#asking which answers you chose and then which dialogues you got

[tumblezwei]

If I was crazy I would go and make a spreadsheet of which responses people gave to Acheron at the beginning of the story mission and see if that correlates to the different red text responses she gives later down the line.

Because if it hasn't been pointed out to you yet, Acheron has different responses in red text depending on some as of yet undetermined factors. The one you most likely heard of is her differing response to Trailblazer about someone she remembers based on whether you're using Caelus or Stelle. But APPARENTLY, she also has several different responses for each of her red text dialogues which are not based on the gender of Trailblazer. And some of them being complete opposites of one another.

Thankfully I'm not crazy and I wouldn't do that.

[felassan]

Snippets. 🐺💜

The Game Informer article approximately covered the first 4 hours of the game. [source]

--

Twitter user: "Please please please let me make a feminine shaped body with no chest, begging for non-binary to be something I can present not just a pronoun slap" Saira: "this will be entirely possible with the body sliders!" [source]

--

''the characters you don’t romance WILL romance each other which can showcase different straight and queer relationships.'' [source] (So it's not only Harding/Taash, but more companion-companion pairings will be possible, and these will be diverse? ^^)

--

the game will have Brazilian Portuguese subtitles [source].

the community Council, which had long-term fans of the series on it, also had folks on it who had never played a DA game before [source] (this is good! a good mix)

another detail was that they ranged in age from 20s-40s, unfortunately I can't recall the source for this rn but yea.

"Last names are based on your faction. You can customize your first name, however." [source: the BioWare Discord]

"In-world - Rook is a nickname you're given before the events of the game, and it's what everyone refers to you as. It allows for other characters to refer to you in dialogue without awkwardly having to write around not having a defined title, while still allowing for name customization." Also, in the game, it is explained why we got the nickname Rook in the past. [source: the BioWare Discord]

"There are specific lines and dialogue options for different lineages, as well as different backgrounds, and classes, including at least a handful that are unique to lineage/background combinations. No specifics but we wanted to make sure the game felt reactive to the choices you made in creating your Rook." [source: the BioWare Discord] (lineage as in: human, elf, dwarf, qunari)

A user asked whether elven Rook is Dalish or City. Answer: "It'll depend on your background. As mentioned previously, certain lineages will have variations of that background that go into more detail where appropriate." [source: the BioWare Discord]

"Every faction is, ultimately, made up of people. Some good, some bad, and some trying (and failing) to do their best. So it's fair to say that different people in the world might have a different perspective on how the various factions fit in and what they're trying to do." [source: the BioWare Discord]

"Without getting into spoiler territory - Rook's a hero because they chose to be, not because they were chosen. Your choice of background fills in some of the details - and you get opportunities to define it further - but some things we leave up to you to fill in." [source: the BioWare Discord]

A user asked "In what capacity is the Inquisitor going to return? Can we expect something similar to Hawke’s return in Inquisition?" Answer: "This one you'll just have to wait and see as this is well into serious spoiler territory. But more generally, as I said in the Q&A - the Inquisitor's been part of this story all along, and it would be very strange for them to suddenly fall out of it."

"Much of what would have been abilities or “spells” in the past are now accessed in real-time from the core buttons on the controller! Mana Shield, Mage Beam, Bolts, Magical Blasts, Orb Toss, and Elemental Bomb. Not to mention the elemental types change depending on your weapon. It very much feels like casting spells, but don’t just take my word for it. I’m excited to show more Mage gameplay as we get closer to launch." [source] There will be quick buttons on the keyboard for PC people too. [source]

The Veil Ranger spec can be built around charged ranged attacks, lightning damage, and stagger [source]

Many builds are possible in the game and this is highly variable with gear and companion-set up [source]

At some point this summer, they will be showing more of the skill trees [source]

The music score has variation, flourishes, and great tavern songs [source]

Corinne: "everyone at EA has been incredible in their support for the game and commitment to quality. Hopefully we’ll have a chance to do it [Discord Q&A] again. In the meantime I watch the Discord comments fairly regularly, even if I don’t respond often." [source]

A user asked about cameos of previous characters. "Seeing the surprise appearances for the first time is half the fun! There are some good ones, but I’ll leave the discoveries to you all" [source]

On a post of the table team gathering picture - Corinne: "The moments where you gather the whole team like this are some of my favorites." [source]

When Solas shot Bianca during the prologue during SGF, "Some of the journalists in the live demo audibly gasped!" [source]

In combat there are primers and detonators [source]

Lots of beloved elements from previous DA games inspired the combat of DA:TV [source]

[rpgchoices]

Misdirection (Astarion romance route)

BG3 spoilers

I am obsessed with the misdirection in Astarion's romance. I said it before, I was absolutely tricked too. When you read a text or consume media every line is put there for a reason, it is a waste otherwise. By the party scene you kind of have a certain idea of what Astarion is. You know that he dislikes helping others, you know that he lies, he flirts a lot, he is vain, he is a killer, and he wants power (from the conversations about the tadpoles and Raphael).

