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fireboltcrystal · 2 months ago

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The Mishandling of Varric Tethras

How Dragon Age: The Veilguard utilized a fan favorite, only for the worst....

Just a little bit more salt. I wasn’t initially going to post anything else, but I kept thinking about all the things that have frustrated me about vg. & the one that just keeps driving me insane, is how Bioware treated and used Varric in The Veilguard. I just wanted to expand/rant a little more about my disappointment and disgust. Both in what was done to Varric and how it shows off the cracks in vg’s understanding (lack) of characterization.

WARING, SALT, BASIC CRITIQUE, WITH BIOWARE/VG BASHING + IT’S LONGER THAN I INTENDED, SORRY)

For consideration; first I admit fully I did not play The Veilguard, I watched a friend who is also a fan, play the game from beginning to end, alongside watching others live-stream the game. Re-watching clips and reading story summaries for clarification.

I’m not a lore expert by any means, I will occasionally investigate other parts of the series for fun. But I mostly know about the series from playing the games. Extend universe is fun but should not be necessary. Plus, I should not have to pay potentially $100+ for a game and its extended universe of comics and novels, just to talk about my opinion on disappointing story aspects.

Second, I’m not a professional or semi-professional writer. So, pardon for any mistakes.

Third, Varric Tethras is my favorite character of the Dragon Age series. My bias will be on full display.

Does this all mater, no but I want to be honest just in case other fans find this and think I am trying to ‘stir the pot’ and make people who were somehow able to enjoy vg sad.

Truthfully, I do not care if anyone reads this. I just needed to compartmentalize my feelings beyond trying to only ignore and move on. Also, if you do not like Varric, fine but please don’t waste your time commenting on how you hate him. It is annoying and pointless. I do not care, have a nice day, anyways.

Character Background:

(feel free to skip to the next part, if you don’t want a refresher)

From the song 'Companions',

Varric charms with clever words

Vender of exotic goods

Writer of salacious books

A rogue, a dwarf with ragged looks

Varric Tethras is the rouge, dwarven companion of da2 and dai. Second son and first of his family to be born on the surface. Scion of House Tethras, which once held prominence in the underground kingdom of Orzammar. Which now resides in the Free Marches, city state of Kirkwall after scandal had the family banished. Though Varric does not come off as really interested in the traditions of his family’s homeland or following heavily in the faith of ‘The Stone’.

He is ironically a deeply ‘human’ character; as cunning as he is compassionate. A merchant prince with a decent ‘spy network’ (though has a difficult time not being worried about his agents). Known for wielding his signature crossbow, named Bianca; he clashes with his elder brother Bartrand and the Dwarven Merchants guild and holds a substantial tab at the “The Hanged Man” tavern. He also to extent is Andrastian, though not as pious that is traditionally acceptable. He frames it more so as enjoying an ‘great story’. But he does speak on the life of prophet, Andraste with far more understanding than even some of the most faithful characters can. Could it just be storytellers’ intuition or maybe more…

Segway into the fact that he is also a serial novelist, who writes everything from crime dramas, epics, to romances novels. He is a deeply ‘romantic’ person, loyal to friends and those he loves, at a times to a fault. Varric is a self-described liar but it never feels deeply malicious. Only as way of obfuscating when dealing with painful memories, hiding info to protect his friends from and to optimally fuck with the Chantry. His friendship with Hawke, is so close to point that he was willing to lie to the Chantry guard, and put his life and freedom on the line to protect them.

Another major example would be in his tempestuous relationship, with Bianca Davri; a dwarven engineer of tremendous skill. Though we do not get all the details as it is part of the Bianca, the crossbows naming, ‘the one story he will never tell’.

What we do get is a very complicated affair. Were the two honestly should and in some parts have already moved on from each other. It is mature, messy, and shows a flaw in his character; that though he lives in the present, he can be weighed down by his past mistakes.

Game-wise, in da2 he is the unreliable narrator for the story of Hawke and a rouge companion. As his background as a storyteller, he spins a yarn to Seeker Casandra Pentaghast, about the Champion of Kirkwall. Along with has a part in the main quest that ties into his relationship and ultimate the fate of his brother, Bartand. He can potentially become either a best friend or a rival to Hawke.

In dai he is again a rouge companion, initially ‘arrested’ by the Chantry, he joins the Inquisition to help save Thedas. He has a substantial role in the story; he acts as a re-introduction to Hawke (and can affected by their potential fate later in the story) and the main antagonist, Corypheus (featured in da2 dlc). Along with he is a first-hand witness to the dangers and damage red lyrium can cause. This also includes a connecting quest to destroy lyruim deposits, to which we can even finally meet the mysterious Bianca herself. He can become another friend with high approval or he can become disillusioned with the Inquisitor if low.

In Trespasser/post-game, we learn that he has been chosen to become the Viscount of Kirkwall and though the job drives him nuts; he shows a genuine zeal for the position. In the both the power he utilizes to make genuine changes for the city that he loves and to abuse it, as an excuse to give his friends ‘free shit’. Including bestowing the Inquisitor a title, estate, and key to the city (or mechanism to control the giant-ass chains lol).

Quick moment of positivity before vg proper, I will say I think Varric’s new design works for an older interpretation of the marksman. He has his fundamental details, the leather coat, ring necklace, obvious flash of chest hair and of course crossbow Bianca. But the new additions like the Inquisition belt buckle and the three, crossed facial scars are nice touches to his look. Minor criticism, a little confused at hair color change, but hair can turn darker as one ages, and the gray does look great on him. A little less okay with is the beard, in part since Varric known to be indifferent to the traditions of Orzammar, like having a longer beard. Prior games his face is shaven or with very faint scruff. But I can also see it as him leaving it to the way side during the hunt for Solas. Also, he is missing his three earrings, Bioware what did you do with the man’s jewelry!

VG Prologue:

Varric’s introduction in the game starts at the beginning of new protagonists Rook. In a nameless bar in Minathous. Rook can choose to react with wordplay or violence. After which Varric, chilling out in corner (which he should, let that old dwarven man rest!) comments on how Rook handled themselves in the standoff/scuffle and how they are his second in command (woof sheesh, tough break Harding). Without any time to spare they are off to find their contact.

Fist off: The bond that Rook and Varric have; is that there's kinda isn't. Normally a player is introduced to character and we naturally grow interest with them, through game play and conversation.

But in vg there is no built up, it’s all a preset relationship. “I know your can do this, you’re the best, Kid,” blah blah. Other than a few half-baked dialogue choices that pretty amount to nothing. There is no moment to talk with him, ask him questions beyond getting the main story into motion (all go, go, go find this person, here, that, there & etc.).

Something separate I bring up, not only to Varric and Rooks ‘relationship’. But an issue that I could have actually help (a little bit) of vg’s starting issues.

Why the fuck are the devs. so terrified of the original Origins.

Because this is the game that probably needed those kinds of intros back, more than ever. Be it for players returning (or first introductions) to the world of Thedas. & no, the half-baked, faction summaries are not enough when most of them barely factor into how you build and detail out your background. Some factions like the Shadow Dragons get just a few scraps to role-play or as everyone I have seen and spoken to has said that the Lord of Fortunes might as well have been cut completely, there is so little.

It feels so hollow to have hardly any dialogue choices to help flesh out Rook as a different character. Instead, they are a carbon copy personality dumpster fire, bland in a way a single-cell hero could be. Quippy and Inhuman.

Now back to Varric; how in the world do they know each other, why did they join in with the Inquisition or what remained of it, how did Varric end up deciding on a chess themed nickname, all these question & more could have been answered with a character Origin! *hooray* (Wow, look at that!)

In this have Varric play the role of recruiter like Duncan. He will meet the players, intro into combat, have quick convos on what the hell is going on, speak to the people and to show off a part of the world.

But in this case to create the foundational bond between the new player character and now mentor, Varric. So that if there are any dramas moments, the player will actually feel, if or when an npc is in peril…

But instead, the dev. team opted to just simply have Varric already know Rook, no build up required. Just a pre-established association with no real input from the player. Which creates a disconnect, new players are not going to automatically know who the hell Varric is. Most will just roll with it, so to finally get to the game proper, but it will not add up down the line…

For returning players, the writers did something kind of nasty on reflection; they used our nostalgia to do the heavy lifting of character development. We do not get to know Varric as a new person, just as extended cameo (which happens to other characters in vg). That one we are only able to understand because of playing the previous games, who though had their own development woes, still had developers with their priorities straight when creating them, its world, and its characters.

So if you are not a fan or feel neutral about Varric. Rook has a casual-esq working relationship with him. Clean, bland, sanitized (like the rest of the game).

But if you are a fan of him, it ends up feeling like an old friend you have lost contact with and now you have become different person (literally) but with the nostalgia strangling you. Varric feels slightly the same, but older, exhausted and one who’s writers should have let gently retire years ago…

It feels sad and lackluster in comparison to how full and interesting his prior introductions were.

