#and the dwarf reactivity

[thelesbianoffrontiers]

Finally happy with their appearance, introducing (low graphics edition) Cirrus Ingellvar!

[sha-brytols]

being a dwarf fan is so hard

[nutoka]

I have a little theory in my head.

So Rimmer has three brothers that he had to grow up with and was tormented since he was the youngest. Now in Red Dwarf, he’s in a similar situation, in that he is stuck somewhere with three other men he can’t escape from. Which leads me to believe that maybe in his head, it’s like living with his brothers again so that’s why he still got his guard up.

BUT the difference is, Rimmer is technically the eldest out of everyone in this instance. (If we count age after death) so maybe he has the sense of belief to act like the eldest brother to have authority like his brother, John (and use the excuse of being the highest ranking crew member to cover it up)

Course Rimmer doesn’t torment the others too much, well never to the extremes his own brothers did. But then again, when he’s soft he maybe can’t at all, yet I don’t think he would put a landmine to blow the others as a joke (unless it’s in retaliation of something) He tries to maintain the hold of authority and responsibility like John would. With that, he makes it his sole duty to take charge of Red Dwarf (no matter how much he fails at that) and is always mindful of taking care of Lister in his own Rimmer sort of way.

Cus I like to think Rimmer spending time with others on Red Dwarf by chatting or playing poker is like healing that brotherly time that he never got from his own brothers. That desperate need to be involved is attuned to that as he normally goes to search through derelicts even though he’s a crippling coward. Rimmer is not the sort to initiate pranks on a whim I think, his style is to retaliate wrong doing on him first. So that also separates him from his brothers.

Okay that theory went longer than I intended but I think I got it all down.

[halflingkima]

the brosca warden storyline is insane (affectionate) to me, and it's wild that I happened to choose it first.

I've not played through all the origins myself, but from what I gather in general, I think brosca has the least material effect on later material gameplay – all of the effect is in brosca's character choices/response, which is completely up to the player whether or not/how much to honor.

the 'dwarf commoner' origin title is misleading – brosca's casteless, classless, as low class as possible and fighting tooth and nail while being actively pushed lower. accepting the warden offer is the easiest choice in the world (even aside from escaping the dwarven death sentence) because it offers any level of respect as a person.

later, when they return to orzammar with the treaties, the city insists they were never born. there's record of their death: when they joined the grey wardens. according to orzammar, brosca's homeland, their origin – brosca did not exist until they became a grey warden, at which point they were considered deceased.

(on top of the official records at the shaperate, no npcs acknowledge that you're a dwarf, let alone from the city. you can speak – briefly – to your family, but they're the only ones who acknowledge your past. I found it frustrating while playing that the origin didn't affect much, but that affected my own gameplay; brosca's origin makes the political dilemma seem laughably simple.)

and then. when the archdemon is slain, whether or not brosca survives, they're made a paragon, which is akin to a dwarven god. brosca is immortalized in their people's mythology forever – the same people who refused to admit they existed until their legal death. (presumably bhelen minimizes or eradicates the caste system, but whether or not that takes –) the history of the paragon brosca will almost certainly erase their origin as a casteless dwarf. when, arguably, they wouldn't have become a paragon without that history.

[mabaris]

going through a folder of writing notes and theories from 2020-2022 and this is the first thing i pull out

“How are genlock emissaries possible when they originate from corrupted dwarf broodmothers who physically cannot have magic”

I guess we finally have a definitive answer. for the purposes of the game, genlock and hurlock emissaries are very similar—both are said to use a form of blood magic. easy explanation is that they’re vessels to channel the archdemon’s magic, but I wonder if the process of becoming a broodmother forcibly reconnects a dwarf with some form of tainted magic, through the blight rather than the stone. it is a manifested dream, after all, and it came from them

(the next bullet point is “Why are shrieks only ever double dagger sneaks?” which could, if I’m reading too much into it on a watsonian level, be the blight’s reaction to the fact that they were backstabbed by a group of elves)

[neves-trouble]

Holy shit the angry option for a dwarf Rook after finding out what Solas did to the Titans... Omg

[thewardenisonthecase]

Im still never forgiving trespasser for having leliana translate something from qunlat when Adaar is standing there. And like, in Iron Bull's recruitment scene, its established adaar KNOWS qunlat. Their parents were still raised under the qun, makes sense they would know it.