At this point, if you chose him as a romance, it could also be that you enjoyed the idea of him being a vampire and all the tropes that come with it.

So when, after the first night together, you can ask him "It felt like you weren't fully there" there had to be a reason. From a writing pov, why was that line added?

As a player, you have to wonder. And by this point in the story it seems like a warning there is little that might convince you that what he answers with is not the truth, mainly because it falls right into the classic stereotypes of this kind of romance. Of course he is a danger, he did not want to lose control, be careful in the future - this is how it would sound to me if I romanced him without spoilers. I know because when I got his sex scene, I reloaded and romanced someone else because this kind of aggressive seduction vampire fantasy was not my thing.

If I had read this line, I would have been sure it was a small hint that romancing Astarion could end up very badly. Another small misdirection that could easily end up as a clue is in their second pre-sex scene together. Astarion is making sure the MC will stay with him, and he is very seductive. The funny thing is that if you choose the "yes" (1st option in the pictures just below) you don't get any other information or clue, but just flirting. You actually get even more of the fantasy, he talks about how he cannot stop thinking about you, he even presses on the word "dangerous", and his mannerism is all business

If instead you ask him to be better he goes on and on about his lines, he directly tells the player that these are all fake, basically. You can even ask him if these lines work on Cazador's targets, and he says "well, they worked on YOU".

So at this point as players we know that the player is being manipulated and teased up till a point. I definitely fell for it by immediately cutting the romance short, and never thinking about it again until I got the strenght potion scene. I got that scene as a friendship one, which has different options.

It is a bit different than the romance, he is much more direct in my opinion. He talks about his body as one of the few assets he has, and he is much more confused about why he was being "too precious" about the potion, he is actually surprised by himself.

And as I said, it is much more direct when he says that he never had a choice before (and he is specifically talking about sex). In the friendship version you can also convince him that he needs to use all of this that he has because he might, to protect himself and get advantage, which at least gives credit to our MC if we do romance him.

(TW!! for SA) In the romance scene instead you never get these options, you CANNOT convince him to keep using his body, and if you try to do so he will break up with you, as he should, he is much more confident.

And regarding the whole misdirection if you have not maximized his approval, you won't get his confession but you will find out the whole of his story after the drow potion scene. That is the scene where he thanks you for respecting his consent. I feel like it is such a monumental and surprising one, definitely not one I expected.

And the options are SO SO TELLING. The one sex option you get in this dialogue is the WRONG one. The game directly tells you that by choosing it you assaulted him and disregarded his consent.

There are instead 5 good options. I checked and they all seem to have the same amount of approval.

They are:

1. Showing him that your feelings are real so he can trust them. 2. Showing him intimacy without sex (hug). 3. Confirming that you want to be with him even with his burdens (he often mentions them in other dialogues, especially when you choose between him and Gale). 4. Saying you can be together without sex. And my favourite: 5. ASKING him what he wants, CARING about what he wants.

So yeah, I admit I absolutely fell for it, I was convinced this would take such a wildly different road. Glad to see it did not.

[dreamer1084]

Natsuyuu Anime S7EP6 VS Manga Vol22 SP.19 & Vol19 Ch.77

Sensei's "tsk" was changed to "hum" Matoba's "おや" was deleted.

Matoba's laughter was deleted.

Matoba's dialogue when explaining the content of the commission was greatly simplified, retaining only the most basic knowledge without details.

Deleted the scene where Natsume was suspicious of "Why did he keep me here?"

Natsume's description of things that the audience can directly see has been deleted as usual. By the way, we cannot see the youkai in anime as clear as in manga.

Anime deleted a lot of monologues and dialogues here explaining why he went to Hakozaki's house.

When they saw the Youkai, they were still outdoors in manga, but they had already entered the house in anime. That's why the dialogue where Beniko thanked them for coming was also deleted.

Anime changed Natsume's straightforward statement about investigating his grandfather here to be more tactful. First, anime moved the dialogue forward, saying that although he didn't know if he had the ability to help, he would look around the house. Then he use "speaking of" to bring in his grandfather's matters.

In terms of dialogue, manga Natsume seemed to be talking to himself, so he later apologized for being rude. In anime Natsume used more questions, thus a more sense of communication.

Youkai hided behind this tower in amine. It is different from the manga in which Beniko answered the phone and left so Natsume could discuss the situation with Sensei.

