#and i also had a few with like three legendary weapons

[foxstens]

seriously have the seeds gotten better or am i just insanely lucky

[caprart1]

Hiii guys guess what? I made a Sephiroth x Reader reeeheeheehee don't we love that

Contents:

Sane Sephiroth (idc idc I need it)

Kissing hee hee!!

A LITTLE bit of angst?

Cuddling, because I just want to hold him tbh

This is also on ao3 but idk how to hyperlink so it's also here under the cut 👇 ok goodnight

Human (Sephiroth x GN Reader)

Sephiroth was strong, there was no question about that. The world revered him as the legendary warrior he was, a title he had rightfully earned as his name became synonymous with power. He was cold and merciless in nature, and swift and accurate in combat. Talk of him among SOLDIER often consisted of speculation that he was not even human, but rather an indestructible weapon specially created for war. At least, that was what the lower class SOLDIERs claimed; the ones who looked up to him and watched in awe as he trained day in and day out. As his close friend, however, you recognized him as a human, and humans are not indestructible.

It was normal for Sephiroth to spend most of his days training alone or with others, or hidden away when Shinra demanded his time. Still, he rarely appeared worn out. He always maintained his polished image and calculated persona. As a SOLDIER you found yourself impressed with him, admiring his consistent strength and elegance. Yet, with the privilege of your friendship, you were more aware than others of the slightest changes in his appearance and behaviors. Those keen observations had made you aware lately of how dark circles had begun to slowly appear under Sephiroth's piercing eyes.

Today you were with him to help him spar, per his request. He bested you each round, as you expected, but you had been at an even greater disadvantage since you were focused on those subtle dark circles. You knew how well Sephiroth cared for himself, so it was jarring to notice this imperfection. It was unlike him.

"You look... damn... a bit tired lately," you huffed out when you became winded after a while of sparring. Sephiroth sighed as he lowered his sword.

"I have been facing trouble sleeping at my usual hours, but I am fine nonetheless. Do you need a moment?"

"Yeah, just... just a minute."

The two of you put up your weapons and took a seat at one of the benches there. You spent a few moments catching your breath while Sephiroth sat beside you, arms crossed over his broad chest and leg crossed over the other as he waited. Your eyes squinted as you looked over him for a drop of sweat. It was slightly annoying how he never seemed even the tiniest bit exhausted after fighting, you always thought to yourself.

"So, has there been anything that is keeping you from sleeping?"

Sephiroth shook his head and clicked his tongue. "You're still focused on that? I am fine, truly. Worry about yourself. Perhaps if you spent more time on that, you would be a better SOLDIER."

"You're good enough for the both of us," you grumbled at his teasing. "Is there something coming up? It just seems like you've been training harder than usual recently."

"In three weeks, I will be leading a mission to Nibelheim to inspect a Mako reactor. It will be the first big mission for one of our newest First-Class SOLDIERs, so I must be prepared for anything that could go wrong."

"Nibelheim... that's a long journey. Aren't you worried you won't function well if you're not getting enough rest?"

Sephiroth paused before responding. "I'm more than capable of functioning under less-than-adequate circumstances. You shouldn't worry yourself over my being."

Sephiroth continued his vigorous training over the next few weeks, leaving little time for anything else aside when the Shinra scientists called for him. You could swear that his dark circles were growing more prominent by the day. At times, there were odd hours of the night that you strolled down the halls of Shinra, and for many of those you saw Sephiroth back in the training room. His energy seemed different during these nights; the way he moved was more ferocious, as if his body was overflowing with anger. Intimidated chills would run through your spine just watching as he sliced through simulated targets. It made you wonder what kinds of thoughts went through his mind, and why he was not sleeping as he normally would at that hour. You never lingered around long enough to express your concern to him however, finding it best to leave him alone.

The concern eventually grew into worry when one day Sephiroth had met with you for another sparring session. As collected as he always presented himself to be, today his mind seemed to be lost somewhere beyond consciousness. His words were short and he broke eye contact uncharistically early. Even his movements dragged a bit as he prepared himself to train with you, lacking his typical sophistication. You also did not fail to notice how his blinks had become slow and drawn out, like his eyelids had to fight to open.

There was something else upon further inspection. Was that puffiness around his eyes?

"Are you ready now?" You were broken out of your study of him when Sephiroth spoke to you, Masamune in hand.

"Hold on, I need to put on my armor."

He nodded as he set aside his weapon and turned away, finding a seat and crossing his arms over his chest. You shook your worry out of your head and attempted to shift your attention to equipping your gear. However, you kept looking back at Sephiroth and observing him quietly sitting, head looking down. Something about how quiet he was struck you as odd though. It was not until a minute had passed of him being still that you decided to walk over and check on him. Perhaps he was just being patient and enjoying the moment of relaxation, you thought.

You soon realized that was not the case, however, as Sephiroth made no sign of acknowledgement the closer you came towards him. He was always acutely aware of his surroundings, even off the battlefield. As you stepped in front of him, eyes on his slightly hung head, you noticed his shut eyes and lips that were parted just enough to release delicate breaths. His whole body, miraculously upright, swayed steadily in time with his breathing. You hesitated in place, unsure of what to do. Your gaze fixated on how sweetly his long eyelashes rested on his cheeks, begging you not to disturb him. Even relentless warriors were not impervious; Sephiroth, too, was a human who needed his rest. But the logic in you argued the consequences of leaving him, and so with bated breath you reached out and softly touched his shoulder.

"Sephiroth?" you said in a hushed voice, too quiet for untrained ears. You watched Sephiroth's body jolt in surprise, but as quick as he awoke he had composed himself as if to play off that he dozed at all.

"Have you prepared?" he asked as he rose from his seat, wasting no moment to address his dozing, and walked past you. You turned back and watched him, your eyebrows furrowed with concern.

As he reached out to retrieve his weapon, you stopped him with a hand over his arm.

"Seph."

Sephiroth stood in place, stilled by the rare shortening of his name, unmoving his arm from your grasp and eyes trailing away to an unknown plane. You studied his face for any signs of opposition to your interjection, and upon finding none you gently began to pull him.

To your amazement and relief, Sephiroth made no attempt to resist and allowed you to pull him out of the training room. The way was silent as you lead him through corridors and to his quarters, passing by the occasional SOLDIER. As soon as you entered and shut the door, you saw Sephiroth begin to remove his coat and shoulder armor like he had been waiting to. Your face flushed watching his upper body go bare and you averted your eyes out of decency. Although you both have seen each other on several particular nights, it was difficult to not feel sheepish looking at his nude figure when it looked as good as it did.

You heard the tumble of his boots against the floor and the rustling of bed sheets, and when you looked back to Sephiroth he had already crawled into his bedding. He sighed heavily as his head sank into his pillow, bringing one hand up to rub his weary eyes.

Feeling satisfied that he settled down, you readied to leave his room until your eyes landed on the lit lamp atop the nightstand beside his bed. Sparing him from turning it off himself, you walked over and reached to switch it off with a click. Glancing back at him one last time, you then again turned away to leave him to his deserved rest. At least, you attempted to leave.

You were stopped when Sephiroth murmured your name, and within an instant he had grabbed your wrist and pulled you down. The sudden action made you yelp as you lost balance and fell on top of him. With his other hand going to your lower back, you were pulled even lower until Sephiroth connected your lips together. It had transpired so quickly you could only stay shocked in place, but as your hand rested against his chest and his vibrant eyes fluttered shut you too melted into the moment. Soft lips moved languidly against yours and, pressing closer to deepen the kiss, you forgot why you had brought Sephiroth back to his room. You tilt your head and let his tongue greet yours enthusiastically, feeling his fingers dig into your back while you tangled one hand into his silky hair. Even while on edge of sleep, the arrogant bastard still found the energy to reel you in.

After a minute you broke away to catch your breath and gaze at Sephiroth. Despite your mouth now being free, you felt breathless looking down at him. His pale skin had become painted with the faintest shade of blush and his endless silver hair gathered around his head. If angels roamed the Planet, he would be living proof of it. At this close proximity, your skin ached to tenderly feel him and worship his being. You resisted, favoring to await for his next move.

Sephiroth's chest rose and fell slowly beneath you, unaffected by your weight over him. He moved his hand up to kindly touch your cheek, thumb gliding over the skin as you leaned into his palm.

"Stay," Sephiroth muttered. A soft command.

You eyes darted across his face in a daze as one half of your brain, now fogged with thoughts of Sephiroth, fought against the other half that brought him to his room in the first place. "Don't you need to sleep?"

He chuckled. "Don't get too excited. I will. I haven't been able to properly rest for some time now, but I believe having a comforting presence beside me might help change that."

Your heart raced at Sephiroth's request. This was the most vulnerable he was offering himself to be with you, and it made your soul grow warm in a way that paled any passionate moment you two had shared together. You nodded slowly and moved to slide under the blankets and join him. His arms opened, inviting you in, and you nestled yourself into his embrace comfortably. Your cheek pressed against his pectorals as his arms closed around you, securing you against his large frame. Sephiroth relaxed, releasing a sigh, and pressed his face into the top of your head, soft breathes tickling you. You wondered if you might overheat from the combined warmth of the blankets and Sephiroth's body against your clothed flesh. You did not dare move an inch, though.

Exhaustion dragged Sephiroth quickly into a deep slumber, but you remained awake in his arms. The steady beat of his heart in your ears, a reminder of the powerfully graceful man, was too loud for you to even think of drifting away. So you laid there, watching and letting him hold you close, as if you would ward off unseen evils. Funny that Sephiroth would need any protection. Sephiroth: the relentless First-Class who has never bled on the battlefield. He who could be mistaken as something other than human; a personal toy soldier for Shinra to use in their grand game. But he was human. After all...

Those silent tears that graced his sleeping face were the loudest expression of pain you had ever seen.

[sailtomarina]

Charlie and the Chomping Cabbages

Watching Charlie Weasley had never been so rewarding. He’d done you the favour of pulling off his shirt in the midday heat, sweat perfectly outlining every single one of his ridiculously toned muscles. Shoulders and chest broad enough to wrestle young dragons and abs you could bounce a roll of Galleons off of. The leather breeches he wore clung to his arse as he squatted down to inspect the garden.

“And you think a dragon did this?” He pointed at the long gouges in the earth marring the once perfect line of Chinese Chomping Cabbages. A fair few still remained, but more still had been ripped from their cradles and strewn across the plot.

“I don’t think; I know.” You raised a challenging brow. No matter how fit you thought him, you knew he was dead wrong in this matter. “I saw it happen.”

This time he fully stood up, both hands propped on his hips in a decidedly aggravated manner. “Why didn’t you just say so from the start?”

“I did,” you stressed, already near your boiling point from the sheer thickheadnesses of the Dragonologist. “And I quote, ‘That can’t be right. I need to see the scene first hand’.” 

