#apocalypse sonata

[asquared-ohgodnotthehorrors]

Hey maybe you guys should start by trying a different system

D&D going mainstream really messed up people's expectations cause chances are you're not gonna find a DM who has the free time, talent and resources to put on a tale that competes with Tolkien. you're gonna find your friend's roommate Phil who's read one of the manuals a few times and has to pause to get a calculator out to figure out how much damage your attack did and his story is blatantly ripping off a dragon age 2 side quest

[aziraphales-library]

I *love* any fics where Crowley is hurt incredibly bad and Aziraphale must save him or bring him back to health. I also LOVE fics that delve into trauma or mental health which stripes the characters of their mask and they must rely on someone/each other. Do you have any recommendations for fics that are either, or both? Happy endings are a major must for me, but I am open to any suggestions!

You'll want to check our #crowley whump, #hurt crowley, and #protective aziraphale tags for loads of fics like this. Here are some that may or may not have been recommended before, but mind the tags on all of these!...

Where's My Mind? by ebullience24 (T)

See, the thing is: Crowley is tall. His height had caused a few stares back in the days where the tallest man stood at five foot five. And, because of his height, one might be inclined to describe him as slender with spindly fingers and snake-hips. The pun is never intended on that last one but it stands true nonetheless. And Crowley would be likely to agree with these statements: he is tall and slender and spindly and snake-hipped. But what Crowley would be less likely to agree upon is the statement that he, Anthony J Crowley, is underweight. OR: Crowley has an eating disorder. Trigger Warnings now and at the beginning of each chapter.

Safe Haven by McRaider (T)

When Anthony Crowley stepped back into Aziraphale's life for the first time after eight long years missing, it became exceedingly clear with him came a world of trouble and heartache. But Aziraphale never could say no to his beloved Crowley. Can he help Crowley heal after a failed marriage, a gas-lighting ex-wife with an evil plan?

To Speak the Unspoken by ihamtmus (T)

“Uhhhh… Hi,” Crowley started lamely, scrambling to find a way to explain the situation as quickly as possible. His mind was refusing to work properly, thoughts slow as if doused in oil. He hadn’t really thought about what to say on his way here – he’d been too busy focusing on the getting here part before he would collapse. “I was wondering if I could… If I could maybe die in here, if you don’t mind..?” The expression on Aziraphale’s face changed abruptly, telling him that the angel did, in fact, mind. (In which a mortally wounded demon just wants to get somewhere quiet to die but his Adversary will have none of it. A story of how they both learn just how much they care.)

Death in Love by Aspirina_Effervescente & Cyanidechan (M)

After tempting a composer to fame and success, Crowley is cursed by his wife and tormented by her ghost until the end of his days. Aziraphale would do anything to save him, the only problem is that he doesn't know what's going on and, anyway, the problem could be much more complicated than it seems. Inspired by Giuseppe Tartini’s Sonata “the Devil’s trill”

Drops of Sorrow by EdosianOrchids901 (M)

Ten years after the failed Apocalypse, Crowley is captured by Heaven. Gabriel plans to use him as bait to lure Aziraphale into a fight. Can Crowley survive captivity, and will Aziraphale be able to rescue him without walking into the trap?

A Touch of Heaven by IneffableToreshi (E)

A despondent and defeated Crowley has been through the ringer, moreso even than his roommate, Newt, realizes. After a car accident puts him though a number of surgeries and a temporary - but terrifying - few weeks of blindness, the club owner wants nothing more than to curl up in his bed and refuse to move until things return to normal...or as normal as they'll ever be again. Newt - and his cafe-owning girlfriend, Anathema - have other plans. They think that Crowley just needs some care and pampering, so Anathema schedules him a special, off-hours appointment with a friend of hers who is a rather sought-after masseur. Crowley is hesitant and stubborn, but Aziraphale's soothing voice and comforting nature soon win him over, in more ways than one...

- Mod D

[theresattrpgforthat]

Have you ever come across a game with a deckbuilding element? I've seen deckbuilding games with some roleplaying adjacent additions (Like the arkham horror card game), but not the other way around.

THEME: Deck-building Games

Hello friend, so I think I have a few that are in the same kind of field as deck-builders, although your mileage may vary. I certainly hope there are also folks who see this and know of some more games to add to this little list!

This Ship Is No Mother, by Thomas || New Madras.

This Ship Is No Mother is a game about people in space, working jobs that are probably going to get them killed. Inspired by movies like Alien and games like Mothership and Dread, this is for fans of tension, creepy-crawlies, and general horror. Mechanically, it's a card-based Forged in the Dark game, first in the series of games currently called the Cardsharp Sonata.

In this game, players start with a full deck of cards and as you play, that deck will run down. When the deck ends, there is a climactic moment of panic as one of the characters is going to do something stupid and get themselves (and maybe everyone else) killed.

I’d say that This Ship Is No Mother is kind of adjacent to a deck-building game. You use a regular deck of playing cards to resolve actions, but the resolution system takes inspiration from Blades in the Dark. Your cards don’t stay in your own personal deck; but you can choose to hold onto certain cards in your hand so that you can play them in dramatically appropriate moments, or spend them to make sure your character succeeds when they need to. The game was originally designed to run Mothership scenarios in a more story-game friendly way, so if you like Forged in the Dark mechanics, you might want to check out this game.

Perfect Draw!, by Double Summon Games.

Perfect Draw! is a tabletop role-playing game based on the Powered By The Apocalypse framework that combines Trading Card Games with collaborative storytelling - allowing you to tell stories similar to card game anime like Yu-Gi-Oh!, Duel Masters, and CardFight! Vanguard.

In Perfect Draw! you can make any deck you imagine using our open-ended card creation system - then, clash ideals with villains and allies alike in tense card game combat. Your deck is an extension of your beliefs and the blade that allows you to change the world. Use your passion, skill, and friendship to get the upper hand on foes and save the people you care about most!

Perfect Draw is a game in which you design your cards as you add them to your hand. Your cards exist as physical objects in your hand as you play, but they also represent special attacks and moves in the fiction of the game. As you play, you’ll gain more cards, but rather than relying on symbols or text to tell you what these cards do, you’ll have to author them yourself, using guidelines and inspiration from the specific character playbooks. You’ll also be rolling dice in the style of PbtA games, thus combining the feeling of a card duelling game and a TTRPG.

If you want to emulate the tropes of card-collecting games while designing your custom moves as you play, you might want to try out Perfect Draw!

Cardsharps, by Pageantry Games.

Armed with a deck of cards, this game helps you to nimbly guide your cast of characters on a merry waltz from mishap to catastrophe. For the tone, think of an old-timey farce, or a Coen Brothers movie, or perhaps your own muddled and terrifying existence.

Another game that uses playing cards, Cardsharps looks like it can fit a number of settings, with the four suits representing your stats. You shuffle your hand whenever you enter a test of some kind, and draw a random one - if you draw the Suit you need, you do it, if you get the same colour but wrong suit you get a mixed success, and if you draw the wrong colour completely, it’s a failure.

The randomness that comes from the shuffle reminds me a little bit of deck-building card games I’ve played in the past, although you’re not really adding anything to your hand. I think the core concept is interesting though, and might be something you could play around with to make a game that suits your tastes.

Orchidelirium, by Æther Corp.

Take on the mantle of a grizzled and hardy orchid hunter in 1865, traversing the depths of uncharted territories in search of rare, elusive, and above all, expensive orchids for your shady employer, J. Carmichael & Associates.

For the Games Master, Orchidelirium provides a simple ruleset, an adventure, and improvisation tools to help build an adventure of discovery at the table.

Orchidelerium is another game that uses playing cards with some cards in your hand being used as resources, while others are pulled from the deck to represent obstacles. I don’t know if it’s exactly a deck-building game because your hand is so small, but it does have a few similarities, namely the fact that different cards have different values, and thus will be used differently depending on the nature of the obstacle. The game itself revolves around orchid-hunters in the late 1800’s, which means that colonial themes are going to be present - a good thing to keep in mind when introducing this game to your play group.

Parselings, by Smunchy Games.

Parselings is a modern Deck building RPG about using collaborative word magic and discovering your place in it. The game takes place in a world like our own, but with one major difference – to some, words have literal power. Parsecytes, swarms of ravenous ink-like parasitic organisms, have emerged into the world causing irreversible changes to society and our ecosystem. 

When a Parsecyte invades a human host, it forms a symbiosis with them, together becoming an entity known as a Parseling. At a glance, Parselings are indiscernible from most other humans except for the labels on their skin and the ink mixed into their blood. When brought together in groups, these individuals become greater than the sum of their parts. The infected hosts can use their tattoos to form phrases and sculpt the world to their desires. This power has come to be known as a Parse.