Da2 had two Varric intros; first with his arrest and interrogation, he becomes the narrator of the game, though under distress. It creates mystery, why is this guy being dragged around though a dungeon, what has he done, does he know something, or maybe someone…

But in-game proper, after Hawke’s failed meeting with Bartrand. Varric stops a pickpocket from running off with Hawke’s stolen coin purse, he lands a bolt into the thief, taking back the money, punching them out for the trouble and returning the coins with a flourish. They talk about his brother and their plans to venture into the Deep Roads for fame, glory but money for profit.

You get a little taste of both points, Varric brought low and also at the top of his game.

In dai slightly similar but without the framing device, Varric is fighting alongside Solas (oh we will get to you). & after sealing the tear, Varric introduces himself, there is even a dialogue choice where he compares himself to us as we are both technically prisoners to the Chantry, though his arrest by Cassandra is kind of null after the explosion. It helps build a link between him and the prisoner, later Inquisitor. For new players, you get to see peak Varric charm. But also perfect for old players ready to bond with him again, after so long and to a forge a connection with a brand-new protag.

With this we not only see that Varric still has his wicked charm, but that others also react to it, Solas chuckles (heh) with a snide remark, when we say we are pleased to meet him and Cassandra’s frustration at his arrogant charisma is so endearing, for both characters. (Cassandra and Varric, have genuinely some of the best character interactions of the entire series, I will fight anyone on that).

Moving ahead since more of the dialogue after meeting Harding and Neve, is mainly, taking about state of Minrathous and needing to stop Solas. We reach the ritual site in the Arlathan forest... Before confronting the Dreadwolf, can either choose to support or convince against Varric talking Solas down. Regardless of choice, he still goes on head.

Varric is a man whose friends have become his family. He feels that he must try at the very least talk with Solas. Though it does go against his reactions to Solas being an agent of Fen'Harel; back in Trespasser (but I think the team kind of forgot most of the character motivations they established…).

Regardless Varric confronts Solas while the team try to stop the ritual and hold off the demons. Though I hate the result, I kind of liked the scene at first, Varric’s cheeky grin calling Solas, ‘Chuckles’ was a great touch. Especially since the two did have slight back and forth friendship in dai.

& the reaction Solas has when he sees Varric is excellent, first annoyance at who would dare distract him, then shock with a little bit of sadness when it sees who it is, but then returns into haughty determination.

But I think this is indicative how better the characters of the prior games and the weight of established relationships are from this scene. Like if Veilguard is your first game in the series, this entire scene means practically nothing other than, a super intense moment between ex-friends (where the world is at stake).

But gravitas of these two characters, the performances of their actors and the tiny shred of decent writing. Probably tricks a lot of newcomers into thinking this will be a far deeper story than it actually is…

So, after a back-and-forth, Solas will not see reason and Varric aims Bianca and Solas destroys the crossbow (I’m still devastated at the loss of such an iconic weapon). During which the ritual is disrupted, Varric attempts to stop it further by attempting to grab the ritual dagger from Solas’s, in turn Solas stabs Varric. He falls, and we are uncertain of his fate. Ancient elves Ghilan'nain and Elgar'nan escape the fade and Rook loses consciousness.

The Rest of the Game:

After the ritual Rook awakens in the Lighthouse, to see a bandaged-up Varric. He looks awful and is noticeably in pain. But something is bizarre, something doesn’t seem right, his tone is off, it’s unnatural.

Other companions, seem to speak or react to him. I kept thinking why doesn't any look at him. No scenes of characters visiting him, to see how he's feeling. Nothing.

Let me tell you before I learned the truth, I was so fucking relieved to see he was alive. After all the dodgy trailers, on which Bianca being destroyed. I was just so happy to see him alive, that I didn’t see the signs. I thought maybe we would check in on him over time and watch him heal. Maybe there would be point before the end where we see him hang up his leather duster and return to Kirkwall as Viscount accepting that his adventuring days are at end. & in turn pass on the mantle of leadership to this current party. For Rook to step out and up as the new protagonist… But we will get to the full truth later.

So from now till the end Varric has two functions in vg: narrator again, but without the same wit or gravitas of da2.

& sort of back seat hype man, he is mainly resting in a dark corner of the new base, the Lighthouse. His conversations are essentially recaps of main quests, occasional references to the prior games, what the dev. team must have thought were oh so clever hints to Varric’s death (as clever as a cinder block) and then pseudo-HR training about how “Rook is the leader, and you are a part of team, and you got to work together,” yada yada…

Ultimately meaningless moments, awkward and stilled, hamstrung by vg’s blunt force repetitive dialogue.

Now to his final part in this story, close to end game Rook is trapped in a fade prison by Solas (who fell for the dumbest trick, who also can be tricked in return, wtf) they are confronted by companion(s) that were killed during a prior quest.

And here is the big revel, that Varric had died after being stabbed by Solas at the beginning of the game.

The real Varric died at the ritual site…

So, anytime that Rook spoke to him, it was not actually Varric the man, the dwarf, the living person.

Honestly, I do not know entirely what was talking to Rook.

At first, I thought he was illusion created by Solas to fuck with Rook. Maybe a shade made from a spirit (like dai where a spirit &/or Divine Justinia helps the Inquisitor). Or more likely a figment created by Rook from their repressed grief after Varric was murdered. (Honestly this is all embarrassing, like who ever wrote this, along with anyone else who let it go to print should be ashamed of themselves and then fire their therapist...)

They have an awkward come to Jesus’ moment about accepting grief (um, ok) and a stilted, rushed good bye.

(Oh and there is one moment right before the end credits where Varric appears in the clouds like he’s Mufasa or something idk; just a final slap in face before game ushers you out the door.)

Final Feelings and Frustrations:

So most of his inclusion of the game was not even but a hallucination, a mere idealistic interpretation of him, always supportive, always accepting, and empty.

A fandoms interpretation, a wasteful dev. teams idea.

Used as ‘character development’ for a mediocre protagonist.

Rook is as heroic as wet rag and as interesting as a rubber dumbbell.

What a tragic waste of one of the series most iconic characters…

Varric being killed off and used a lesson in accepting grief, was one of the most meaningless acts of literal character assassination and emotional manipulation I have ever seen a team of writers pull in some fucking time.

I would not be surprised if that was Bioware's excuse for not wanting to write anything more complicated or interesting. That they only did it for a cheap cameo and had Varric be a sacrificial lamb to create ‘tension’ between Rook and Solas.

Which can I just say for a dev. team as notoriously ‘chronically online’, the fact that they couldn’t see how a loud subset of the fandom, who are willing to forgive literally any if not all of Solas’s actions, including being involved in the death Varric, another fan favorite, is cosmically laughable.

Solas’s could turn an entire box of puppies to stone and he would be forgiven at large; esp. if it was framed as him doing it for the sake of the Elvhenan. Like please be real Bioware, you made a sympathetic villain. Fucking own up to it, you guys could not have been this delusional (though your interviews do say otherwise).

It is sooo bizarre, like does this current team even like these characters (the series even), supposedly in the development in the prior games, Varric was constantly being talked about like his time was up (like why, you made him a charming fella, what are players supposed to do, not want to friends with the guy!). They even had very early ideas for a dlc where you could romance him (I will morn this loss forever), but that he would potentially die at the end… (fml)

Hell, even Solas in this game; that was once titled as ‘Dreadwolf’. has this constant feeling from the writing that the team both adores him but also fucking hates him. Like, “Please keep talking bald elf man you have so many fans willing to pay full retail price; but also shut the hell up and begone to the shadow dimension!”

I mean, I am not a huge fan of Solas personally, but I am genuinely surprised at how many of his actual fans could be okay with Bioware’s meager crumbs. (idk toxic positivity, maybe sunk cost fallacy)

Like at one point this guy was THE main antagonist and beyond! Elven spies, manipulating nations, sowing discord to the create the perfect environment to tear down the Veil! But nope, just nothing really. Stuck in the Fade, being a big sad boy.

Strikingly bland here, esp. in comparison to the real intensity brought forth at the end of Trespasser.

[Bonus: After her threat in dai, I would not be surprised if Bianca found a way of going into the fade just so she could beat the ever-loving shit out of Solas (and all Inquisitors) for getting Varric killed.]

An Idea for a Thematic Polarity:

Of clinging to the nostalgic past, how to accept a conflicted present & to move forward into an uncertain future.

Solas is a person fixated on the ideal of a post-Elvenuris past. A past that never actually came to be and desires to bring it to fruition, even if means potentially destroying world. He even dissociates from the people of the ‘Dragon Age’ because, he cannot visualize them a fully fledge people. This can change, but he still goes for it. He knows there will untold death and destruction, but refuses to let go of the world before. In a better written story, he could’ve still becoming one with the Veil. After further being confronted by the reality that you cannot return the past, not like it once was. But let go for the sake of protecting those who live here and now, to go on, learn the past and make a better world for everyone.

Varric also clings to the past; even his place as a storyteller is him dramatizing, sensationalizing events, real or otherwise. He glosses over painful memories, adjusts for the audience (but mostly himself). But he is also a man who has not abandoned the present or even the future. He lives still gathering info. for his next bestseller. He is deeply conserved for the living; friends, citizens of Kirkwall and beyond. And if there is nothing to be done, we might as well take a break for now and play a round of Wicked Grace.

