#aegis band

[ehubusa]

Ang Alamat ni Mercy Sunot: Isang Tinig na Walang Kamatayan

Sa kasaysayan ng musikang Pilipino, may mga tinig na tumatatak at nag-iiwan ng marka sa puso ng bawat Pilipino. Isa na rito si Mercy Sunot, ang pangunahing bokalista ng bandang Aegis. Kilala sa kanyang malakas at nakakapangilabot na boses, si Mercy ang naging tinig ng mga awiting sumasalamin sa buhay, pag-ibig, at mga pangarap ng ordinaryong Pilipino. Sa kanyang pagpanaw noong Nobyembre 2024,…

[charlataninred]

I love saying “[person/group] really said [quote] and expected me to be normal???” Bc whenever I hear raw and powerful lyrics I’m imagining the lyricist laying on the bed and kicking their legs and giggling like a schoolgirl knowing EXACTLY how it’s going to affect the listener

[gyunikum]

If I had a nickel for every country where military service is compulsory for men and my favourite musicians are from there, I would have two nickels which isn't a lot but it's weird that it's happened two times.

[nelc]

Homeland Missile Defense Assets

Radars and ABM systems

[randomestfandoms-ocs]

Hunger Games ( Tribute) OCs ✤ Eyes Open

Marisol Odair | Lacey Tanner | Jonas Cresta | Ginny Cresta | Camden Abraham | Nikita Aegis | Lux Marcella | Hollis Everdeen | Elissa Morningstar

Every lesson forms a new scar They never thought you'd make it this far

Tag List: @baldjesus

[ricisidro]

RIP 🕊️ Mercy Sunot, 48, lead vocalist of the Filipino rock band Aegis. She died a few days after undergoing a critical lung surgery on Nov 17 (US Time)/Nov 18 PHT, as confirmed by the band in FB. She's been receiving treatments for her Stage4 Breast Cancer in the US. Thank you for the music.

[namidew]

Here’s the next part of the design concepts for my story, this time featuring Athena, Ares, and Aphrodite !!

Normally in depictions of Ares and Athena, they would wear armor, but I drew them without it because I wanted to try to incorporate their other motifs !!

Details below for design ramblings !!

Athena - The design of her face and the shape of her hair combined is meant to have a faintly owlish resemblance, her expression stern to represent her domain of wisdom and connection war. For my story, she’d be a bit more steely and essentially logical, showing more of wisdom than knowledge by her actions being based on past experiences. Her peplos is in reference to greek pottery with its black and orange, and her epiblema is in reference to her birth from Zeus’s head (the version which I am going with for my story) with it weaved to resemble the brain from a side view on either side. Lastly, the shield on her back is the aegis (or aigis?), which in this version, is a shield. Her having a shield but no spear represents defense and more “distance” from battle (despite hoplite soldiers using both) to represent strategy, and Ares having a spear but no shield represents offense and closer proximity in fights, thus closer to see the uglier side of war: the bloodshed and death.

Ares - He and Athena have complimenting details in their spear and shield, and in their color palettes. Both of their weapons are bronze, but appear brown due to the shading. Both have very fiery colored clothing, showing their connection of war despite their differences. Said differences include Ares’s (at least, within my story) tendency for impulsiveness and better emotional intelligence. He has scars not because his injuries didn’t fully heal, but because he (within my story) thinks they’re cool. His near-black, dark red(ish) chiton and hair represent blood and death, both common on the battlefield. his himation is red for blood, with orangey details for the metal of weapons or metallic taste of blood, and in resemblance of vulture wings. He has a more boyish appearance in reference to the young age in which Ancient Greece (as well as many other civilizations and modern day countries) could draft men to war.

Aphrodite - Her hair is red due to its perceived beauty in Ancient Greece and its rarity within the global population. Several strands of her hair are shaped like hearts. Her face is meant to resemble a dove, with eyes blue like the sea. The pearlescent jewelry is in resemblance of the sea foam from which she was born (the version I’m using), her ionian chiton colored in resemblance of the sea behind the sea foam (and funnily enough, it is sea foam in color.) In addition, her necklaces resemble the pattern of feathers (dove) or scales (sea theme.) Her hair color is exactly the same reddish-orange shade as the details on Ares’s himation. If you look closely, there is a very faint heart shape within the shading of her forehead. A consistent element in my designs of the Olympians drawn so far is a metallic element, as seen in Apollo, Hermes, and Dionysus having matching gold jewelry, Artemis having silver hair bands, and Ares and Athena having bronze war gear. I’m not entirely sure what Aphrodite’s jewelry is made of, perhaps pearl, or perhaps white opal? Maybe the metallic design element will be a “children of Zeus” design choice.