Anime deleted Natsume thought Matoba sneaked into the house, and Matoba smiled and said he had permission LOL

Deleted scene where he said "かじん(家人) will not be harmed" (The "家人" here in Japanese does not necessarily refer to the family, but may also mean something like a servant. It may be an attempt to ridicule the identity of Sensei. But it may also mean people in this house. )

Manga's Natsume chose not to speak when faced with Matoba's request, and than delivered a monologue to the readers. In anime, he said, "I am (helping you) only for Beniko-san and Sensei."

Deleted Motoba's line "Do you want to hear it? Okay" and Natsume was again speechless.

His dialogue explaining the Youkai was again slightly simplified.

Deleted Motoba's "そうですね" (more like a modal particle for thinking than recognition) Matoba in manga just stared at Natsume, and Natsume asked him unhappily what was going on. Anime included a strong wind that made Natsume close his eyes. At this time, Matoba looked at him thoughtfully.

Anime simplified Matoba's instructions to Natsume into simply telling him to look to the east.

Deleted Nanase said "We meet in a strange place"

Deleted Nanase said, "It's so convenient that Youkai will come close to you when you are here."

The dialogue here was split into Natsume first asking if there was a mirror, Nanase responded that it was part of the spell, and Natsume said that the mirror was broken.

Animation added Natsume says "わかりました"(Got it) And Nanase also said "頼んだぞ"(I am counting on you)

Sensei in anime did not have the arrogant tone from manga, but he clearly complained that "forbidden techniques are really troublesome." Anime Natsume asked "Even Sensei can't exorcise it?"

Deleted the dialogue where Matoba asked Natsume not to tell others and hoped to have a good conversation with him (Because the content was similar to the summary part of the abandoned station later.)

Anime also deleted the sence where Beniko said that she only let them in because Matoba-clan agreed not to charge. She also promised Natsume again that if she discovered anything related to his grandfather, she would inform him.

[literaryvein-reblogs]

Do you have any dialogue prompts for a person who doesn’t speak much?

In literature, we can find characters who are generally quiet. Some of them are perhaps so because it's innate, whilst others may not speak much due to certain events (e.g., a traumatic experience). Maybe some quotes from these quiet characters could serve as dialogue prompts. Below are just two examples I chose.

In Louisa May Alcott's Little Women, Beth March is known as a quiet, introverted character:

...We’ve each got a dollar...‘I planned to spend mine in new music,’ said Beth, with a little sigh, which no one heard but the hearth brush and kettle holder.

‘I used to be so frightened when it was my turn to sit in the chair with the crown on, and see you all come marching round to give the presents, with a kiss. I liked the things and the kisses, but it was dreadful to have you sit looking at me while I opened the bundles,’ said Beth, who was toasting her face and the bread for tea at the same time.

‘Serves me right for trying to be fine. I wish I’d let my hair alone,’ cried Meg petulantly. ‘So do I, it was so smooth and pretty. But it will soon grow out again,’ said Beth, coming to kiss and comfort the shorn sheep.

‘I saw something I liked this morning, and I meant to tell it at dinner, but I forgot,’ said Beth, putting Jo’s topsy-turvy basket in order as she talked.

‘I like that kind of sermon. It’s the sort Father used to tell us,’ said Beth thoughtfully, putting the needles straight on Jo’s cushion.

‘I wish I’d known that nice girl. Maybe she would have helped me, I’m so stupid,’ said Beth, who stood beside him, listening eagerly.

‘Jo talks about the country where we hope to live sometime—the real country, she means, with pigs and chickens and haymaking. It would be nice, but I wish the beautiful country up there was real, and we could ever go to it,’ said Beth musingly.

...so that is my favorite dream.’ ‘Mine is to stay at home safe with Father and Mother, and help take care of the family,’ said Beth contentedly.

‘If something very pleasant should happen now, we should think it a delightful month,’ said Beth, who took a hopeful view of everything, even November.

‘I don’t see how you dared to do it,’ said Beth in a tone of awe.

‘My head aches and I’m tired, so I thought maybe some of you would go,’ said Beth.

‘I’m so full of happiness, that if Father was only here, I couldn’t hold one drop more,’ said Beth, quite sighing with contentment as Jo carried her off to the study to rest after the excitement, and to refresh herself with some of the delicious grapes the ‘Jungfrau’ had sent her.

In Maya Angelou’s novel-like autobiography I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, the protagonist becomes mostly mute after a traumatic childhood event:

When we still didn’t force ourselves to answer, she asked, “You want me to tell Santa Claus to take these things back?” A wretched feeling of being torn engulfed me. I wanted to scream, “Yes. Tell him to take them back.” But I didn’t move. (An example of internal dialogue)

It occurred to me that she expected a response. The sweet vanilla flavor was still on my tongue and her reading was a wonder in my ears. I had to speak. I said, “Yes, ma’am.” It was the least I could do, but it was the most also.

