head. “I’m here. I have always been here even when I have made it seem like I am not. I am a very contradictory Archon. That is no game. It simply has to be. I can’t explain my actions for this is how I am.”

“I gather the many years of having to refer to yourself as a different entity has finally confused you.”

“Perhaps,” Barbatos laughed. “This is what I get for choosing to watch over Mondstadt in my own way.”

Diluc notices that he’s still holding his hands. He pulls them away softly and crosses his arms.

“Remember when we first met? You talked about yourself so confidently then. You already knew of my feats, and you told me, ‘You love your home  and protect your home and in turn, the Archon who watches over your home loves you.’  You meant that, right?”

“Yes. Of course I did.”

“That night, you moved me to tears. I still have those flowers you gave me. They’re dried out, but I still have them.”

Barbatos fiddled with his hands timidly.

“I bet that was the first night you allowed yourself to be genuine,” Diluc continued. “ You gave yourself credit. Even though you left me with more questions than answers, you were genuine. That part of you is something I will unravel.”

He kneeled, grasping Barbatos’ hand again.

“If lying truly isn’t my strong suit as you said, then it is certainly not yours either. That makes us even more alike. You wouldn’t speak of your feats in such a way if you did not want any recognition.”

“Diluc,” Barbatos replied breathlessly. “What is it that you want, exactly?”

“I told you. To unravel you. I will decipher your secrets behind the many façades you put on and reveal your true self.”

Barbatos averted his eyes, as if wondering what exactly he got himself into. He finally looked at Diluc with fire in his eyes.

“I take it as a challenge,” he replied softly. “I want to see what you can do.”

Diluc couldn’t utter a response quickly enough before Barbatos disappeared in a flurry of feathers. He stood again, now in the empty room and captured one of those feathers in his hands.

Fine.

If it were a challenge he wanted, it would be a challenge he would get.

[strdstd]

[ @dutybcrne ⸻ ★ ]

Like a cornered rattler suddenly being revealed by an overturning of a rock, they’d struck. Fangs sunk deep into his heart another haunting sensation. Memories coursing through him like venom. He knew what to do for a snake bite, Graey taught him that. But never before had he faced one as severe as this.

The dirt caught under his nails, the grass stains on his clothes, the people he saw every single day. Seeming inconsequential and fleeting. Not worth remembering. Until he returned in that Memory Bubble. The rich scents, voices that never failed to put him at ease, warm spring sunlight hitting his face. The rushing water, the well-worn dirt paths, the wide fields.

His family.

They were alive. Walking and talking. No blazing fires, no smoke. It was just... like an ordinary day. He was alive here, too. Blue eyes as bright as a lake sparkling with sunlight, flowing hair dark as a night sky, body lined with hard-earned muscle. Roughened hands that could strum a guitar and handle a revolver with equal ease, as well as arms that could hold his little girl with a gentleness previously unknown to him.

It all had to be a bad dream. That'd be the only way he could explain the panic surging through him as he sped across the burning land, the grief crashing into him, the fury that could rival the flames around him. Yet, as metal replaced flesh, it sank in. This was real. There was no going back. And if this was what he needed to do to get his home the vengeance it deserved? So be it. Let the anger fuel him. So what if he lost some of his humanity in the process?

But... in Mondstadt...

The closest he'd felt to a second home. So much for initially intending to cause some trouble- Finding quite the match in the city's Cavalry Captain, finding him only to be an authority he had to oppose. Gleefully taking on any and all little "trials", whether it be taking down Ruin Guards in a few shots, to ambushing Abyss Mages without his Vision. To think they'd wind up camping out in the Mondstadt wilderness together, being just the beginning of a bond that'd expand his horizons like no other. Open him up to the reality that he was worth loving, worth living beyond his vengeance plans, living for himself after so long. Finding in Kaeya, a true friend after traveling the galaxy alone. Realizing how badly he missed bantering with someone around a campfire, celebrating won fights together.

For someone that'd closed himself off from relationships and viewed himself as nothing more than a monster thriving off thrill of the hunt, there was an undeniable yank on what were once his heartstrings. Even if he'd spent weeks vehemently denying it, while he clearly had all the signs he was in deep. In deep enough to throw al caution to the wind and dauntlessly journey into the depths of the Chasm. Because, to hell with it, he loved that man and wasn't about to let what he loved be lost again.