[sanguineterrain]

gag gift | jason todd

Summary: A gift from a friend results in quite the evening for you and Jason.

Pairing: Jason Todd x AFAB!reader 

Word count: 1.5k

Kinktober fill: Day 2 - Pegging

Warnings/tags: pegging, strap-ons, anal sex, vaginal penetration, coming untouched, sub!Jason, bottom!Jason, reader refers to the strap as their dick, humiliation, size difference, pet names.

A/N: me every time I see Jason: he needs to be knocked up. anyways. enjoy :)

divider

Well. It started as a gag gift.

A kinky Halloween joke from a close friend. A big, black, double-sided strap-on.

So you'd showed it to Jason last night. His reaction had been surprising, to say the least.

...Now it's out of the box. On you.

"Look at how hard I am for you," you say, wiggling your hips. The strap stays put under your pajama shorts, though they do absolutely nothing to hide it.

It's meant to be a tease, your words, but then you look up at Jason and he's got a stunned expression on his face. His eyes can't stop flicking down.

"It's so big," he says, Adam's apple bobbing as he swallows. He's right.

You grin. "Think I'll fit?"

And judging from the way Jason shifts, he wants you to try.

So here you are.

You slide off your shorts and the strap juts free. You leave your shirt on, liking how the hem sticks out over your strap.

"So?" you ask, raising an eyebrow. "Am I fucking you or what, baby?"

Jason nods and removes his pants and underwear in one go. His cheeks are slightly flushed.

He's already hard.

You join him on the bed, pushing your way between his legs. Jason lies down at your beckoning. You look down, positioning your hips against his. Jason follows your gaze.

"Look at that," you say, your strap against Jason's cock. "My dick is bigger than yours, honey."

Your pussy throbs at the sight. Jason whimpers as you slide your strap against his cock. He's usually huge, but next to your strap, he's kind of... small. Is that all it takes?

You imagine him shrinking as you grow impossibly bigger inside of his hole. You imagine a knot at your base, swelling as you mount and breed him like a dog. Looks like you'll have to do some research on toys later.

"All those muscles and height, and I've still got a bigger cock than you," you say, tone gentle even though your words are not. "Your cock is so cute, sweetheart."

Jason's chest is red with a humiliated blush. You're sure your pupils dilate at the sight.

"And I can stay hard forever. You blow your load after a couple of strokes."

You brush your fingers through his curls and get a good grip. You tilt Jason's head back, mouth slotting against yours. He makes a soft noise as you kiss him, lashes fluttering against your cheeks. You pull away slightly.

"Seems like I should be fucking you, huh?" you ask. "I don't get dumb and leaky when I fuck a hole like you do, sweetie."

Your strap pushes against his stomach. Jason whines when you tug his hair harder. You pull your bottom lip between your teeth.

"My big guy. Big, pretty guy. All you have to do is squirt on your tits."

"They're not—"

"Well, of course they are, honey bunches," you say, groping his pecs under his shirt. Jason hisses. "It's obscene, the way you go out in your tight little white shirts, nipples hard. Maybe I'll fuck your tits after."

You gesture for him to take off his shirt and he does. It lands somewhere behind you. You flick and pinch his nipples. Jason lets out a shuddering breath.

"Yeah? You like that?" you ask, pushing your hips against him.

"Uh-huh," Jason says, sensitive all over with how close you are, how every bit of his skin touches yours.

"Pretty boy," you say, hands going to his face. Jason dwarfs you like this, but you love how docile he is, how reactive to your touch.

"Did you do what I asked?" you say, gripping the back of his neck, lips on his cheek.

"Y-yeah, opened myself up," Jason says.

"Oh, yeah? So I can just push right in? Fuck you loose?"

You feel around Jason's hole, and it's indeed wet with lube. You grin.

"Such a good boy. You wanted to get fucked fast, didn't you?"

You grab the undersides of Jason's huge thighs and force him to bend at the knees so he's spread open for you. You pat him when you're satisfied with how wide he's spread.

"Hold your legs open," you say, and Jason does, grabbing his thighs and keeping them parted.

You cup his balls. Jason chokes and nearly releases his thighs. You tilt your head.

"You feel heavy," you say. "You need to come, don't you?"

