#all my interests are in limbo hell now so I’m just. welp

[devicecontact]

I hope there is at least one single sentence of an update on the game that isn’t just “yup we’re doin it!” I know it’s a mini newsletter so I don’t expect much at all (which is very understandable considering how crazy the last one went) but ohhhh. can I please have just one lovely image of my vudeogame friends? tahnkyou..

[albatris]

hello,

in ATDAO, there are a lot of things the reader needs to know about Ports, and the apocalypse, and the multiverse, and what kinds of things happen when you screw around with them. That information is scattered throughout the story as not to be overwhelming.

here is a post that is essentially me screaming for literally an hour about all of that plus more in an incredibly overwhelming manner that still manages to make no sense at all

it’s wordy and unedited and mostly just so I can get things straight in my own head, but if you’re interested in What’s What In ATDAO, you’re welcome to come along for the ride I guess. just give that ominous readmore a click and good luck my dude

in reality this should be like three separate posts but go hard or go home am i right

so my brain recently decided to give me a lot of New Ideas for ATDAO in the space of like three minutes so forgive me if this is jumbled

I had a lot of really exciting ideas about the unreality and how Lucas Lucas managed to get swallowed by it in the first place, but for context I wanted to talk a bit about some ATDAO/multiverse-in-general worldbuilding ‘cause I haven’t talked about it in detail before, it’s a LOT of junk in one hit I’m so sorry

So first of all, the multiverse, that’s essentially a bunch of universes that exist in the same space but on different “layers” of reality, like you would have layers in a photoshop document. I have stories set across these various universes, each one is its own contained universe but functions as a part of the bigger multiverse. There are naturally occurring “cracks” between layers of reality that allow some flow of energy between universes in its own little multidimensional ecosystem thing… they’re necessary cracks, they keep things flowing as things should flow, life, death, rebirth, recycle, whatever

The ATDAO universe refers to them as Ports (short for portal, but like, it’s also sneakily referencing the idea of USB ports, as in “plugging something in and introducing something from somewhere else”), so I will also be referring to them Ports. so Ports can take pretty much any form, it’s entirely random, they just crop the fuck up wherever they want. It can be a person, a place, an object, (an idea?), whatever. All it means is that person/place/object, that’s now home to a kind of split where the boundary between one universe and the next is a little weaker, where one universe overlaps/bleeds into another, where energy can easily flow through. I would explain in more detail but it’s not relevant right now. All u need to know is that Ports are chill, Ports are normal, and nine times out of ten they’re entirely harmless

HOWEVER

the ATDAO universe is old and tired and falling apart because sometimes things grow old and tired and start falling apart. So suddenly there are a lot more “cracks” in its reality, and those cracks make more cracks, as cracks do under pressure, and the ATDAO universe is under a fair bit of pressure. And where there are a lot of Ports, there’s a lot of energy flowing through from other universes. Some of that energy is from universes where reality operates differently (eg, the Kaleide universe’s magic system).The ATDAO universe receives this energy and is like “excuse me what the fuck am I meant to do with this nonsense code” because it’s not equipped to translate that to its own reality

but that energy’s gotta go somewhere so it kinda just does whatever the heck it wants, which is how your Weird Phenomena starts

(like of course, the ATDAO universe always had Ports even before it started dying, so sometimes bits of weird energy it couldn’t translate would come through, but people don’t think much of it, you know? Like, there’s weird inexplicable phenomena that goes on in our reality that we can’t explain. You’re just like “welp that’s horrifying” and you move on. It’s not till weird shit starts happening everywhere all the time, not till there are entire towns where time flows backwards and your porch seat is singing to you in a foreign language, that you start thinking “oh hey maybe the endtimes are upon us”

so that’s what’s going down in the ATDAO universe, the endtimes are upon them

(the idea is that eventually there would be so many Ports and so much overlap with other universes that the ATDAO universe would simply cease to exist, and would just become amalgamated into other universes, but humans are stubborn jerks and have no time for apocalypses thank u very much)

and then there’s Phoenix, which is a whole other kettle of fish that belongs in another post…. like no one wants to frigging go work for Phoenix, dear god, that’s pretty much sentencing yourself to Sims game levels of horror. If you work at Phoenix and spend so much time around Ports, chances are you’re gonna die and it’s not gonna be, like… a normal death… all the exits might disappear from a room and your phone won’t turn on to call for help, you open your phone up and the battery’s a fish and ur like “well shit”. Or you might be like “hey guys I found the Port” and then realise none of your coworkers can see or hear you, you’re not actually there anymore. You might walk into a house for 2 minutes and come back out three years later. it’s messed up. 