You will play as one of these beings. Struggling to strike a balance between appeasing the Parsecyte within, and proving you are a complex human being who cannot only be defined by a few careless words. This is both a curse and a blessing, but with the others that share your affliction, the world is your oyster. 

This is the first game I think of when someone asks about deck-building ttrpgs. Each player gets a deck that uses regular playing cards to represent core aspects of your characters. The game isn’t dice-less - you still need some d6’s and d10’s - but those dice will only be rolled by the GM. Card decks aren’t the only interesting mechanic in Parselings - you’ll also construct pieces of your character with words that describe who they are and how they fit into the world around them. I think this might be a neat game to check out if you want to explore questions of identity while mixing in a little bit of the supernatural.

Smunchy Games has two supplements for Parselings: Infer Memorial Station, which works as an introductory adventure, and Nominal City Guide, a setting for groups to pick up and explore.

[ryuzakemo128]

Behold A Pale Horse

Pairing: Kyle 'Gaz' Garrick x female reader/ you

Content Warning: Kyle Gaz Garrick the son of a billionaire from generations of old money, mental health issues touched on and briefly explored, philosophy explored to an extent, therapist and therapy session briefly inserted. Y/N is not metioned. Reader is called nicknames like: Firecracker.

Words: 5374

Masterlist

Credit for Dividers: @strangergraphics

Note: Italic writing are your thoughts are. In the case, I might need to tell you before you go ahead and decide to read this.

Note 2: Listening to Moonlight Sonata 1st movement is reccommended in my opinion. But any kind of classical music will fit as well.

Summary: You drape the black shirt over your body like a satin cloak owned by the angel of death and cut from the wings of the fourth horseman of the apocalypse, named Death.

You frowned as you looked at your paycheck, you didn’t know what to think of it. You weren’t used to having a large amount of money. Seventeen thousand pounds for the past month. It wasn’t something you felt like you could get used to anytime soon. You didn’t want to receive the pity of others.

You would rather die than receive the pity of others. Trust no one. Not even the people who call themselves your friend.

Do not mistake their kindness for affection. Show them nothing. Give them nothing.

You drape the black shirt over your body like a satin cloak owned by the angel of death and cut from the wings of the fourth horseman of the apocalypse, named Death.

A loud voice said, come and see. Behold a pale horse. The man that sat upon his steed was death, and hell followed him like a strong stench.

You had seen enough of death to know that the voice was a mere echo of your own thoughts. Taken the name of the Grim Reaper as it was yours to keep close to your heart and soul.

You didn’t care if it was never yours to have in the same sense of those of ‘the faith’. But what they wanted didn’t matter to you.

What you needed was far more substantial, in terms of ‘soul-searching’ and finding yourself all over again. What the fuck does finding ‘your truth’ mean, anyway? It sounds more like an excuse to spend frivolous amounts of money on a useless life coach they don’t need.

You had seen the horrors of war. The screams of the innocent, the smell of burning flesh, the cold touch of death, it all clung to you like a second skin. A reminder of what you had done. What you have been a part of and still work in, manners of death.

You might as well become the fourth horseman of the apocalypse at this stage of your life with all the lives you have taken by your own hand or by the hand of fate, which you had a say in.

The voice, it was, persistent, whispering sweet nothings of destruction into your ears, guiding you through the fog of war like a siren's call leading sailors to their watery graves.

My hands are covered in a sea of blood I will never wash away. Some nights I wake screaming, thinking I’m back there in the middle of the bodies of the people I have given the death sentence to.

I do not wish to be there again.

Ever.

Yet every night I am all the way back.

Over and over again. I see each of their faces painted, tattooed into my subconscious.

I want them to leave. Not only that, but I tell them to leave.

Yet they never seem to listen to me.

As if all I say is empowering them to remain in my mind.

Religion cannot save me.

Therapy is the route I have not taken seriously as of late. It is a sign.

I will go upon this path. Before hell itself consumes my soul.

Father, have I done the right thing?

Mother, are you ashamed of what I have unleashed?

I have created many men and women widows.

Created many children into a mass of orphans.

Yet the superiors of mine clap my shoulder and congratulate me as if I had done the greatest deed man could ever accomplish.

To me? It is the greatest burden I have dealt with.

The weight of their lives on my shoulders, a heavy crown of thorns digging deep into my skin. But I wear it, for the sake of what? The country? The queen? Or the fear that I might just be a monster in the eyes of society.

Yet nothing I could have done while you were alive would have been good enough for either of you.

The push to succeed, much like my older brothers before me. You neglected what I wanted in service to your own needs.

To your own wants and desires. Inside layers of a play written by William Shakespeare.

One where everyone has their part but me. One where everyone knows what their part entails and the consequences that come with it.

But I don't. I am the puppeteer whose strings are tangled, and the puppet is dancing to a tune I never knew.

But you can’t force people to like you. To love you. To adore you.

You cannot force people to do anything.

A dance where everyone expects you to know all the steps of once you have reached a certain point in your life.

“Dr. Stone. I was sincere in hoping therapy might unearth a lot of my….emotional baggage.” You told your doctor.

Your black skirt feeling more like a twisted contraption you were dying to take off by the time you were done in the doctor's office.

Her eyes were kind, understanding, a tad bit pitying. The kind of pity which always seem to make you want to scream. She nodded gently, her long platinum blonde hair brushing past her shoulders.

“It’s okay. Your feelings are valid. The first step is acknowledging that you need help.”

You always had ADHD, but your father didn’t believe it was a cause for alarm. Telling you, it was a hoax from ‘big pharma’ to get people to spend more on medication than to actually help people.

You felt like a burden. A failure. Especially when you were diagnosed with it at seven years old. He would yell at you, scream at you, tell you that you were just being lazy and that you needed to pay more attention.

How could you when everything was a blur of colours and sounds and words didn’t make sense?

When you were diagnosed with psychosis depression, in conjuncture of Synaesthesia and sensory processing disorder, it was like a sledgehammer to your already fragile sense of self. You felt like you were drowning in a sea of emotions and stimuli, with no one to throw you a lifeline.

Your father's dismissal of your struggles only served to fuel the fire of your isolation. You had always felt like an outsider in your own family, and now you had scientific evidence to prove it.

What good was evidence when the people who were supposed to support you didn’t believe in it?

A support system that couldn’t be bothered to support you. So, you learn to pickpocket from wealthy strangers in order to get the money you need for school supplies and food to eat during the school day. Lest your parents get a phone call from the school’s administrator to the child protective services.

The last thing you needed was to be taken from your home and placed somewhere else.

Keeping a sharp knife in your hoodie’s pocket, a silent reminder of what you were capable of unleashing unto others if you were given no other choice but to defend yourself.

“Cos I'm th' one gettin' in'a more fights than thee.” You reminded him with an eyebrow raised at him.

He chuckled before his expression grew serious. “Remember, it’s not for fights. It’s for when things get really bad. You're smarter than me, you’re smarter than all of us. Use it wisely.”

“Ta.” you muttered sheepishly in a bashful thanks.

It’s a long memory from years ago. Now, he is a married man with three daughters of his own, still living back in Yorkshire. After your father decided it was for the best that your brother, Caiden, had taken over the family farm. Leaving you to fend for yourself in the city with an alcoholic of a father who couldn’t even bother to remember your birthday.

You didn’t want to think what kind of desperation your mother would have needed to go through to leave you behind and cheat on your father repeatedly. Though, you know for a fact she didn’t care much about you or your older siblings, either. At least it was what your father drilled into you since you were sent off into the military at sixteen years old.

This is the least of your worries now.

The military charity dinner held by those in a level of wealth you were given the privilege to gawk at. Gaze upon in a hopeless wonder of knowing you were deemed less than in the grand scheme of the capitalist agenda.

“I don't know whether to be insulted at the gesture or wonder why they couldn't get someone else to attend in my place.” You told her as you stared at the window past her into the light grey cloudy sky.

“I could, no, I would be back there on the coastal shores in a heartbeat if they said they found someone else.” You continued to stare past her.

“I could be fishing for hours out there, and I wouldn’t have a care in the world.” You mentioned your diet of fresh fish, crab and the odd catfish if you were lucky enough to catch one.

Dr Stone nodded, scribbling notes on her clipboard, her pen moving swiftly, gliding across the page like an ice skater. As she processed your words.

“It’s important to find healthy ways to cope with your past traumas and the stress of your current job. Is there something you’ve always wanted to do, a hobby perhaps, that could help you find some peace?”

“I do MMA, Kickboxing, Axe-throwing, Javelin. I’m always studying anything to do with Electrical engineering. Even though I have doctorate now.”