The team could have done things much different in the finale to Varric. They could have Varric be (actually) injured during the ritual. After which he decides to retire, he is not getting any younger and returns to Kirkwall as Viscount. Passing the torch to the next generation of heroes and storytellers.

He has sort of given up on Solas, not his friend, (he will always care about his friends) but in the hunting of the Dreadwolf, the two Elven ‘gods’ and their double-Bight. He could continue working to make Kirkwall into a bastion of the Free Marches, improving the lives of the citizens and the city he takes so much pride in.

(well ignoring the destruction of Southern Thedas, god so pointless and vindictive on the part of the devs…)

He could have still been the narrator but from a tangible distance. Only retelling it from second hand accounts, etc.

Or maybe just a lore drop, a supportive letter that finds it's way to Rook with some words of encouragement.

But all that is for head-cannons, fanfictions and fan art.

So with that, moving forward I think I am going to be a little of both, I will go into the future, beyond the disappointments of Bioware and The Veilguard. To different studios and new series.

But I will still continue to always love and enjoy, Varric Tethras and the Dragon Age Trilogy.

Thank you very much, either to the void or to any one for taking the time to read this mess.

#dragon age critical #dragon age critique #veilguard critical #datv critical #bioware critical #dragon age #dragon age the veilguard #dragon age spoilers #veilguard spoilers #varric tethras

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iwriteasfotini · 3 days ago

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Beautiful artwork from @stary-lights featured in my newest Marauders era fanfic! Please check out their original post to leave them happy notes.

The Bonds of Friendship

Join James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter in their third year at Hogwarts! Told from James' POV, we see the boys become the Marauders with the creation of the Marauder's Map, begin preparing for their attempt to become animagi, puzzle over the mysterious series of attacks on young muggle-borns, and generally get up mild (and not so mild in Sirius' case) mischief.

Epic quidditch matches will be played.

A few furry animals may meet their demise.

Remus endures countless moons.

Not to mention the prospect of dating, kissing, and a new third year sex ed course.

More than one enchanted mirror makes an appearance.

As well as a boggart.

Oh, and did I mention a particular cloak of invisibility?!?!

Hogwarts and the Marauders at their finest... Please join me in journeying home. RIGHT NOW.

Because this work is posted to completion on AO3!!!

27 chapters | 133K words

Also endgame Jegulus. :)

#our love is written in the stars #james potter #marauders #jegulus #starchaser #sunseeker #marauders era #long fic #ao3 #ao3 author #archive of our own #regulus black #young james potter #desi james potter #james x regulus #james loves regulus #regulus loves james #endgame jegulus

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powerpuffobsession · 9 months ago

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Am I the only one who feels that Hazbin Hotel's overall vibe is far too naive and upbeat for an adult cartoon about hell and redemption of sinners?

I feel like before writing this cartoon, Vivzie and the other writers should have made a trip to unfortunate areas of the world and watch how the lifestyle there rolls. Because hell is said to be a place of misery, where there is no trust and a lot of hate, both internal and external... Adam is an object of pure unfiltered hartred (both from writers and fandom) because he dares to live in heaven, such a safe and friendly-natured place...

And yet the sinners who happen to be main characters act more like school kids on a field trip (even more carefree than those, lol) - their selfish and sinful motives are so artificial and are brought up only when these characters need to look like a victim, not like criminals who somehow deserved a place in hell

Obviously, it's a manipulative trope to put them in a better light than Heaven and Adam (who is forever silenced by the writers and not allowed to voice any thoughts and reflections other than "hurr durr murder I luuuv murdering and being evil because that's what I was since I was born, even though Lilith and Eve, born literally the same way as me, were innocent victims from the get go, and no logical explanation for that will be provided whatsoever - men bad, women good")

In the light of all that, the sinners are too eager to trust each other and form "da epic powar of friendship" mlp-sonic-style

In a society built on terror, anarchy and survival instincts, no one would ever bother wasting vital power on noticing someone's problems and helping them out. Everyone is focused on their own problems and desires, and that's what drives them to act. Well, the exception may be family members, and even that varies

That's why Husk's intent to comfort Angel after the later attacks him over nothing at the bar, looks really fake, considering the setting. At first I thought that "loser baby" where Husk insults Angel, was some sort of revenge and Husk laughing in the spider's face. But no, it actually turned out to be a comforting song that started their friendship. Husk literally had no motivation to want to help Angel, because he was annoyed by him all the time prior. If there was some kind of basis for their bonding, I would have believed it. But not like this.

And Angel had no reason to actually like that sort of comfort. I get it when your best friend or a family member cheers you up in a harsh way - you know them. And even when coming from people you trust that can hurt. Now imagine a complete stranger doing that to you. That's actually something that shouldn't be done - trying to playfully insult or jester a person you haven't communicated with for a long enough time to gain their trust. And to make this even more strange, Angel at first reacts negatively, but then suddenly snaps to liking that disrespectful way of comforting for no reason at all.

And why did Angel even vent his problems to Husk, a stranger bartender who he'd hurt before. Wasn't he actually afraid of being laughed at and of Husk using his trauma to spread gossip around or something?

Next, Sir Pentious. In the pilot (which is officially part of canon, mind you), he already felt like a joke sunday cartoon villain, but at least he had some edge to him that made him look like a sinner with some dark history. In the series however, he gets nerfed the very moment he steps into the hotel to the point where it's painful to look at

His tendency to abuse his henchmen, his physopathic demeanor, his hartred for Cherri (instead of embarrassing attempts to get blue balled by her), his sincere power hunger - where did all that go? Vanished in a blink of an eye. All that's left of a promising snake demon is a pile of fanservice. So morally unchallenging and harmless that a viewer theoretically simply cannot resist loving him

Well i'm kind disappointed. We don't even know in what way Sir Pentious had to improve, because the plot never focused on his past, his life goals, whatever made him want to lead turf wars and whatever awful things he did in life, what was the point where he started degrading... none of that. He just became a better person after one "sorry song" and acted perfectly innocent ever since and didnt put any effort into getting ready to sacrifice himself for other main characters

The sacrifice... to me it's baffling how fast the sinners, over the course of just 6 months, actually became Charlie's family figures and risked their lives for her hotel. Such pure child-cartoon-styled power of friendship, built in hell, with the aid of a princess who cant even think through her project of helping sinners without bringing them more trouble... realistically, Charlie would have had to fight angels alone (how convenient it is that no main characters died in that chaotic brawl, right?)

And Charlie herself is far too naiive and soft-natured for someone who is free to walk along the streets of hell looking at all the muder, rape and othe horrible stuff that's happening there. Given that she's 200, Charlie had more than enough time to built up her street smarts and guts and learn to be more practical and mindful, instead of staying with the mind of a 12 year old who needs other characters to do everything for her (Lucifer, Vaggie, Alastor) and then get praised for THEIR efforts. That's hell's royalty and our main character?

Aaand since sinners are portrayed as Charlie's "people" (as if they are a nationality), sweet babies who all deserve redemption and are called innocent by Emily (I can't believe how dumb the writers made angels be) - the true essence of exterminatons is never focused on. Adam and his exterminator army are seen in the wrong, like some kind of monsters who terrorize poor souls. However, think about this - child molesters, rapists, torturers, bullies, nazists, actual racists etc died in those exterminations. Doesnt that seem like something a lot of us would want? To have scum like this disappear as revenge for people they have hurt/driven to suicide?

Exterminations are not really an act of racism, bigotry or something like that. They are an excecution of criminals, which a lot of sinners are.

But the black and white writing is trying to conceal that rather prominent highlight of the rotten part of Charlie's plan (not all sinners deserve mercy or redemption). All that was needed was to make exterminators these icky "villains" who luuuv killing and are never willing to listen

All in all, a cartoon that has an ambitious premise that should be driven by psychological reasearch/analysis and dark serious themes... makes me roll my eyes with its cliche use of "power of friendship" and " strictly good main characters, strictly bad villains" tropes. Too bad such beautiful animation was wasted on such juvenile writing that never had any effort put into it

There shouldn't even be any villains or heroes in a setting like this. Allow the lead roles (sinners in hell) do something actually questionable and be unlikable, don't coddle the viewer in fear of making them even the slightest bit uncomfortable. Allow those, who opposes sinmers, have personalities and reasons, not cliche sociopathy for sociopathy's sake to cause forced sympathy for the main characters

Pristine "safe" writing should not have a place in adult cartoons. Or else they will stay a product that'd rather be watched by 7-14 year olds instead of adults (I can't picture a single adult over 22 who would unironically call hazbin hotel a show that tackles realistic issues in an observant way)

#hazbin hotel critical

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mattnben-bennmatt · 8 months ago

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Okay, I'm reading the Good Will Hunting script and here are some of my favorite moments. It's mostly Will & Chuckie stuff, I'm afraid (kinda Matt & Ben's self-inserts).

ACT I

Chuckie, "loud, boisterous, a born entertainer." Will, "handsome and confident, a softspoken leader." Love how efficiently they sketch these characters, and how immediately they compliment each other: Chuckie is loud and Will is soft-spoken. Also, got to appreciate the choice to explicitly describe Will as handsome when they were writing it for Matt.