Thank you if you’ve reading all this rambling, it’s much longer this time. All in all, I’m fairly happy with the designs of these three, but now I have to go back and add more details to the other designs to balance it out a bit. Anyway, if you have any ideas or suggestions for future designs, please do tell me !!

[dcdreamblog]

From a historian's perspective, what are the important takeaways from Superman's debut? He's generally regarded as the most important superhero on the planet (possibly multiple planets!) but what was it like when we didn't know what a Superman was but then he was there?

The Age of Heroes had come again. This time, they were here to stay in broad daylight. It's really hard for us to imagine now but in the aftermath of the JSA's disbanding and retirement, society at large really did try to put the genie back in the bottle. To pretend that nothing had changed, that we'd never seen men fly, or lift tanks over their heads, that those with power had never challenged us to be better than we are.

It's why tabloids from that era are lousy with stories of horror, or strange encounters, this that and the other thing. The world was still the way it had always been, full of magic and danger and adventure but people had pushed it into the margins, swept it under the proverbial rug.

And then...he appeared. I don't need to show you this picture but god damn am I gonna do it anyway.

(Superman catches a Daily Planet helicopter that had plummeted toward the street, catching Planet reporter Lois Lane in his other arm. Lane famously recalls hearing him say "I've got you, miss" to which she responded even more famously. "You've got me? Who's got you?)

I wasn't there to see it, anyone old enough to be there can sound off in the reblogs or the like. But he was just...here. He had caught a falling helicopter out of the sky. He lowered them to the ground and smiled. He soared away into the blue.

And then, more came. A dark knight in Gotham, a Scarlet Speedster in Central City, a Manhunter from Mars in Midway. Soon enough they had banded together to battle threats no one of them could face alone.

Following Superman's lead these heroes were no longer satisfied hiding half in shadow, cultivating an aura of mystery for the newspapers and pulp magazines. They smiled. They waved. They told us on no uncertain terms that they were here to do battle with anyone who thought they could lord violence over the innocent and the downtrodden.

They had a hall built in the middle of a city where we could see them. Signals in the sky. It was impossible for humanity to ever again believe itself alone in the universe, or undefended. It was an aegis, it was a challenge. They defended us. They told us to be all we could be.

They were here to stay.

[vykodlak]

Any recommendations for someone who wants to get into goth music (and likes heavier metal and rock)?

You could start off with gothic rock. It was my intro to the scene and, in my experience of playing goth music to non goths, it's the most accessible.

A few of my favorites are The Sisters of Mercy (+ First and Last and Always and Vision Thing), Fields of The Nephilim (after their disbandment their frontman formed a gothic metal band called The Nefilim), Rosetta Stone, Pretentious Moi?, Behind The Scenes (at least their first album), Temple of Angels, Solemn Novena. But if you want more of the most notable bands there's also The Cure (this & the all time classic Disintegration r my favs of theirs), Killing Joke, The Damned, Bauhaus (who are a bit less accessible than the rest).

If you want to go more obscure, I have a whole playlist that's primarily lesser known bands, nothing but goth rock (with the last song, Ladykiller, being gothic metal so just ignore that one lol - although, while gothic metal isn't considered part of the scene due to being an offshoot of doom metal, I and a lot of other goths I know still listen to it, so if you haven't delved into that but want to go on a sidequest after this I have a list for it too.)

Some other bands (darkwave, ethereal wave, post punk, etc): Corpus Delicti (loud guitars), London After Midnight, Rope Sect, Die Laughing, Inkubus Sukkubus, Cocteau Twins, The Eden House, Wisborg, Horror Vacui, The Merry Thoughts, Nosferatu, Autumn, Lycia, The Mission, Pink Turns Blue. Some bands that have stronger metal elements or are metal with heavy goth rock elements: Cemetery Echo, Tiamat (only some albums), Theatre of Tragedy's Aegis, Lepra (last one's one of my fav recent discoveries, black metal with deathrocky vocals).