He scowled at your impression. Perhaps dropping your voice to a comical low and waving your arms about wasn’t quite the best way to convince him. What he didn’t know was that you’d never have teased anyone you didn’t like in such a way. Your usual tendency was all straight backs and stiff collars.

“Well, I stand by what I said then. I see no reason why a dragon would attack your cabbages like this unprovoked.”

You pounced. “Aha! So you admit that, if provoked, a dragon very well might have dragged their stabby claws right through?” Only, instead of jumping in place like you meant to, your ankle rolled upon landing. “Ahh!”

Your arms flailed as you fought to stay upright, and Charlie threw his arms forward in an attempt to catch you. All of his mass amounted to nothing with your legendary clumsiness, and you both hit the dirt in an unceremonial thud that knocked the breath right out of you.

The loss of air could also be attributed to his body on top of yours.

“Ow.” He started to shift, then froze before he could fully lift his weight. “Don’t look to your left.”

You looked to your left.

A gigantic cabbage bared its teeth an arm’s length away from your face. How you’d tended your garden without noticing what could be an award-winning Brassica you’d have to consider later.

“Ch-Charlie? How is not looking at it going to help?” you whispered. Who were you kidding? It’s not like speaking quietly was going to save either one of you.

“Merlin, he’s huge,” the wizard muttered. You stifled an inappropriate joke. Difficult, given the way your smaller body fit against his.

You knew you only had precious seconds before the produce launched itself at you. Your magic wasn’t quite fast enough to cast anything particularly useful before those teeth ripped out your throat. You needed something hard, and fast.

Hard and expendable, so obviously not that.

“On the count of three, shove off,” you instructed Charlie, keeping a close eye on the twitching leaves. You felt him nod, the bristle of his cheek rubbing against your own.

Inner green leaves started to arch inward. “1.”

The outer layer flared open like a lizard’s crest. “2.”

Clenched teeth loosened. “3!”

Palms flat to the earth, Charlie pushed himself away in a surge of power, and you brought your far hand around in front of you.

The weapon: a stray carrot that had rolled against where you lay.

The attack: jamming said carrot straight into the jaws about to devour you.

An average-sized Chinese Chomping Cabbage can be slowed down by a larger-than-average root vegetable. This, however, was the largest specimen you’d ever seen, and your carrot was on the smaller end of the spectrum.

Beggars can’t be choosers.

Its sacrifice gave you just enough time to roll away and for Charlie to sweep you up and into his arms. The cantankerous comestible hesitated just long enough to snap straight through the carrot before rotating to follow.

By this point, Charlie had whipped out his wand, while his other arm held you close against him where he could keep you safe. Unfortunately, this meant that you couldn’t quite reach your own wand jammed below your armpit. With a series of slashes, Charlie attacked.

“Diffindo!”

The slicing spell would have sheared straight through a regular cabbage. This one? Only the top couple of layers peeled away, further enraging their attacker.

“Charlie! This isn’t your average dinner cabbage! You have to use something stronger!” You fought his hold so you could grab your own wand.

“I’m trying! It’s not like I’ve ever done this before!”

Your wand came loose from its holster just as the behemoth rolled towards you, teeth clacking the whole while. The two of you stood with arms extended, sending spell after spell at the monster that never seemed to shrink or slow.

You could stand your ground and be forever known as the first recorded humans on the Romanian Reserve to die by Chomping Cabbage, or you could run and henceforth be labelled as the tamer and researcher who fled an overgrown vegetable.

Decisions, decisions.

One that was made for you with the loud roar that filled the air, then a gush of wind that nearly knocked the two of you right back to the ground. A flash of red filled your vision.

“Norberta!” Charlie cried. 

The Norwegian Ridgeback couldn’t quite flatten the cabbage with one swat of her powerful talons, but she could follow it with a slash of her tail and a stream of fire. An overwhelming stench of burnt vegetation filled your nostrils.

“Ugh. So long cabbage rolls and salad,” Charlie said in disgust. He gently turned you to look up at him. “You alright?”

Sweaty and covered with dirt as you both were, sex should have been the last thing on your mind. You’d just escaped death. A deadly dragon continued to stomp through the remaining rows of cabbages. Your crops were a lost cause. But Charlie looked down at you and only you, the deep blue of his eyes drinking you in while he continued to cradle you close.

“I told you Noberta had it out for my cabbages.”

His jaw dropped at your words, and you laughed aloud. As if you’d let his hunkiness deter you from proving yourself right. Charlie threw his head back and laughed along with you, the fullness of it invading your chest and giving you the courage you’d lacked until this point.

Up went your hands into his wild auburn locks, threading fingers through the curls and tugging his lips down to yours. He jerked in surprise at the touch, then deepened the kiss with a tilt of his head and a swipe to the seam of your lips.

And that was the story of how you snagged Charlie Weasley, one you told time and time again over countless flagons of beer and fresh-from-the-oven cabbage rolls (minus the teeth).

WC 1203

Cross-posted to Facebook, Tumblr, & AO3.

Hump Day drabble written for the Weasleys, Witches, & Writers Facebook group.

Prompt: “I’ve never done this before.”

Okay, so I blasted past the 1k word limit. See what 2 weeks away from home does to me? (and coffee too late in the day)

I have an intense craving now for cabbage rolls, the likes of which my childhood friend’s mother used to serve up to us on a regular basis. I haven’t tasted that nostalgia in what feels like years.

Chinese Chomping Cabbage users unite! Who needs spells when you have carnivorous vegetables?

I almost forgot to note my infrequent use of 2nd person. I recently started playing with this following a pov workshop in one of my writing discords. Let me know what you think!

[badass-queer-couples-battle]

Sword gays showdown, round 2, bracket three

Propaganda:

For Xie Lian:

The BIGGEST nerd about swords and swordfighting and martial arts it's his special interest and he's incredibly good at it! He ascended to godhood because of his prowess. He can literally defeat people with powers in swordfighting at a time he has no powers of his own. Talks people's ears off about swordfighting and recommends what specific weapon is best for them. Definitely has sword related trauma for *reasons* and doesn't like actually using them to harm anymore, but that doesn't mean he's not still incredibly skilled at using them when he needs to. And he'll still gush over any sword you give him to look at ❤️. A great quote from the book is: The Flower-Crowned Martial God: Sword in one hand, flower in the other. [they] only remembered the flower, but had forgotten:  Xie Lian ascended because of his sword.

Xie Lian basically has a special interest in swords. He's literally so good at using swords that the only person on par with him was the Heavenly Emperor and that was when he was 17!!!! He is LITERALLY "The Flower Crowned Martial God, Sword in One Hand, Flower in the Other". He knows everything about every kind of sword and all the history of every sort of legendary sword. His husband gifts him a whole armory full of swords and he spends a few hours geeking out about it. He's so good at swords he came up with a special technique to absorb the blow from two other swords so that only he himself is harmed but the other two he's trying to get to stop fighting Aren't harmed, and it's so special that he's *recognized* by it even after centuries. He also got stabbed by a sword a hundred times in one night does that count. He REALLY loves swords and is SO good at swords. He's the sword boy.

He is so incredibly autistic about swords. The author descibes him as a sword otaku. He canonically had a massive collection of swords in his youth that he carted around everywhere and wore a different one each day so they would all be appreciated. His love interests most successful flirtation was showing him his armory and just letting him run around picking everything up and infodumping about swords for several hours. Also he could wreck anyone. AND he's gay.

For Ballister:

he could tell when his sword was switched out for a fake, graduated top of his class so we know he's a good fighter, also the scene where he's fighting is hot because he's so confident with a sword in his hand, also he's gay

A canonically gay, disabled, South Asian man takes down the government with his genderqueer shapeshifter sidekick/adopted daughter! He has a swordfight with his ex-boyfriend! in which he defeats about 20 knights singlehandedly! 

top of his knight class this man is a master swordsman

(Movie) He has used a sword since he broke into the Institutes training ground and ended up becoming a knight

He has very divorced vibes with Ambrosius and he uses a sword.

He's a legit knight! So, it's in the fine print.

According to the Nimona movie, Ballister here has been practicing the art of sword fighting since childhood to earn the trust of the city and he was SO CLOSE to becoming a knight. He's also definitely not dating another one of his knight mates (?). Nope. Not at all. This movie is super straight /s I think he also beats an entire army of knights with nothing but his sword and a chaotic good shapshifter so that's pretty cool. He's also south Asian, has a prosthetic arm he made himself and is honestly such a goofy guy (in a good way ofc) if that's anything.

[usafphantom2]

The AD-5N ‘Skyraider’ and Its Little-Known Nuclear Role in the Cold War

David Cenciotti

AD-5N

In late 1958, during heightened tensions in the Taiwan Strait, Skyraider pilots were prepped for nuclear strike missions. They spent tense hours at night, seated in their aircraft and ready for catapult launch with nuke bombs, before the mission was ultimately called off…

The Douglas A-1 Skyraider, also known as the “Spad,” was a legendary single-engine aircraft, as well as the last propeller U.S. Navy attack aircraft to disappear from the decks of the Navy’s aircraft carriers.

In late 1958, during heightened tensions in the Taiwan Strait, Skyraider pilots were prepped for nuclear strike missions. They spent tense hours at night, seated in their aircraft and ready for catapult launch with nuke bombs, before the mission was ultimately called off…Nuclear attack Skyraider

Renowned for its rugged design and long endurance, the Skyraider had an exceptional payload capacity: even when it carried its full internal fuel of 2,280 pounds, a 2,200-lb torpedo, two 2,000-lb bombs, 12,5 inch rockets, two 20 mm guns and 240 pounds of ammunition, the Skyraider was still under its maximum gross weight of 25,000 pounds.

Conceived during World War II, the Skyraider saw extensive service during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, excelling in close air support, search and rescue, and interdiction roles. However, its ability to carry a diverse array of munitions, including conventional bombs, rockets, and even torpedoes, made it a versatile platform.

AD-5N

Douglas AD-5N Skyraider of VA(AW)-33 Det.42 circa in 1958 (Image credit: U.S. Navy)

Among its variants, the AD-5N was a specialized version of the Skyraider, featuring a widened fuselage to accommodate a crew of four and advanced avionics for precision operations in challenging conditions.

Nuclear attack Skyraider

At the end of the 1950s, pilots of VA(AW)-33 flew AD-5N aircraft off the USS Essex, primarily training for nuclear strike missions. They specialized in low-level, long-range operations, using tech like the Bureau of Ordnance Atomic Rocket (BOAR) rocket and the Low Altitude Bombing System (LABS) bombing system.

Flying just 50 feet above water or skimming treetops on land, missions were top-secret, with each pilot assigned a unique target. Crews of three or four included electronics techs, practicing whenever budget allowed, both in the U.S. and Europe. Real missions were essentially one-way, though their rocket-powered weapon offered a slight survival edge.