I love how the companionship between Will and Chuckie comes across in this scene. Like, Will does not know Chuckie's story either, so they could have just written him reacting to it with the others. Instead, Will immediately joins Chuckie as part of his double-act, almost as his hype-man, hamming it up with his interjections (reminds me of the Oscar speech 😆). He is in on the joke, right next to Chuckie, while Morgan is outside, horrified at the story.

🥰🥰🥰

Will holding the wheel for Chuckie; Chuckie getting his and Will's fries first; Will immediately knowing what Chuckie was frustrated about; Morgan remaining the annoying younger brother and continuing to highlight how Chuckie and Will are equals, a unit. The respect and consideration between them. It's all about that easy, unspoken intimacy 🤌

Now they show how much Chuckie's attuned to Will too, immediately clocking the shift in his mood and attention and matching it. Also how he immediately goes into ride-or-die mode, and chides Morgan for skirting his homie duties.

OK, first, how crazy is it that they wanted to set the fight sequence to Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On"? I mean, talk about the inherent homoeroticism in a good ol' fist fight!

And then, how lovely is it that they decided to incorporate that seminal moment in their friendship — when Ben came to Matt's rescue and tackled a dude off of him — into the movie?

I also like how Chuckie and Will immediately go back to the double act, despite (or maybe because of) the high-tension situation.

🥰🥰

Again, just Chuckie always sticking up for Will and having his back, with Morgan as the contrast. I also liked that little comedic beat with the bouncer (and kudos to them for including Casey's name in the script, even though he ended up playing Morgan).

Go off, Will! Now it's time to see Will sticking up for Chuckie and having his back, completely trouncing the guy in this epic takedown scene 👏👏👏

Okay, this is it for now! Stay tuned for Act II!

#good will hunting #will hunting #chuckie sullivan #matt damon #ben affleck #originals #analysis

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ck-17088 · 6 months ago

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Transformers One Theories Part 1: Sentinel Prime and how he gained power on Cybertron (Special Guests: Quintessons)

Hello, Transformers One has taken over my mind so I’ve been rewatching the trailers and reading some interviews/articles. One thing I’ve noticed is that the marketing for this movie is mainly focused on Orion Pax and D-16’s friendship and the tragedy of their eventual fallout. However, there is little information on Sentinel Prime and the role he plays in the movie. Since I’m delusional, I came up with these crazy theories about Sentinel Prime, specifically on how he’s the villain in this story.

Before we get into my theories, here is some extra information that I’ll be referring to when explaining:

What We Know (trailers, interviews/articles, TV spots already released)- be warned, potential spoilers from articles/interviews released in Summer 2024

FYI- I will include screenshots from both trailers, so they should be images you've already seen- so no unexpected images.

In an IndieWire interview, the film was described as an “epic story about the rise of two leaders… including the start of a revolution, a years-long conspiracy and war with other aliens…”

In an interview with Josh Cooley ( aka the director), he says that he “embraced the chance to explore.. political corruption, revolution, and war”

Cybertron is currently undergoing an Energon crisis/drought (from other interviews)

There was another conflict, which involved the Primes, that occurred before the events of the movie- at the SDCC panel, they showed a clip of Sentinel Prime giving a speech about a past battle that killed all of the Primes and some veterans.

Source Material (?)

Cooley also mentioned in an interview (and at the SDCC panel) that Hasbro gave him a “bible” of Transformers lore

In a different interview, he also said that in the original story for the movie, Megatron was a gladiator. In fact, there were gladiatorial fight scenes planned, but were eventually cut out.

In addition, he and Orion Pax originally came from very different social backgrounds.

Does that sound familiar? (It should)

The “bible” of Transformers lore with D-16 as a gladiator and Orion Pax from a different social background would be the “Binder of Revelation”- which is what the Aligned Continuity (WOC games, TFP, Rescue Bots) is based on.

I’ll be referring to the Aligned Continuity as “AC” from now on. Yes, I know it sounds like air-conditioning, deal with it.

Therefore, I’ll also be talking about AC Sentinel Prime, as I believe that TFO Sentinel is heavily based on that version.

In the AC, Cybertronians initially did not know how to transform, but everyone was born with a dormant T-cog.

The Quintessons showed up later, pretending to be emissaries who wanted Cybertron to join the galactic community. They pretended to magically give the Cybertronians T-cogs and the ability to transform (they were activating the dormant T-cog). As a result, they were welcomed on Cybertron and gained public support from its inhabitants.

Afterward, they set up a global puppet government ruled by Sentinel Zeta Prime and a small council of Cybertronians. They also established the social caste system where one’s alt mode determined their role in society.

However, their facade was uncovered when a few individuals found out about their plan to sell Cybertronians.

Sentinel Prime led a rebellion that kicked the Quintessons out of Cybertron.

Afterward, Sentinel stayed as the leader of Cybertron and continued to enforce the caste system- making it the absolute way of life on Cybertron- which would later become one of the reasons for the start of the Great War.

(Taken from TF Wiki)

Now.. finally- my theories

THEORIES

Sentinel Prime is business partners with the Quintessons (sort of?)

The first trailer shows some Quintessons arriving on the surface of Cybertron. Later shots show Sentinel Prime landing in front of one of the ships. In the background, there are also two trains,Airachnid, and some Vehicon-looking soldiers. It seems that they were expecting the Quintessons. They would have brought more soldiers and weapons if they were unexpected guests. Also, when one of the Quintessons grabs Sentinel, he seems distressed but makes no effort to escape. If it was an unexpected action, he may have reacted more violently. None of the soldiers in the background react to this too- meaning that this interaction isn't new. My main takeaway here is that Sentinel has interacted with the Quintessons before.

In AC, the Quintessons secretly took over Cybertron and exploited its people and resources. What if they are doing something similar here? Some interviews said that an energon crisis/drought is happening on Cybertron, and Orion Pax and D-16 are energon miners working to help in this crisis. But what if there isn't a crisis going on? What if this is a cover-up for the truth that all of the energon is going to the Quintessons instead of the people? The trains in the background came from below the planet where the mines are- so they may be carrying energon to give to the Quintessons. But is Sentinel willingly giving the energon to the Quintessons or is forced to? If he's doing this out of his own free will, then why?

Which brings me to the next theory….

Sentinel Prime was somehow involved with the demise of the original Primes

At the beginning of the second trailer, there appears to be a monument under attack (explosions and Cybertronians running away from it). Other shots of the trailer show that this monument has the Matrix of Leadership and figures (at least 7) engraved in it. This is most likely a monument for the original Primes (and current) because other shots show statues of Sentinel Prime-they are blue and gold and have wings - surrounding it.

As mentioned previously- before the Iacon 5000- Sentinel gives a speech about the Primes and how they perished in battle. Based on the giant monument and Sentinel’s speech, it’s safe that the Primes are well known and are considered important figures- perhaps heroes- on Cybertron.

BUT- the first trailer shows the bodies of the Primes in a cave, where they are covered in vegetation- as if they were abandoned. If the Primes are considered important, heroic beings, why were their bodies left on the surface of Cybertron? Why were they not taken back to Iacon to be given a proper funeral?

….. Something is fishy here.

Like I said- this is a crazy theory, but I think Sentinel was responsible for the demise of the original Primes. Sentinel giving a speech about the Primes and the event/battle of their deaths suggests that he knows HOW they died. The fact that a battle is mentioned indicates a war or conflict before the events of TFO. This lines up with what another interview said- that the movie would include wars with other aliens.

These two pieces of information make me believe that before the movie's events, there was a war between Cybertronians (specifically the Primes) and Quintessons, who were invading the planet. To support that- in a shot with Orion Pax, D-16, and Bumblebee looking at Alpha Trion's recording, Alpha Trion is holding a blaster- he's directly involved in combat.

As said before, in AC, Sentinel was installed as the leader of a puppet government controlled by the Quintessons. But instead of being installed as leader directly by the Quintessons, he probably became leader in a different way in TFO.

Sentinel may have been under the direct command of the Primes or was one himself. Tying back to the first theory- I think he made a deal with the Quintessons. He betrayed the Primes- by leading them into a trap/battle where the Quintessons killed them (only Alpha Trion survived- somehow). In exchange for the Quintessons killing the Primes, which would allow him to become Cybertron's leader, he would give them the planet's energon. As a result, the Quintessons would have someone who would give them the resources (energon) they want.

Also- in the same clip with Orion Pax, D-16, etc.- Orion says that the recording is an SOS call- I betting this was sent when the Primes were overwhelmed by the Quintessons. Since the call never made it through, someone-maybe Sentinel- blocked it or hid it until the main cast found it.

Overall, this would be a beneficial situation for both parties- Sentinel gets control/power over the planet, and the Quintessons get Energon without spending time and resources trying to conquer Cybertron. This may also explain why no one is allowed to go to the surface- they might see the Quintessons and discover the Primes’ bodies- and put into question Sentinel’s true loyalties. There is supposedly a “years-long conspiracy” involved in this movie, which may be referring to this- the Primes were murdered, and the Quintessons have control of the planet’s resources through Sentinel, who has been lying all these years about the fates of the Primes and where the Energon actually goes.