By no means comprehensive but hopefully something here works as a gateway for you!

[garnetsandroses]

my vic and amy powerswap au concepts! they make guest appearances in a fic of mine that's still in the plotting stage. power/design/alt-trigger details below :>

(warning for talk about canon-typical violence and the dallon-pelham torment nexus)

amy/fusillade: flight, forcefield, projectile mini bombs that look like sparks (bud from mark). when her forcefield blocks hits, it lights up, emulating carol's breaker state. she isn't immune to her own bombs; they can disrupt her forcefield if she's not careful.

-i wanted her to have a kinda boring costume that fit new wave's aesthetics without going outside of the box too much -she triggered pretty young at ~12, so her style hadn't developed and she's not confident enough to ask for a redesign now -white; accent color is a muted red -cape is asymmetrical to reference glory girl's -name starts with f to match w/ flashbang

she triggered when she was hiding in the other room while her parents had an argument. both were worried about the future of new wave, and carol in particular said some nasty things about amy not belonging in the family. mark got angry enough to use his power unconsciously, the blast from the grenade scaring amy on the other side of the wall. it knocked over a photo of the dallons (taken before they had adopted amy), and seeing that last image of the perfect family she was never going to fit into finally pushed her over the edge.

straightforwardly, this contributes to her powers being a mash of her parents with flight thrown in bc i love me a good mover aspect to a trigger. just wants to belong -> emulates the best and brightest aspects of her family. additionally, i think that mark was most parental and present when amy and vic were at this preteen age (based on what he's mentioned doing for them like cooking breakfast), so that contributes to his larger influence on amy's powers.

---

victoria/salva: touch-based biokinetic powers w/ focus on enhancing people’s abilities and creating augments for self (aegis+hookwolf ping). minor brute abilities like enhanced strength, stamina but not notably above that of a very fit, trained young adult.

-cute nurse's outfit that allows for lots of movement. someone said it looks magical girlesque and i think that's just bc i've designed magical girls since 6th grade

-simple white and bright red w/ same half-circles on coat (as seen on my panacea design) to mimic the coils of a caduceus

-utility details: hat has elastic band to stay on head, satchel is insulated so she can theoretically keep biomass in there, jacket is easily removable so her sleeves won't get nasty

-really hard to see but her bag has keychains: a pom-pom, official prt merch of gallant, new wave merch of fusillade's red star emblem

-salva is my attempt to be punny by combining "salve" + "salvo" (the rapid attack/round of applause meanings) + a feminine ending to mimic the "girl" in "glory girl"

triggered around a year after amy (reversing the canon situation) when the latter went on a patrol with the wards, vic tagging along just to see what crimefighting was like. vic had been stewing over being left behind due to not getting powers, but that subliminal jealousy was resolved in the worst way. hookwolf tore into the wards patrol, aegis and amy being the worst off. vic ran forward into the fray to try and save amy while the others retreated, asking herself questions like "why can't i do anything to help," "why can't i be strong enough to do something," etc. it was finally when she laid her hands on amy, red connecting the two of them, that she asked the real question "why can't i have powers too?" and triggered.

active-combat aspect with self-buffing brutes wandering around -> power has limited effect on herself. not only could she heal amy and pump her full of enhancements like adrenaline and natural-brewed steroids, but vic could take the biomass strewn around and graft it to herself, augmenting her abilities slightly. just like in canon where both sisters have yet to realize full control of their powers, salva hasn't started walking around in a biomecha meatsuit yet, but that could theoretically work for her. if she didn't care about not getting put on a watchlist, ofc

[barblaz-arts]

charlies face in the box (panel? sorry I dont know the terms) when she says "the wings are new" is adorable perfection

thank you!

are we talking movie or stage play musicals? cuz I've watched a lot of those, tho maybe not as much as i should. like, I should watch rent but im afraid of angst... I've only listened to the songs... Among movie adapted musicals, Hairspray is my favorite, just sharing.

if we're talking actual stage plays, I've seen four productions in our local theater, with only 2 being musicals. i think. the two musicals were about historical figures here in the Philippines(Andres Bonifacio and late president Cory Aquino) and the non-musical one was an adaptation of Midsummer Night's Dream. The fourth one was Romeo and Juliet but I couldnt remember if it was a musical. Probably because it starred a Filipino tv actor and the students watching with us were too damn noisy for me to hear a thing. It's been a while.