The pilot’s side panel on the AD-5N aircraft. The LABS timer light can be seen on top of the panel on the right side and the NAV/LABS cross pointer instrument is also on the right side, about half way down. (Image via Stephen Miller)

Stephen Miller is a retired electrical engineer, lifelong aviator who spent some time as a Naval Aviator. After flight training, he was assigned to VA(AW)33 in Atlantic City, NJ, flying AD-5N. Here’s what he wrote to us about his time flying the low level long range nuclear weapon delivery mission with the Skyraider.

I joined the Navy right after graduating from Miami of Ohio with a BS in business and was just a few hours short of a commercial certificate at that time. After flight training, I was assigned to VA(AW)33 flying AD-5N in 1956.

In 1957-1958 various detachments consisting of four aircraft were assigned to their respective carriers and were involved in the attendant cruises from time to time. Ours was the USS ESSEX, CVA9. This was strictly during the cold war, between the Korean war and Vietnam.

Our primary mission was low level long range nuclear weapon delivery. This consisted of 50 ft over water and about 150 ft over land (treetop level). All navigation was done using pilotage/dead reckoning and was practised both here and in Europe. There were no radars at that time that could detect a low flying aircraft, due to ground clutter. Our long range cruise airspeed was 160 kts and we’d wait for the engine to sputter before switching back from an empty drop tank to the main. We typically used one or two crewmen to help with the navigation, the same guys (ET’s, Electronic Technicians) who maintained the equipment.

We also had a ground mapping radar, the APS-31, a pod-mounted wing unit.

In mid 1957 we attended a special weapons school in Norfolk VA which covered the operation of the weapon, the Bureau of Ordnance Atomic Rocket (BOAR) and the Low Altitude Bombing System (LABS). They had a working BOAR in the classroom, minus the warhead and we learned how to connect and use the test box to check it out. I was scheduled to make a test run to a simulated target with a live BOAR which had the 1000 lbs of HE (high explosive) used to detonate the nuclear core, but without the core installed. This was ultimately cancelled, but the exercise proceeded without employing the BOAR.

The delivery sequence worked as follows: The LABS contained a timer, accelerometer and a precise gyro heading reference. Just before reaching the IP (initial position for starting the final run toward the release point), the aircraft had to be at max speed (about 240 kts), full or “military” power, limited to five minutes, on heading and maintaining a stable treetop altitude, with the weapon armed.

Upon passing the IP a button on the stick was pressed and the timer would start for the 2-3 minute run. Simultaneously, the vertical nav indicator normally used for VOR/TACAN/ILS LOCALIZER was switched to provide the precise heading reference. At the same time a short panel light and headset tone were activated as well.

When the timer ran out, another short light/tone indicated the aircraft had reached the point to start the launch maneuver. The pilot would then pull and hold the trigger while pulling the nose up in a precise manner using the accelerometer. The horizontal nav indicator normally used for the ILS GLIDESLOPE would switch to this function and initially drop down; it was up to the pilot to raise the nose smoothly to bring the indicator to the center (horizontal) position. This would insure the right amount of “g’s” to produce the desired weapon trajectory upon release, which was automatic when the release attitude was reached.

The BOAR was blown away from the aircraft by the equivalent of four shotgun shells and had a pigtail attached to the airframe which would stretch out and then pull out of the back of the weapon, starting the rocket motor. This weapon had a top speed in the 400kt range and covered a distance of about 7.5 miles.

At this point the AD-5N was entering the initial entry into a loop but was too slow to make it over the top, requiring a wing over to end the maneuver, pickup speed and reverse direction. This was a modified version of a maneuver called a “half Cuban 8”, in this case known as the “idiot loop”.

For propeller driven aircraft the completion of the loop was only possible by a more capable airplane like the single seat AD6, for example. Use of a rocket powered weapon would allow the aircraft to escape the blast zone but the enormous shock wave would have unpredictable results. Some nuclear weapons were unpowered bombs, such that no escape from the blast was possible if delivered in this manner by a propeller driven aircraft. No one was expected back from these missions. Fortunately it never became necessary.

On a Mediterranean cruise during the 1957-58 period we did have a night drill to get a live BOAR ready for launch, but that’s as far as it went, at least for our squadron. At one point we were each assigned top secret targets following background checks for this purpose. These targets were planned and the charts supplied by some unknown source, at least to us, and the zig-zag routes highlighted as well. My best guess is this came from the Pentagon. They were kept in a locked safe with individual combinations. We were required to study our respective routes in our spare time and no one knew what anyone else’s target was. These were strictly visual day missions, though we would probably launch at night in time to reach the beach by daylight. We did have the advantage of radar assist, at least to pick out prominent features like lakes/rivers etc, as well as crewmen to help look for check points. The biggest problem we faced was the fact that the charts over enemy territory were known to contain errors. This only added to the difficulty of attempting to navigate using pilotage/dead reckoning at treetop level in the first place!

In late 1958 during the Quemoy/Matsu island crisis, we were in that area and a friend of mine was there as well with a Pacific fleet squadron flying AD6’s. He sat for two hours on a dark night in his aircraft, hooked up to the catapult, ready to launch with a nuke until they finally called it off. I doubt that this is widely known. That nuclear bomb was a Mark 7 unpowered device. It was a standard nuclear bomb of that time, the yield determined by the size of the nuclear core. A typical mid range core was 18-22 kilotons, about the same as the one dropped on Nagasaki.

Other Navy/Air Force squadrons flying various types of aircraft (primarily jets) had other delivery methods as well. This was our particular experience.

LTJG Miller (via Stephen Miller)

After his tour as a naval aviator Stephen spent a few years in aviation doing charter and flight instructor work flying all the usual single/multi engine aircraft, a stint with Mohawk Airlines flying Convair 240/440 aircraft and ultimately had his own business as an FBO.

I eventually left the aviation industry to pursue a degree in electrical engineering, though I continued flying part time, graduating from Umass Dartmouth in 1967. My career as an engineer subsequently encompassed working for a variety of employers in both design and management, commercial and military and for both large and small firms. My duties often included serving as company pilot as well. One such firm was an autopilot manufacturer which introduced me to that particular industry as well.

In later life I spent some time with the CAP, but now at age 90 I haven’t been current for about 20 years. Hopefully, the information I’ve submitted will be of some historical value to those interested in the Cold War period of the 1950s.

@The Aviationist.com

[nerdieforpedro]

Sard'ika Sessions

Session Four

Din Djarin x plus size female reader

Fanfiction 18+

Sard'ika Sessions Masterlist / Main Masterlist / Din Djarin/The Mandalorian Masterlist

Word Count: approx 2.9k

Summary: The anticipation is high before the fourth session starts and communication is key. You're eager that another session begins soon and so is Din. It turns out he's even built something for this session. A promise is made between the two of you, intertwining your passions further.

Warnings: Angst! (because I'm mean sometimes), beskar kink (at this point - it is), thigh riding, restraints, non-canon Mandalorian lore, Din being a soft Dom, HANDS, fingering, edging, aftercare

Notes: I tried something a little different in this chapter and created a sub-culture within Mandalorian culture to have some freak in them. They're an entire clan of people who use and worship weapons. I'd be more surprised if no one ever thought "Hey, can you put that in there?" Since humans have been asking that since the dawn of time. Two more weeks Space Buddies! 🖤 Also I didn't have this one beta read but I did run some ideas by @legendary-pink-dotand she helped me sort things out.

The two of you had worked out that you’d have forty-eight hours together in a week.. The Mandalorian took a bail jumper bounty in the meantime while you continued to work at the guild, counting down the hours. Day one through three wasn’t bad, you were still in the afterglow of the last session. Despite the mishap that occurred during your last encounter with your Mandalorian, he was not only coming back to see you, but has guaranteed forty eight hours of his undivided attention.

Day two through seven was worse because you knew the following you’d have him to yourself - a warrior feared in multiple star systems. It made you a bit more giddy than normal and your co-workers took notice, not that they hadn’t picked up on subtle changes. A steady confidence in dealing with different hunters that usually would push your buttons more easily followed by swift exits to your home. They teased you about a lover which you denied harshly because it was an agreement between your Mandalorian and yourself. 

With Din as he had told you to call him.

Day four had been especially difficult because he came to claim his reward for the bail jumper and mentioned needing to speak to you outside when you were on your break. After exchanging his credits and going outside to secure the jumper who was on carbonate, you told your colleagues that you were going to take a short respite. No more than ten minutes. That wasn’t unusual, so you went around the side of the guild where Din leaned against the wall. Your steps were slow toward him, really you felt like running but didn’t want to kick up a suspicious amount of dust you’d have to get off your uniform later. Your Mandalorian nodded in your direction and turned to face during your approach and reached out both of his hands, holding them when you stood before him. 

“You wanted to talk?” You asked, you wanted to use his given name, but felt that except when you two were alone and without the possibility of eavesdroppers, it should not be used. His thumbs stroked the back of your hands, pressing into them slightly and he kept shifting his weight between his feet. Normally, he was steady and still. Was he nervous? About what?

“Sard’ika, a few things. I will need access to your home. I was able to customize something we can use to benefit us both. The final setup will need to take place in your home, preferably when you are at work to not spoil the surprise on the day before we are to have our fourty-eight hours together. Is this alright?” He questioned softly, he realized that he was making an odd request, but he believed what he said to be the truth and he did have a promise to keep. Din did not want a repeat of what happened during their last session. He told her that he would prepare her and that’s what he planned to do. He heard you chuckle, 

“That’s fine Din. I’m looking forward to it. I-” Din studied your face, ‘she’s thinking about something again will she tell me?’ His mind starts to run through appropriate responses but then he remembers you haven’t finished your thought. 

“Yes Sard’ika?” He held your hands a little tighter, not squeezing them, just firm to let you know it’s okay to tell him whatever it is. You look directly at his visor, when you do that, he feels like you’re looking at him and seeing him. The Mandalorian is rationally aware that it’s impossible, but feelings are telling him something entirely different. 

“Din. I know our last sessions had its issues, but I want you to know and remember that I trust you. I take it whatever you’re going to set up I shouldn’t peek at until it’s ready?” You suggested and he nodded, “I just,” you step closer to him, almost chest to chest. You want to press yourself against his beskar but resist the urge. You’re outside and need to go back to work. “I’m glad you came back and are willing to continue our sessions.” You pause, unsure if you want to voice it. 

Din releases your hands and places them on your shoulders, touching his helmet to your forehead as he’s done many times now. He infers what you mean and understands the hesitation. The two of you have become someone more than just session partners but haven’t discussed what any of it may mean, especially after the last session where it likely would have been easy to leave. He knew he couldn’t though, he needed to draw you close and ensure he hadn’t hurt you. Beyond that, he envisioned you writhing with pleasure from him, from what he was able to strum from your body. There were times he thought of you aboard the Razor Crest, holding Grogu as the three of you traveled to parts of the galaxy known. But he felt it was much too soon for those types of conversations. The Mandalorian still felt he needed to convince you that he wasn’t going to seek his carnal pleasures elsewhere.