“I haven’t found a reason to do much else other than fish as soon as I’m on leave. I leave out crab nets to catch crabs overnight. Primrose Valley is peaceful enough for someone who doesn't need much of anything.”

The doctor nodded, her gaze never leaving yours. “But what about something more…social? Something that doesn’t involve you being alone with your thoughts?”

“I don’t venture out much. I visit London for a two week vacation every three months. I come out more often if I need to get more clothes, shoes and tech for my workstation in my office.” You answered.

“My older brother said this military function was likely an excuse to parade around a poster child of a poor sod, a poverty-stricken soul who crawled her way to Colonel without wealth to back her up.” You mentioned.

Dr. Stone put her clipboard down and leaned slightly forward, her eyes searching yours. “And how does that make you feel?”

“One. It feels too convenient for him to say it. Two. I don’t know what to feel about it. Suspicious at the timing. But grateful for the opportunity at the same time.” You answered.

“I’m sorry for being so blunt, but I need to know where you’re coming from to help you better. How do you feel when you’re around others at these events?” She asked gently.

“I would have been offended if you weren’t blunt. It feels convenient they chose this time of year to do it. They could have chosen any other time of the year. But for some reason now felt like the ‘right time’. I feel like a zoo animal on display for them to gawk at and whisper about. Like they’re all expecting me to break down and show them the horrors of war. Like that’s what they want to see. That’s what makes them feel alive. That’s what makes them feel like they’re doing something noble by pitying me. Though, what is the use of pity now?”

You sigh heavily, feeling the weight of your words. “I feel like a fraud. Like I’m wearing a mask. A mask of success, of bravery, of strength. But underneath, I’m just a scared little girl who doesn’t know what the fuck she’s doing in a room full of lions dressed as sheep.”

Dr. Stone nods thoughtfully. “It’s normal to feel out of place in such situations. The military has its own culture, and transitioning to civilian life can be challenging, especially when you’re thrust into the spotlight like this. But remember, you earned your rank through hard work and sacrifice. You’re not just a story for them to tell. You’re a person with feelings and experiences that have shaped you into who you are today. It’s okay to set boundaries and to choose how much you wish to share with them. They may not understand, but that’s their problem, not yours.”

“Progress without work is not real progress.” you responded remembering the first session with her.

“How about trying to find someone to talk to at the dinner tonight? Maybe someone who you can connect with on a deeper level, someone who won’t see you as a charity case or a trophy, but as a human being with a story to tell.” Dr. Stone suggested, her voice a gentle nudge towards the social horizon you had long avoided.

“Only one way to find out right?” you sighed thinking of it.

The military charity dinner was held in a grand ballroom, the kind you only saw in movies. Chandeliers sparkled like diamonds hanging from the ceiling, casting a warm, golden light on the marble floor.

The walls were lined with portraits of important figures, their stern faces watching over the event like guardians of the past. The air was thick with the scent of expensive cologne and the murmur of polite conversations.

You felt more like you were going through an outer body experience than actually attending the dinner. The room was filled with the who's who of society.

All dressed in their finest attire. The clinking of silverware and the soft laughter echoed around you.

A stark contrast to the chaos you were used to in the battlefield. You wore a sleek black dress that hugged your toned body. The fabric whispering against your skin as you moved.

It was a stark reminder of the armor you once wore. The one that actually kept you safe.

Looking for a seat painted. Coated. Dyed. Twisted inside the depths of both darkness and shadow.

The dinner was a masquerade ball of sorts, the kind where everyone wore their masks of charity and compassion while their true faces remained hidden behind a veil of wealth and privilege.

You walked through the crowd, the heels of your black stilettos clicking against the marble like the ticking of a time bomb, drawing glances that ranged from curious to pitying.

You felt like a wolf in sheep's clothing, armed with your sharp wit and the stories no one genuinely wanted to hear.

You were sipping on a potent amber liquid in the corner out of the view of those who would rather pity you from afar than muster the courage to speak to you.

The gentle tapping upon your shoulder you were determined to ignore. Yet as you pretended to ignore them as if they were not quite there. A deep voice, the accent of the queen’s English breaking through his lips as if they parted in gentle parting waves rather than words.

“Excuse me, colonel, if I may, your presence here is quite the talking point.”

“I suppose it would be. Most oddities of the norm are spoken of. Are they not? Those who do not fit within usually stand out as clear as daylight or a black sheep born from white.” You responded fixing the leather gloves enclosing your hands from view.

He chuckled, a rich, warm sound that seemed to fill the empty spaces in the room. “I suppose that’s true. But you, Colonel, you’re more like a diamond in the rough, aren’t you? Shimmering brilliantly amidst the coal of our mundane existence.”

“I find the apt description of a black sheep more befitting. A black sheep need not take dye to turn into a different colour, it is simply born that way. Wool worth more because it doesn't need to change into a different shade. It is just as it is meant to be but is often discarded for not fitting in with the flock.” You replied, a hint of a smile playing at the corner of your lips.

“I’m Kyle Garrick. But you can call me Gaz. I’ve heard quite the tales of your valour, Colonel.” He extended a hand, his grip firm but not overpowering, a sign of respect.

“Of that I have no doubt.” You took his hand and shook it firmly, looking into his eyes without blinking, as if to prove that you were not intimidated by his status. “Tales are often exaggerated to suit the teller’s needs. And I suspect that in this room, the truth is as elusive as a mirage in the desert of deception.”

Gaz chuckled again, his smile genuine. “Fair point. But I’ve seen enough of the world to know that true grit isn’t something that can be faked. So, tell me, Colonel, what brings a diamond in the rough to an event like this?”

“Other than being invited to it?” You questioned the young man.

He nodded in understanding, his eyes never leaving yours. “Indeed. Besides that, I mean. Is there something you’re hoping to get out of tonight?”

“I suppose I don't know. London is nosier than Primrose Valley. Lacks the sea air I have become accustomed to.” you answered.

Gaz leaned against the wall beside you, his eyes scanning the room as if he were assessing the situation. “I can understand that. The city can be...overwhelming at times. But there’s also something to be said for the energy here. The constant movement, the stories hiding in every corner. It’s like a battlefield in a different way, isn’t it? Just with less danger and more champagne.”

“You are just as likely to drown in it as to swim inside it.” you quipped. “Also, I don't know what battlefield you've been on. Most of mine have been as hectic as the daylight savings.”

Gaz’s eyes searched yours, a hint of curiosity in his gaze. “You’ve seen a lot, haven’t you?”

“One would certainly hope so. I started at sixteen at the behest of my father. My mother left one night, and she hadn't come home back since.” you answered.

Gaz’s eyes widened slightly, and his smile faltered. “That’s...young. Too young, really. But I suppose necessity is the mother of all invention, isn’t it?”

“Necessity breeds innovation. Innovation breathes in the soul of the desperate.” You said, taking a sip of your drink, your eyes never leaving his. The liquid burned down your throat like a trail of fire, a comforting pain, a familiar one. “Mr. Garrick, why do you find yourself here this evening, you do not strike me as a charitable soul.”

He chuckled, a sound that seemed to resonate with the very walls of the ballroom. “You’re right, Colonel. I’m not exactly the charity type.

But, my father’s a high-ranking general, and he believes in supporting our troops.

Plus, it’s a good way to network, keep an eye on the new recruits, and maybe, just maybe, find a bit of the excitement I’ve missed since leaving active duty.

And you? What’s your reason for being here?”

“Do I require one?” you answered.

“No, I suppose not. But it’s always interesting to know what brings people together in a place like this. Besides, I find that the most intriguing people often have the most intriguing stories to tell. And I’d wager yours is quite the tale.” Gaz said, his eyes still holding yours, a challenge in his gaze.

“Not quite for those who cannot stomach the taste copper.” you responded.

“I see. Then tell me, what do you do in your free time?” Gaz asked, his gaze never leaving yours.

“MMA, Kickboxing, Axe-throwing, Javelin. I’m always studying anything to do with Electrical engineering. I haven’t found a reason to do much else other than fish as soon as I’m on leave. I leave out crab nets to catch crabs overnight. Primrose Valley is peaceful enough for someone who doesn't need much of anything.” you answered looking at the ornate fork on the table.

Gaz’s eyes lit up at the mention of MMA and kickboxing. “Now that’s a side of you I wasn’t expecting. Most women in the military I know prefer the more…traditional forms of relaxation. How did you get into that?”