As if falling in love and ending up with the one he loved in the end wasn't enough, thoughts of marriage of all things weaseled its way into his head. Marriage being yet another concept he'd brushed off, laughing whenever either parent joked about him finally getting hitched. It seeming even farther away than him getting into a relationship. After all, there was too much else occupying his focus back then. From bounty hunts, farm work, and later on having his daughter in his life.

Again, that was, until Kaeya. Until the Express offered to make the trip to Penacony. The most he could offer being a plain-looking ring crafted out of a leftover bullet. If he could cry, he would've downright sobbed at Kaeya accepting his proposal.

A phantom jolt hit his chest. Oh. Right. He was Kaeya's husband now, for Lan's sake. Arms wound around him, pulling back to finally meet Kaeya's gaze, both eyes of his own visible. He couldn't just hide away from him. Not now.

"...Hell, I would've thought you were too good for me back then. Thinkin' you were somethin' out of a damn dream." A hand wandered up to hold the bullet earring between two fingers. "But not... someone I'd actually end up with."

That much was true.

That, and how foolish he was. For daring to think Kaeya wouldn't extend the same acceptance towards Boothill's own past actions. The same acceptance Boothill unabashedly showed Kaeya.

He looked away, to collect his thoughts, eyes closing with a heavy sigh. Sure, Sawyer oftentimes showed the same tenacity and loyalty to those he deemed worthy of it, would give the clothes off his back to those who needed it. But... the Sawyer from back then still hadn't experienced the suffering Boothill had, hadn't lost his home and felt the agony morph into anger, a burning desire to avenge. So of course he wouldn't have understood Kaeya's plight when it'd came to him joining the Abyss. The desperation to do anything that would change the circumstances, even if it meant losing humanity. When Boothill understood that perfectly.

"You're talkin' sense here." Voice was low, eyes opening before turning his attention back to Kaeya. It could've been so easy to lose himself in that urge for revenge, to sink fully into the deadly hunter facade he put up when dealing with the IPC, let it take him over. Fully rid himself of the scraps of humanity he clung to. A true monster wouldn't feel remorse, and not a day went by when he didn't agonize over what his dads, siblings, daughter would think if they saw what he'd become. That had to prove Kaeya's words right. "Maybe a little too much sense." A slight chuckle left him.

"I think... seein' 'em all again. Seein' myself. In that Memory Bubble, alive, it really hit me hard. Made me remember things I forgot."

A smile managed to form, gaze softening as both hands came to rest against Kaeya's face. "Maybe the man I am now ain't as bad as I thought. You've got my trust like no one else, and it means a lot to know I've got yours. And you best believe I have the same thoughts about you; what you've done and who you are won't change the way I feel about you. Got that, darlin'?"

[unniekiwi]

platonic Itto x male reader who is an oni much older than him who is very fatherly and they have an awesome relationship and reader often tells stories of his youth to Itto

𝖯𝗅𝖺𝗍𝗈𝗇𝗂𝖼 𝖨𝗍𝗍𝗈 𝗑 𝖬𝖺𝗅𝖾! 𝖱𝖾𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋. 𝖯𝗅𝖺𝗍𝗈𝗇𝗂𝖼.

IM SO SORRY FOR TAKING FOREVER!!! I went with school on a trip for a week and later on, I had lots of exams, homeworks and projects. So I apologise again, and I hope you like it. ♡

This request was soooo cute, I love it, and I love so much Itto, my baby. ♡

꒱࿐��� ˚.*ೃ꒱࿐♡ ˚.*ೃ꒱࿐♡ ˚.*ೃ

꒱࿐♡ ˚.*ೃ꒱࿐♡ ˚.*ೃ꒱࿐♡ ˚.*ೃ

-Ojisan! Mite! - little Itto ran up to an older man with a lot of life experience. The little boy is excited to show his favorite grandfather, or as he calls him, best friend, his beetles.

-They are beautiful Itto, did you get them all by yourself? - the little Oni nodded with a smile as you gently patted his head and looked at him with a gentle gaze. - Very good Itto. I used to hunt those too whenever I traveled. - the little one sat on your lap and smiled. He listened to your stories of your travels all afternoon.