“Sard’ika. I would not have left you and especially now, I want you to experience losing yourself. I will not betray your trust. Take care during your shift.” He stood back to his full height, tears formed in your eyes and you sniffled. Closing your eyes enabled you to hold back the waterworks to wave goodbye before returning to work completely unfocused. Din watched as you walked away, determined to have you reach an exalted state. 

Day seven came and you went to work like normal, but when you came home, Din was there. He greeted you at your door and ushered you in. It was perplexing, you knew he was going to be there but it was still a surprise for it to actually happen. After removing your shoes and getting something to drink, you headed into your bedroom and saw some large piece of equipment in the middle of the room. It was covered by a large black sheet, as tempting as it was to peek, you promised you wouldn’t so you refrained and showered. Din ate when he heard the water in the refresher, he had eaten lunch when he arrived and put the equipment together but it was dinnertime and his stomach growled. He made the mistake of entering your bedroom to grab one of the toy bags that he was going to double check, but saw you naked body from the back, standing in front of the dresser getting a gown out he assumed to put on. You looked back at him, and turned to face him. You did not cover yourself and walked toward the middle of the room. Din held his hand up to indicate it wasn’t time yet. He was a stickler for staying on time. 

The session began that evening right at midnight with Din sitting on the edge of the bed similar to your first time and your thighs spread over his beskar. The contrast of your warm flesh and cool metal combined with the friction as he moved his right knee up and down to have you bounce against it. Work yourself into a sopping frenzy, gripping his shoulder pauldrons to rock yourself. It was when the rough fabric of Din’s gloves circles your clit that you screamed his name, pressing yourself against his chestplate. His large hand was in the middle of your back, steadying you as the climax washed over you. Once, you had settled you went to move off his thigh and he continued to hold you close. 

“Not yet Sard’ika. I’m going to have you sit elsewhere.” He then allowed you to sit on the bed as he stood and took a few steps toward the appliance in the middle of the room. It was quite large and you don’t know if he had put it together here or maybe he did some finishing touches before bringing it in. Pulling the black sheet off, he folded it and retrieved a bag of toys before returning to it and extending his hand to signal to step over to him.

Its size is what shocked you first. It looked like a basic chair except wide you thought to accommodate her hips, but it was tipped back slightly with stirrups at the top and bottom? Were the things at the top stirrups? There were leather buckles though so maybe not. It looked like there were two different levers near the bottom and two gears in the base of the chair that she could see. “Din, what is it exactly?” You asked, genuinely confused, you still stepped forward and took his hand.

Your reaction wasn’t unexpected, most are unaware of what the modified device was used for. Originally, it was built to extract information from enemies of Mandalore but as with most discoveries, a second purpose was found. Turns out, depending on the inclinations of the being in the chair, it would be used to bring pleasure. As Mandalorians focused more on their weapons and arms, such devices fell by the wayside but in Din’s travels he had come to know some clans of Mandalorians who used such devices between paramours and riduurs. He reasoned that he could use this to have you focus so set sensations while better pinpointing what your spots were. “Meshla, you do trust me do you not?” Your nod serves as confirmation as he sat you down, holding your hands as he did earlier that day.

“I will restrain and stretch you a bit, but it won’t be painful. Just a bit uncomfortable. The goal is to identify more of your pleasurable centers so I can utilize them before entering you.” The explanation was reasonable and at this point, you were a bit curious to see what he’d be able to do with contraption. Din had you move your butt all the way back into the curve of the chair and the lean back, raising your arms back and over your head, He secured them snuggly into the leather bands, he was able to fit one finger in between your skin and the leather so as to not chafe you. His visor settled on your breasts, rising and falling with your chest, he then looked at your face and hummed as he does when he’s pleased. Your face is watching him, curious but not anxious as you had been. For this is grateful, he doesn’t want to frighten you. Pulling up your plush stuffed chair, he sat in front of you watching as your nipples hardened under his gaze, waiting for him to do something, but he is stoic.

The silence tells him that you do trust him after all. 

He lifts your left leg and sets it on the flat metal bar that extends to the stirrups where the heel of your foot goes. He leaves your right leg slack, removes his gloves and traces the curve of your face, continuing to watch your body react. Aware of the effect of his hands on your skin, his hands move to your breasts and he supports their weight. Thumbs circle your tender nipples earning a soft moan from you before one hand palms your stomach, having you wiggle your hips slightly. 

“Sard’ika, be as loud as you like. It’s only the two of us in here.” He spied a small pool of arousal in the base of the chair and was pleased. Swiping two fingers down, pressing them into your skin before arriving at your inner thigh and cupping your cunt, not inserting any of his fingers. Just letting your slick coat his hand and his second one left your breast, cupping your face to have his visor face you. “Say my name Meshla.” Two fingers plunged into your dripping hole with little resistance. 

“Din! Yes, please…more Din.” A small nod after your plea was rewarded with slow pumps inside of you, your hips kept still at first, but then started rolling with his fingers, using both the restraints and your one foot that he decided not to bind. Din’s hands teased both your breast and core, adding a third finger to stretch you, testing for your reaction. You groaned slightly, but continued to ride his fingers, “Maker they’re so thick, Din-Din-Din…” You began repeating his name over and over, twisting your body to find a deeper angle, but your Mandalorian curled his fingers within you and you stopped for a moment at the new sensation. He scanned your face, looking for any discomfort and when he didn’t see any, moved them even faster and coupled it with pressing his thumb to your small bundle of nerves circling it. Screaming his name, you rode his fingers slowly, stopping when the waves stopped, your head hung temporally before he tilted up.

“Perfect Sard’ika. I could continue to watch you use my hands for hours.” A deep chuckle leaves his helmet and both sets of your lips quiver, he didn’t remove his fingers so he spreads them out as much as your walls will allow which isn’t very far. 

“Din, I can’t just have your fingers alone. I need more.” 

“I have a request then. While we continue to have our sessions, let no other touch you like this.” A thumb grazes your sensitive clit and you hiss. “They will not see the expressions, hear the carnal melodies of your body,” Din pressed his helmet to your forehead as his fingers started moving slowly again, “feel the soft flesh that forms around me, enveloping me, nor shall they know what glorious whimpers you possess.” Your hands form fists as you long to press yourself against his beskar, sit yourself in his lap as you had before and be closer to him. The restraints which hadn’t bothered you were a sudden hindrance, the squeals of pleasure he was pulling from your sensitive cunt mixed with his deep tone had you on the verge of your second orgasm, but he stopped.

“Din, why, Maker why?!” You yelled in frustration, he tilted his helmet and you huffed, aware he was edging you even more.

“Sard’ika tell me you understand? Do you agree? You may try to ride my fingers, but the result will not be the same.” The smirk was evident from his voice just to spite him, you tried to ride his fingers and he kept them still, painfully still to where you stopped after a few flicks of your hips.

“Din, you’re…I understand and agree. There’s no one else. The same goes for you as well, correct?” Your eyes trained on his visor as he remained silent. Then, he pulled his fingers out until only the tips were left.

“You would be correct Cyar’ika. No one else gives me any desire to attempt such things. I wonder if I’ve gone mad at times.” A quick thrust upward makes your back curve from suddenly being filled again by him, the warmth scratching the pulsing itch inside of you. “And even more worrying is that I am fine being mad if it means I can be the only one who sees you like this and the only one who hears. No others for me as well.” Din speaks your name softly in contrast with how roughly his fingers are writhing within you, he doesn’t say your name often but when he does sends a spark down your spine and a second orgasm washes over you more intensely than the first. Your eyes flutter this time around and your body more slack.

Din stands and releases your wrists and ankle, revealing slight marks on your wrists but nothing that should last more than a few days. Your body felt like jelly, barely staying on the chair. Din felt you slump and supported your torso with one arm and slipped another arm under your legs, carrying you over to the bed and setting you down. Your arms reached weakly for him, barely reaching his shoulders. “Relax Sard’ika. You need to rest before we continue. We’ve got plenty of time, this is just the first day.” Allowing your arms to drop back to the bed, you relaxed and Din covered you with blankets, pulling them up to your neck. 

The Mandalorian retrieved some towels to clean the chair and sat at the edge of the bed, watching your sleeping form. He then makes his way to your kitchen and removes his helmet, making himself some soup and eating some leftover food from your fridge. Din made sure to keep an eye on your bedroom door. He closed it when he left you sleeping, but remained vigilant in case you woke up. Upon finishing his meal, he washed the dishes and tried them, putting them back and returned his helmet to its proper place over his head. Din spread himself across your couch and looked up at the ceiling. How much further was he willing to take this? How far did he want to take these sessions? She would ask eventually to see more of him, to know more of him. What was he willing to reveal to her and how long would this continue?

Questions that swirled around in Din’s mind before his eyes closed to rest.

Previous: Session Three

Next: Session Five

Space Buddies tag list: @rhoorl @for-a-longlongtime @trulybetty @ramblers-lets-get-ramblin @maggiemayhemnj @missladym1981 @angelofsmalldeath-codeine @morallyinept @sherala007 @yorksgirl @beabliss-deactivated20231205 @daddy-dins-girl @mandoisapunk @saturn-rings-writes @magpiepills @mrsmando @djarins-cyare @goodwithcheese @fhatbhabie @beefrobeefcal @sp00kymulderr @laurfilijames @secretelephanttattoo @megamindsecretlair @mysterious-moonstruck-musings @anoverwhelmingdin @theincredibleinkspitter

[soleminisanction]

I kinda joked about this a few weeks ago, but the more I think about it, the more convinced I become that the Bad Kids are Pathfinder 2e characters trapped in a Dungeons & Dragons 5e world.

Gonna start with Riz here because he's the one who put the idea in my head in the first place. Riz Gukgak and his parents are clearly closer in concept and design to the green, sneaky, tech-and-fire loving Pathfinder Goblins than they are the yellow, burly mobs of the official D&D goblins. (This is probably because most of the art you find when you google "Dungeons & Dragons goblins" is actually of Pathfinder goblins.) Riz also uses guns, weapons which are uncommon but well-established in Pathfinder, but barely exist at all in D&D.

Most importantly, Riz is fundamentally an Investigator, which exists as its own class in Pathfinder but not in D&D. You know what other classes D&D doesn't have? Oracle and Swashbuckler. The former of which is mechanically way closer to the way Brennan already plays Adaine's oracle powers narratively (and has its own built-in narrative hook to play with, a curse), while the latter has entire fighting styles built around dance and makes you a more effective fighter the more you show off.

For Gorgug you have to dig a little into the gritty details, because Barbarian is a class shared by both systems, but the big one is that unlike D&D, Pathfinder has actual technology rules. Non-magical technology rules, so taking on the Artificer equivalent, the Inventor, as an archetype wouldn't have had that particular synergy problem. There's also a feat, Adopted Ancestry, that would give him mechanical access to culture-based gnome feats to reflect his upbringing with his adopted parents.