There's this one filipino musical called Rak of Aegis that I wish I'd seen. The title is a reference to the rock band Aegis because it's a jukebox musical that features their songs. The stage itself is so cool because it has actual water since the story is set during a flood.

But if we're talking about the broadway musicals, I've obviously only watched bootlegs, which isn't exactly ideal. So Beetlejuice was the only one I've watched because it was the only one I had interest in plotwise. I love me some found family, and I really like the changes the musical made. I tried watching Heathers cuz that plot is craaazyyyyy! But I didnt finish it because I just found those football characters so disgusting. I'd probably try again someday. So other than Beetlejuice, I only really know the soundtracks for musicals like Heathers, Mean Girls, Wicked, The Waitress, Dear Evan Hansen, etc

[sunnydaleherald]

The Sunnydale Herald Newsletter, Monday October 28 - Tuesday October 29

Willow: Thanks for having me over, Buffy. Especially on a school night and all. Buffy: No problem. Hey, sorry about your fish. Willow: Oh, it's okay. We hadn't really had time to bond yet. Although for the first time I'm glad my parents didn't let me have a puppy.

~~Buffy Episode #29: "Passion" ~~

[Drabbles & Short Fiction]

Lingual Downtime (Willow, Xander, T, Devil May Cry xover) by madimpossibledreamer

Team Bonding (Willow, Xander, T, Devil May Cry xover) by madimpossibledreamer

Certain Admissions (Riley Finn/Buffy Summers, T) by captainamergirl

Sea Change (Pike/Buffy, G) by StrictlyNoFrills

The Family Itch (Spike, Angel, G) by Higgystar

temporary tattoo (Rupert Giles/Buffy Summers, M) by Skyson

V for Victory (Buffy Summers, Rupert Giles, Xander Harris, G) by Callarose_aka_FireDragon

Sacrifice (Angel/Spike, G) by MistressKat

Betrayal by omission (Buffy/Spike, T) by JSBirsa

Oh My Goddess, Chapter 9 (Buffy/Spike, M) by Maxine Eden

Tricked, Chapter 1 (Buffy/Spike, E) by Maxine Eden

[Chaptered Fiction]

What's in a Soul Ch. 1 (Spike/Buffy Summers, T) by Iris_Dietrich

Hope is the thing with feathers Ch. 14 (Buffy/Spike, E) by wildflowerr_wildfire

Near to the Wild Heart Ch. 8 (Buffy/Spike, M) by toooldforthis_ef

Aegis Ch. 28 (Xander, T, multiple xovers) by dogbertcarroll, Narsil

I was a Zombie for the FBI Ch. 1-2/2 (COMPLETE) (Buffy/Spike, T) by Callarose_aka_FireDragon

Whoa! Not What I Expected! Ch. 6 (Xander, T, NCIS xover) by danu40k

What If Love Was Enough? Ch. 1-17/17 (COMPLETE) (Spike/Buffy, E) by Spikelover4ever

Fury of the Fallen, Chapter 8 (Buffy/Spike, E) by CheekyKitten

reciprocity, Chapter 15 (Buffy/Spike, E) by HappyWhenItRains

Near to the Wild Heart, Chapter 8 (Buffy/Spike, M) by toooldforthis

Just Two Lost Souls, Chapter 2 (Buffy/Spike, E) by Holly

Nemesis, Chapter 1 (Buffy/Spike, E) by scratchmeout

Not Ready to Make Nice, Chapter 2 (Buffy/Spike, E) by tragic

One Loop at a Time, Chapter 1 (Buffy/Spike, E) by hydranjenna

A Bite After Midnight, Chapter 1 (Buffy/Spike, E) by Maxine

Always, Chapter 2 (Buffy/Spike, E) by Spikelover4ever

The Neighbor's Point of View, Chapter 142 (Buffy/Spike, G) by the_big_bad

Perfect Clarity, Chapter 6 (Buffy/Spike, E) by Ragini

The Science of Being Yours, Chapter 5 (Buffy/Spike, E) by ClowniestLivEver

Blood and Fame, Chapter 7 (Buffy/Spike, E) by Desicat

Psyer Ch. 10 (Xander, T, Psyren xover) by JoshuAB

It Started in Oxnard - How it All Began Ch. 13 (Xander/Tara, E, Highlander xover) by redjacobson