Summary of my theories:

Before the events of TFO, there was a war between Cybertronians and Quintessons, with the Primes defending Cybertron. Sentinel made a deal with the Quintessons. He betrayed the original Primes, allowing the Quintessons to kill them, thus giving him leadership over the planet. This benefits the Quintessons because they get a leader who willingly gives them the planet’s energon. To prevent the Cybertronian population from discovering Sentinel’s role in the Primes’ demise AND the Quintessons, they are not allowed to go to the surface under the assumption/lie that the surface is dangerous.

This would be a new twist on the events in the Aligned Continuity while also combining a few elements of other versions of Sentinel into one: the jerk from TFA, the betrayer from Transformers: Dark of the Moon, and the leader who only gained power through association with the Quintessons from AC.

If you made it this far, thanks for reading my rambling. I have no clue if both of my theories are straight up wrong or somewhat correct... but regardless there will be a part 2 of Sentinel Prime Theories coming later....

#transformers #orion pax #megatron #ck17rambles #transformers one #tf one #tfo #transformers one movie #tfo sentinel #sentinel prime #transformers theories

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imissylou · 8 months ago

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Sims 4 LOTR Legacy Challenge

Welcome to my Sims 4 LOTR Legacy Challenge!

As a lifelong fan of The Sims, I’ve always enjoyed creating unique and immersive stories for my sims. Meanwhile, my boyfriend is a huge "The Lord of the Rings" enthusiast, with an impressive collection of memorabilia and an encyclopedic knowledge of Middle-earth lore. We often share our passions with each other, and this time, we decided to blend our interests into an epic adventure in The Sims 4!

The result? A Legacy Challenge that combines the enchanting world of Middle-earth with the creativity and fun of The Sims 4. Each generation of my legacy family will be inspired by iconic characters and themes from J.R.R. Tolkien's masterpiece, following their own quests and adventures in the game.

Join me as I guide my sims through the trials and triumphs of this LOTR-themed legacy, from humble Hobbit holes to majestic Elven realms, and everything in between. Let's embark on this journey together and see how the spirit of Middle-earth comes to life in the world of The Sims!

(Made by me)

General Rules

Starting Out:

Create a founder sim inspired by a LOTR character.

Move your founder into an empty lot and build a home with starter funds or start with $0.

No cheats allowed (except for resetting sims if needed).

Aging and Lifespan:

Set the game to Normal lifespan. Short if you want a challenge

All aging must be enabled, including NPC aging.

Heir Rules:

Each generation's heir must be directly related to the founder.

The heir is typically the first-born child but can be chosen based on story elements or player preference.

Mods and Custom Content:

Mods and custom content (CC) are allowed, especially if they enhance the LOTR theme.

Avoid mods that make the challenge significantly easier.

Gameplay Restrictions:

No money cheats or other gameplay shortcuts.

Only sell items created or collected by your sims (e.g., gardening, fishing, painting).

The official tag for this challenge is #LOTRLegacyChallenge

Made by imissylou

here's the DOC

Read the first gen under the cut!

Generation 1: The Hobbit (Frodo)

Starting Out

Create Your Founder: Create a sim inspired by Frodo Baggins.

Aspiration: Outdoor Enthusiast

Traits: Loves the Outdoors, Cheerful, Good

Move In: Move your founder into an empty lot. Build a small, cozy home reminiscent of a Hobbit hole. Use modest furnishings to reflect the humble lifestyle of Hobbits.

Goals and Objectives

Gardening and Fishing Skills:

Max Out Gardening: Frodo is known for his love of the Shire and its natural beauty. Your sim must max out the Gardening skill.

Max Out Fishing: Spend time fishing in local ponds and rivers to max out the Fishing skill.

Form Close Friendships:

Fellowship of the Ring: Form close friendships with at least four other sims, representing the Fellowship. These can be new characters or other sims in the world.

Consider sims with different traits and backgrounds to mimic the diversity of the Fellowship (e.g., a brave sim, a wise sim, a loyal sim).

Adventure and Exploration:

Travel: Visit different locations to simulate Frodo’s journey across Middle-earth. Spend time in Granite Falls (representing the wilderness) and Selvadorada (for a more exotic adventure).

Collectibles: Gather unique collectibles from these travels. Aim to collect all types of frogs, insects, or crystals.

Maintain a Simple Lifestyle:

Off-the-Grid: Enable the "Off-the-Grid" lot trait for a more authentic Hobbit experience.

Small Home: Keep your home small and cozy. Upgrades are allowed, but the home should always feel modest and welcoming.

Storytelling:

Diary: Keep a diary (in the form of a journal or book) where Frodo writes about his adventures and friendships. This can be done by having your sim write in a journal or create books using the Writing skill.

Photos: Take photos of key moments and places visited. Display these photos in the home to create a visual record of Frodo’s journey.

Additional Challenges

Quest for the One Ring:

Find the One Ring: Choose a specific item in the game to represent the One Ring. This could be a unique collectible or a family heirloom. Once found, it must be kept safe and displayed prominently in the home. An idea could be using the crystal creations stuff pack to make your own ring.

Resist Temptation:

Avoid Wealth: Frodo’s journey is about resisting the lure of power and wealth. Keep household funds modest. Any large windfalls should be donated to charity or used to help friends and neighbors.

Hobbiton Community:

Community Garden: Create a community garden on your lot where friends can come to help tend plants and enjoy the outdoors together.

#the sims 4 #sims 4 challenge #ts4 legacy challenge #ts4 gameplay #sims 4 #ts4 #LOTRLegacyChallenge

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kirbybecomesastarwarrior · 6 months ago

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Okay everyone it's that time again lore drop...

Before the events of Nightmare's defeat... Sir Arthur and a scouting party were sent on a crusade to find the legendary sword Excalibur. But in reality, the scouting party was ordered (by Sir Uther) to secretly murder Sir Arthur. (Why you may ask a lot of reasons)

(This contains some lore from the Kirby light novel Kirby: Meta Knight and the Knight of Yomi)

But the aforementioned cave: where Excalibur was said to be located. Contained a rift to Yomi (created by Morpho..), the would-be assailant (& Sir Arthur) are pulled into the underworld... They are all scattered about the land of the dead...As the story goes: those who are in the land of the dead for three days become... permanent residents.

Being strong-willed enough Sir Arthur was able to retain their physical body and soul... however, he was horribly lost in the lowest level of Yomi (where the most devious monsters dwelled...)

Sir Arthur had been lost in the land of the dead for 120 years. Everyone had assumed he had died... However, this did not go unnoticed by Morpho... who wanted to make a deal with him...Seeing that he had endured for so long... (If they were lucky)could be just the soul (Sir Arthur's) they need...

Not only was he able to get his ticket back to the living world but also... Sir Arthur was able to find something he had long lost... for you see...he and the scouting party weren't the cave's first visitors.

(not sure if I should still @kirbyoctournament but Celty is here so I'll do still :3 )

Guess whose fault it for for Morpho Knight roaming about in the living world!

Sir Arthur is eventually able to tell them (which is what transpires above). Sir Arthur hid this well (until this point) but there was only one person he could not fool, his boy...

youtube

Man of the House part 1 (cut song) from Epic the musical

Spoiler Warning: keep reading for content & drawn images

(Sir Arthur got a cracked Warp Star syndrome, like Lady Celestine!)

Meta Knight & King Dedede: From One King to Another "Man of the House"

When I first came up with this I was trying to figure out... "who on earth is Meta Knight singing" and "Who's going to sing the backup vocals..." then I realized this would be the perfect chance to showcase King Dedede & Meta Knight's friendship. This is after the whole redemption arch of King Dedede near the end of the story arch... after the Forgotten Land Saga.

For those who are not that familiar with the KBASW lore. Meta Knight's story arc is meant to end with him becoming the new leader of the GSA. It ties the anime lore and makes it a major part of the story... along with Sir Arthurs deal with Morpho Knight~

Being an astral born without a warpstar (proof that he was a monster created by Nightmare...) was going to be killed the moment he (Mt) was born (by Sir Uther of course the little rat). But one lone Star Warrior believed otherwise, stopping the execution and convincing the Ancients to spare the infant.

Sir Arthur gifted his original red cape to Meta Knight to give him hope that he could be a hero too! MK was trained & raised by Sir Arthur... so he's more than just his mentor... his hero... his dad. Making it all the more heartbreaking to see Sir Arthur growing weaker by the day...

This is where the whole emotional meat & potatoes are in Meta becoming the leader of the GSA lie...( his dad is growing weaker and everyone is looking to him to take up the mantle) At the point of the story, everyone sees his potential everyone except himself...

That's where King Dedede comes in...

King Dedede gives Meta Knight the final push he needs to make him realize he is worthy and deserving of the position. After Escargoon leaves him, he sees Meta Knight as an irreplaceable person. However, this happens... but despite ensuring Meta Knight's departure from Dreamland he still does it.

Reminding him that he managed to help a raggamuffin like him become and grow into an acceptable leader surely he'd be as incredible as the leader of the GSA. Giving him the reassurance he needs to go after it.