꒱࿐♡ ˚.*ೃ꒱࿐♡ ˚.*ೃ꒱࿐♡ ˚.*ೃ

-Ojisan… Tadaima… - you were waiting for him sitting under your tree, Itto knew you were there, because you were always reading there. He, on the other hand, arrived full of burns, which you were going to have to clean.

-Itto. Have you been fighting with Abyss Mages? - you take your eyes off your book and look up to see your boy.

-Yes, Traveler needed me and I helped them. - he sat down next to you with his legs crossed. He had already brought the band-aids for you, he knew you were having trouble getting up.

- You are very worried about this Traveler. - Itto looked at you in the corner of his eye, he knew what you meant. He just sighed and laughed.

- They're the only friend I've ever had after all… I owe them the favor, ya' know. - He held out his arms for you to treat his burns, his eyebrows slightly furrowed.

-I had a great friend too, we traveled together all the time. - Even though his eyes were closed, he was listening carefully to you.

-We had a picnic, we were surrounded by flowers with a lake around. We were eating with laughter and such… And crystal butterflies appeared, together with the butterflies, the sunset and her… phew, it made a beautiful scenery. - Itto was surprised, since you didn't talk much about your old lover. Just about what a beautiful person she was and how well she fought.

You were done with his burns, you looked up smiling at your now-grown Oni. Itto hugged you with a smile. Despite how much you suffered for your loved one, you had the courage to adopt an Oni that everyone hated and you gave him shelter, love, food and treated him as if you were his father.

-You are the best thing that ever happened to me… Otosan. -

[witchcraftandburialdirt]

“how does it feel?”

═══ UNPROMPTED INTERACTIONS ═══ LEAGUE VERSE

"...To die? What an odd question, particularly from someone like you, if you don't mind me saying, Miss Irelia. You have killed countless humans, did you not take a moment to look upon their eyes as they went?" His stare was cold, lifeless as his gaze reflected the moon and her sharpened gaze - but his finger was quick to lift, "I know what you say, that Noxians aren't people, surely there's no way humans could do such a thing to eachother… But they did, they do, where they come from or their ancestry doesn't matter… Their blood is red, like yours, like mine, and almost everything in this world is meant to die. But I imagine you're asking my own experience."

His expression lifts into a small smile, keeping his gaze upon her as he cupped his chin, staring through her very being - at her hatred, at her hurt. "I suppose it depends on the person and how they go, but for me… My eyes were beaten until the green of Zaun turned into blood, the air was stripped from my lungs as I choked on the muddied puddle under me - all while someone much stronger than I held me down. I…I remember someone screaming, someone - a woman - begging for me to not go yet. I don't remember much about her, but she had yellow eyes and soft hands. I think we may have been friends at some point." The Ionian air tasted sweet as he sucked in to fill his lungs, a breath he did not need to take but one that was comforting regardless.

"I felt my body slip away and just like that, there was no more struggle, no more pain, nothing. I did not exist anymore, whatever I was had faded and I was never supposed to return. Yet here I stand." The mage's expression was hollow and blank of every emotion he had shown up to that point, "I suppose many die in fear, unable to rest even as they rot within the earth or are grinded up into meat for the Noxian empire. I've no doubt their grieving has bled into the soil too, how much blood do you think has absorbed into these very trees around us? How many Noxians do you think are part of this place now? Haha - and don't say Ionia wouldn't take them, nature is but a beast, a motherly beast - but it still has teeth and claws and will eat anything given to it. The corpses you've piled, that they've piled...well, its a bountiful feast."

Less so a laugh and moreso a harsh snort left him, "We all die the same, though, we're all human at the end of it. To say someone isn’t is to say we can do what we want to them… I am sure that the Grand General said the same thing to his troops when they were sent here. Maybe to make them feel better, but it doesn't change what they've done, what you've done, what many of us have done. Did you want to forget that they are people? I have to wonder if maybe you're just lying though, to know your family was torn apart by humans just like you and I - it's much more palatable to imagine they were animals lacking of any good qualities, that they could never cry in the same way as you do. Is it a lie you tell to everyone around you or perhaps a lie you tell to yourself? I cannot blame you, we are terrifying creatures after all, the only things on this planet that can justify stripping the life of another and then act as if our hands aren't wet with their blood."