“I'm a close combat specialist as well as a sniper. Best of both. A combination of two deadly worlds. I enjoy the rush and the discipline it brings. It keeps my mind sharp and my body in check. Plus, it’s a good way to let off steam. As for electrical engineering, it’s always been a passion of mine. Something about the chaos of circuits and wires makes sense to me when nothing else does. It’s like a puzzle, but instead of a picture, you get to build something that actually works.” You replied, your eyes never leaving the fork.

“Fascinating. You're a woman of many talents, Colonel.” Gaz said, his voice filled with genuine interest.

“You have to be. To survive and thrive in this type of world you need it. You require it. You must find yourself utterly complete inside and out.” you replied with a shrug of your shoulders.

“Ah, I see. So, tell me, what’s the most thrilling part of your job?” Gaz asked, his gaze still on you, as if he was trying to piece together the puzzle of your life.

“The technology. It adapts faster than we can ever learn to use it. Delightful to see the older generations scramble around as they shriek, 'How do I use this?' in different words. But the question always remain the same.” you snorted.

“But the most thrilling part would be when you can outsmart it. When you can use it in ways it wasn’t intended to be used. That’s when you know you’re truly ahead of the game. Like using a smartphone as an explosive device or a simple USB stick to bring down a network. The simplicity is the best part. It’s like watching a magician pull a rabbit out of a hat, except the rabbit is a bomb and the hat is your enemy’s security system.”

Gaz’s eyes widened, a spark of intrigue lighting up his expression. “Remarkable. It’s not often you find someone who can appreciate the beauty in chaos quite like that.”

“Chaos is everywhere. From the sea, to the sky and the creatures just below the ground. To the very sciences. We know less of our ocean than we do about our moon.”

“Indeed. But chaos is predictable if you know the patterns. And when it comes to technology, I’ve found that the patterns are quite…beautiful, in their own destructive way. Like a tornado, you see it coming, you know the path of destruction, but there’s a certain…elegance to it, isn’t there?” Gaz replied, his voice low and intense.

“Not quite. It is safe to assume we know because of what we already do know.” you pointed out. “A fool assumes he has all the answers. A fool denies truths revealed later to writhe in his 'limitless' ignorance. A smart man knows he does not know everything. A smarter one knows the right questions to ask to find the answers he does not know yet. And the smartest knows when not to ask at all, for fear of what he might find out.”

Gaz nodded thoughtfully, his gaze still locked with yours. “A philosopher and a warrior, Colonel. Quite the combination. I can see why they picked you as the face of this event. You have a way with words that could charm the birds from the trees.”

“My therapist recommended most of the books I have read on Existentialism Absurdist philosophy. It made life seem to look like it had more sense than it truly does. Like a jigsaw puzzle with half the pieces missing, or a goldfish than happens to be koi fish. It's all in how you look at it.” you said with a shrug.

As the dinner came to a close, you were left with your thoughts and memories stirred up. As you walked over to your car, the cool London night air slapped you with reality. You were still the Grim Reaper, haunted by the ghosts of your past. You looked at you car, a 1966 black dodge charger, a symbol of your old life.

As you placed your vinyl leather handbag, until you heard your name, your heart skipped a beat. You turned around to see a man in a sharp navy blue tuxedo with a crimson tie walking towards you, a smile playing on his lips.

“Colonel, I hope I’m not interrupting your quiet moment.”

“If you call heading back to a hotel room as a 'quiet moment' then I would hate to see what you define as a party.” you replied dryly.

The man chuckled, his eyes twinkling with mirth. “Fair enough. But I must admit, I found your company quite refreshing tonight. A breath of fresh, if not salty, sea air.” He extended his hand once again. “John Price, at your service. And before you ask, no, I'm not related to the hotel chain.”

“I was thinking of of a tinned fish brand than a hotel chain.” You said as you took his hand. “It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Price.”

Price's grip was firm, but not overpowering. His smile remained, but his eyes searched yours, as if looking for something hidden beneath the surface. “Please, call me John. And the pleasure is all mine, Colonel. I couldn't help but overhear your conversation with Gaz. Quite insightful, really. Rare to find someone who understands the complexities of our line of work.”

“I would hope so getting shot at at the ripe age of 17 is not something I would have wanted my own children to go through.”

“Indeed, it’s a path that shapes us, whether we wish it or not. Tell me, Colonel, are you ever haunted by the ghosts of your past?” John Price asked, his voice carrying a weight that suggested he was all too familiar with such hauntings.

“John. No one can kill someone and come back the same as they were. It’s like trying to walk through a forest fire unscathed. The heat changes you, the smoke fills your lungs and alters your breathing forever. You’re never quite the same.” You replied, your voice a mix of honesty and resignation.

John’s smile remained, but his eyes grew serious. “Wise words, Colonel. And I suspect you speak from experience. I’ve seen enough of those fires to know that you can’t escape them untouched. But sometimes, those ghosts can be…useful. They can drive us to do things we never thought possible, push us to be better than we ever imagined we could be. And sometimes, just sometimes, they give us the strength to keep walking when we feel like we can’t go on anymore. Have you ever felt that way?”

“On and off. Most days yes. On others I want to be on my boat and fish for two hours.” you answered.

John's eyes searched yours, a silent understanding passing between the two of you. “Fishing, huh? I’ve always found there’s something peaceful about being out on the water, just you and the fish. It’s a stark contrast to the chaos we deal with in our line of work, isn’t it?”

“Nothing like catching a fish, cutting it up and eating for dinner later.” you smirked.

John chuckled, the sound echoing in the emptying ballroom. “Indeed. But tell me, do you ever find that the quiet of the water gets too…quiet? That you miss the rush?”

“Covert ops. Those ones are the ones I liked most of all. Its the combination of the James Bond spy feeling and the reality of it all. You get to save the world and look good doing it, minus the fancy cars and the women of course. Just me and my trusty boat, a fishing pole, and a whole lot of patience.” you said, a ghost of a smile playing on your lips.

John’s eyes lit up, a spark of shared experience in his gaze. “Ah, the quiet before the storm. The thrill of the hunt, the anticipation of the catch.

It’s quite a rush, isn’t it? The adrenaline pumping through your veins as you wait for the right moment to strike, knowing that one wrong move could mean the end of the mission. And yet, when you succeed, it’s like nothing else in the world.”

You ended up giving him your number to him. You don't know why you did. You felt compelled to do it. It was a choice you have decided to do in the heat of the moment.

Thinking nothing of it. As you drove to the hotel you booked to stay in for the duration of your stay in London. It wasn’t as nearly draped in luxury expenditures as one of the wealthy would have.

However, it wasn’t the cheapest either. It was the perfect kind of ‘safe’ middle ground you could find. It was enough to satisfy your needs without making you feel guilty for spending your hard-earned savings.

You decided to text your friend to check on your home along the coast. You weren't sure what to feel about this London trip. It was a new thing for you. A time for just yourself. And your mind. Everything else is extra.

[ask-spooky-manor]

Music Taste!!!!!

PLEASE.

i need 2 know what they listen to in ur HC!'s. Ty :)

[it can be just Toby, or whoever you want.]

Toby: Punk, all the way. The louder and angrier, the better. He does like a little of everything but he more gravitates to artists like Destructo Disk or GRLwood

Tim: Folk music. He needs something that can get his brain off reality for a few minutes, and the soulful sounds of Hozier or the more epic bravados of The Amazing Devil help. He also really likes Johnny Cash if the poster in his room says anything. He also loves musicals, but that will go to his grave (if he wan’t immortal)

Brian: Unironically likes country and everyone makes fun of him for it, but he will swear up and down that there are some good ones out there. Dolly Parton is his queen, his idol

Jeff: Has a soft spot for classical music like your Midnight Sonatas cause he took piano really young. Performing for the family is one of the few happy memories he has of his parents. Aside from that, he has no other preference other than a strong devotion for My Chemical Romance

Ben: Video game soundtracks obvi obvi. They can chill on the floor and listen to all of the Undertale soundtrack for hours. Though outside of that they adore chill, lofi hip-hop

EJ: Metal!!! Like Toby, Jack likes his music loud and angry though he prefers the more epicness that comes from metal like Fleshgod Apocalypse than punk music which often sound like it comes from amateurs playing in their garage (affectionate, I love punk)

Clockwork: Easy: your classic emo phase music. I’m talking My Chemical Romance, Pierce the Veil, Panic at the Disco before it went bad, Fall out Boy. Did I get that right? Idk, I never had an emo phase

Jane: Latin Pop but not like the modern stuff. I mean Gloria Trevi’s earlier music and Selena. Her mom basically worshipped Gloria Trevi, and Sunday mornings always had Jane wake up to those artists on blast as mama Richardson did her weekly cleaning of the house.