It's a really meaningful conversation because Meta Knight and King Dedede have been helping each other grow throughout the series. Throughout the story, they realize how similar they are to each other... and ultimately become one another's rocks.

They're basically two growing kings coming into their roles. That is all I'm going to reveal before I spoil anything else.

Hope you guys enjoyed it the aske box will get reopened tomorrow!

#kbasw #kirby #meta knight #sir arthur #king dedede #sir arthur kirby #morpho knight #sir dragato #lady celestine #kirby anime #kirby right back at ya #krbay #gsa

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saixria · 4 months ago

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While I don’t take the Pallas myth as canon to Epic Athena I have to admit just how well it would tie into the rest of her arc, and give a whole new angle to her character. (Essay incoming, hope it makes sense haha obligatory “English isn’t my first language”)

In case you didn’t know, this is the version of Pallas’ myth I’m referring to from Wikipedia (skip this part if you already know):

“After Athena was born fully armed from Zeus' forehead, Triton, son of Poseidon and messenger of the seas, became foster parent to the goddess and raised her alongside his own daughter, Pallas. The sea god taught both girls the arts of war.

During an athletics festival, Pallas and Athena fought with spears in a friendly mock battle in which the victor would be whoever managed to disarm her opponent. At the beginning of the fight, Athena got the upper hand, until Pallas took over. Before she could win, Zeus, who was in attendance, fearing to see his own daughter lose, distracted Pallas with the Aegis, which she had once shown interest in. Pallas, stunned in awe, stood still as Athena, expecting her to dodge, impaled her accidentally.

Out of sadness and regret, Athena created the palladium, a statue in the likeness of Pallas, and wrapped the aegis, which she had feared, about the breast of it, and set it up beside Zeus and honored it.Later, Athena took on the title Pallas as tribute to her late friend.”

So anyway how would this relate to Epic Athena? Instead of rejecting Odysseus’ friendship advances just because of pride, or thinking that all she wanted was to prove herself by mentoring a warrior, she would be distancing herself from Odysseus because she didn’t want to experience the hurt she from losing Pallas. Athena bore the guilt of killing her close friend, it wouldn’t be a surprise if that had traumatized her to refuse emotional connection again in fear of losing it.

This would further give depth to My Goodbye. Her disappointment and anger would all be a mask for her fear. While not wanting to admit to herself that she HAD gotten attached to Odysseus, she did not want to see Odysseus get himself killed and feel the same pain as she had felt when she had killed Pallas. Moreover, she did not want to see him stray completely from her teachings, and by extension, from her. So she left him first, maintaining a facade of control, and this way, she would not have to see him doom himself. She’d just be running away from her problems.

Of course, avoiding your issues for 10 years wouldn’t work out. Acknowledging to herself that she had indeed liked Odysseus and missed him as a friend, leading to intense guilt about leaving him due to her own personal fears would eat her alive for the whole decade. It would be worse because if Odysseus had died during those 10 years, it would be because she had left him and Athena would have to grapple with the knowledge that she had killed yet another friend. If she realized in that decade her abandonment issues was the true reason she’d left him, Telemachus would just be gently nudging her in the direction she’d already known she had to go in.

Besides giving Athena more depth, the Pallas myth is also a great illustrator of Zeus’ motivation in God Games. He didn’t want to risk seeing her favorite daughter lose as that would indirectly bring shame on his name as well. Of course he would disregard Pallas’ life and Athena’s feelings to distract Pallas so Athena would win! It would perfectly fit with how he was unwilling to accept his loss in God Games, since it had hurt his name and pride. Plus, the Pallas myth could even have taught Athena that nothing mattered but your name and pride, further explaining her motivation in wanting to create “the greatest warrior”, and emotionally distancing herself from Odysseus who wanted to be friends, and later even leaving him.

Anyway thank you for coming to my ted talk

#epic the musical #epic athena #epic the wisdom saga #xria rambles #character analysis #pallas athena #pallas and athena

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short-wooloo · 1 year ago

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From Jediism to Judaism: Star Wars as Jewish Allegory, by Daniel Perez

A look at some of the Jewish elements – coincidental or otherwise – of Star Wars.

A long time ago in a place far, far away...

It is a period of civil war. A new government has declared the practice of the old faith a crime punishable by death, disbanding an ancient order of sages and sending many into exile. Rebel fighters, striking from a hidden base, have won their first major victory against the evil Empire, stirring a spirit of defiance among the populace. Outarmed and vastly outnumbered, the ragtag band of rebels – aided by an all-powerful, all-permeating Force that binds together all life in the universe – remain the only hope for restoring peace and freedom to their people.

It's one of the greatest epics known to mankind. No, not Star Wars. The above synopsis is actually the story of Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish festival that commemorates a miraculous victory of Israelite insurgents against the tyrannical Seleucid Empire roughly 2,200 years ago.

With Star Wars Episode VII set to premiere in just a few short weeks, I got to thinking about how certain aspects of the Star Wars universe are eerily similar to the history, beliefs, and teachings of the Jews. Now George Lucas did not set out to create a fantasy universe full of Jewish references, but the connections are nevertheless there. So let's put the “Han” back in Hanukkah (Harrison Ford, by the way, technically a member of the tribe) and look at some of the Jewish elements – coincidental or otherwise – of Star Wars.

A Galaxy of Hebrew Names

The heroes of the Star Wars series are members of a “rebel alliance,” basically Maccabees in outer space. It's right there in the name: Jedi. The Hebrew letter yud is often anglicized as a “J,” and syllables occasionally get dropped in translation. Hence, a Biblical name like “Yehoshua” makes its way into English as “Joshua.” It's not much of a stretch to see how “Jedi” can be derived the original Hebrew word for Jew, “Yehudi.”

Remember Luke Skywalker's Jedi rebbe, Grand Master Yoda? Is it just me, or is his peculiar syntax reminiscent of someone whose first language is Yiddish (“Yodish”)? More to the point, his name sounds a lot like “yada,” the Hebrew word meaning “to know.”

And how about those Skywalkers? Luke Skywalker might sound like a gentile name, but that name was clearly chosen to alliterate with his twin sister Leia (Leah). Also keep in mind that their parents were an interfaith couple. The father, Anakin Skywalker, played by the unmistakably un-Jewish Hayden Christensen, tried to convert to Jediism, but as we know he ultimately turned to the Dark Side instead. Their mother was Queen Amidala, portrayed by the beautiful and talented Israeli-born actress Natalie Portman. Suffice it to say their marriage did not end well, and it wasn't until much later in life that their children discovered their Jedi-ish identity.

Learning Academy

When an aspiring Jedi Knight goes to the Academy, he or she must complete what is essentially an apprenticeship with one more learned in Jediism than they are. Similarly, a future rabbi's yeshiva experience will consist largely of chavruta learning (studying with a partner – lit. “friendship”). Fun fact: The name for a young, unmarried yeshiva student, “bochur,” actually means “chosen” (as in “The Chosen People”). The idea of a foretold “Chosen One” who would “restore balance to the Force” was a theme running throughout the Star Wars films, wherein Anakin Skywalker was recognized for his extraordinary potential as a Jedi. As mentioned above, he went “off the derech” and became the villainous Darth Vader. In Return of the Jedi, however, Vader/Skywalker fulfills the “prophecy” when he does teshuvah (our term for repentance, which literally means “return.” Whoa. Return of the Jedi!), thwarting Emperor Palpatine to save his son's life, and ultimately, the galaxy.

Of course, if you tell a young rabbi-in-training that he is the “Chosen One,” it sounds cool and dramatic and is technically true, but then, the same can be said of all of his classmates.

While the Star Wars films don't feature Jedi trainees delving into sacred texts (it doesn't make for the most exciting movie montage), some of the greatest rabbinic books of ethics and Jewish philosophy would be right at home in any Jedi library. “Duties of the Heart,” “The Path of the Just”....tell me these don't sound like the reading list for a hero of the Light Side.

The Force

While Jediism isn't a theistic religion per se, its practitioners do teach of a Force that, in the words of Reb Obi-Wan Kenobi "...is what gives a Jedi his power. It's an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us; it binds the galaxy together." That almost sounds like some sort of Chasidic teaching – just replace “energy field” with “entity” or “consciousness,” and “created by,” with “that creates,” and what you have starts to come across less like new age hippie talk and more like an introduction to Kabbalah, Jewish mysticism.

One idea that devout Jews of all stripes share, is that God, the creative “Force” that sustains all, is the source of a Jew's power. “Ein od milvado,” there is none besides Him. The Jew expresses his or her connection to the universe by striving for an ever closer relationship with its Creator.

Another aspect of Jedi belief is the notion of balance, the idea that the Light Side and the Dark Side are both aspects of the same Force seeking equilibrium. The religions that branched off from Judaism tend to show the Creator and Satan, or “The Devil,” in an adversarial relationship, almost a sort of de facto dualistic theology with a God and an anti-God, if you will. Judaism maintains that the Satan (lit. “Accuser”) is the angel associated with temptation, and prosecution in the Heavenly Court. He's basically Slugworth to God's Willy Wonka. He's got a dirty job to do, but in the end, we're both serving the same Boss.