[Images, Audio & Video]

Artwork:Chosen One (Buffy) by glitch-h

Video: buffy the vampire slayer - this is war by Giulia Wonderwall

[Reviews & Recaps]

PODCAST: BTVS 605 - Life Serial by Another Buffy Podcast

PODCAST: The Yoko Factor by Buffy the Vampire Straya

PODCAST: Episode 47 - Death by Grape Soda (The Zeppo) by The Sunnydale Diaries

[Community Announcements]

Tuesday Prompts: Monsters & Magic by comment_fic

[Fandom Discussions]

How could the Shanshu Prophecy NOT have been about Spike in Chosen? by violettathepiratequeen

This is a Kendra headcanon that I like a lot but that I’m not sure will ever make it into anything I’m writing. by coraniaid

btvs 6x04 willow & giles kitchen conversation is so good it makes me feel so insane. by lesbianmarrow

For today’s fic back Friday, I wanted to recommend the fic To Live In The World by IvorySteel92. by noratilney

Why was Ethan Rayne such a wimp? by burrunjor

My alternative season 7 by hoponlilmama

Titles of episodes in English and other languages by Antho

Anybody find the “potential” melodrama and the squatting towards the end of Season 7 sort of unfit and strangely funny? by KENZOKHAOS

Season 6x18 Entropy by anon63171

I really loved the frenemy relationship of Buffy and Cordelia ! by Cailly_Brard7

What band plays at the Bronze in S6E6 "All the Way?" by Putrid_Humor4834

Did I Spoiler Buffy for a Friend? by aperturecake

Buffy season 7 by Prudent_Border5060

Would Buffy/Faith have been more interesting than Willow/Tara? by jogaforacont

Rewatching Buffy... Again by ALWS_0rweLL

S2E3 School Hard by Unimatrix_Zero_One

Just had a Buffy shower thought (season 6 spoilers) by jaduhlynr

Need Help Finding A Giles "Brain Bleach" Quote I Think Maybe Exists... by NikkolasKing

buffy the vampire slayer - this is war by buffy the vampire slayer - this is war

buffy the vampire slayer - this is war by buffy the vampire slayer - this is war

The most horrific thing in Buffy... *spoilers* by InternationalTeam605

Superstar hidden Easter egg spoilers for season 6 by soybeansms

S2 ep8 of Angel??? by Dismal_Present_8993

Loving all the late 90's/early 2000's fashion in my current Buffy rewatch by WerewolfBarMitzvah09

Do you think they were going for a love triangle in season 2 but decide not to ? by Cailly_Brard7

I Wish the Demon Had Finished off the Trio in "Flooded" by NikkolasKing

Disharmony episode... fun parts & newfound insights by sirtch_analyst

What's your favorite interaction between Spike and a character whose last name isn't Summers? by InfiniteMehdiLove

Does anyone ever think… by Kat-Attack-52

The board game by Anuk_Su_Namun

Slaying It Podcast? by becky119

So... Jasmine. by yukeee

Vampire martial arts by taylorscrews1

season 3 episode 2…. by thunpnz

One set of foils I think people sleep on a bit is Amy and Tara: by DeaththeEternal

Once more, With Feeling by Fuzzy-Reference1061

General Buffy to Chosen by Moon_Logic

[Articles, Interviews, and Other News]

PUBLICATION: Amber Benson looks back on 'Buffy's game-changing queer couple by Out Magazine

PUBLICATION: Buffy the Vampire Slayer Perfected the Halloween Episode With “Fear, Itself” by Den of Geek

Submit a link to be included in the newsletter!