So Phoenix will take literally whoever they can get, which is usually people who don’t want to be there but don’t have a choice, for whatever reason, I could go on, but I don’t want to talk about Phoenix, I want to talk about Ports and universes and Lucas

SO

everything’s already weird, but can get much much weirder when you start messing round with Ports and the ways universes overlap. For instance, Tris and Kai bring that ceiling fan you always hear me talking about into the unreality, and like… I mean…?? The ceiling fan is a Port, so it’s an object that’s an overlap between ATDAO’s universe and another one, and they go and haul that overlap of two universes into an entire other universe like it’s nbd because they’re idiots

that causes a lot of stuff to happen that I’m not gonna explain here because it’s not that relevant, like as it turns out it’s the only reason they’re able to make it out of that whole escapade alive, blah blah blah, I really just said that to give you a sense of the sorts of fuckery you can pull with universes and such

BECAUSE THAT 

brings us to Lucas Lucas, and how he gets swallowed by the unreality in the first place, which is what I’m really excited to have figured out because it opens up a lot of opportunities to explore the mechanics of Ports in-story and!! I’m really keen!! because I put a lot of thought into it all and it’s fun

the whole thing is just ridiculous and statistically improbable so I love it of course. I love ridiculous statistically improbable happenings to get characters into stupid stupid situations, and then when they have to get out of those situations, statistic improbability is just like “oh….. sorry…… suddenly I’m busy….. have a hair appointment to get to….. good luck in there….”

So imagine, if you will, that in your car somewhere is a Port, maybe an empty soda can, it doesn’t matter. And imagine, by sheer ridiculous chance, that there’s another car that’s got a Port, maybe a headlight or something. And now imagine, by sheer goddamn ridiculous statistic improbability, that in some freak accident your car and this other car just friggin plough into each other and it’s terrible, it’s real bad

if those are two normal cars, that’s done and done, but this is Awful Statistic Improbability here, so what happens in this scenario is… well, basically that’s three overlapping universes that’ve just smashed into each other. The ATDAO universe, the universe that’s overlapping with your Port, and the universe that’s overlapping with the other guy’s Port. collide. full force. bam

and maybe this impact explodes out a little, maybe these overlapping universes colliding with more overlapping universes is this explosion of weird fuckin energy with nowhere to go, and they all overlap and where they overlap there’s a space that is forced into existence very brutally and very suddenly, where all three of these universes tangle into each other, and out of nowhere where there was a Nothing there is now a Something, albeit very briefly

and if you, a tiny innocent human person, happened to be caught in the middle of that instant where three universes slammed into each other and created a Something

ur probably dead, but what’s one more statistical improbability right

instead, you’re just gone. Police and ambos rock up to the scene and there’s just no one there. Cars are a mangled wreck but there’s literally no bodies. Everyone’s like “no one could have survived that, but no one can die so hard they just stop existing, right?? That’s not a thing, right??” Bits of the car are missing. Important bits, bits it needs to drive. How can u crash a car that can’t drive. But they’re just not there

and meanwhile Lucas has been caught in this Space In Between (and presumably whoever else was involved is also there?), and he’s messed up about it. Thinks he’s dead. Thinks he’s in hell. There’s a bunch of car junk that got trapped in there with him, the place is super twisted and weird and glitchy and he’s freaked out, it’s essentially three separate realities in a blender going nnrrrrrrrrrrr at full speed

and that space is not stable at all, it’s literally just an explosion of energy that shoved a bunch of universes into each other and created this momentary overlap hellscape thing. When that energy dies down and those universes begin to unravel from each other, the Something starts to collapse into a Nothing again