Nina: Literally any song that was in those early 2010 animation memes that you’d see on Youtube and also Vocaloid. But she likes the really fucked up Vocaloid songs like the classic Alice Human Sacrifice or Late Night Madness

Sally: MLP songs…totally not related but Sally is not allowed to use the internet-

Slender: Like super great grandfather like super great grandson, Slender also likes musicals and unlike Tim, he is not ashamed of it.

[indierpgnewsletter]

✨, 🌱, 💡?

✨ A game I wish more people were talking about

There aren't many indie games that are talked about enough as far as I concerned. So many great games have come out recently that deserve way more discussion and praise: Pasion de la Pasiones by Brandon Leon-Gambetta and Swords without Master by Epidiah Ravachol are at the top of my list.

Pasion de la Pasiones is a masterclass of PbtA design - in many ways, a true inheritor of Apocalypse World's inter-personal playstyle. A playbook like El Jefe (which I'm playing in a game right now) is such a beautiful piece of design. Another designer would have made that character the GM's responsibility, to be played as the villain. Like the hardholder in AW, Brandon Leon-Gambetta trusts the players to take on the roles required to play a cheesy, melodramatic telenovela. At the same time, it's not just up to the players - through excellent move design, it's easy to be an awesome player. Also by empowering players, Pasion de la Pasiones is designed to be fun for the GM as well. It serves up exactly what I cherish most - the ability for players to drive play. I know lots of folks might see the cover and think it's just not for them but I encourage them to give it a try and see the fun on offer.

Swords without Master is amazing for the same reasons. It's a game with a GM that completely trusts the players to make their own fun - to come up with fun questions and fun answers. For those who don't know, it's a sword and sorcery RPG that has a bunch of unique things - dice that decide tone, a motif mechanic, phases that feel like they swap between GMless and GM'd. It also represents that rare thing. Like PbtA, it's basically a whole new type of game, designed from the ground up. It hasn't been as influential but it could have been!

🌱 An unreleased/not-yet-crowdfunding game I’m looking forward to

Oh, man, okay, I've got a couple for this:

Bloodclotte by Nick Duff: This is a hard game to describe but here's my best shot: You play doctors in a steampunk hospital dealing with the weirdest, most bizarre patients that you can conceive. It's less medical drama and more war comedy, a genre that is so rare that the only good example I know is the iconic 70s show, M*A*S*H. It's really good and I'm writing a playbook for it based on Ayurveda. There's a quick start available and I played a super fun playtest campaign of it. Recommended!

Da Xia by Tan Shao Han: Tan Shao Han is a Singaporean designer who is also a writer on Bloodclotte, like me. This game of his (which I have only heard the most delicious whispers about) is a Forged in the Dark game where you play Chinese folk heroes in Singapore during WW2 when it was under Japaneese occupation. I love the concept - it sounds challenging and ambitious work for a designer as well as a unique experience for players. Super excited to get my hands on a playtest draft.

💡 A game that inspired my own design or creative practice

I'm working on a series of card-based games I'm calling the Cardsharp Sonata. The first one is out and it's a sci-fi horror game called This Ship Is No Mother. The entire series is based on the wonderful, insightful Forged in the Dark game Crash//Cart by Galen Pejeau. Crash//Cart is one of the first games I ever wrote about the newsletter after a smash-hit of a one shot. It's about EMTs going out to save people and take them to hospitals in a nightmarish cyberpunk world. It's fast, fun and Galen's sharp design logic really inspired me to make more games.

[thedragonagelesbian]

RULES: Post 5 songs associated with your OC, followed by 3 outfits they would wear

@ghostwise & @bladesmitten tagged me (thank you sm!!!! <3333). As I already did this for Cyrus, here's Yiseeril!

Songs:

Piano Sonata No. 3 in F minor, Op. 14 ~ Robert Schumann (it's not an organ piece, but I had to include something classical for my bard babe; picked this piece for its prominent featuring of the "Clara theme", named for Schumann's wife [Yiseeril is a romantic, after all], and its bonkers Finale. That highly textured sense of desperation from all the runs and trills--as well as the technical virtuosity required to pull them off--very much remind me of Oghma's fallen aasimar)

Otherside ~ Perfume Genius (tethered by timing / let it undo / aimless and ripped / from the root / binds you)

Daffodil ~ Florence + The Machine (i'm not bad, i'm not good / i drank every sky that i could / made myself mythical, tried to be real / saw the future in the face of a daffodil)

Katrinah Josephina ~ University Hall Pass (she's still singing the praises / of angels and sages)

redemption ~ serpentwithfeet (i thought there was redemption in the four ethers / somehow i thought the sweet perfume of our truths / rotting inside your belly could free me, could free me)

Outfits:

Vestments of Oghma

bubblegum bitch bard

Nascent Illithid Divinity Couture/Apocalypse Red Carpet/Outfits to take over the world with your wife in

[kahran042]

Some cool words

absolute

abyss

adamant

adjudicate

angel

apex

apocalypse

arcane

arsenic

astral

asylum

athame

axis

azimuth

azure

bane

barrier

beyond

blaze

bleak

blight

blizzard

calamity

carnage

cascade

cataclysm

cathedral

celestial

central

chalice

chaos

charisma

checkpoint

chronicle

chrysalis

citadel

codex

conflict

conquest

contact

core

cosmic

council

covenant

crisis

crimson

crossfire

crusader

crypt

cyclone

dagger

deception

desolate

despair

destiny

devil

dire

disaster

dolorous

doom

dragon

durian

dusk

ebony

eclipse

edge

electric

elegy

ember

enigma

ephemeral

equinox

eternal

evanescent

eventide

execute

exodus

extreme

fandango

fang

fate

fathom

flux

forge

frontier

frost

future

galaxy

gallows

garland

gaunt

genesis

gleam

glyph

gorge

gravity

grimoire

gunmetal

haven

hazard

helix

heretic

horizon

howl

hurricane

impulse

intense

isolation

jagged

jet

knife

kraken

lachrymose

lament

lethal

lightning

luminous

luster

madness

maelstrom

malachite

malice

mandrake

marquis

matrix

metropolis

mirage

mistral

monitor

mortal

mote

nemesis

nexus

nightmare

nocturne

obelisk

oblivion

omen

onyx

ordeal

pagan

pain

pale

paradise

passion

penance

peril

phantom

phoenix

pinnacle

point

portent

precipice

predator

pulse

quasar

radius

rapier

rapture

ravage

raven

razor

repose

requiem

revolution

saber

sanguine

scathe

scorn

scorpion

scourge

selection

seraph

serenity

serpent

shade

shard

sigil

signal

sine

sinister

slash

slaughter

sonata

sonic

spectre

stealth

steel

stinger

storm

strife

subjugate

sublime

syndrome

tempest

tenebrous

terminus

thorn

threnody

titanium

torch

torrent

toxic

trance

tranquility

twilight

typhoon

vagrant

valor

vector

venom

vertigo

vigil

vindicate

viridian

vitriol

void

volatile

vortex

warlock

wayfarer

wicked

winter

xebec

xenon

zeal

zenith

zero

zinc

zone

[dr-beetus]

Do all of them!!! 🥳🎊🎉☀💛🌈💕🪩🍜🍝🚀🤘🥌🍔🐹🐯🐅🐯🍥🦈🦦💕💕😍 💛 ^w^ <3

I got this ask, then the same from my wife, so I'll just answer this one and send it to her. Here's a link to the ask game:

1: If Crimson Was Your Colour by Witchcraft

2: Cosmonaut of Three by Orchid

3: Sea Shanty 2 from Runescape

4: Oblivion by Mastodon

5: Cirice by Ghost (start low, volume increase around 23 seconds, then again around 45 seconds)

6: Dance by Kontrust

7: Victory Song by Ensiferum

8: March to The Sea by Baroness (Song about losing loved ones to opiates)

9: Musette Maximum by Igorrr

10: Bright Like The Morning by Stoned Jesus

11: In The Garden by Red Vox

12: I Hate Everything About You by Three Days Grace

13: Rock Me Amadeus by Falco

14: Lempo by Korpiklaani (Finnish god of love and passion, we want a ren fest wedding)

15: Blue Turns Red by Fleshgod Apocalypse

16: Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven

17: Hole in The Sky by Shining (Nor) featuring Linnea Dale

18: Black Hole Sun by Sound Garden

19: Dialogue With the Stars by In Flames

20: Gateways by The Halo Effect

21: Vianna by Eluveitie

22: Nemesis by Arch Enemy

23: Eyrie by Ne Obliviscaris

24: All of Them Witches by 3 Inches of Blood

25: Fame by David Bowie

26: The Silver Sister by Eluveitie

27: Last Days Here by Pentagram

28: World Through My Fateless Eyes by Lost Horizon

29: Bolbous Bouffant by The Vestibules

30: Dawn of a New Day by In Flames

If anyone would like reasons as to why I chose these, feel free to comment or send an ask. This post is long enough as is.