Judaism also teaches that the source of Light and Darkness are One and the same, as it says in the prayer book: “Blessed art Thou, Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who forms light and creates darkness, Who makes peace and creates all things.” The source for this line of liturgy can be found in the Hebrew Bible, Isaiah 45:7: “Who forms light and creates darkness, Who makes peace and creates evil; I am the Lord, Who makes all these.”

Incidentally, one of the traditional names for God – invoked particularly by the Jewish mystics – is HaMakom, literally “The Place.” The deeper idea conveyed by this name is that the Creator does not exist within the universe; the universe exists within Him. It sounds a lot like The Force. The key conceptual difference between the fictitious all-uniting Force of Star Wars and the Shechinah or “Divine Presence” is that the former is impersonal and passive, the latter is an omnipotent consciousness that actively intervenes in human history, speaking with Prophets and working miracles until this very day.

So if you see the new Star Wars movie, directed by Jeffrey Jacob Abrams (who couldn't sound more Jewish if his name was Saul Cohen or Herschel Rosenblatt), perhaps you'll be able to seek out and appreciate the surprisingly Jewish flavor of the Star Wars universe.

Happy Hanukkah, and may the Force be with you!

#wooloo-writes #wooloo writes #star wars #sw #jedi #jedi and judaism #judaism #✡️#article #chanukah #hanukkah #happy hanukkah #happy chanukah

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waquins · 2 months ago

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The friendship of Artemis, Athena and Persephone

Excerpts:

Diodorus Siculus: And both Athene and Artemis, the myth goes on to say, who had made the same choice of maidenhood as had Kore and were reared together with her, joined with her in gathering the flowers, and all of them together wove the robe for their father Zeus. And because of the time they had spent together and their intimacy they all loved this island above any other, and each one of them received for her portion a territory, Athene receiving hers in the region of Himera . . . Artemis received from the gods the island of Syrakouse (Syracuse) . . . Like the two goddesses whom we have mentioned Kore, we are told, received as her portion the meadows round about Enna; but a great fountain was made sacred to her in the territory of Syrakousa and given the name Kyane or ‘Azure Font’.

Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 145 (trans. Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) : “Pluto [Haides] asked from Jove [Zeus] that he give him in marriage Ceres’ [Demeter’s] daughter and his own. Jove said that Ceres would not permit her daughter to live in gloomy Tartarus, but bade him seize her as she was gathering flowers on Mount Etna, which is in Sicily. While Proserpina [Persephone] was gathering flowers with Venus [Aphrodite], Diana [Artemis], and Minerva [Athena], Pluto came in his four-horse chariot, and seized her. Afterwards Ceres [Demeter] obtained from Jove [Zeus] permission for her to stay half of the year with her, and half with Pluto [Haides].”

Valerius Flaccus, Argonautica 5. 344 (trans. Mozley) (Roman epic C1st A.D.) : “Proserpine [Persephone] in spring-time led the dance over Hymettus’ flowery ridges or beneath the cliffs of Sicily, on this side stepping close by Pallas [Athene], on that side hand in hand with her beloved Diana [Artemis], taller than they and surpassing her fellows, ere, she grew pale at the sight of Avernus [Pluto-Haides] and all her beauty fled.”

Homeric Hymn: Pallas who rouses battles and Artemis delighting in arrows: we were playing and gathering sweet flowers in our hands, soft crocuses mingled with irises and hyacinths, and rose-blooms and lilies, marvellous to see, and the narcissus which the wide earth caused to grow yellow as a crocus.

CLAUDIAN, Rape of Proserpina: Between the two [Artemis ands Athena] Ceres’ child [Persephone], now her mother’s pride, so soon to be her sorrow, treads the grass with equal pace, their equal, too, in stature and beauty; Pallas you might have thought her, had she carried a shield, Diana, if a javelin.

….Behind her hasten Diana, fair queen of Arcadian Lycaeus, and Pallas who, with her spear, protects the citadel of Athens – virgins both; Pallas, cruel goddess of war, Diana, bane of wild creatures. On her burnished helmet the Triton-born goddess wore a carved figure of Typhon, the upper part of his body lifeless, the lower limbs yet writhing, part dead, part quick. Her terrible spear, piercing the clouds as she brandished it, resembled a tree; only the Gorgon’s hissing neck she hid in the spread of her glittering cloak. But mild was Diana’s gaze and very like her brother looked she; Phoebus’ own one had thought her cheeks and eyes, her sex alone disclosed the diﬀerence. Her shining arms were bare, her straying locks fluttered in the gentle breeze, and the chord of her unstrung bow hung idle, her arrows slung behind her back. Her Cretan tunic, gathered with girdles twain, flows down to her knees, and on her waving dress Delos wanders and stretches surrounded by a golden sea.

Statius Thebaid: Just so might Pallas and Phoebus’ sterner sister glide down together from high heaven, terrible alike in armour and in looks, and with golden hair braided on their heads, bringing their maiden company, from Cynthus she and she from Aracynthus; they wouldst thou never learn by long gazing, even had thine eyes leave to gaze, which had the greater beauty, which the greater charm, or which had more of Jove, and were they but pleased to take each other’s dress, Pallas would beseem the quiver and Delia the crested helmet.

Statius, Achilleid 1. 824 ff : “Beneath the rocks of Aetna in Sicily Diana [Artemis] and bold Pallas [Athene] and the consort of the Elysian monarch [Proserpina-Persephone] shine forth among the Nymphae (Nymphs) of Enna. Already they begin to move, and the Ismenian pipe gives signal to the dancers; four times they beat the cymbals of Rhea, four times the maddening drums, four times they trace their manifold windings. Then together they raise and lower their wands, and complicate their steps, now in such fashion as the Curetes and devout Samothracians use, now turning to face each other in the Amazonian comb, now in the ring wherein the Delian sets the Laconian girls a- dancing, and whirls them shouting her praises into her own Amyclae.

#artemis #greek mythology #persephone #Athena #they are friends

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socialist-autist · 2 months ago

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Hiiii! I saw that you write for EPIC: the musical, and I'm here to request Telemachus x my OC

My OC's name is Zoe and she's blonde with blue eyes. She obviously uses she/her pronouns. She's a servant in the palace, but often wears cloaks and tunics, sometimes armor. She's highly intelligent and very stubborn. She acts cold, but that's only because she doesn't want to be hurt again. If you're rude to her, she will turn things into a fight and beat you to a pulp either with her fists or her words.

I was thinking for the story line, could you maybe do something like Antinous is trying to flirt with her, but he gets too handsy (Not smut, just like grabbing her wrist when she turns away) and she punches him? And Telemachus, her best friend, is furious when he finds out and goes to seek revenge? (He's had a huge crush on her since he met her and his protectiveness just explodes.)

Thank you!

My Prince.

@sloanslone

fandom: EPIC: the musical. pairing: Telemachus x oc (Zoe). summary: Zoe, a servant of the palace, gets harassed by Antinous and the suitors and Telemachus steps in to protect her. genre: best friends to lovers, confession, patching up wounds. warning(s): Antinous (so creepy behavior and sexual harassment), slight violence, slight swearing. word count: 2.2k. authors note: I hope you like this, anon! I tried my best. I had to take some liberties with certain details, really hope it doesn't ruin the immersiveness or anything. I feel like I could've gone into details more but I didn't want to make it too long. I hope you don't mind that I also posted this on AO3, if you want me to take it down send me an ask.

Zoe and Telemachus had practically grown up together. Having been born into a family of servants for the royal family of Ithaca, Zoe knew the palace inside and out. As children, Telemachus and her could often be seen running around through the halls, laughing without a care in the world while exploring the area.

Their fondness for eachother only grew as they did too. They both admired each other greatly; Telemachus had always looked up to the blond her for ability to fight, to stand up for herself and fight for a place in the world. Eventually, these feelings of admiration progressed into something more romantic for both of them, although neither thought it wise to say anything for fear of ruining their friendship. And so, life went on. They continued growing up with each other, supporting the other through every hardship they could, and getting closer. Despite both of their expectations and insistence on labelling their feelings as 'a silly crush', the romantic pull between them never went away. If anything, it got stronger. Eventually, Zoe turned of age and stepped into the employment of the Ithacan family. With this employment, she managed to put herself into training with some of the guards around the palace on occasions. He would deny this if ever asked, but Telemachus would often stare at these training sessions from a semi-hidden balcony, watching Zoe grow in strength and fighting ability. Purely for training observation purposes, to become a better fighter of course. Nevermind that he only watched the training sessions she was in.

Things got more complicated when the suitors had moved into the palace. They were abhorrent guests, rude and demanding. The worst of all was their ringleader, Antinous. He was downright violent and had taken on a terrible habit of harassing the female servants of the palace. Telemachus, deeply troubled with the suitors in general, became busier and busier. Still, he did his best to try and keep Zoe away from the suitors. He couldn't imagine them even setting their dirty, unworthy gazes upon her, much less them speaking or Gods forbid setting their hands on her. He was protective of the blond girl before too, certainly one of the motivating factors to his training session watches, but that protectiveness shot through the roof when the suitors settled in.