You play with his balls, watching Jason's stomach twitch in response. His knuckles are white from how tightly he's holding his thighs. Your strap nudges Jason's hole and more precum beads on the tip of his cock.

"Please," he says. Your gaze sharpens at the first hint of begging.

"Please, what?" you ask. More pre gurgles out of Jason's leaky cock head.

"Want you inside, please."

"Sure?" you ask.

Jason nods frantically. "Yeah, yeah, please, c'mon, plea—hnngh."

"It's only the tip, sweetheart," you say, gleeful at the way Jason's eyelids flutter.

You rub his legs, then move to grab his waist instead. Your hands aren't even close to touching. Jason's stomach bunches in rolls, simultaneously strong and soft.

"'S big," Jason says, stomach tensed as you keep pushing in.

"I know," you say, ego tripping at the fact that you've only pushed in a little and Jason's already tightening around you. "Gotta relax for me, honey pie. Know my cock is big in your little hole."

You hear him force out deep breaths through his nose. Slowly, inch by inch, you bully your way inside. The strap presses back inside of you and rubs your clit, but not so much that it's a full distraction. You're still able to focus on the fact that you're stuffing Jason.

"Good?" you ask, a little strained from the pressure. The strap sinks further into you.

Jason nods, mouth parted in a tight moan. "Good, oh m'God. Y'dick feels so good."

You bite your lip and resist the urge to hammer away at him. You have to take it slow.

"If I had my way, you'd never get to fuck me," you say. "I'd be inside of you all day, baby. Every time I got hard, I'd fill you up."

Jason moans, lifting his hips so you can fuck him deeper. You hover over him, hands on either side of his head. You dip your mouth to his neck.

"Is that what you want?" you ask, breath hot on his ear. "Wanna get fucked everyday? Wake up with my dick in you?"

You look down and watch your strap slide in and out. The sight makes your brain buzz. All it took was a little petting and Jason's wet and easy for you.

"I... I can fuck ya too," he squeezes out. "Do it a lot."

You coo. "But I'm bigger than you, sweetie. And I last longer. Maybe I should tie up your stupid dick so you won't cream your pants every time I pet you a little. You need to be trained before you can fuck me again."

You bottom out before Jason can reply, his words melting into a high moan.

"How do I feel?" you ask, wrapping an arm around Jason's leg. He lets you push it back further, not even hesitating at the stretch.

"Feel s'good inside a'me," he says, blinking to focus. "Ah, p-please move, please, baby, gonna be so good, be so good for you—"

So you move. Now, the stimulation on your clit and inside of you is at its height. You chase the pleasure, the build of your orgasm.

Jason's being good, holding his legs open, even though his arms are shaking.

"I fuck you on my cock and you're already shaking?" you ask, diving down to bite the junction of his neck and shoulder. You busy yourself with marking him up, sucking his skin, until—

"Uh, uh, mmgh!"

Unintelligible sounds make you lift your head. Jason's eyes are wet in the corners.

"Th-there, right there—"

You thrust again and Jason's entire body tightens. Precum dribbles steadily from his cock.

Jason's not the only one who learns fast.

"Don't touch yourself," you say. "Hands off. Got it?"

He nods. "Got it. Please, please can ya—"

Again and again, you hit that magical spot, perfecting your angle in the process. Jason's moans become high, aching whimpers. His entire face and chest are red. Sweat beads on his forehead. His cock is steadily leaking onto his stomach.

Meanwhile, your own orgasm builds, the strap thrusting into you with every move. You feel that familiar curl of lightning low in your belly.

Jason's eyes are squeezed tight now and he sounds like he's crying a little bit. You don't stop your brutal pace.

"Gonna!" he cries, and it's the only warning you get before Jason comes all over his stomach and chest.

"Almost there," you pant, focusing on your release. Jason whines with each additional thrust, and you ease off, trying to keep them shallow for his sake.

It isn't long before you come too, pussy clenching around the strap while it's still inside of Jason. He moans when you come, bonelessly reaching for your body.

"T-too much," he says, voice wrecked, and you pull out, taking pity.

You roll over onto the bed, taking Jason's hand.

"Best gag gift ever," he says, after some time, and you giggle into his shoulder.

[felassan]

Dragon Age: The Veilguard info compilation Post 4

[Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3] [another post]

Post is under a cut due to length.