It was odd, the way he spoke. There was no malice, no stinging venom like that of a snake - his words were flat and calm like a lake…a gentle acceptance of what change and death truly was. Nature's delight, he almost felt silly for trying to fight against it so often while alive, to try and bring his siblings back...What a foolish endeavor.

"…Why though? Are you frightened of death? Of the abyss? As I said, almost everything is meant to die - and being alive isn't so special either. Millions before you and after you will be born and die too, it isn't as though you'll feel anything after." A pause, "Death isn't something you feel, its just…the end; there is no more pain and suffering. No more pleasure but also no more desire for pleasure. You won't have to suffer anymore and won't be deprived of any deliciousness that you otherwise could've experienced. Existence is a burden, a burden that we are biologically programmed to embrace - there is really nothing to it at all. At the end, everyone's end, you'll find that what you've done will eventually wither to nothing too; when the great grandchildren of the people you've helped speak your name for the last time. "Noxian or Ionian, man or woman or child - you'll return to nothingness just as you were before, and even if Noxus tears Ionia to pieces - or Ionia tears Noxus to pieces… that will become nothing too." He smiled,

"You've been nothing far more than you've been something, and we are never meant to come back."

[captivemuses]

diluc's eyes narrow with flagrant malice toward the harbinger who focused a little too much attention on the cavalry captain in front of him at the bar and not enough attention on leaving it entirely.

What's that Diluc? Kaeya is telling him a story about how Klee blew up an Abyss Mage and Childe's enjoying listening to the story and watching his boyfriends beautiful face as he recounted the story about what Klee and the Traveler got up to by the lake. Diluc couldn't see it either, but Childe's free hand was actually resting on Kaeya's thigh, thumb gently rubbing circles on it while the other hand still held Childe's third beer. At least he was still being a paying customer while he took his time staying at Angels Share, right?

[eyebright-iris]

Review: The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

Where to begin. I think I’d forgotten how it feels to be breathless in the wake of a truly incredible book, heart racing and hands shaking against the back cover. Shoutout to Samantha Shannon for reminding me of that feeling.

The Priory of the Orange Tree is a beautiful flame-coloured hardback that has haunted my shelves since 2019 when it first came out and I grabbed it because it sounded dope, looked gorgeous and there were dragons on it (your first special interest never quite leaves you). After about three and a half years, and after resolving to read every day of 2023, I decided enough was enough; time to tackle this beast.

While other works of Shannon’s have been on my TBR before, Priory is the first of hers I’ve read. It’s my return to epic high fantasy after a long absence, and I can’t say I’m disappointed. Far from it, in fact. This book rattles with its own intensity, the stakes for each character, the rising romance and drama and the freefall towards devastation that builds all the way until about book five of six (for context, the huge 800-page novel is split into six smaller “books”).

I adored Priory. This review will likely be tragically short in an effort to avoid spoiling some of the fantastic reveals and brilliant storytelling, but for now I’ll discuss the things I loved so much about it without revealing too much.

Our four narrator characters are brilliant. They are flawed, messy, human and devoted. Ead is a secret mage tasked with protecting the Queen of a foreign nation; Loth is a kind and devout young man with much responsibility and too sweet and authentic a heart for the puppeteering courts he finds himself in; Niclays Roos is a bitter and jaded old alchemist with a deep core of darkness and a fierce hunger in him; and Tané is a 19-year-old striving to prove herself and take up the mantle of an honoured dragonrider. All four of them work to bring the rich world of the novel to life, each from a different background, with different goals, all eventually clashing and - perhaps, if the greatest evil is to be overcome - aligning.