[thunderon]

Have a song with John vibes: Who Failed The Most by Sonata Arctica!

oh i really like this as a john song!

definitely here thinking about john’s use of puppetting here to jumpstart the apocalypse

[ivyprism]

Sona Nicknames

Character Info

Many of My Sonas: Persona - Ivy Traveler Persona - Henna (also goes by H) Trainersona - Anemone Spidersona - Lycoris Underfell Persona - Marguerite Underfell Silver - Camellia Underswap Persona - Primrose Underswap Silver - Embellia Alluretale Persona - Azalea Fellswap Carnelian - Nerium Fellswap Amaranth - Crocus Swapfell Persona - Willow (W) Swapfell Glaucous - Belladonna (Bell) Dancetale Persona - Marigold Dancefell Persona - Flori Danceswap Persona - Primula (Prim) Figure Skating Persona - Snowdrop The Witch in the Woods - Rosemary Final Boss AU - Helia

Mafiatale Persona - Lotus Mafiafell Persona - Nucifera Mafiaswap Persona - Bellis Mafiadancetale - Lantana Mafiadancefell - Astrantia

Farmtale Persona - Hollis Farmfell Persona - Viola Farmswap Persona - Fawn Farmhorrortale Persona - Alouette Farmhorrorswap Persona - Delia Farmhorrorfell Persona - Anthea

The Seamstress - Marginata The Knight - Salix The Betrayed - Atropa The Guide - Rosea The Dancer - Holligold The Informant - Cosmos The Violinist - Marsilea The Writer - Hebe

Horror AUs: Horrortale Persona - Hollyhock (Holly) Horrorfell Persona - Helix (Hel) Horrorswap Persona - Lisianthus (Lisi or Lis) Horrorswapfell Amethyst Persona - Achillia Horrorfellswap Carnelian Persona - Eustoma

Hero/Villain AU: Hero and Villain! Underfell - Zinnia Villain! Sona - Oleander The “Angelic” Villain! Sona - Angel The "Devilish" Villain! Sona - Datura

Medieval-esque sonas: The Pirate of Vividus Sonas - Begonia and Narcissa The Duet of Medieval and Modern AU Persona - Dione The Duet of Medieval and Modern AU Underswap Persona - Flora The Duet of Medieval and Modern AU Underfell Persona - Petunia The Younger Fallen Royal Twin Persona - Alyssum Cursed Persona - Verbena The Soul Persona - Celadine

Angels Fall Sonas/Skelesonas: Angels Fall AU Angelsona/Persona - Lillium Horror Angelsona/Persona - Alstroemeria Corrupt Angel Persona - Chamomile Demonsona/Persona - Eucalyptus Horror Demonsona/Persona - Lonicera Rogue Demon Persona - Freesia Goddess of Magic Persona - Fleur Goddess of Dark Magic - Ione Goddess of Potions - Olearia Goddess of Magical Objects - Wisteria

Outcode Sonas: The Book Keeper - Floryn Old AU - Deidamia Old Fell AU - Myrthe Old Swap AU - Iris Old Fellswap AU - Liliane Old Swapfell AU - Sylvie Old Horrortale AU - Sireli The Melody of the Universes - Carnation The Melody of the Universes Underfell - Kalina The Melody of the Universes Underswap - Meadow Tenebrous Persona - Hepatica Luminus Persona - Calanth Fairy Sona - Lobelia The Veiled Guardian - Baptisia Dance! Dreamtale Sona - Mimosa Dreamtale Sona - Rivea Dreamswap - Polyantha Dream Walker and Wish Granter Sona - Bluebell Underfell Dream Walker and Wish Granter Sona - Orchid Underswap Dream Walker and Wish Granter Sona - Daffodil The Caged Bird - Laurel The Forgotten Human - Ixia The Mermaid Mercenaries - Lilac

Familiar Persona - Abelia Fell Familiar Persona - Spirea

Zombie Apocalypse Sonas: Undertale - Hesperis Horrortale - Helichrysum Swapfell Amethyst - Hydrastis

Pirate AU: Piratesona - Blossom Pirate Captain - Heliconia (H) Fell Pirate Captain - Gloxinia

The Puppeteer and the Creations: The Puppeteer - Ianira The Ninth Creation - Petal The Tenth Creation - Cliantha The Eleventh Creation - Evanthe

The Heroine and the Villainess Who Ruins Plots for Funsies: The Heroine - Halldora The Villainess - Haizea

The Dating Sim Guides: Tutorial Guide Persona - Forsythia Story Guide Skelesona - Callaia

The Stars Sonas: The North Star - Bellatrix The South Star - Astria The Fallen Stars - Calytrix The Dying Stars - Meissa The Fading Stars - Yvaine

The Adventurers of Millenis - The Cleric Persona - Calendula The Warlock Skelesona - Nolana The Lead Bard Persona - Cadence The Princess Bard Skelesona - Sonata The Villainous Bard Skelesona - Minuet The Wizard Skelesona - Peony The Barbarian Skelesona - Jasmine

The Past Lives of the Adventurers of Millenis - The Gentle Warlock Persona - Linnea The Cold Cleric Skelesona - Cecilia The Sorrowful Bard Skelesona - Rue The Paladin Skelesona - Ianthe The Druid Skelesona - Iolanthe

Ghostsona/Robotsona - Magnolia

Mermaidsonas/Sirensonas/Tieflingsona: Mermaid Sona - Hibiscus The Trapped Mermaid - Althaea Sirensona - Roselle Tieflingsona - Dicentra Farmtale Tieflingsona - Harmony

Selkiesonas: Selkiesona - Lutea Otter Selkiesona - Plumeria

AU Skelesonas: Skelesona - Hydrangea Fellswap Amaranth - Jade Fellswap Carnelian - Juliette Dancetale - Hyacinth Dancefell - Calluna Danceswap - Hattie Underfell - Halesia Underfell Silver - Harleen Underswap - Jamesia Alluretale - Hadria Swapfell Amethyst - Jovellana Swapfell Glaucous - Justicia The Final Boss - Aspera

Mafiatale - Hedera Mafiafell - Rowana Mafiaswap - Bellum

Horror AUs: Horrortale - Hydra Horrorfell - Alchemilla Horrorfellswap Amaranth - Protea Horrorswapfell Glaucous - Lathyrus

Villain/Hero AU: Heroes and Villains Underfell - Hayley Villain - Hemlock

Medieval-esque Skelesonas: The Duet of Medieval and Modern AU - Esme The Duet of Medieval and Modern AU Underswap - Ambretta The Duet of Medieval and Modern AU Underfell - Celadine The Pirates of Vividus Skelesonas - Holliane and Harmony The Queen of the Deep Seas - Poinsettia The Wingless Fairy - Gaillardia Cursed Skelesona - Lewisia Dragon Undertale - Silene Dragon Underfell - Bergenia Dragon Underswap - Angelonia Dragon Horrortale - Ornella Dragon Swapfell Amethyst - Penthia Dragon Fellswap Carnelian - Cleome The Female Lead - Edelweiss

Halloween Skelesonas: Werewolf - Larkspur Vampire - Helvine

Angels Fall Skelesonas: Angels Fall AU - Helianthus Horror Angels Fall AU - Ixora Swapfell Angel - Jewel Demon - Heuchera Fellswap Red Demon - Jayla Goddess of Magic - Helvina Goddess of Dark Magic - Bellona Goddess of the Deep Galaxies - Boronia

Outcode Skelesonas: Old AU (?) - Hailey The Melody of Universes Skelesona - Cantrelle Dream Walker and Wish Granter - Helaina Underswap Dream Walker and Wish Granter - Kyria Underfell Dream Walker and Wish Granter - Hecate Ink - Laurestine Tenebrous - Hesper Luminus - Halleria The Flowery Weapon - Geranium The Forgotten Asisstant - Senna The Wandering SOUL - Dianthe The Suffering Oblivion - Myrna

The Stars Skelesonas: The Fallen Stars - Hespera The Dying Stars - Delphinus The Fading Stars - Phoebe

Monstersonas: Monstersona - Sunflower (S) Half-Deer Monstersona - Lavandula Horrortale Monstersona - Daisy Horrorswap Monstersona - Alstromeria Underfell Monstersona - Chrysanthemum (Chrys) Underswap Monstersona - Tulip Angels Fall Monstersona - Nerine

[inevitably-johnlocked]

Five Fics Friday: May 5/23

Happy Friday, all! Let’s get a head start on fic-reading this weekend with these fantastic fics added recently to my MFLs! Enjoy!