There is a lot of information coming out right now about DA:TV from many different sources. This post is just an effort to compile as much as I can in one place, in case that helps anyone. Sources for where the information came from have been included. Where I am linking to a social media user’s post, the person is either a dev, a Dragon Age community council member or other person who has had a sneak peek at and played the game. nb, this post is more of a ‘info that came out in snippets from articles and social media posts’ collection rather than a ‘regurgitating the information on the official website or writing out what happened in the trailer/gameplay reveal’ post. The post is broken down into headings on various topics. A few points are repeated under multiple headings where relevant. Where I am speculating without a source, I have clearly demarcated this. if you notice any mistakes in this post, please tell me.

Character Creation

BioWare confirmed that even if you make your Rook a short king, the team has done work to ensure animations fit any character build [source]

"Dragon Age's character creator has seen a massive glow-up" [source]. "The volume of choices you get here are frankly insane. As Epler noted, “you could spend forever here,” and he’s not kidding." [source] The art and graphics teams spent a lot of time trying to make hair look amazing [source: the Discord]

In CC we can customise our "bulge size" [source]

Some more detail on the new lighting options to see how Rook looks like in CC when you make them: you can view them in "blazing forest sunshine versus the glare of an underground temple" [source]

"newly mobile, extra-hairy hair" [source]

Faction choice has statistical boons. For example, Shadow Dragon Rook deals extra damage to Venatori blood cultists [source]

Faction choice basically determines why Rook has been called to help in the fight against Solas [source]

All pre-determined character models in CC can be adjusted [source]

You can make a really tall dwarf if you want [source]

"Setting your previous world state is fully integrated into the character creator for Veilguard" [source: the Discord]

Inquisitor appearance will be re-created, there is no way to carry their appearance from DA:I into the game [source: the Discord]

Classes for Rook are not restricted in the sense that you can play any almost class, lineage and faction combination that you want. For example, a mage Rook can be a Crow [source: the Discord] (Fel note: it sounded like Rook cannot be a magic-wielding dwarf, even though the exception of Harding now exists) (Fel note: there is a mage Crow in one of the books)

Story and lore

Here is another article which refers to Rook as "the Rook" [source]

The story is set "9-10 years from DA:I and about 8 years from Trespasser" [source: the Discord]

They have been tracking Solas for "a while. Something else you’re gonna learn about…" [source]

The game does not use the Keep [source]

Shadow Dragon is the faction background with the most in-game reactivity (e.g. from other characters' dialogue) during the prologue section of the game, due to the fact that the prologue is in Minrathous and the Shadow Dragons are a Tevinter-based faction [source]

"I also saw a big moment after the gameplay trailer ends that I can't talk about" [source]

During the more narrative-heavy dialogue choices, "the game will also give a bit of context on what you're about to choose, but doesn't go as far as explaining the exact consequences or precisely what will happen thereafter" [source] "the game shows you how you’ll go about the choice, but it doesn’t tell you the consequence of that choice". [source]

"The game is bringing back Dragon Age 2s dialogue system, which was tone-based and resulted in its protagonist Hawke falling into one of three different personality states. You have three general tones in a conversation: kind, humorous, or aggressive, with slight variations depending on the situation" [source]

"Venatori blood cultists" [source]

"The whole game has the makings of another Suicide Mission [ME2], given that you are up against a god with the ability to collapse dimensions" [source]

"Choices and consequences". "Now, it seems you can see the effects of your choices like never before, and this time, they marry that choice with incredible visuals" [source]

In the bar when you're trying to get information in the opening, if you choose to fight it out and the barbrawl ensues, you then have to run from the pursuers in the bar [source]

A key concern of the developers when creating the environments was to make “a world worth saving" [source]

The prologue is quite linear but there are additional paths you can follow to find additional loot [source]

In the opening section of the game there is a dock which has been attacked and the soldiers that were there have been killed, "but rather than seeing this passively, we walked through the aftermath and had to interact with the scene to piece it all together" [source]

The tone of the gameplay video is a good indicator of the tone of the rest of the game [source]. On the tone: "dark fantasy" [source]. horror & gore is back along with DA's classic dark elements [source]