I’ll briefly touch on the diversity in Priory. Of our four narrators, two (Ead and Tané) are female; both are also women of colour (Ead is black, and while Priory does not take place in our own world, Tané’s home of Seikii shows clear parallels with Japan). Niclays is the only white narrator, and he is gay; Loth is black. Ead and Queen Sabran are both lesbians, and for those who, like me, fall on the aro/ace spectrum, Tané’s arc has no hint of romance, and there is a strong case for aroace Tané. Not only do we have diversity, but well-written diversity too (I know that you can have all the representation you want, it’s not really worthwhile if it’s all terrible). Shannon draws on both Western and Eastern mythology for this fantasy epic, split between two great worlds of the East and West, divided by a vast sea known as the Abyss. Yet within the hemispheres there is conflict and diversity, Seiiki and the Empire of Twelve Lakes in the East, and the various states of the West - Inys, Mentendon, Yscalin, Lasia, Hróth���

One of the greatest aspects of Priory is the way it interrogates history and genre. A story of a queendom ruled only by women, passed down from mother to daughter for a thousand years, sounds feminist until you realise there is more below the surface. When a queendom is passed unfailingly from mother to daughter, everything suddenly hinges on a woman’s ability to give birth - and how feminist does that sound now? There is also the brilliant weaving of conflicting histories, and how those histories have shaped the world as it exists. Institutions that are founded on a single principle, says Priory, will invariably corrupt everything around themselves to maintain that course, even when new evidence says otherwise. When those who claim to know the truth still operate with only half the story, even they can see the real truth as a threat to the status quo.

Priory sings with vibrancy, it clamours with depth. Not a single character comes out unscathed, but that of course begs the question that the novel, on some level, is asking: what is the price we pay for tomorrow? What is it worth to us, what will we lose, to see the sun rise on a better world?

[bells-of-black-sunday]

Rambling about thoughts I have for aus for my muses:

Modern au B.aldwin being some old rich guy whose terminally ill, but him and S.armenti still hang out. S.armenti used to play at many venues B.aldwin would attend and they bonded that way, he's the only one in his will and they live together so someone can help B.aldwin in his failing health. Or it could be B.aldwin was one of S.armenti's bodyguards when he used to perform and they bonded that way.

I also want to give Audrey one, because if you think she isn't still robbing graves you are dead wrong. You can slap "ethical" on anything and people will buy it while not looking into where it actually came from, there's a lot of side profit in it for her.

Think I might rework League Tar into being a darkin in a broken blade passed down through generation in V.ittorio's family. Vittorio being a mage even though he's a noble family ends up fleeing after being expected to join the military taking the blade who would whisper to him every night with him. They bond on the road, Tar eventually convincing him to hold him, but Vittorio still never lets him take over him, his will is too strong, but he does get some pretty sick tattoos. Being a pacifist, Vittorio uses his own blood to feed what he believes is a weakened God inside the blade. They are very close, but when Vittoro's guard is down Tar takes control and forces him to plunge the blade into a wind drake where he bends and molds his new form to his desire. Vittorio feeling betrayed and that his body was used is extremely conflicted, but Tar is literally the only person he has left and he can't go home without being thrown in mage prison, so he's forced to follow him around. Very toxic dynamic, Vittorio feels like he's trapped and Tar treats him like a pet. I think it ties in the whites in league Tar's original ref with Demacia and keeps the toxic dynamic him and Vit have in cannon.

Mafia au I gotta rotate more, I still love my mafia design for Tar, but I do still want to keep Tar inhabiting the body of Vit's dead friend and their dynamic coming from Vit trying to do anything to bring them back to life and learning the harsh lesson that you shouldn't mess with the natural order of things. I think I want to change the faithful three from being people who work with Vit to being Tar's priests who want to bridge the veil with him. I do want to add my D.arkest D.ungeon muses to it for obvious reasons, it's already a eldritch horror game and probably G.host too. So I will have to ponder. I am absolutely keeping the setting of beyond the veil being called the abyss and it basically only being lit by this single white orb that's a window into other realities. I'll talk about it more eventually, I do want to keep it an open plot thing so I can interact with mutuals in it :catnod:

I wanna add G.host to my monster au that is literally just my ocs world, because I think it'd be fun and I can carry over the black smoke I use in his D.bd au into it or something. I could also just be really stupid with it and make him a nymph or something. More of a "this is an aspect of the uncaring brutality of nature" nymph than the "nature is beautiful" nymph ya feel? Because nymphs in my ocs world are born from manifestations of nature, they can be the seasons and the lakes, they can be natures bounty and natures brutality, etc. etc. they are just aspects of nature.

[viatrixtravels-a]

"Hello Traveler! I've only heard good things about you! Are you really as good as everyone says?"