Similarly, with Fig, Bards exist in both games (Warlocks don't, but multiclassing into Hexblade is mechanically similar to taking the Magus archetype) but you know what doesn't, RAW? Tieflings that are also elves, because of how D&D's races work. In Pathfinder, however, the tiefling equivalent (nephilim, specifically hellspawn) are a versatile heritage, a secondary template that can be applied to any ancestry, so "elf hellspawn nephilim" is legal RAW. And it's something where you can choose how much of that heritage is expressed in your character's appearance so, again, the mechanics line up better with the narrative re: it only being something she learned about later in life.

Finally, you've got Kristen, who is, on paper, the one who fits comfortably in either game -- a human cleric. But I will attest that, given what she's capable of, she's not just a human cleric. Given the shit Kristen has pulled off over the last three seasons, I maintain that she would be best represented by, at bare minimum, taking the archetype for the upcoming Exemplar class (playtested last year and releasing officially in War of the Immortals, Oct 2024), the only rare class in Pathfinder 2e because they're meant to be literal, actual demi-gods, legendary heroes on the same level as Hercules, Gilgamesh, Cú Chulainn and Maui. It's a class designed to essentially break the game in select ways to make the players feel awesome (hence why it's rare, so GMs can restrict access if they choose), and well. Tell me that doesn't sound like Kristen Applebees.

So yeah, there's the rational behind my crack theory that makes way too much sense: the Bad Kids are Pathfinder characters. Or growing up to be Pathfinder characters. Something like that.

[blossombriefs]

Legendary | Chapter Seven

The ship transcended towards the bright green planet of Namek. Broly and I peered out of the ship's viewport to marvel at the serene beauty the planet below had to offer. We spotted fields, lovely small villages and civilisations. We could see Namekian children and adults living in harmony as they frolicked in the fields or tended to their growing crops. We also spotted various training grounds, seeing strong warriors train with weapons and even their brute strength. Broly let out an impressed chuckle, taking in what he could see from above. The ship gradually touched down on some uninhabited grassy plains, I felt a wave of tranquillity sweep over me as I quickly undid my seatbelt. Broly followed my lead and undid his too, both of us heading straight for the door in our casual attire. My mind raced with wonder. The mystery of the distress signal was engulfing my mind. What could the problem be on such a peaceful planet? Who could have summoned us both here?

Broly stayed close to my side as we hopped off the ship together and onto the rich soil, I quickly looked around the terrain and took everything in that I could see. "Three suns. Isn't that different, it must never get dark here Broly."

There was no response to what I had said. I turned around slowly to catch his reaction, feeling a rush at what I could see. I could see Broly breathing heavily, his eyes darting around frantically as he started to back himself towards the ship. I could sense he was uneasy so I rushed to him. He sat back on the grass, looking up at the lime-coloured sky momentarily as I crouched down to his level. "Hey, it's okay! Just a little bit of a culture shock, you'll be fine."

I looked at him reassuringly, catching a glimmer in his eye as I sat my hand on his shoulder. He flinched a little at my touch, seeming a little unsure as I allowed myself to sit down at his side. he hummed to himself, a way to settle his nerves. I whispered to him gently, "I've never been on this planet either,"

I noticed a smile creep across his lips as he looked across at me. A question on his mind, "Do you ever feel like this? When you visit a new planet?"

"Not really," I confessed honestly, keeping my gaze fixed on his. "I don't even think about it. Maybe it's the soldier in me still in there. I can see it's a little too much for you. I promise it'll be okay once we settle your nerves."

"Yeah," he replies with a nod of the head. "I think I was on Vampa from when I was a kid, it's all I can remember. I don't remember what it was like back home. It's hard. I would've stayed on Vampa if you hadn't told me to run."

I nodded with sympathy, understanding how heavy his words were. "I understand. I don't remember anything before the Frieza Force. I'd love to remember where home was. You aren't alone. You have me now Broly, okay?"

I felt his tense shoulders relax under my grip as he took in everything I had said. He smiled a little wider, his face lit up as it graced his features, "Thank you, Flora, I'm thankful I have you."

As we wrapped up our heartfelt moment I remembered the purpose of our appearance on Namek had slipped my mind for just a few moments. I kept my hand on his shoulder, the feeling of familiarity reappeared with him like it did every now and then over the past several days. Every time I looked at him, I was overcome by a feeling I had never felt before. It made me feel uncomfortably warm and fuzzy inside. I... cared about this man? I cared about his feelings. I was putting my own life on the line right now to keep him safe. It was a strange feeling but set out to prove my development.

"Welcome travellers," a deep voice suddenly resonated from behind us. I jumped a little as I was caught off guard, clutching Broly's arm tighter as my head snapped around. My eyes widened as they were set on an incredibly large Namekian figure. His stature towered over Broly and I, his body draped in beautiful traditional fabric. His age was reflected in the wrinkly, wide lines etched across his dark green face. He looked like a leader, based on the congregation of followers that stood behind him with welcoming smiles. This must be the planet's Grand Elder, the highest-serving authority figure the planet has to offer. His voice echoed that of wisdom and leadership. Broly and I leapt to our feet to bow before him as a sign of respect, he wasted no time to introduce himself. "I am Grand Elder Guru, it is an honour to welcome you to our humble planet of Namek."

Broly and I exchanged glances, surprised by the Grand Elder's sudden appearance. We greeted him respectfully as we slowly inclined our heads, "Grand Elder Guru, the pleasure is ours. We received a distress signal on our ship when we were nearby. Could I ask if everything is alright?"

The Grand Elder's expression grew sombre as he regarded us both, "I'm afraid not, young one. The distress signal did originate from me after a meeting with my council. I have foreseen a great danger looming over Namek. Visions of my warriors being easily disposed of, villages being burned, the planet at great risk."

Broly's eyes widened, and his muscles tensed at the mention of danger. He spoke up with concern in his tone, "What kind of danger, Grand Elder?"

"A threat from beyond the stars," The Grand Elder's response was explained gravely. "Dark forces seek to exploit our planet's Dragon Balls for nefarious purposes. I fear an attack is imminent." 

I felt a shiver race down my spine as I listened to his words, trying to process the severity of the situation. The Dragon Balls were divine objects that carried an immense power, something of a tempting target for those with evil intentions. I was surprised to hear that they existed and that Namek was their home. I had heard whispers of their existence amongst the soldiers on Frieza's ship. Frieza was one of those who sought after them. Many soldiers discussed double-crossing him, I would never see them again after that. They could grant any wish the user's heart desired. I remember hearing people who dreamt of using them for eternal life, bringing loved ones back from the dead and even the wishes of millions of Zeni, making them rich beyond their wildest dreams. "I thought the Dragon Balls were an old wives tale, just a story?"

He shook his head slowly at my question, "Far from it. There are seven scattered throughout our land. We cannot allow them to fall into the wrong hands."

I nodded reassuringly to myself, a burning determination took over my brain as I started to assess the situation and think it through. There was a moment of silence as I attempted to weigh up the pros and cons. Was this really worth the risk? If Namek's entire army could be wiped out according to the vision we were dealing with an unfathomable enemy. Would we be rewarded for such a job? Before I could utter another word, Broly stepped forward in my place and nodded. "We would be happy to help, Grand Elder. We'll do everything in our power to protect your planet and your people."

The Grand Elder nodded to Broly, turning to face you next. You were touched by Broly's strive to help. "Your resolve is admirable young ones. You will both be welcomed as allies of Namek. Come, we shall provide you with a place to stay while we prepare for the impending threat."

With my newfound sense of purpose, Broly and I followed Grand Elder Guru, knowing that the fate of Namek would rest on our shoulders. We walked alongside each other, I couldn't help but feel grateful that he was the one joining me in this battle that we would come to face. Together, we would tackle whatever evil came our way, and both of us were equally prepared to do whatever it took to protect Namek and its people. 

Next Chapter Chapter List

[nintendoduo]

Playing the Super Nintendo's Forgotten Home-Made RPGs of the '90s (Part 3)

The Super Nintendo is home to classic role-playing games like Chrono Trigger by Square, Breath of Fire by Capcom, and Kitten Quest Part 2: Legends - Chapter 1 by a random, most likely underage internet person who had a Sailor Moon Geocities website in 1999. That last one is one of the many games made in the SNES version of RPG Maker 2 and posted to the internet in the late '90s, only a few of which survive, for better or worse. Here's our look at three more of those games, freshly excavated from the ruins of the old web.

Note: These games can be downloaded at archive.org or rmarchiv.de (or archive.org’s archived version of rmarchiv.de, if it goes offline again).

Note 2: Check out Part 1 and Part 2 of this historic article series (also readable on Dreamwidth, as is this one, if Tumblr is acting up or you just don't like it).

"Dragon Saga" by AegisKnight (05-25-1998)

Original description: A young knight sets out on a journey to save the world from the Dargonlord Phalanx.

If you're the type of gamer who likes standing in front of book shelves and pressing A, this game will be hugely rewarding to you (and only you). You play as an armor-wearing dude named Chris who owns a shelf containing books with titles like "HOW TO BECOME A KNIGHT" and "HOW TO SAVE THE WORLD." Chris sounds like a dork.

As soon as you step out of Chris' room, a royal messenger tells you the king wants to talk to you ASAP and gives you some cash to get you "ready" for the meeting. Is it the king's birthday? Are you supposed to buy him a present? You decide to buy nothing and pocket the money.

Note that if you stand by the exit to Chris' room for too long, you'll be accosted by a lady who says "I love books!" and then just stays there, blocking your way and trapping you in this small area of the game forever. Presumably she's waiting for Chris to starve to death so she can steal his dorky books. The only way to avoid this book-loving maniac is going back to the room and exiting as fast as possible.

But this game isn't just about books. No, it's also about magazines. To the left of this area, there's a series of shelves holding issues of mags like Nintendo Power, Electronic Gaming Monthly, Playboy (which the protagonist seems excited to see), and that '90s classic, This is Only the Beta Version, Full Soon to Come.

(Alas, no links to erotic fan fiction this time.)

Before departing for the king's castle, you can talk to the charming local children who live in this residential building/public library/weapons store. One wishes he could join your quest and tells you "your lucky," while another informs you that he has peed himself. This game has the most realistic little kid dialogue in all of gaming.

So, you travel to the castle, fighting the packs of bats that roam the countryside (and likely wetting your own pants at least a little bit, because "packs of bats roaming the countryside" sounds terrifying). At last, you enter the castle and head straight for the king. And by "straight" we mean "after checking all 14 book shelves in here." Unfortunately, they all have the same book, the poetically titled You Find Nothing.

As you explore the castle, you run across a guy in a robe who says he's an amateur magician and asks if you "want to see?" If you say yes, he flashes you. As in, he makes the screen flash.

(Can't guarantee that he didn't flash you anything else while the screen was all white, though.)

Another fun thing to do in the castle is touching the fire in the stove, which causes Chris to say "Ouch!" The level of realism in this game can be frightening sometimes. You can also talk to the guards, who, unlike in previous games, have different dialogue! Well, sort of.