Tevinter Nights is a better tone indicator for the game than the original reveal/character trailer. Ghil Dirthalen: "Tevinter Nights has felt the most 'DAV' to me" [source]. The gameplay reveal video is the best indicator for the tone of the game (vs the character one) [source]. there is still messy dark shit in the game [source]

Tonally the game is closest to Tevinter Nights and DA:O [source]

Ghil Dirthalen: "[as] one of those unfortunate souls who has latched onto a media world so hard: This game is for me. For the hardcore DA lore nerds, I've been secretly screaming about things I saw for MONTHS now" [source]

The game is true to the DA stories we know and love [source]

Characters, companions, romance

You can choose to engage in companions' own storylines as you progress or ignore them entirely [source]

You will often have to make dialogue choices that will affect how your various companions treat you [source]

Neve is quick-witted [source], measured and elegant [source]

In the opening, you interact with the companions as you move through Minrathous. "your choices during these interactions will determine who goes on portions of the mission with you, along with how “pleased” they are with the answers." [source]

On Varric and Harding: "Instantly the two felt like they’d never been away and avoided the trap of being parodies or fanfiction versions of themselves" [source]

Solas' eyes were always purple hh [source] (yes!)

Gameplay, presentation, performance etc

Some enemies have additional shields that are weak to ranged attacks [source]

When asked about if the war table from DA:I returned, John Epler said "There is a table. Now, whether it works the same way as the table in the previous game..." [source]

Once you get passed a certain point in the game, it opens up dramatically, however it is not an openworld game and they wanted to make sure that all the content mattered and was a more structured, sculpted experience for the player. There is some exploration, some opportunities to get off the beaten path, and some spaces that are fairly wide [source]

The button to press to bring up the skill wheel is RB or R1 (depending on what controller you're using) [source]

"You'll also have access to two skills or spells for each of your two companions that you can command. For a more seamless, uninterrupted combat experience, you can also assign these skills to shortcuts (such as holding the left trigger and hitting the X button) to quickly use them" [source]

"The game is bringing back Dragon Age 2s dialogue system, which was tone-based and resulted in its protagonist Hawke falling into one of three different personality states. You have three general tones in a conversation: kind, humorous, or aggressive, with slight variations depending on the situation" [source]

"booting Fade demons into pits" [source]

"BioWare have revised Dragon Age's art direction to make character models a little more consistent with the series' lovely Tarot-inspired menu art. Flesh is ruddy to the point of painterly; facial features and bodily proportions are thicker and more striking, as though the characters had been cut from clay" [source]

The 3 specs for Warrior are Reaper (has lifesteal/stealing health from enemies, and other freaky powers, does big damage), Slayer (can wield the biggest blade, big swords, big damage) or Champion, which is tanky, shield-using and Paladin like [source] [source]

There are quick-recover prompts [source]

You can roll through puddles of incoming AOE [source]

There are ziplines between some levels levels [source] (Fel note: just like in As We Fly... )

There are also slidey hills to slide down between some sections [source]

There are still some Hinterland-type areas designed for exploration [source]

We can do some home base management to our home base [source] (Fel note: this refers to The Lighthouse, detail in a previous post)

Camera placement is quite zoomed out [source]

Where Rogues have 'momentum', Warriors have 'rage' and Mages 'mana'. When a warrior spends rage in the ability wheel it triggers more powerful attacks. this has been referred to as a build-and-spend mechanic. this system resource gates your use of more powerful skills and is built by getting stuck in [source]. Momentum for Rogues is built by landing hits without taking any [source]

There are big glowing environmental cues for picking up loot or replenishing health potions [source]

"Epler noted that The Veilguard will not be an open-world experience like Inquisition, and instead will have large spaces to explore with quests littered throughout. This allayed my early concerns that they would course correct too hard from the oft-maligned open areas of Inquisition" [source]

Melee and ranged attacks can be charged up [source]

It sounds like there is an option to have greater guidance on when enemies are attacking [source]

The community council gave a lot of notes on the game's art direction to BioWare (gave feedback to the devs) that they were told and shown were changed from the first reveal/character trailer, these made it into the gameplay trailer [source]

The community council asked about having an arachnophobia mode, though they can't guarantee this was implemented [source]

"You’re encouraged to explore and grind for stronger weapons and gear, so your stats and cosmetics improve the further you get into the game" (in the sense that you’ll be rewarded for hard work) [source, two]