Join the editor team :)

[nowoolallowed]

Bastet - Met Museum Collection

Inventory Number: 34.6.1 Late Period–Ptolemaic Period, 664–30 B.C. Location Information: Location Unlisted

Description:

Bastet, here shown as a cat-headed goddess, was a powerful protective figure who also was known for her fertility. She could be represented with a lion head as well, but as a cat-headed goddess her peaceful traits were emphasized. Her personal adornments and garments are elaborate on statuettes, often more so than other goddesses, and she usually carries numerous attributes. This figure likely once held at least two separately-attached attributes, probably an aegis against her chest and a sistrum in her other hand. Her dress has an elaborate striped pattern with alternating dotted and lined bands. Bastet does not always wear a decorated dress, but it is much more common for her than for other goddesses. The patterning highlights its craftsmanship and quality; also, as some have suggested, the vertical banding may recall the striped fur of a cat.

Great attention to detail and color was lavished on this figure. Inlays are still visible in Bastet’s eyes, and alternating rows of precious metal and black bronze inlay form her broad collar. Also special to this piece is the base; rather than an inscription or blank register, as on most statuettes, this base bears a pattern of repeated lotus blossoms and buds.

[dexjarxenoengage]

Three Plus Two: Xenoblade 2

Spoilers for Xenoblade Chronicles 2:

Every JRPG is going to have its stories, some anime tropes, FANSERVICE, a crap ton of flaws (but when is anything perfect to begin with) and their ragtag bunch of misfits. And that is ok. We’re all going to like different things. But that’s not what I’m here to talk about concerning Xenoblade Chronicles 2 (one of my favorite JRPG games of all time).

And no, it’s not talking about the “problems” Xenoblade 2 “suffers” from, we could be here FOREVER discussing that. No, I want to talk about the party of Xenoblade 2. If you remember my post regarding the Five Man Band and how Fire Emblem Engage uses the trope https://www.tumblr.com/jaredxenoengage/753270910703828992/the-five-man-band-is-among-one-my-favorite-tropes

While Xenoblade 2 does follow the Five Man Band trope, as their are 5 party members (Rex, Nia, Tora, Mòrag and Zeke, with Vandham and ironically, Jin and Malos as guess party members). For most of the game, up until the end of Chapter 4, the team sticks with the Power Trio Rex, Nia, and Tora. This is the Three Plus Two trope (best seen in Power Rangers Dino Thunder, its predecessor Ninja Storm, Jungle Fury, and Power Rangers RPM (for the most part). It’s where a power trio in a team evolves in the typical Five Man Band.

The team would expand later with two main party members (both of whom served as Rex’s rivals throughout his journey). Mòrag, Special Inquisitor for the Empire of Mor Ardain. While Mòrag was never evil, Mòrag (like most Sixth Rangers) opposed Rex because she did what she felt was right (because she saw the Aegis, Pyra as a threat to the world, and an Artifical Blade who looked like Poppi was causing trouble). But eventually, Mòrag settles her differences with Rex and eventually becomes fully devoted to Rex’s cause.

Zeke Von Genbu. Yeah. Zeke Von Genbu. The same guy that Rex fought and became his own undoing. Zeke is very much like Mòrag. As he is also royalty of one of the Kingdoms of Alrest, as the prince of Tantal. Zeke fought Rex to test his strength and intended to join him so that he could eventually meet Amalthus, who the party were going to meet anyways at Mythra’s (Pyra’s sister/original) behest.

Mòrag and Zeke are both far more experienced than Rex is both as Drivers and as citizens of the world of Alrest. Both fought against Rex before eventually joining his party. And most of all, they both, in a way, serves as mentors to Rex. After seeing his potential and his character, they both eventually choose to trust him.

Now what dynamic do each of the party members serves?

Rex is the Leader and main protagonist of Xenoblade 2. As a Driver and someone who lives in Alrest, Rex is very inexperienced in comparison to all of his other friends (Tora included despite not being a Driver yet, cause he couldn’t be without Poppi). So Rex in a bit of a in a pickle in his leadership spot.

But what he lacks (initially) is skill, he makes up for it with his heart and strength of character. Rex serves as inspiration to others. Despite their initial backlash, during the brief time Torna was using Rex to retrieve Pyra, Nia does show a little bit kinship with him. So Rex (initially) dying at Jin’s hands and Malos threatening to dispose the Argentum Trade Guild’s Salvagers as “thanks” for helping them causes Nia to defect Torna. It’s also at Rex’s behest that convinces Nia to stay with him (and Tora) on the Journey to Elysium.