Oh, and you can talk to the king too, we guess. He says he asked you to come here because you are "the one," "the legendary knight," and as such it's your job to "destroy the Dragonlord Phalanx." Most RPG protagonists would react to information like that by going "say whaaaaaaa." Chris is a bit more nonchalant about it.

(Strong "Elizabeth Holmes text messages" energy in this exchange.)

The king says that two of his servants will aid you in your quest to find and kill the Phalanx, whoever or whatever that is: Bryan the Knight and David the Wizard (it's pretty obvious that the dev based these characters on two IRL buddies of his, Knight and Wizard). To start the quest, the trio must climb a nearby tower populated by some bird people that the game hurtfully calls "Freaks" and some cat people called "Jorjes." It's nice to see some Hispanic representation.

At the top of the tower lives a dog person called Pagne, whose character arc can be summed up by the following screenshots:

After defeating Pagne, the heroes go back to the castle, where the king thanks them for their service but warns them that "there are many others to defeat" and "this is only the beginning."

That's right, this epic adventure is only starting, baby! Anyway, that's when the game ends.

According to Makerpendium.de, this game's creator went on to make four sequels for various other RPG Maker programs, but none appear to be preserved. All those joke book titles are now lost in time, like tears in rain. Or pee in wet pants.

"Xemorph: The Nine" by Xemorph Smorg (05-25-1998)

Original description: A man sets out to end the reign of a King and restore world peace & order.

Despite what the name might suggest, this one has nothing to do with alien creatures with phallic heads. This time, your mission is to go talk to the king... and kick his ass. But first, we start with an old man telling his grandson to go pick a book for him to read. After dismissing one book as "stupid" and another as "to boring," the illiterate kid settles on a book called Xemorph: The 9. Wait, is he gonna read a strategy guide for the game we're playing?

The grandfather says that this book is actually "a true story" that happened about 100 years ago, and starts reading. Like most great works of literature, this one starts with a guy standing in the middle of an empty field. If you make him go into a nearby town (this is "Choose Your Own Adventure" book), he can enter a nice inn where he's greeted by a guy who tells him to "Get lost!" and a woman who says "Nice to meet you!" and then yells "I am scared! Ahhh!" From this we can conclude that the book's main character is very, very ugly.

Near the inn is the best part of this game: the graveyard. Not only does it have the graves for real historical figures like Adolf Hitler (1854-1945, meaning he was 91 when he died), Newt "Gingridge" (1956-2013; neither date is correct), and Shigeru Miyamoto (1969-2053, also incorrect; Miyamoto will never die)...

...but also famous video game characters like Crash B. (1995-2010), S. Onic (1990-1996; that's right, Sonic's full name is "Sonic Onic"), A. Tari (1977-1984), and of course Mario (1985-2000, fated to die the day Luigi finally gets tired of his bullshit).

Disturbingly, sometimes you can see a ghoul roaming the graveyard, and if you're brave enough to talk to it... holy shit, it's-a him.

(We're assuming the kid who made this RPG 26 years ago was promptly sued by Nintendo and is still in prison.)

There are also some mysterious graves for people called "THE," "WEED," "HOLDS," "THE," and "ANSWER," which might provide a subtle clue about the inspiration behind these headstones. That, or they're related to the bush blocking one of the graves, but nothing seems to happen when you stand next to it and press every button.

You can also visit some of the houses in this town, where we find out that this game is even more realistic than the previous one, because if you touch the fire in the stove, you actually lose health. It is the duty of every conscientious RPG player to touch every fire in every game to see if this happens. Also in real life.

You also meet a town resident who tells you that "That castle in the desert is almost impossible to get into! Only 1 mans ever made it." Whoever that 1 mans is, he reportedly lives near the castle, but you're warned that "he is not that nice." Since no one has given you anything resembling a mission (or even a plot) so far, you go looking for that desert castle and that guy who knows how to enter it. After fighting some giant spiders and three-headed helldogs, you find Mr. "Not That Nice," who says he'll help you get into the castle... if you fight him first!!! We can see how he gets his reputation.

What follows is a battle for the ages. Your enemy's very first hit is a "critical" one, causing you to lose a whopping... 1 HP?! You lost five times that just from touching the fire.

As promised, the poorly socialized knight "transrports" you into the castle when defeated. He also tells you his name is Jorg and asks to join your squad, so we guess we're best friends now. Anyway, you're finally in the castle! Meaning: a small room with an empty throne and two pillars. There's no king to talk to. Unless... you're the king? Was this game secretly a metaphor for "finding yourself"?

If you go up to the pillars and start pressing buttons (because what else are you gonna do in here), you'll find out that each has a different effect: the left one makes the screen shake, somehow, and the right one transports you back to that town at the start. And that's it, you've officially ran out of things to do in this game, unless you wanna go around the map punching dogs and spiders for no reason.

This is, sadly, the last of the games archived in the legendary Fantasy Maker's Vault website from 1998. However, our friend Spatzenfärber at the RMArchiv & Makerpendium Discord managed to salvage two more SNES RPG Maker 2 from the old web. The first one is...

"Kitten Quest Part 2: Legends - Chapter 1" by S-Mercury (08-25-1999)

The developer's website didn't have much of a description for this one, but here's an excerpt from a contemporary review for Part 1: [T]here was actually no plot. Only a cat telling me (by the way this game is pretty strange since the main characters are cats even I was one) that I should go save some guy.

A SNES RPG where you play as a cat? That actually sounds fun! Unfortunately, this is Part 2, where you play as a dumb human. The game starts with your mom telling you "Today you become an adult!!" and kicking you not just out of the house, but out of the entire town.

That's the second game where your mom evicts you the moment you turn of age (after Ductarr: The Rise of Rebellion, covered in the previous article), which probably says something about the age of the people making these.

There's some sort of black hole in the corner of your room, and if you go near it, someone, it's unclear who, yells "AHHH!!!!!!!!!" Is your character gazing into the abyss and finding it gazes also into you? Do you have someone trapped down in that hole like in Silence of the Lambs? There are no good options here.

That's the entire family home, by the way: one big room with two beds in the center and a black screaming hole on the corner. Once you leave the building, you can never come back inside. Your mom changed the locks the second you were out of there, it seems.

Outside your (former) house is a long staircase leading to a portal, which transports you to the inside of an inn. Leaving the inn reveals that it's in a very small town with only one other building: some sort of narrow bar or restaurant with nothing but some chairs and tables and a knight who says "Welcome..." and nothing else. This game is starting to feel like a Lynchian nightmare.

There's another town nearby, also with only two buildings. At this point we recommend being careful and not thinking too hard about the non-Euclidean geometry governing these buildings (avoid questions like "Why is there a patch of grass on the ceiling there?" "What's going on with those windows?" "How do those angles make any sense?") or your brain will start leaking out through your nose.

(As a reminder, someone willingly put this game on the internet for others to play.)

One of the buildings is a shop with two identical shopkeepers who just say "SHOP1" and "SHOP2" at you but won't actually let you shop (rude), while the other appears to be some sort of boat rental service. The attendant there lets you take one of the boats on the pier outside, which means we can now explore the vast seas!

And they are vast... but, unfortunately, also completely empty except for some unpopulated islands and a blimp that produces garbled text if you try to interact with it.

And that's it for Kitten Quest Part 2: Legends - Chapter 1, which did not feature a single kitten, or even an adult cat. It should be illegal to name a video game Kitten Quest Part 2: Legends - Chapter 1 and not have any feline presence whatsoever, if you ask us. You were a disappointment, Kitten Quest Part 2: Legends - Chapter 1.

That leaves us with only one SNES RPG Maker 2 game to cover, which is... an actual finished game?! And good, too?!? At this point, we wouldn't blame you for being skeptical of that claim. Still, look out for the next and final part of this article series, which will be entirely devoted to that one mythical good SNES RPG Maker 2 game.

[officialleehadan]

Captain Competence

Death’s Disciple

+++

It was not the done thing to admit how much Cruor enjoyed watching challenges for position within his ship’s ranks.

It was even less appropriate to admit that he had favorites, for all that it was something of an open secret among the crew. All the same, he saw no reason to actually confirm their rumors.

Besides, it was entertaining to hear the rumors that grew from the legendary crew that somehow survived his wrath for so many years. He could not hear thoughts, but his empathy, when he cared to extend it, was powerful enough that he rarely needed to. Emotions and thoughts very commonly went together. It was uncommon to find a person who felt one way, and thought another.

There were some of course, but that too, tended to show in their behavior.

With very few exceptions, humans were predictable. Those few exceptions were rarely so unpredictable that he could not imagine what they would do next.

“They’ve been following him since we left the engine rooms,” Lux said casually to Cruor as they watched the oncoming showdown. Oh, it hadn’t begun yet, but the signs were as clear as a storm rolling over Tertrain’s scrublands. Cruor could smell violence coming like the towering dust storms that stripped the dry land of everything down to the stone. “He asked we not interfere.”

“It would be inappropriate,” Cruor agreed, but allowed himself a smile behind his helmet. Lux mirrored it, the thrum of his taste for blood a faint, well-hidden thing where his magic brushed Cruor’s. He had never seen the good captain fight. No surprise. Chian did not enjoy bloodshed and preferred to solve his problems in other ways. “I think he will impress you.”

“He said there have been attempts before.”

“There have. He stands still.”

Lux hummed almost under his breath as the challenger, a tall man wearing the uniform of one of the tactical officers, closed in. Chian saw him coming and straightened, a career in the Temple fleet’s proud stance that projected both strength, and immovable calm. Cruor approved. The challenger was rattled already, both to have been seen before he was ready, and to face someone so clearly unshaken by his presence.

“Chian stretched a little in the transport,” Lux revealed as the challenger spat the traditional words to begin the challenge. It was brave of the man to risk a challenge in front of Cruor himself, but then, when challenging for the position of the captain of the Death’s Shrine, perhaps it was the option. If he were to challenge anywhere else, Cruor might think there was dishonor in it. Of course, if that happened, the Shrine herself might step in. “It was subtle, but he’s ready. Can he win?”

“That depends on him,” Cruor said, although he suspected so. Chian was a tall, man, on the thin side of things. He did not have the weight to fight someone much larger than him in a straight fight, but he also knew that, and would not risk fighting in a way he could not win. When the challenger pulled a long knife, Cruor allowed the low, painful chuckle that was all that remained of his laugh. “Ah. Unwise to draw a weapon. Chian is now free to do the same. Watch closely. Magic is not the only weapon for such a challenge.”

The fight was elegant, as befitted someone of Chian’s training, and the tactical officer’s skill. It was a closer match than expected, but only, Cruor thought, because Chian wanted to make an example. It had been almost three years since his last challenge fight, and this one was very public, in front of most of the bridge crew and several of the higher officers, Cruor himself not the least of them.

The tactical officer was a mage, and used it to fine effect. His knife sparked with flames, and he wore wide cuffs around each wrist, cut with spell-arrays. Beautiful work, to Cruor’s experienced eyes, and an advantage against many opponents.