SIGNAL BOOSTING

Ode To Joy : Sherlock Sonata no. 9 by Joaquinbumblebee24 (T, 4,165+ w., 5/9 Ch. || UAP / Alternate Canon AU || WiP || Brain Injury, Vulnerable Sherlock, Sherlock is Lestrade's Son, Family Feels, Whump, Autistic Sherlock, Established Relationship) – While working a case in Cambridge, Sherlock Holmes got into a car accident that would change he and his family’s life forever. 

RECENT MFLs

The Adventure Of The Apocalypse by CopperBeech (T, 12,219 w., 6 Ch. || Good Omens Crossover || Post S4 / No Eurus, Mutual Pining, Getting Together, Case Fic, Armageddon, Love Confessions, Idiots in Love) – John's anger at Sherlock over Mary's death meant a long break in their friendship, and it’s only precariously patched up. But now he's back in the sitting room of Baker Street, listening to a plump little bookseller and his dire-looking companion explain why they need Sherlock to help them find a certain boy before the impending End Of The World. Rains of fish, violin playing, fast driving in a Ford Fiesta, and Sherlock and John working out what they mean to each other in the shadow of Armageddon.

Skeleton Key by BeautifulFiction (E, 36,092 w., 5 Ch. || Case Fic, Tongue Piercing, Oral Sex, UST) – Sherlock Holmes is anything but predictable; a fact that John has grown used to over the year they have known each other. However, nothing could prepare him for his reaction to Sherlock's mysterious decision to pierce his tongue.

Spare Parts by Raina_at (E, 63,497 w., 10 Ch. || 24th Century / Futurism AU || Post TRF, Case Fic, Mutual Pining, Estrangement, Reconciliation, Science Fiction) – Two years ago, Sherlock Holmes jumped off the roof of New London Hospital. Two months ago, he walked into John's clinic as if no time had passed at all. John hasn't seen him since. But then Sherlock knocks on John's door with a case he can't say no to, and while figuring out why the biggest manufacturer or synthetic limbs in the System is going after veterans, they also need to find out whether there's a way to fix what's broken between them. Part 1 of Realigning Gravity

The Traveller by Calais_Reno (M, 103,337 w., 16 Ch. || Time Traveller AU || Diverging Timelines, POV Sherlock and Mycroft Third Person, Temporary Death, Angst with Happy Ending) – The year is 2052. At the request of the Ministry of Time, Sherlock Holmes is travelling back to 2009. His mission: to kill James Moriarty, who is responsible for the disaster that the 21st century will become. Though he doesn’t know it yet, Sherlock won’t be alone. Despite protocols that recommend not becoming involved with ‘time locals,’ the presence of John Watson is more than he can resist. But the essence of time is change, and the future may not be what Sherlock hopes for. A meditation on time, change, and love.

[azurecanary]

Alright, since i haven't to hand in anything else for college (yet) I'd figure I'd spend some time developing some fics I've had bubbling in my head for a while. I can't guarantee a length of time that they'll be written and published, but this gives me The responsibility to start working on one or more.

So i thought I'd place a poll of the different fic ideas i have to see which is more popular so i can decide which gets priority. The options are:

1. Agents of SHIELD S5 (and maybe 6&7) rewrite (includes Ben as a mainstay character and defocusing on Fitzsimmons among other changes that I'II happily elaborate if asked)

2. Tyler Lockwood/Josh Rosza fic (basically Tyler sticks around for all of S1 and he and Josh bond and get together, focuses on those two as protags)

3. Post TVD canon wherein Bonnie and Jeremy break away from the MFG and get some more exploration in terms of powers and romance Bonnie explores more uncommon types of magic and meets a female witch, Jeremy learns he can still see Tyler and now has a connection to a deeper afterlife

4. Young Justice Season 5 stories mainly focusing on the Outsiders (Cassie/Wonder Girl, Tim/Robin, Jaime/Blue Beetle, Virgil/Static, Bart/Kid Flash, Ed/ El Dorado, Courtney/Stargirl, Steph/Spoiler, Kara/ Supergirl)

5. Protean City finale in Apocalypse Sonata style tying up all the loose ends and character arcs that the podcast deprived me of (istg, if only one person votes for it I'll still write it, cause let's be real this fandom is basically an endangered species atp) (focuses on Night Owl, Puck, Arcana, Crosswind, Sohcahtoa and Frequency and the assorted ships within)

I can't promise they'll all have a single cohesive story, in fact there's a good chance it'll be anthology style, but I have not written before so this is completely new territory.

And one more reminder, i can't guarantee WHEN these will be made, this is just so i know what people want the most.

[theresattrpgforthat]

My family and I have been watching and loving the Lockwood & Co series on Netflix (and have the books coming in soon). My oldest - a Masks veteran, sees a ton of parallels between Mask moves and the action in the show, and longed for a game focused on the sort of eldritch investigation, but with the personal drama that a game like Masks or Monsterhearts or the like can bring. Any suggestions?

THEME: Eldritch Investigative Drama

Hello friend, you’re definitely describing one of the highlights of the Powered by the Apocalypse system. It’s probably not surprising that so many of my recommendations are PbtA!

Sunset Kills, by Hedgemaze Press.

Sunset Kills is a tabletop roleplaying game about a family or group of friends who investigate supernatural mysteries and fight the monsters trying to take over their town. It’s a little bit horror, a little bit drama, and a little bit campy comedy in the vein of shows like Charmed and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Sunset Kills uses a simplified version of the Apocalypse World system, perfect for new players or those new to Powered by the Apocalypse-style games.

This may be advertised as a great game for new players, although some prior GM experience with PbtA is probably going to be useful. This game is primarily focused on monster-killing shows like Buffy and (with the inclusion of my Stranger Hills playbooks), Stranger Things. However, if your characters end up getting mixed up in some kind of eldritch conspiracy instead, you might be able to pull upon each character’s Keys to cause all kinds of drama.

UnHaunt This House, by Kristen Chin.

Unhaunt This House is a haunt-busting tabletop game where you play spectre-hunters traversing a distorted nightmare building to find the source of the haunting. 

Snoop around the haunt, dodge shifting architecture or spectral inhabitants and gather clues to make the Final Pronouncement that might dispel the Haunt's ectoplasmic epicentre.

Built on the Down We Go system, Unhaunt this House also takes cues from Brindlewood Bay and Paranormal Inc.This style of game is more on-the-nose in representing ghost hunters, although it’s OSR history means that it doesn’t come with as many mechanics to replicate drama. The closest you might get to drama is the fatal flaw that plagues each hunter: what is it that may be your downfall? You might have to do a bit of home brewing if you want something to replicate the drama that can unfold between a number of hunters exploring a nightmare building. 

Moonlight on Roseville Beach, by R.Rook Studio.

Queer pulp meets cosmic horror! 

It's 1979 and you're spending  the summer working in Roseville Beach, the queerest little town on Rose Island. You might have come here looking for an escape, some fun, a little extra money, or even love, but now people are seeing phantasms, strange animals—and stranger old gods—wander the woods, mysterious monoliths appear randomly, and that strange music is coming from somewhere.

The drama of Moonlight on Roseville Beach is baked into the setting. As outcasts compared to the outside society, the folks of Roseville Beach can’t depend on outside law enforcement to deal with their problems, so when supernatural entities start to trouble your loved ones, you have to spend on yourselves. Your characters will have Troubles - people they’re indebted to, hiding from, trying to impress, or more. They’ll also have NPC allies and each-other to depend on. 

As Roseville Beach expects many interpersonal interactions, it can be easy to dive into uncomfortable territory. The game recommends that players sit down and discuss Lines and Veils before beginning play. 

Gunmetal Sonata, by Ashley “Winged” Moni.

Besides the world we know lie a myriad continuum of others, full of places and creatures that fill the world’s myths and legends. Life has gotten a lot more manageable in the last few millennia, but the occasional intruder still steps across the threshold to do innocents harm. 

You’re one of a long, loose fraternity of people around the world who’re both in-the-know and capable of doing something about it. You wear a lot of hats: you’re a soldier, a hunter, a detective, a scientist, a sheriff. 

You’re a slayer. It’s a living. 

Gunmetal Sonata is an urban fantasy RPG about monster hunting millennials tracking and slaying threats to humanity through a system that splits between noir investigation and highly-stylized anime action. It is inspired by PbtA and FitD games.

When it comes to interpersonal connections, Gunmetal Sonata includes a Trust track for each player, to increase over play. Each player also has a Promise, whether that be a personal goal or a commitment to a power outside themselves. Promises will give you power, but at a cost they can cause Stress, and wear down your emotions. This game is currently still in the design process, but future iterations intend to have Arcs, which will be personal stories that directly tie you into the plot. 