And all of this is WITHOUT talking about how much of an impact he has on Pyra and Mythra. Speaking of whom, as the Aegis of the team, Pyra (mainly Mythra) is the driving force behind the journey to Elysium. It was Mythra’s idea to take Fan La Norme (Haze)‘s invitation to meet Amalthus (they were already going to meet him anyways). And as the Aegis, Pyra and Mythra are one Alrest’s most powerful Blades.

And later in the game, Rex gets Roc (Vandham’s former blade), exclusive access to Nia as a Blade, as well as Pneuma and the Master Driver abilities (that gives Rex the ability to use the Blades of his fellow Drivers, save for Poppi). Despite Rex’s initial inexperience, by the end of the game, he has the most blades locked to him, and the ability to use every non Poppi blade).

Nia is the Lancer of the team. The Lancer the one who serves as the Leader/Hero’s second in command and/or foil. Nia is more of the pessimist compared to Rex’s optimist. Nia is the first to question Pyra’s quest to reach Elysium (which she was right about, for the most part). And (ironically) when Rex was going to give up the journey after Pyra and Mythra are kidnapped at the end of Chapter 6, at the start of Chapter 7, Nia is the very first person to give Rex a piece of her mind.

As far as being foils in their powers, Nia’s Blade is Dromarch, a Water Blade that serves as a parental substitute for Nia. Dromarch is more of the Advisor, and is one of (if not) the most knowledgeable party member. Making him more of the smart guy in terms of his role when talking about the Blades.

Not many Lancer type characters are healers (which would be more of The Heart’s role), but where Nia shines in being the Lancer to Rex AND the Aegis girls is that she is a Flesh Eater. Making their dynamic similar to Jin and Malos, a fellow Flesh Eater and Aegis Blade respectively.

Tora is more of a “smart guy” than what most make think. Say what you will about his perverse behavior towards Poppi, but Tora would have to be intelligent enough about Drivers and the tools need to make Poppi to be able to make her at all. In fact, Poppi’s role in Team Aegis as a whole is very crucial to success of Rex’s team.

For example, Tora teaches Rex about the elemental powers of the Blades. Helped him and Pyra escape from Brighid and form a plan to save Nia after she was captured in the aforementioned battle. Tora (albeit with Mòrag’s advice) was able to use Poppi to escape from a prison in Tantal that negates Blade arts in Chapter 6. In the trip down Spirit Crucible Elpys, Poppi being an Artificial Blade allows her to use Arts perfectly fine. And finally, Poppi is a key player in stopping Amalthus’s control over the Titans.

Poppi’s gameplay as a whole serves similarly to the smart guy because she is more customizable than any other Blade in the game. Her versatility gives her a use in battle no one else has. This is especially true in Chapter 7.

Poppi’s overall character is that of the Heart though. It’s Poppi who manages to succeed in reaching out to Rex when he was going to quit his journey to Elysium after the Aegis is taken away from him. Nia and Brighid were unable to cut deep into him, but Poppi succeeded. Poppi also convinces Jin to hear out Brighid’s request to learn about herself in Chapter 8, and she has the most emotional moments on the whole.

Now normally, Vandham’s role would be the Big Guy. His seize notwithstanding, Vandham is very much a Mighty Glacier that hits hard with his Wind Blade Roc. All of Vandham’s stats (save for agility) are really good in the brief time he’s at your side. Unfortunately, the Big Guy suffers from a Fatality Syndrome. And in the case of Vandham, it couldn’t be cured.

Vandham’s role in chapter 3 is to be the mentor. Vandham teaches Rex how to Topple with his Anchor Shot. Vandham teaches Rex about the world of Alrest through the harsh realities of the Blade System. And Vandham, above all else, taught Rex to fight his own war. A lesson that would stick with Rex for a long time.

The reason why this JRPG team is a Three plus two dynamic is because of Vandham’s death. Once he died, it was back to the Power Trio of Rex, Nia and Tora.

This is where Mòrag would fill the role Vandham left behind. Mòrag is every bit of the experience Driver as Vandham was despite being a mercenary in the grand scheme of things. If you don’t consider Tora to be the smart guy of the team, then consider Mòrag in chapter 6. Her knowledge over the events in Alrest leads her to be the one to question Amalthus’s role in the plot. In the same chapter, she was the first to realize that the King of Tantal may had different plans for them (her fears were proven right).