Chian, however, was not many opponents, and he often sparred with Orrig, who was himself a very talented mage. He knew how to fight an enemy who used magic, and knew how to even the odds.

With a frankly pretty twist of his own long knife, Chian ducked under a plume of blue flame and plunged his knife unceremoniously through the wrist of his opponent. The tactical offer yowled and blasted him away with a shock of lightning that snapped through the air. Chain swore but landed it well and came at the officer again. Not before the man closed the wound in his wrist, but the healing cost time he didn’t have. Not against an enemy like Chian.

“Who’s the idiot?”

Orrig joined him and Lux in observing the fight. Like Cruor, he had seen Chian fight, and sparred with him often. He knew better than most how terrible an enemy the captain could be given cause.

“The corpse,” Cruor corrected him absently. Chian took another shock of lightning, but this time he was ready, and flung a handful of something, metal coins Cruor realized after a closer look, in the way of the magic. Lightning could not refuse the call of metal in the air, and the officer’s eyes went wide when he realized that the fistful of coins had capture his magic and turned it back on him in a web. It took him to his ground, and before he could recover, Chian was on him. “Ah. There.”

Blood sprayed across the floor as Chain, knife suddenly in his off-hand, punched the officer in the face hard enough to rock him back, and followed it with a lunge that rammed his knife up through the officer’s jaw into his brain.

The man was dead before he hit the floor.

Chian stepped back with a faint expression of distaste and caught the eye of a shocked aide nearby.

“Call maintenance and deal with this,” he said crisply with a gesture at the body on the floor. “It was a legal challenge. Ensure his beneficiaries are notified and receive whatever benefits they are entitled to. Sir, my apologies for the interruption.”

“No need,” Cruor waved the apology away easily. “A legal challenge, as you said. Are you injured?”

“No sir. It was a glancing blow.”

It wasn’t, but Cruor saw no need to question Chian’s ability to determine his own wellbeing. If he felt able to continue his shift without medical treatment, Cruor would not question him. He did extend his own senses to make sure. Chian was not prone to foolishness, but electrical magic tended to addle the senses somewhat. But no. Chian was acceptably well.

“Take your place, Captain,” he said, with the smallest nod of respect, which made Chian’s eyes go wide and brought noises of shock from the bridge crew, who generally thought him utterly without emotion or respect for his crew. Around them, the Shrine groaned her approval and the whispers of the crew grew louder. “You have proven again that is yours by right.”

+++

Death's Disciple (FULL COLLECTION)

Destiny Wakes

Crafter’s Hands (Subscriber Only!)

Signs of Magic

Captain Conundrum (Subscriber Only!)

Engine Song

Interlude of Kin

Family Introduction (Subscriber Only!)

Political Play

Over Peppers

Like a Bell

To Bed 

Proper Intake

Two Spies

First Example

Mandatory Social Time

Second Example (Subscriber Only!)

True Intelligence 

Velvet Darkness (Subscriber Only!)

Through Death 

The Storm 

Out of her Depth 

Off Ship (Subscriber Only!)

Careful Education 

Hunting Ranks

From the Reaches 

Captain Competence

Reglazed Reshifted (Subscriber Only!) (New!)

+++

MASTERLIST

[would-this-pokemon-be-a-friend]

Another friend of mine on Discord is a fan of Ogerpon so I thought I could show my friend if they could be a good pet.

(We just reached the end of the Teal Mask spoiler buffer period, meaning that I will now cover Kitakami pokémon if they come up, so I thought to mark the occasion I'd jump ahead in the request queue a little!)

Ogerpon may be a bit too much for a lot of people to handle, but would potentially make a good companion in the right context! Of course, like with other legendary pokémon, I'd be remiss to not point out that Ogerpon is one of a kind and thus... well... there's a pretty low chance you'll be the one person in the entire world to convince it to live with you. But that is no fun, so let's just assume you are that person. Ogerpon may be a pretty good pet!

Ogerpon's on the larger size when it comes to pets, at three feet tall, but it is pretty lightweight comparatively. We know that Ogerpon is friendly to people and loves their attention. It's said to be mischievous and curious (Violet - Teal Mask), which is nothing out of the ordinary for a lot of owners of real-world pets. We even know that Ogerpon once lived alongside a human for a long time, back before the whole Loyal Three incident. We also know, however, that despite it's usually chipper appearance, Ogerpon is pretty moody.

A long time ago, after Ogerpon and it's human companion had been living in the Kitakami Region for some time, using masks to conceal their unusual appearances, three pokémon raided their home. These three pokémon (Okidogi, Munkidori, and Fezandipiti) stole Ogerpon's four masks and seemingly killed it's companion. Ovecome with rage, Ogerpon attacked the three pokémon and defeated them. Then, overcome with sadness about being feared by the villagers after this event, Ogerpon went into exile alone for generations. All this to say, we know that Ogerpon is a sensitive pokémon, prone to strong emotions when faced with bad situations. Now, I'm going to assume that nothing as bad as what the Loyal Three did will happen to Ogerpon under your care, so the intense emotional reactions in that time are unlikely to happen again. Really, what I'm trying to get across is that Ogerpon has a lot of emotional trauma in their past, and they are very sensitive about being liked by the humans around them. You would need to keep Ogerpon's sensitivity in mind when caring for them to make sure you provide them with a stable, supportive environment.

Being a legendary pokémon with a history of living alongside a human companion, it is pretty unlikely that Ogerpon would use it's impressive abilities to attack you, but as usual we must take a look at what Ogerpon can do. It's move set boasts a few dangerous moves, but nothing that exceptional or risky. It is known to favor kicking and "nimble movements" in battle (Scarlet - Teal Mask), steering clear of special moves or lethal status effects. Ogerpon has a fascinating ability to change it's type based off of which of it's beloved masks it wears. This also changes the typing of Ogerpon's signature move: Ivy Cudgel. It's signature weapon looks like it could really pack a punch, be it grassy, fiery, watery, or rocky. Using the elements of it's masks, Ogerpon is said to relentlessly strike and spear opponents with ivy (Violet - Wellspring Mask, Violet - Hearthflame Mask), even bombarding them with flames (Scarlet - Hearthflame Mask). Perhaps unsurprisingly given it's history, Ogerpon is a skilled and powerful fighter. When it came to it's score, it was a real back-and-forth between the boosts of it's friendly personality and the penalties of it's move pool.

Overall, however, it seems that Ogerpon would make a good companion for someone that is aware of it's history and needs, and who is aware of the danger that the pokémon could pose if angered or put in an emotionally-charged situation.

[lordamaranthus]

I’m trying to reign in my excitement for the Pokemon legends Z-A game since it’s coming out next year

So INSTEAD

I made a bingo prediction sheet. A large chunk of these are just things people have been speculating/hoping for, some are things I want, a few are things I do not want, and a few of them purposefully contradict each other

With some long winded, too detailed explanations for most of them under the read more :]

[These are just for fun, and purely speculation/hopes]

Mega Charizard Z: [/hj] For the love of fucking god GF I do not want to see this lizard anymore. I know you’re obsessed with him. I wish to be free.

Kalos Starters/Random Mix of Starters: I feel like even though we had a random mix in the first Legends game, it’s not a guarantee that they’ll be doing the same for this one; I think it’d be cooler to finally give the main three Megas instead, but I wouldn’t complain if it did end up being a random selection

Tera Raids of the box legendaries in SV: They were skipped over when they brought the older legendaries in the dlc; please, I would like to see my children again

[Fade to Black, SFX, Fade back in]: Since you’re giving the game an extra year and not forcing the Devs to spew out the game as fast as possible, that means we’re getting a little bit better animations, right?

…Right?

Set in the Future/Past: I’ve seen a lot of people go back and forth over this because of the crumbs we were given, so I figured I’d put both on here so I could win either way 💅💅

Megas are the next Nobles: I’m just going on a whim since this is only our second Legends game, so who actually knows what the plot points are going to be

Slightly Cleaner Art Style/Exact Same Art Style: This is another one I’m personally hoping for, I did really like the way the last one looked, but some things were a bit weird to me, like the light purple shadows on everything. When the trailer comes out I’ll be changing this card once I have my answer

AZ. In general.: I just wanna know more about him. Crumbs, even. Gimme info on that weird ass tall fucker.

New Megas: This is gonna be a free space, and immmm really hoping it is a guaranteed free space

Ultimate Weapon Plot Point: The emotions I felt coursing through my pre-teen body when the weapon fucking rose from the ground and knocked over several houses? Gimme that but multiply it.

More Lore of the War: Kind of a filler space, but also I thought it sounded funny when I typed it out

Emmet in Paris/Ingo: A lot of people immediately jumped to the conclusion that it would be Emmet becoming French for this game, but I’ve seen a few arguments[jokingly] for Ingo, so I’m covering my bases and putting both on here. I’m not getting my own hopes up, I’m going to assume neither are in the game juuust in case

New forms for the legendaries: I am a Gen 6-er who’s starving for crumbs. I never see my legendaries anywhere. I think Megas would be fuckin badass but honestly I’ll take a singular grain of anything

Xerneas and Yveltal fighting: God of Peace vs God of Destruction, fighting? Unheard of. Revolutionary story idea. I’d eat it up.

Diantha’s Ancestor: We got to see one champions ancestor, let’s see another’s :D However. They must be fashionable. This is non-negotiable.

Mega Mewtwo Z: Exact same as Charizard, I feel like if you give one a mega you’re obligated to give the other one as well, or else people will complain or question it too much. I put them in the same column because I feel confident that you can’t have one without the other

Volo: A lot of people are speculating this because he says some stuff after you fight him, and while I would definitely prefer to have a different antagonist for this game I wouldn’t really complain about it either

New Legendary/Returning Mythicals: Maybe a new one kinda like how we got Enamorous, but im mostly hoping that the mythicals come back for this game because I’m trying to have a living Dex in Pokemon Home and I have NONE of the mythicals. Like at all. I am not selling my soul to get them

[jbk405]

I just finished my playthrough of Mass Effect 2: Legendary Edition. Like I said a few days ago when I was halfway through, the update from the original version to LE is less noticeable than it was with ME1. So in many ways this was just another playthrough of ME2.

The improved graphics are there, but the style is the same.

I went for Hardcore this playthrough instead of Insanity because I wanted a more relaxed experience for my first time, but I'm regretting that a bit and wishing I'd done it just to get the achievement out of the way. I'm planning to play ME3 on Insanity from the beginning since I remember it being noticeably easier than ME2 when it comes to combat, so if I had dived right in I would get the Insanity achievement on all three games on my first complete playthrough. Ah well, this just means I'll need to play the game again. It's not as though I've ever wanted to stop playing Mass Effect.

I'd heard about several glitches when it came to squadmate loyalty powers for this re-release, but either they've been patched or I just got lucky because I never encountered any of them myself. The closest was that thing where "Advanced Training" wasn't available when I thought it should have been, but that either fixed itself a few missions later or was never even a glitch at all and I was just jumping the gun.