-@kitsune-saiguu

"Hm? ...Oh. The rumors. Wellーー"

She smiled sheepishly in return while scratching the back of her head. "I'm sure there's some truth to some of them, but people love to exaggerate."

Lumine was confident in her own strength and abilities - and never would she back down from a fight, epsecially when her friends are in danger - but she was rarely alone when having to take them on. Yet it usually ends with her taking most of the credit.

"Just the other day, she ran out of stamina mid-air and fell straight into a lake!"

"Paimon..."

"Or that time when she wanted to surprise attack a Hilichurl camp by plunging down from above...but didn't see the explosive barrels next to them."

"I mean, I did defeat them in the process!"

"And don't get Paimon started on all the times she's gotten herself either frozen or caught in a water bubble by Abyss Mages!"

"Enough...!!"

@kitsune-saiguu

[ultramagicalternate]

ULTRAMagic Alternate Location Encyclopedia

Here is a list of the locations in ULTRAMagic Alternate. Click a link for a relevant post. You can read more from that point onwards.

These are in order of appearance and there are spoilers all throughout this list.

I will also make an exception for existing locations that are mentioned if they are the vicinity of a pre-established location. Or they may be locations that I don't see the main cast getting to anytime soon. These will be in italics.

Master Post

ULTRAMagic Prelude:

The Unlight

The Iron City

The Singing Storm Tower

The Dream Realm

The Great Stone Lake

Fire World

The Valley of Eons

The Roaring Mountains

Blood-Wraith's Temple

The Sun & Moon Forest

The Northern Living Ocean

The Forest of Old

Tree Person Village

Cyclone World

Market District

Tusk's Laboratory

Earth World

The Metal Oasis

Aqua World

The Orange Mega Falls

Basalt Monolith Forrest

Crimson Mega Abyss

The Dark Grand Desert

The Dark Grand City

ULTRAMagic Interlude:

The Magician's Labyrinth

The Trench Unlight

(Bonus Chapters)

Northern Iron City

Rinne Hall

The Great Flower Plains

The Ancient Cave

The City of the Abyss

ULTRAMagic Guild construction site

The Silver-Eye Moon

ULTRAMagic Interlude: Shadowland

Dead Man's Pass

Shadowland

Castle Haugen

Feuerland

The Dashing Ram

Claudius' Mansion

Andelin's Mansion

The Realm of Chaos

Delphine's Realm

Delphine's Palace

Gummi's House

Andelin's Realm

The Lost Mountains

The Fear's Reality Error

Redstar Station

Inferno (Universe-23)

New Paradiso City (Universe-23)

Pari Family Land (Universe-23)

Stolon's Mansion (Universe-23)

The Great Sienna Plains

New Paradiso Mall (Universe-23)

Critical Chance Arcade (Universe-23)

ULTRAMagic Chaos

Obsidian Chaos Gate

The Droom Outskirts

Droomopolis

The Arbiter Monastery

Thundee

Thundee Academy of Mages

Limbo

Purgatory

Kleitos' Realm

The Northwind Archive

Kleitos' Castle

Grand Torrent Canyon

Wulfric's Realm

Karnage's Fortress

Driskoll's Realm

Greenwater Village

Allan Household

Driskoll's Fort

Wulfric's Fortress

General Anara's Fortress

Reverse Dream Falls

Somnium

Dilan's Pizzeria

The Time Labyrinth

ULTRAMagic Interval

Time Watcher Realm

Time Watcher Sanctuary

Zal-Rint's Quarters

Sam's House

Antonio's House

M.A.I.G. Headquarters

Reynard's living quarters

Bethany's Crypt

Bran's Laboratory

River Thrill Park

The Sturluson House

Red River Academy of Magic

ULTRAMagic Eon 1

The ULTRAMagic Guild

[dungeon-marrs]

BBEG end game

I know it’s ambitious, but I want Zuggtmoy to be my home game’s BBEG. BQ is just a baby level 1 half-orc barbarian, and I’ve done my fair share of prepping basement rat quests and fun, friendly NPCs...now it’s time for evil. The main gist of things is that Zugg wants to spread her hold and power to the Material Plane, and she’s utilizing the war happening between the Empire and the Dynasty in Wildemount as a way to harvest corpses and spread her spores. There will be a slight twist though, as I’m throwing in a red herring - Juiblex - due to their historic rivalry. The below potentially unintelligible writings/internet gatherings are plot hooks/encounters that could easily be tied to either of these demon lords. 