Despite his best efforts, the day eventually came when Zoe was accosted by one of the suitors, Antinous specifically. She had been walking down the halls, coming back from an errand for the kitchen, a cloak draped upon her to warm her more than the tunic could. Her blond her was done up intricately, a special style for the occasion of going into town. As the woman made her way towards the kitchen, she heard a deep voice call out to her. She turned around, coming face to face with Antinous, a smug smile on his face, "Where are you going, pretty thing?" he taunted, almost cooing. A disgusted expression flashed on Zoe's face, before her usually cold expression returned, "The kitchen" she replied simply. While she wasn't happy about the suitors behavior or rude attitude, he was a guest; a guest should be treated politely and with generosity. Antinous tutted slightly, "Why don't you come in and entertain us instead? A pretty face like yours is wasted on servant work" he hummed with a creepy smile, making a small gesture to the room the other suitors were in, watching them. The blue eyed woman in front of him simply huffed, "I have to a job to do, and I need to finish this errand for the kitchen anyways. Goodbye" she replied coldly, turning to continue on her way. In that moment, Antinous frowned, reaching out and grabbing her wrist hard, causing her to drop the basket of goods, "Aw come on sweetheart, don't b-" he was interrupted when a fist collided with his face. In dazed surprise, he let go of Zoe's wrist to hold his face, groaning softly.

When he lifted his hand, he looked up at the blond woman, grunting, "You bitch!" he almost growled, lunging for her. Unable to dodge in time, they both tumbled to the ground. Thinking quickly, the servant launched her head forward, hitting the suitor straight on his nose. As expected, Antinous responded with his own attack. This went on for a few minutes until the commotion drew in some guards, servants and the other suitors. While outmatched in pure physical strength, Zoe held up her weight properly in the fight, outsmarting her opponent instead and using his own physical strength against himself. The suitors, grabbed Eurylochus while the guards and servants grabbed Zoe, separating the two. After a few exchanges of insults, the woman grabbed her basket wordlessly and headed towards the kitchen. The suitor couldn't be taught a lesson or reasoned with anyways, her words and punches would've been wasted on him. Said suitor took her walking away as a personal insult, yelling after her before storming off with the other suitors.

"What happened?" was the first thing Telemachus managed to utter when he bumped into Zoe from her way out of the kitchen, on her way to clean herself up. She looked away slightly before explaining the situation, Antinous's creepy flirting, the punch, and the fight. Her hand rubbed her wrist, the place where the suitor grabbed her was starting to bruise. As she looked up at the young prince, she could've sworn she saw a flash of pure, white hot anger. However, if the look was indeed present, it was gone as soon as it appeared, replaced with pure worry. Only a few minutes later, the two were sitting out in the gardens with Telemachus patching up whatever bruises and scrapes Zoe had managed to accumulate during the fight. He held her hand softly as he carefully wrapped the bandage around the bruised wrist, "-and you really should stop picking fights, I mean, what if, what if he hurt you worse or the guards didn't come? Oh Gods this bruise doesn't look good, what if your cuts get infected-" he continued to rant in an almost panicked voice. While he was worried about all the injuries, he was also extremely flustered at being so close to the woman. Patching her injuries felt so intimate, he couldn't help it if his face was red and, yes maybe he was ranting about nothing out of anxiety. Zoe sighed, she loved hearing Telemachus speak and rant, in fact the worried spiel was cute, but this was getting excessive, "Telemachus" she cut in, causing the addressed to go silent, "I'm fine. I dealt with him, and I'll deal with him next time he tries something too." she reassured softly, offering a rare smile. In truth, she felt just as flustered as Telemachus at the caring treatment and touches, her face sporting a red hue the man believed to be from the fighting. The prince's heart skipped a beat at the smile, a flustered smile coming onto his own face, "Uh- Well, alright, if you say so" he smiled to himself, finishing up the bandages. A frown came onto his face however as the words sank in. Next time. Next time Antinous would look, talk and lay hands on her. He could feel anger rising within him at the mere idea. He decided right then and there that he wouldn't allow a next time to happen. He needed these suitors out of his house, or behaving a lot nicer, right now. The dark haired man put on a smile, standing up and ushering Zoe to do the same, "You go to your room and change into some clean clothes now. Rest too, you deserve it" he directed gently. The woman did as told, although frowning slightly. Sure, Telemachus was smiling but, he looked a bit strange. Something was off about his demeanor.

Telemachus made sure Zoe got to her room, his smile falling as soon as her door closed. Now that he knew she was safe and his worry could become a background thought, his anger jumped to the forefront. He could feel himself practically shaking from anger. Those disgusting, dirty men not only tried to get with her, they touched her. Made her fight. His legs moved on their own as he walked. He was gonna make sure they couldn't harass his mother or Zoe anymore. He looked at the door in front of him, the chatter of the suitors flowing through the thick wooden panels. The young man raised his hand and proceeded to bang on the door. The door slowly creaked open and the room fell silent. As soon as Antinous's face appeared, rage flooded Telemachus and he swung at him. The suitor in response, dodged easily and laughed, a mocking, insidious laugh, "Feisty this morning, Little Wolf!" he cooed. The prince swung again, and this time the other man barely avoided the hit, "What's got you so mad?" he teased. Did he seem faster than before? Telemachus looked back at the taller man, panting softly, "You laid your hands on my Z- Servant! I'm her to revenge her honor!" he gritted. His eyes were wide, his mind felt sharper. He felt faster, or perhaps his surroundings slower? This response earned him a hearty laugh from Antinous. For the first time, the prince dodged successfully when Antinous attacked him. With renewed confidence, he swung back, hitting the suitor on the head, "Oh why, you little..." said man grunted, launching towards the prince again.

Okay well, maybe Telemachus bit off more than he could chew. But still, this was a victory in his book. Not only did he manage to stand up to the suitors, he actually managed to fight back! Telemachus had gotten a couple punches and kicks in, almost as much as Antinous did on him! But he dodged even many more. This had never happened previously. Besides, amused by this new entertainment in the form of Telemachus fighting, promised to stay away from Zoe, and that's all that mattered. All of this justified all the bruises and sore injuries the prince gained during the fight, a proud expression and stance on him as he made his way down the hall. His father would be proud of him.

"What were you thinking?!" Zoe hissed as she pressed the wet cloth against a cut on Telemachus' face, who was looking down almost shamefully. His previous pride had been quickly swept away when the blond servant spotted him and started fussing over his injuries. In a slightly funny reversal of roles, Telemachus was now sitting in the garden, having his injuries patched up by Zoe who was chewing him out on the dangers of picking a fight with the suitors, "They outnumber you, they could've killed you-" "They wouldn't have killed me" the prince interjected, scoffing softly at the idea. The woman in front of him glared, shutting him up for a few minutes as she continued to chew him out, "Why? Why would you even do this?" she hissed again, her cold facade slipping. Her harsh tone as a sharp contrast to her soft hands, making the young man's heart race, "What do you mean why?" he asked, confused. The blond huffed, getting angrier, "I mean seriously, its so stupid! You got hurt, you could've gotten hurt so much worse!" she huffed. The prince blinked, frowning, "Its not stupid! I did it for you!" he replied, still swept up in his emotions.

As soon as he realized what he had said, Telemachus felt his face flush a deep red. Zoe froze, her own face matching the prince's in hue, "...What do you mean for me? I'm not worth you getting hurt so badly" she argued back, trying to carry on as she applied ointment to one of his scrapes, and not let the other know how flustered she was. He sputtered a bit, feeling angrier at the implication that the servant wasn't worth protecting, "Of course you're worth it! He- He laid his hands, his dirty, disgusting, hands on you- He- I mean the things he said!" the young man stuttered slightly, getting more worked up, "He should know you're mine!" the words slipped from his mouth unwillingly. Telemachus froze, his face now as red as it could get. Zoe, similarly, also looked red and froze as she looked at Telemachus. She'd never seen him so angry and it was all over her. Not only that, but it was because he felt that she was...his? The next minute, before she could respond, the prince launched into a nervous blabbering speech about how of course he didn't own Zoe, and he didn't mean to offend her and really he just misspoke- He was interrupted by a finger on his lips, shutting him up fully. He looked up at Zoe, her beautiful blue eyes calmer now. He swore he could get lost in them, "If you wanted to court me, you could have just asked. Like normal people do" she commented, trying her best to seem nonchalant. On the inside, she was practically screaming, worried she got the wrong message from the small slip up but beyond excited that her crush might be mutual. Telemachus, although barely managing to concealing it, was similarly screaming on the inside. He took a deep breath, nodding quickly, "Right, yes, of course. Uh-" he stumbled a bit, his brain hazy with the flustered feeling, "May I- May I court you, Zoe?" he asked, his voice notably softer. A small silence fell upon the young pair before the blond woman answered, another rare smile upon her lips,

"Yes."

#oneshot #epic the musical #telemachus #epic telemachus #epic fanfic #fanfic #fanfiction #telemachus x oc #x oc #oc insert #oc x canon #canon x oc

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