Follower information such as cooldowns and health will be visible on the HUD [source: the Discord]

There is a "quick cast" option if you prefer not to use the wheel, should be a chorded action using a controller [source: the Discord]

On PC you can play with keyboard and mouse or controller [source: the Discord]

An accessibility option is the ability to make auto-targeting stronger or weaker depending on your preference [source: the Discord]

The game will have DLSS support at launch [source: the Discord]

Re: hard drives, the game can be played using an HDD, they would recommend an SSD though for the optimal experience [source: the Discord]

There are lots of different interface options you can play with, e.g. combat text size, opacity, when to display health bars [source: the Discord]

Other

The leak from last year or whenever it was (the one that leaked screenshots and a gif from the game) was mainly a lot of outdated stuff and didn't really represent even the early version some community council members had played [source, two]. It was not leaked by a member of the community council, but by a member of another focus group [source]

The community council were given the chance to play the game twice, once in Fall 2022 and a year later in 2023 [source]

There is no information as yet regarding when pre-orders will be open [source: the Discord]

BioWare are hoping to at the very least have the very "best of" the Discord dev Q&A featured on social media and potentially in a blog [source: the Discord]

[☕ found this post or blog interesting or useful? my ko-fi is here if you feel inclined. thank you 🙏]

[vigilskeep]

i really want to play a veil jumper i know everyone says it’s bad for reactivity but i love the faction dearly and veil jumper dwarf has been in my heart for like six months

[kholoodpals]

I’m sorry for what happened in the last post, but we are living in very difficult and bad days, and people come and call me a beggar and fraud

We are very tired and I think that u are forgot us plz and our campaign has become slow and stagnant let’s see if we can reach new goal

Ur 5 will make big difference if u see this and can donate 5 plz do that

Don’t forget to pray for us 🙏

Just 65 here

@dirhwangdaseul @rhythmlessgay y @gaza-giving-tree @bilal-salah0 @ambeer6 @neechollayy @afro-elf @complimentaryculler @beserkerjewel @bureauen @bluusome @bebaiscool @xgoldenlatiasx @xxx-sparkydemon-xxx @fruit-gummi-sys @boobieteriat @mysharona1987 @pnatreactionpicoftheweek @prisonhannibal @sealbf @wolfertinger666 @wayneradiotv @o-lanterns @newporters @chokulit @caffeccino @laranjeirinha @finalgirlabigailhobbs @crunchyspositivybubble @pikslasrce @selflovejolteon @sayruq @saesyndrome @silba @extremelycursedimages @sansacule @lesbianchemicalplant @lesbianmichelmishina @caztiels @prince-infidel @disc0inferno @murderbot @rapidhighway @dwarf-enjoyer @thottacelli @meshugenist @starbornsoulrider @thatsonehellofabird

[forthefictionallesbians]

With a start, you recoil from the table, sending cutlery crashing unheard to the floor. Your heart is beating fast, too fast, demanding attention you can't lend it. The world is dimming, your periphery fading to the grey of single minded focus, shock. Distantly, an incomprehensible presence completes its work, and withdraws from your awareness. You barely even process the sudden lack from your ears, so desperately attuned, so tinnitus-deafened. Lucidity has finally reached you again. And there is a hole in the wall.

It wasn't there before.

That is the one thing you can be sure of, as you sift through and discard your scattered thoughts, the "not again"'s, the shivers of anticipation, the silent hopes and desperate fears. The not-you, the human-you of mere seconds before hadn't registered it. But now, you can focus on nothing else. The hole, dark and jagged, promises your only measure of security.

Security from what? You barely let yourself think that thought. It is not the thought of a mouse, of you. And you are finally yourself again. There is no time to waste on such frivolities.

Besides, your question is answered half a second later as a towering figure stands up from the table. It dwarfs you, standing nearly three times your height, composed entirely of violet vines with luminous leaves and fronds. Pauma- she- the vine thing is making noises, cooing, moving towards you.

Fear floods your body, and you dash for the hole. This was why I looked this way, why I jolted, you don't speculate. You just scamper frantically towards the hole, narrowly ducking a lazy vine thrust and jumping another sweeping swipe. Escape. Find safety. Already, complicated thoughts are becoming outside of your capacity. It has been maybe ten seconds. Too long. You need to keep moving.