Fevergulf Lake, Xhorhas: Eyes of the Lake [Wildemount Guide quest], sub Zugg for the long-forgotten god

Dreemoth Ravine, Xhorhas: Bones of Frigid Doom [Wildemount Guide quest], have the death knight have ties with Zug. Vorugal resurrected as ancient white dracolich

Charis, Xhorhas: small community of vegetarian farmers, forest guardians + druids - corrupted by Zug. Before corruption, they were hoping to cleanse the Lotusden Greenwood of the evils in the shadows 

Grimgolir, Dunrock Mountains: young black dracolich that has a breath weapon causing a cloud of disease-spreading spores. Thought to be called to battle by the Kryn Dynasty, really a puppet of Zug. Not meant to be fought, just witnessed.

[Jungle Location]: leaf cutter ants feed off of fungus they cultivate in their warrens, a group of giant ants have been corrupted by the fungus. Corrupt giant ant society (based on leaf cutter ants, creating fungus), one queen, ant hill is as organized and complex as any town the PC would expect to encounter. Bulldog ant stats (+1 strength), maze of tunnels, large encounter

[Mountain Location]: PC comes upon large nest with one single egg, flapping wings are heard and a large adult vrock swoops down to defend it’s offspring (Zugg can summon 1d4 vrocks/day)

[Bog/Swamp Location]: vathugus and hezrous demons stalk the bogs. Chasmes and rutterkin can also be encountered frequently. 

     - Vathugu Tanar’ri demon: solitary creature found in wetlands/swamp corrupted with fungi

     - Hezrous demon: solitary creature resembling a toad found in wetlands/swamp corrupted with fungi

     - Chasme: cross between human + fly. Reproduce via eggs + lay up to 10 eggs/year. Nest deep in swamp, near a destroyed teleportation circle to the Abyss. Arcana check to discern where the portal once lead

      - Rutterkin: malformed tanar’ri, wandered through rift in the planes. High DC check to find the rift somewhere in the area 

[Many Locations]: devout fungi-worshipers, comprised mostly of misguided druids, clerics + maddened academics such as wizards 

     - group of human cultists, maddened by the fungus eating their minds. not difficult, but impactful as the humans have already started tearing each other apart when the PC arrives

     - Parth, elite Death Cultist: leader of a small team of The Knights of Death

     - Circle of Spores Druid: lone half-elf found in the wilderness, crazed look in their eyes. They speak in a made-up language that the PC can’t decipher 

     - Cleric of Corruption: found alone at an overgrown, ancient altar to Zugg (high DC religion check to understand cracked and ruined symbols)

     - Dark Mage: an outcast that could befriend the PC, will eventually realize the dark power the mage holds is slowly consuming their free will 

[Underdark Location]: ruined underdark temple to Zug, myconids lead by a sorcerer/druidic priest with fungal-infested companion. PC is told this is where to find more information about Zug 

     - Ogre druidic priest with fungal-infested panther companion

     - Myconid workers and myconid guards have created a small settlement within the ruined temple

     - Multiple traps and puzzles throughout the temple, as well as encounters with molds and slimes

     - Underdark tunnels lined with phosphorescent fungi + filled with mushroom eating duergar in acid trip berserker frenzy 

Additionally, here’s some Zugg themed loot I saw a few people on Reddit (?) I think (sorry people of Reddit) talking about utilizing: 

     - A quiver that regrows arrows from hard mushroom-like wood and “thorn”

     - A bag of puffshrooms that act like a grenade exploding into a stink cloud

     - Ring of barkskin 

     - Shield that you can use a reaction when hit to spray a cloud of spores out, blinds the target and spreads Zug’s spores 

     - Scarab inscribed with “TZGY” 

     - A bow made of a sentient mycinoid, shoots better in darkness, speaks undercommon

     - Boots that give you advantage on stealth by growing little mushrooms each step, activate or deactivate as desired 

Hope you have enjoyed your time here. Bye bye. 

- Aspiring DM Margot Marrs