Mòrag’s experience and battle prowess makes her a Genius Bruiser. As the Flamebringer and with one of the twin jewels of Mor Ardain: Brighid, her prowess as a Driver and experience as Special Inquisitor of the Empire makes her an invaluable member of the team once she finally accepts her role as Rex’s ally.

In fact, Mòrag is the only Driver of the team (Vandham excluded) to not have some unique aspect about her as a Driver. Rex is the Driver the Aegis, Nia is a Flesh Eater, Tora is a Driver with an Artificial Blade, and Zeke is a Blade Eater. And even if Mòrag gains access to Aegaeon later on, awakening him is optional. So Mòrag is simply a powerful and effective Driver all on her own.

And then there is Zeke. While I say he is the heart overall as far as the Drivers are concerned (which is best exemplified late game), Zeke also has some Big Guy traits, as well as Sixth Ranger traits.

Zeke is undoubtedly the tallest member of Rex’s team. Zeke is also the most boisterous in terms of personality. And if it’s not Rex getting hit the butt monkey moments, or Tora and Nia in some cases, then it’s definitely Zeke. Unlike Vandham, some of the other tropes you find in the muscle characters (besides the fatality syndrome) are found in Zeke.

Now where does Zeke fit in terms of being the heart? IMO, Zeke has some of the most heartfelt moments and scenes in the game when he isn’t just being played for comedy. Zeke willing opening up about his Blade Eater status and backstory serves as the moment Nia finally comes clean with Rex about her own backstory (and her Flesh Eater form later). Zeke is one of the most caring members of the team and his relationship with Pandoria is really heartwarming and tragic with his backstory in mind.

And as for the Sixth Ranger trope, he would have played this straighter if Vandham was still alive. Even if his Eye of Shining Justice ability is NG+ only, Sixth Rangers often get some the cooler powers and abilities if the Red Ranger doesn’t have them, and this is no exception.

Now when we look at the Organization of Torna, they follow a similar team structure to Rex and his party members. Once it all comes together, you begin to see who serves as a counterpart to who. https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ThePsychoRangers

Jin to Rex: True, Malos is the Aegis, thus making him the evil counterpart to Pyra and Mythra. But in terms of roles in the team and their story, Jin is meant to be the foil to Rex. Jin represents the person Rex could have become if he was driven to despair.

Jin’s former Driver and love interest Lora died at the hands of Amalthus. On top of losing some of other friends in the Aegis war, and problems with the Blade system leads him to hate the world and wish to see it burn.

Because Jin is a Flesh Eater, he has some foils towards Nia as well. But again, Jin is more meant to be Rex’s counterpart. And their interactions throughout the story makes this clear.

Nia to Malos: Nia inadvertently became Rex’s second in command after their meeting and her eventually break up with Torna. Much like, or not, how Malos follows Jin’s lead, Nia is the one who always questions Rex’s every move. Whereas Malos tainted Jin with his despairing influence that also consumed Amalthus, Rex’s influence was slowly changing Nia for the better.

In chapter 7, Nia’s Flesh Eater healing powers serve as a direct counter Malos’s destructive capabilities when his Aegis powers are restored. She can act as Rex’s Blade together with Pyra and Mythra as well.

Malos is an Aegis who follows the lead of the Flesh Eater Jin, while the Flesh Eater Nia has to back the Driver of the Aegis: Rex up.

Akhos to Tora: Akhos and Tora don’t any interaction, but I’d say their roles are similar enough to warrant the comparison. Tora isn’t a master strategist guy like Akhos is,but he’s knowledgeable enough to allow Poppi to even exist and be a key player in Rex’s journey. Akhos serves as the eye in the sky for Torna and does it effectively.

Patroka to Mòrag: Both Patroka and Mòrag are both the female powerhouses. But Mòrag is more levelheaded and skilled, while Patroka is more brash and quick to lose her temper.

And Mikhail to Zeke: finally, both Mikhail and Zeke are the regular butt Monkeys of their respective groups. The two of them have more depth than their silly butt of jokes give them credit for. Lastly, but by far the most important part, they are both Blade Eaters with conflicts towards Amalthus. This becomes apparent in Chapter 9.

And that is my take on the team dynamic of Xenoblade 2.

[rqs-arcade]

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