The hole. Darkness. Security in the walls. You've made it, dancing through and immediately darting left, then up, taking steps at a breakneck pace. Adrenaline is pounding through your body, far too much for the scenario. But you did it. You escaped. You were fast enough. If a mouse could cheer, you would have. Instead you settle for cleaning your ears, wiping away at them as your heart rate settles.

The little crevice you've found yourself in is surprisingly spacious, and a little familiar. You don't even bother trying to explain that to yourself. It's a labyrinth, passages of wood and rug and plastic and plush running and twisting above and below you. Verticality makes up for its narrow width. Soft shaped things line corners, along with boards of something that smells savory. Experimentally, you skitter up to one and take a nibble. It has the consistency of soft plastic, and a flavour that explodes in your mouth and fizzes in your brain. Moaning slightly, you scrape it with your teeth again and collapse into the plushies soft things, all stress obliterated in the bubbling afterglow of the gnaw-post. A distant part of you doesn't bother remembering Pauma explaining to you why she put them there, to help ease the stress of the hunt.

Time doesn't matter as you drift contentedly, nuzzling and nesting deeper into the pile. They seem to glow on your skin, every gentle touch an ecstacy of stuffing and fur. This is the life. No worries assail you, and when they do, you take another nibble and watch them dissolve. You do hear the rustlings of vines as they creep through narrow hallways in your direction, but can't bring yourself to care. Even when they wrap around your waist, you don't mind. It's only upon being plucked bodily from your spot that you feel even slightly peeved. But what can you do? You're just a ditsy, happy little mouse, and the vine is so strong. You know you should feel afraid, but you just can't bring yourself to.

Pauma The vine thing sighs, discontented, when she drags you out and holds you in front of her face. But her frustration doesn't seem to be at you. One arm ruffles the hair on your head, and you squeak with the little reactivity left in your body. That does drag a slight smile out of her, wooden mask splitting faintly. "Well, I suppose this experiment wasn't a complete failure," she muses softly. "And this beats you passing out from the fear." A contented humming envelops you as she holds you tight, allowing herself to bask in the moment.

"One of these times I'll get the formulation right, and then we'll have the proper hunt we both crave." Distantly, part of your brain fires in appreciation for her continued efforts. The rest of you can't care beyond the gentle stroking of her vines. "Or maybe," she says with a burst of sudden sharpness, "I'll just keep you like this forever, little mouse." Her eyes blaze a dizzying colour, and consciousness begins to tunnel in on her. You shiver despite yourself. "I had no idea you could get this adorable. As fun as capturing you is, I'll have to thank Quellia for introducing me to this combination. Maybe this is how I finally get you to beg me for a collar."

[sha-brytols]

you know what makes me unreasonably annoyed is the fact that despite the everything veilguard is probably the only game in the entire series that acknowledges its dwarf players to the degree that it does. and yes this includes origins.

[tanadrin]

Apparently the strongest acid known is the helium hydride ion (HeH+)—the neutral molecule form isn’t stable, but the ion can from the radioactive decay of hydrogen-tritium molecules. It also functionally cannot be prepared in large quantities bc it is too reactive, but it’s stable in interstellar space, and was one of the first compounds formed after the Big Bang. Also might exist in the atmospheres of white dwarfs, which is neat.

The strongest base is diethynylbenzene dianion, which is even more basic than HeH+ is acidic, according to Wikipedia, beating out LiO-, the previous recordholder. LiO- is apparently gaseous though? A gaseous superbase sounds like a bad time waiting to happen. You don’t want that shit in the air ducts.

[solarballs-confessions]

Venus pulling that "ugly" face chatter in the Fandom! Venus knows just how BADLY the whole situation with the Sun would go! Venus knows just how reactive Sun can be.

So his forced grimace is a reasonable reaction to 5 out of 8 Planets + 1 Dwarf going missing and having to be the one to tell Sun that his System is going sideways off a cliff.

.

[bharv]

Is Dragon Age The Veilguard the first dragon age game where it is genuinely the most rewarding to play a dwarf since origins?

It’s the only background where nobody is under-reacting to your race (there is such limited reactivity for Qunari and Elves when it should be everywhere) and also the only one where you not having a set faith or strong religious background is lore compliant (they should specify you’re a generational surfacer, sure, but if you’re on the surface it’s implied that you’re stone severed anyway)