I had all of the DLC for the game already so there was no new content for me, but I'll repeat that the integration in this version does give a slightly different experience. Some of the weapons and armor you need to buy from various vendors instead of being delivered directly to the Normandy. This both alters when you can access those items (Since some of the market worlds aren't available until different sections of the game) and also if you can get them, because ME2 is infamous for its very tight cash availability. You'll need to weigh in advance which items you want to buy, since you may not be able to afford all of them.

Something I noticed on this paythrough, which isn't specific to the LE since it's been there from the original, is how obvious it is that none of the supporting voice actors were brought in for the various DLC. All of your squadmates and crew of the Normandy are completely silent during the DLC missions, even when it would be particularly meaningful for them to make a comment on a certain mission.

This doesn't "ruin" the DLC or anything like that, it's just....very noticeable. When Tali doesn't make a single comment during "Overlord" about how humanity is repeating the same mistakes the Quarians did, and Miranda doesn't defend Cerberus or shift the blame away from the Illusive Man when we see what has been done to David, it's like the characters aren't even there. Several DLC missions are still "great", and the rest are "okay", but you can tell they're after-market add-ons.

[professionalranter31]

This is an idea I’ve had for one of this big season updates that Blizzard likes to do for Overwatch, partly built from the frustration of the three promises that have not been fulfilled that they used to advertise Overwatch 2 and never fulfilled which means that it’s not a proper sequel it’s just an update seriously why would you not even try to add the weapon inspection you have the animations!

Okay, let’s get this started, I introduce you to the Season of Lore or Season of Knowledge

First part for the update is to do things to the various maps to give the characters more connection to them, like some representing Symmetra and Suravasa, and everyone who is part of the new Overwatch having a room and other things on Watchpoint Gibraltar, stuff like that reveals more about the heroes’ connection to the maps and just makes the maps actually feel alive

While I’m still on the maps something to change with the daytime variations of the maps is changing the location of a few things such as carts and vehicles around the maps just to show that it’s not just the same map but at night but instead that the map actually feels lived in, hell if I want to push it I’d close a few of the shops and building during the night that will be open during the day and vice versa

Next is for the PVE

I know we’ll most likely not be able to get the actual campaign we were promised, at least not yet. But if the dev team could be able to convince the executives with actual proof then maybe things could change

So first would be to just finish the arc they had started with the Invasions bundle so it’s not permanently stuck on a cliffhanger

Then they start releasing solo hero missions

These could either replace hero mastery or be released alongside but they operate similarly wherein you play as one of the heroes on a mission but unlike with mastery there’s objectives like the regular game and all that sort of stuff. There’s a story to these missions however, events of the hero’s life that are important to them in some way such as various missions that share a story arc between Ashe and Cassidy of their time pulling heists in the Deadlock Gang, Orisa protecting Numbani, Zarya fighting against the Omnics, and so on. There’s enough lore for the heroes that it could be done

With the solo hero missions though I think the archive missions should also be brought back and we get new ones as well showcasing various past Overwatch missions that we get to replay whenever we want to.

Now we get into the meat and bones of what would be my favorite part if Blizzard actually did this

Firstly is the Timeline, a tab that we can open that has various points on it for various events within the Overwatch war such as when the heroes were born, when the animated shorts take place and the missions I mentioned above

Next is the Database, which closely works with the Timeline

Each hero has its own section as well as the factions and the general world of Overwatch

We unlock a few entires at the start with the default skins, emotes, highlight intros, and victory poses. Each hero is also given an origin story video. We unlock entries by unlocking skins, sprays, player titles, player icons, emotes, voice lines, a lot of the cosmetics can unlock entries within the database, but not all of them. At most a few legendary and epic skins, but definitely all of the uncommon skins and there are some shop skins that could also work

With these however I think should also come a new series of challenges to unlock things, specifically the comics and books that have been released which we could work to unlock through really tough challenges, and the special part with them is that they are dubbed. With that we could just buy them instead of trying to do the challenge but this would replace the Unlock Hero challenges that were removed. Each one that we unlock also unlocks new entries and points on the timeline

There would also be various challenges we would complete to unlock all sorts of cosmetics that would then unlock database entries

The more entries we unlock the more points that are revealed on the timeline

If this is a season where a hero is released it should be a hero that has a connection with most of the roster, the same goes for a map release and if the battle pass matches the title of the season then characters like Venture, Reinhardt, and Zenyatta could be good candidates for the mythic skin.

Let me know what you think of this, I’d love to talk more about this

[pinkhairandpokemon]

Hop, give me the science on the galar wolves.

...Or I guess just your knowledge on them lol

Hop: YES thank you anon!

So, Zacian and Zamazenta are very recently discovered legendaries, but they’re very old. About 3,000 years old, to be exact. For a while we didn’t really know where exactly they came from, just that they were the ones to quell the first Darkest Day and fight alongside the two youths.

But! Thanks to research (well, more like me asking Zamazenta himself), we did uncover a bit more about their origins. 3,000 years ago, there was a species of wolf-like Pokémon who roamed ancient Galar. Unfortunately, in these ancient times, they were very misunderstood- often depicted as dangerous and evil in fairytales back then. These misinterpretations caused mass hunting of the species and pushed them to near extinction. With their numbers quickly declining, the remaining members of the species retreated for the countryside.

Unfortunately, that didn’t prevent their extinction. It’s possible that many of these wolf Pokémon died while trying to adapt to their new home, or that there just weren’t enough left to carry on the species. Eventually Zacian and Zamazenta were the only ones remaining.

The two youths from the legend supposedly found them as orphaned eggs, and without their parents the chances of them hatching were low. Now, this is information is all recounted from Zacian and Zamazenta’s telling of the events (yes, they can talk, most Legendaries can)- but apparently, the pair of eggs had their lives saved by some “divine force”.

There’s many possibilities as to what this force might’ve been- as crazy as it sounds, Arceus might’ve very well been the source of this power, as it’s said to have been the creator of all Pokémon, and of course created most of the Legendary Pokémon to guard over the world. It’s possible Arceus saw potential in the eggs to become protectors of Galar. Of course, Arceus’ existence can’t really be proven, so this is more of an assumption honestly.

There’s also a few other options- the revival of the eggs is very similar to a Johtonian legend about Ho-Oh restoring life to three fallen Pokémon who then gained godly power as a result. Though Johto is pretty far from Galar, and the chances of Ho-Oh just so happening to be in Galar at the time of this event are low. Xerneas is also a likely candidate, as Kalos is geographically right next to Galar. It’s not a stretch to say Xerneas could’ve watched over Galar from time to time, and used its power to save the eggs. Whatever this force might’ve been, it’s what imbued Zacian and Zamazenta with their own divine power once they hatched, which gave them the strength stop the Darkest Day. However, when they received their shield and sword, most of their power was transferred into those weapons. Which explains why they can’t achieve their full power without them.

It’s great that we managed to uncover so much about Galar’s history thanks to these two. It’s fascinating that they used to be two ordinary Pokémon, huh?

It’s sad to think we forgot about these amazing Pokémon for thousands of years. Sometimes I wonder what would’ve happened if… we didn’t find them in time to stop Chairman Rose.

…But we’re not gonna let their story be forgotten again! I certainly won’t. I… I won’t be able to look after Zamazenta forever. I want to make sure there’ll be someone to take care of him once I’m gone. Someone who’ll stand by him to protect Galar, if the need ever arises.

Anyways, thanks for letting me talk about the wolves! Sonia said she’s working on a second book with all this new information on them, hopefully she’ll publish it soon! More people deserve to learn about these amazing Pokémon.

Oh, and just a reminder that this is all information that’s safe to share with the public. I’m still responsible for keeping Zamazenta safe, so don’t go asking stuff like how to find him, his sister, or their weapons. That specific information is secret, unless in the case of an emergency and we need someone to locate the wolves.

[oh-cool-a-burning-sword]

I'm bored and the Brave Banner's a few days away so... possible predictions?

First possibility I can think of (and kinda hope doesn't happen) is that seeing as 3/4 of the CYL winners primarily use tomes, Instys decides to make everyone on the banner a tome user. I hope this isn't the case cuz I want there to be some variety.

now for what I think each character could be

Robin

For Robin, I think his unit will depend on two things. If they give Corrin Omega Yato, and if this is actually Robin and not Grima stealing another slot. (Grima took F!Robin's Legendary and Rearmed alt, they could do the same to M!Robin).

If Robin gets to use a sword, then it'll most likely be a variant of the Levin Sword. If he's a tome user I can imagine he'd be blue or colorless? Same if he happens to be a dragon unit. I feel like Green'll go to either Soren or Gullveig.

As for his design, had they not given Robin a legendary alt this year I would have said grandmaster. But he has a legendary alt so it's a little up in the air what his Brave Alt'll be. Maybe he'll get a Plegian outfit to represent his past, or a Ylissean outfit to represent his found family.

Or maybe they use this variation of the grandmaster design from the Cypher cards:

Granted, this is only if Robin's not being possessed by Grima. In which case he could look like this:

I'm hoping Grima doesn't steal another Robin slot but you never know.

Gullveig

Gullveig's a weird case. Seeing as she's currently the second Feh OC to win CYL... and she was out for about a month when she won. Back then we barely knew anything about her so it was hard to say what she'd end up like. Though now that we're more than halfway through Book 7's story and we know that Gullveig's the future version of Seidr, I think we have a clearer picture.

I think Gullveig could become a green or colorless tome user. The only reason I'm suggesting Green is because one possibility for Gullveig's design could be putting together some elements of Seidr and Kvasir. Represent all three versions of herself in one?

It's also gonna be kinda interesting if Seidr turns into Gullveig next chapter. Not sure it'll happen but she DID get infected with the Golden Serpents. Imagine if Seidr turns into Brave Gullveig.

Soren

Soren's likely gonna be a tome user, either green or colorless. He COULD be a dagger unit though, as one of his class promotions lets him throw knives. But it's more likely that he'll be tome.

His design varies. I kinda want him to wear something resembling his parents, though I find this to be unlikely as he doesn't know who his parents are. So I think he'll either be a sage, wind mage or an archsage. I feel like Archsage could be more likely though, and if not, then that'll be his legendary alt... if Soren ever gets one.

Corrin

Now Corrin's a bit easier to figure out. There's a 50/50 chance that she'll be either a sword user (and have Omega Yato as her weapon) or a dragon unit (and have something to represent her father Anankos, and she'd likely be a blue unit).

Design wise, there's three possibilities. One could be a design similar to Mikoto, one could be the Hoshidan Noble outfit and the last one Valla monarch. Out of the three, Valla Monarch the most likely outfit, at least in my opinion. Hinoka's legendary design already resembles Mikoto and the Hoshidan Noble outfit should be reserved for Male Corrin should he ever get his legendary alt.

In which case, based off Cypher cards this should be the design.