like if you had a sheet of red cellophane and a sheet of yellow and you slid them over the top of each other they’re orange, but then when you unslide them the orange isn’t there anymore, like that, except with universes, and with someone stuck in limbo in the middle of it all who’s got no way of getting back to into their own universe before the universe they’re in disintegrates

so then it’s not just Lucas freaking out in a hellportal, it’s Lucas freaking out in a half-formed almost-dimension that’s collapsing all over the place, just folding in on itself and returning to nothing because it’s not supposed to exist

and there u have it

literally the only reason I wanted to share this was because I thought about the conversations that would happen around the car crash scene and laughed because like

“sir he’s gone”

“he’s dead?”

“no sir he’s just gone”

“what do you mean?”

“he’s just not there. he took the steering wheel and engine with him“

“carol what the fuck”

[chromemuffin]

Shoukoku no Altair Liveblogging (Chapter 12)

Yeah, this took a while to get through for some reason.

It’s already the third volume! And yet Mahmut’s journey is just barely getting started...

Anyway, a lovely cover as always. The style is a little different here, definitely going for a much harsher look, though still elegant. (but how the hell do you draw such intricate patterns without getting dizzy). I like the crescent moons on his belt the most. Also, that’s an interesting sword. Can’t really tell if it’s his usual curved one. It doesn’t look like a straight blade though.

Aaanyways, looks like it’s back to the Balt-Rhein people. I am considerably less interested in them than others in the cast, but ok.

Chapter 12: The City by the Lighthouse

Ah yes, Louis. I haven’t really missed you. Interesting um, port town? Maybe. It’s well defended. Though there are some nasty whirlpool things in the upper right, and a little sea monster at the bottom.

OH, I see. The whole thing is supposed to look like a chess board, with the city surrounded. Haha that’s why the wall around the town looked a little weird.

Nice perspective here, it makes the ships look very tiny next to the imposing wall/barrier like structure with the heavy chains half submerged. Which makes sense, in context of the ocean, though we can’t see much of the water.

Helloooo Mahmut. Looking a lot better compared to last chapter. He has a much lighter expression here as he muses about the origin of the pyramis charm.

And once again, I like how the random townspeople all look different from each other. This time, the townspeople are clearly dressed differently from the other towns we’ve seen. Which makes sense, considering its real life counterpart.

rawr

It’s cute. In a weird way.

New character! I guess he’s a jewel merchant or something?

I wouldn’t really call this advice, but a little heads-up. That came a little too late. But, you live and you learn.

I wonder if Mahmut ever gets to travel without everyone finding out who he is the first day he steps into town. He’s not very good at staying low-profile (though a giant bird following him around doesn’t really help matters...).

When does Mahmut not get caught up in some kind of trouble? Helpful guy is not actually being very helpful.

It’s all part of the learning experience, I guess.

It’s clearly intentional, but I am nonetheless continually amazed by how tiny Mahmut looks next to, well, almost everyone he meets.

but lol “I see you are quite devoted to your worship. I have indeed heard of how faith in the water spirit is a national characteristic of Turkiye.”

The pyramis really is a clever way to contact fellow spies. But judging by this guy’s tone of voice and the cult people from the last chapter, I’m not sure it will hold up for that much longer.

He recovers his composure very quickly, for how easily he gets surprised in the first place, and I appreciate that.

Ohoho that play is going to haunt him for the rest of his life, probably. But lol at the intimidating “The Phoenician Magistros Constantinos wants to see you.” And then we get this smiley guy.

My thoughts exactly.

BUT AT LEAST WE GET FURNITURE I CAN MAKE SENSE OF. Kinda hard to see, but the little feast laid out is neat. Though those cups with tentacles hanging out are a little...

I’m dying.

Welp, that’s the ancient world for you. Poor Mahmut, getting interrogated.

It sort of doubles as a really weird table decoration, so...

Ah, but we get back to business in the next panel. Apparently the Balt-Rhein peoples are in the area.

DON’T JINX YOURSELF DUDE. Look at what you did. The city’s probably going to get attacked now.