The Between, by The Gauntlet.

The Betweenis a tabletop roleplaying game about a group of mysterious monster hunters in Victorian-era London. They are residents of a place called Hargrave House, and their job is to investigate and neutralize monstrous threats terrorizing the city—threats that Scotland Yard won’t or can’t handle themselves. As the story progresses, they become aware of the plans of a Moriarty-style criminal mastermind they will eventually have to face in order to save Queen and country.

The Betweenis directly inspired by the gothic horror TV show Penny Dreadful, but also takes a lot of inspiration from British horror classics, graphic novels like From Hell and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, and pulp-era stories. Mechanically, it’s Powered by the Apocalypse but also uses the mystery system from Brindlewood Bay.

This is a great game if you are looking for something to spook you. It’s also set in a Victorian-era setting, so the world feels darker and older. Your characters will depend on their backgrounds and personal struggles to help them navigate through this world of darkness and conspiracy. The Between comes with a number of scenarios to put your characters through, great for GM’s who don’t have time to write up an entire story from scratch or newer GM’s who want a bit of help exploring the possibilities of this game.

Paranormal Inc, by Alicia Furness Productions.

One day, the dead started returning to haunt the living. This was, as you would expect, somewhat disruptive to society. People started looking for ways to get rid of the ghost nuisance in their lives. Requests for paranormal investigators sky-rocketed. 

But times change. People adapt. Now, you are a struggling paranormal investigator with Paranormal Inc. doing your best to keep the equipment working, the lights on, and your belly full.  

Paranormal Inc. is a game about solving mysteries, struggling under capitalism, and making connections with living and dead alike. It's a game about pushing through your own personal hauntings to help others. 

This game most closely aligns with the theme of ghost-hunting, although your investigators aren’t necessarily hunting ghosts so much as solving mysteries. You won’t know what the answer to the mystery is at the beginning of play - you’ll discover it collaboratively, as Paranormal Inc is GM-less. This game is Carved from Brindlewood, but it’s parent game is heavily inspired by PbtA games, so expect character connections that mean something.

Monster of the Week, by Evil Hat.

Most people don’t believe in monsters, but you know the truth. They’re real, and it’s your task to bring them down. Monster of the Week brings that adventure to life.

Monster of the Week is a standalone action-horror RPG for 3-5 people. Hunt high school beasties a la Buffy the Vampire Slayer, travel the country to bring down unnatural creatures like the Winchester brothers of Supernatural, or head up the government investigation like Mulder and Scully. This book contains everything you need to tackle Bigfoot, collar a chupacabra, and drive away demons.

Monster of the Week is a well-loved, well celebrated monster-hunting game about kicking monster butt, taking care of friends, and getting answers to things that want to be hidden. If you want to get a taste of what this game can do, I’d recommend Monster Hour, a Monster-of-the-Week podcast that keeps the players involved and continuously falling into larger and larger problems.

Apocalypse Keys, by Rae Nedjadi.

As an Omen class monster, you are the only thing capable of holding back the apocalypse. Combat occult threats and investigate supernatural phenomena alongside your team of supernatural agents working for the shadowy DIVISION. But in a world that shuns monsters like you, only your deepest, most heartfelt bonds can grant you the power to stop those who seek to unlock Doom’s Door.

The apocalypse draws near. There are Keys to find, Mysteries to solve, Doors to unlock, and ruthless Harbingers to battle. It’s time to face your fears or become fear itself.

This is the game I think of when I think of messy drama. You’re monsters with great responsibility, great power, and a great opportunity to lose everything you care about. The game will push you towards caring about something or someone, while battling a piece of you that threatens to take that away.

Alongside moves such as Unleash the Dark, which encourages manipulation and harm, you can also Reveal Your Heart to someone in a moment of vulnerability. The organization, DIVISION, is a great resource, but it’s also a strict overlord, and its true nature will only be figured out through play, as players answer questions about it. If you want a game that’s full of action and intrigue, while also pulling at your emotional heart-strings, I strongly recommend Apocalypse Keys.

[nanshe-of-nina]

Halloween playlists:

[Playlist]

45 Grave — Evil

45 Grave — Partytime

Emilie Autumn — Dead Is the New Alive

Balzac — Inside My Eyes

The Birthday Massacre — Happy Birthday

The Birthday Massacre — Horror Show

Birthday Party — Release the Bats

The Brides — The Strange Passing of John Coal

The Brides — Whore Money

Bloody Hammers — Witch of Endor

Coven — The White Witch of Rose Hall

Creature Feature — The Greatest Show Unearthed

Creature Feature — Here Be Witches

The Cramps — Goo-Goo Muck

The Cramps — Surfin' Dead

Don Hinson & The Rigamorticians — Riboflavin-Flavored, Non-Carbonated, Polyunsaturated Blood

Einstürzende Neubauten — Ein Stuhl in der Hölle

HorrorPops — Where They Wander

HorrorPops — Walk Like a Zombie

Hamburger Brothers — Omar the Vampire

Inkubus Sukkubus — Belladonna & Aconite

Inkubus Sukkubus — Corn King

Inkubus Sukkubus — Song to Pan

Inkubus Sukkubus — Wytches

The Irish Rovers — The Banshee’s Cry

Jack Off Jill — Cinnamon Spider

Jack Off Jill — Witch Hunt

Killing Miranda — Burn Sinister

Mandragora Scream — Dark Lantern

Ministry — Everyday is Halloween

The Misfits — Die, Die My Darling

Mister Monster — I’ll Watch Them Die

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds — The Curse of Millhaven

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds — Red Right Hand

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds — Up Jumped the Devil

Richard O’Brien — Science Fiction Double Feature

The Ramones — Pet Sematary

Rasputina — Gingerbread Coffin

Shonen Knife — Devil House

Siouxsie and the Banshees — Spellbound

Skycycle — The Ghost Is Here

Skycycle — It’s Terror Time Again

Sopor Aeternus and the Ensemble of Shadows — The Inexperienced Spiral Traveler II

ThouShaltNot — The Haunted Phonograph

The Tiger Lilies — Start a Fire

Jill Tracy — Evil Night Together

Jill Tracy — The Fine Art of Poisoning

Traditional — Down in the Willow Garden

Traditional — Pretty Polly

Traditional — Twa Corbies

Traditional — The Lyke-Wake Dirge

Type O Negative — Black No. 1

Type O Negative — Wolf Moon

Vermilion Lies — Circus Apocalypse

Xmal Deutschland — Incubus Succubus II

Zombina and the Skeletones — Come On

Zombina and the Skeletones — Hey Weirdos

Zombina and the Skeletones — Island of Zombina

Zombina and the Skeletones — New Orleans Incident

Zombina and the Skeletones — You’d Scream If I Knew I Did Last Halloween

Instrumental: [Playlist]

Johann Sebastian Bach — Toccata and Fugue in D Minor

Béla Bartók — Music for Percussion, Strings and Celesta: III. Adagio

Hector Berlioz — Dream of a Witches’ Sabbath from “Symphonie fantastique”

Johannes Brahms — Hungarian Dance No. 5

Fryderyk Chopin — Piano Sonata No. 2 III: Marche funèbre: Lento

Coil — Main Title (unreleased Hellraiser Theme)

Philip Glass — Candyman theme

Gustav Holst — Neptune, the Mystic from “The Planets”

Gustav Holst — Saturn, Bringer of Old Age from “The Planets”

Gygory Ligeti — Requiem

In Slaughter Natives — Beauty and Bleeding

Franz Liszt — Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2

Franz Liszt — Totentanz

Lustmord and Robert Rich — Hidden Refuge

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart — Dies irae from “Requiem in D Minor”

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart — Lacrimosa from “Requiem in D Minor”

Midnight Syndicate — Born of the Night

Midnight Syndicate — Carousel Ride

Modest Mussorgsky — Night on Bald Mountain

Nox Arcana — Calliope

Nox Arcana — The Doll House

Nox Arcana — Haunted Carousel

Nox Arcana — Hall of the Witch Queen

Nox Arcana — Once Upon a Nightmare

Nox Arcana — Shock Treatment

Nox Arcana — Temple of the Black Pharaoh

Nox Arcana — The Witching Hour

Sergei Vasilyevich Rachmaninoff — Isle of the Dead

Camille Saint-Saëns — Danse Macabre

Michael Shields — Ginger Snaps Opening Theme

Igor Fyodorovich Stravinsky — Part I: The Adoration of the Earth from “The Rite of Spring”

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky — Swan Lake - 19 No. 10 Scène (moderato)