Oh, but you are sort of hoping the Empire attacks...? Interesting.

And an interesting stance here. “With power comes responsibility” I suppose. So what is the Empire currently doing to those it has taken over? You’d think that any empire’s methods of expanding/gaining control over other lands would be quite similar no matter the times, but this guy implies that the Balt-Rhein Empire isn’t doing right by its own people not to mention trying to conquer its neighbors.

Interesting.

I was going to skip this panel, but Mahmut’s tiny mouth, lack of face, and the fact that Iskander is a ball with a vague beak-like dot on him is too good to pass up.

Is this Mr. Glorious Hair whose actual name escapes me at the moment.

Also, I love how everyone saunters while walking down a random street in town late at night with almost no one to see them.

Y’know, maybe you’d be more welcome if you stopped trying to invade your neighbors. Just a suggestion.

Once again loving the designs of the background and secondary characters. I guess this is a gathering of officials in the city? In any case, Apollo is the only one pleased by this turn of events.

Iskander does in fact sleep with him. :3 which is why he takes him up to the rooftop with him alll those chapters back when Shara was staying over his place. Iskander is also getting more and more poofy and round like a turkey or something lol.

Aww not a morning person, I see. I also wonder what he’s wearing? I think that shirt is just the one he wears normally under the red vest....thing (it’s not a vest but I don’t know what it’s called). The little buttons and bindings are a cute touch. (I do think we’ve seen him wear this to sleep before, I just forgot which chapter...)

lol why is Mahmut needed to sit in on the debate. In fact, his position and status is sort of in limbo now. Everyone is used to calling him Mahmut Pasha though.

I don’t really have anything to add to this conversation other than that both sides have realistic arguments.

I’m glad the Empire has at least one weakness, naval warfare, I hope this stays true for a while. It’s gotta have something it’s not good at.

OH NO, watch out Mahmut! They’re gonna come for you now. He was just minding his own business, listening, getting slightly concerned, and now he got dragged into the argument as proof that the Empire can be defeated.

Which, if you think about it, was actually quite important in the grand scheme of things. It seemed like a tiny event and Mahmut himself seems startled/shocked that they’re blowing the event way out of proportion. Except, it probably wasn’t as insignificant as he (or I) was thinking.

Hisar was an important town, and several of the Empire’s people weaseled their way in and made the locals help them take over. But Mahmut, through some quick-thinking, actually managed to thwart it. Considering the Empire’s military might, I can see how this guy would use it as evidence that they aren’t as omnipotent as they seem.

lol he was not anticipating this.

Ooh, and now he gets to tell his side of the story! I like how he tries so hard to clear misconceptions up every time people blow the events out of proportion, though.

I also like how he can sometimes be a great orator, even during some odd moments (like when he was going to sacrifice himself because he felt guilty for getting Suleyman hurt), and other times he wavers a bit like here. You can tell by his speech bubbles that he’s not 100% confident here. It’s awkward for him, since people keep building him up to be this amazing hero in stories.

Tough spot here.

On one hand, he’s urging them not to start a WAR on the basis of false information and misconception. On the other hand, lol, he’s basically urging them to give into the Empire because it’s hopeless to win against them.

These boatsssss. (or ships). Very nice details. So pretty. But menacing.

lol no one is infallible. 

NO THAT IS A VERY BAD IDEA.

Are there like. No military leaders in this place or. This guy is a tradesman, so him supporting a compromise that doesn’t end in war and all that messy business entails is sort of understandable. I forget how these debates and assemblies worked in that area of the world back then so.

lol be a little more self-aware, kid.

OH. That’s not your real hair.

yippee?

Probably not, but. The alternative wasn’t too good either.

I’m rooting for you guys, but the issue is that Phoenica probably hasn’t waged war against anyone for quite some time. The Empire certainly has been militaristic for a while now, while Phoenica seems to have become a place of mainly trade and commerce. That could be an issue.

He’s not going anywhere, but yeah, it would be wise to get out of there while you can.

Determined Mahmut makes his (re)appearance.!

And that’s a wrap! Sorry this took so long to get out. This was a fairly long chapter, and I’ve been really busy lately.

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