“What you doing sitting here by yourself, Marguerite?” She didn’t accuse, she asked for information. I said that I was watching the sky. She asked, “What for?” There was obviously no answer to a question like that, so I didn’t make up one.

Stunned but trying to be well mannered, I said, “Hello. My name is Marguerite.”

“What the hell is this?” He hunched himself up on a hip and brushed the pants. His hand showed red in the porch’s cast-off light. “What is this, Marguerite?” I said with a coldness that would have done him proud, “I’ve been cut.”

The lie lumped in my throat and I couldn’t get air. How I despised the man formaking me lie...The tears didn’t soothe my heart as they usually did. I screamed, “Ole, mean, dirty thing, you. Dirty old thing.” Our lawyer brought me off the stand and to my mother’s arms.

Sources: 1 2 3 4

Hope this helps inspire your writing. Do tag me, or send me a link. I'd love to read your work!

More: On Mutism

[yuseirra]

Ch 160 ..let me jot down my stream of consciousness about what I feel, my reading comprehension skills can't be that bad, it'd help if I can sit down and think through a little more.

+ Okay, I'm complete! I understand things much better now!! Upon close examination, This chapter doesn't change anything so dramatically.

IT STILL DOES NOT ANSWER JUST WHAT THE DAD'S MOTIVES ARE, but... the conclusion I have after having reread it thoroughly??

It's that my interpretation of him as a mild guy still stands—it enhances it, even. He's still really kind, which is a pretty surprising conclusion compared to what I felt about it at first glance.

He's.. really kind and considerate. I'm serious. wow.

well, analysis/interpretation below!

I was spoiled about chapter way back sometime last Friday, right? and it was pretty accurate in sense, with it being just some bunch of sentences and that one really creepy panel.. it does help to see the actual art and the expressions that are associated with the dialogues.

Now that I sit down a bit, there are two different interpretations of the same story: Kamiki's testimonies on what's happened (I believe these are all truths. They perfectly match up with how I've interpreted his character all along.) and Aqua's takes on them.

I'm not reading things off the english version btw, so the dialogues may differ.

According to what Kamiki says,

-he considered Ryosuke and Nino as good people and as friends. But they approached him because they were obsessed with Ai, so he didn't know about their true colors.

-so he was able to talk about his breakup with her and talked about whether if he should visit her having children at the hospital where Gorou was. They went and killed Gorou, but Kamiki had no idea about that.

-on the day Ai died, he was still unsure about meeting her because he lacked the courage to see her face (god he's timid) so he asked Ryosuke to give her his bouquet on his behalf

I KEPT SAYING THIS GUY NEVER HAS IT IN HIM TO "SCARE AI!!!!!!!!!" HE LIED IN 154 OUT OF GUILT BECAUSE HE THOUGHT AI AND AQUA WANTED REVENGE ON HIM!!! SEE!!! I'VE BEEN!!! RIGHT!!!! I'VE BEEN!!!!!!!!!!

This was already in the leaks last Fri, I basically felt the same way about these back then

and I got every part of these right except for the part that Kamiki befriended them. I just couldn't picture the people who killed Ai or would actively go hunt their daughter down being his friend..

but seeing how.. much he seems to trust people, he used to be that way as a child, it actually all ties so nicely together.

I predicted that it was Nino and Ryosuke who went to the hospital and killed Gorou.

I predicted that Kamiki just wanted to send the bouquet to congratulate Ai but he couldn't go because he was nervous/sad from the phone call. I said that ever since I started drawing hikaai fanarts, you would have seen me going on and on about that, I drew them with this as the base!!!! The guy Ai chose wouldn't do such a thing as trying to get back at her!!! See??

I couldn't be more right!!! I am a prophet!! I should trust myself!!!! why am I so unsure of myself, really. I really, really did get everything right.

These must be all true. He's not lying about any of this. I've been analyzing this guy very very thoroughly so I know what I'm talking about.

I guess what's confused me was the latter bits, since Fri and even after I see the full images.

Kamiki smiles and says he never wanted to hurt anyone<this is really how I view him as well, this guy can't hurt people out of his own will...

However, Aqua dismisses Kamiki's statements as lies on the spot, and accuses him of having been unable to protect his own daughter. That he's been intentionally manipulated people to get what he wants. That would involve him causing people to kill each other without dirtying his hands.

Upon hearing Aqua stating "You wanted to kill your own daughter", Kamiki makes this really eerie smile (I kind of wish this is redrawn hshsh.. it looks like he's a demon spawn from hell, but this could REALLY be him being distressed yet AGAIN. this guy SMILES when he's that way. That's his coping mechanism. It's kind of hard to stare at that expression but that smile certainly ISN'T a happy one like the one we saw in 159. This is a really confusing habit he has. People are going to take him the wrong way but; sadly, it's become a habit of his...)

The scenes then shifts to visions of him manipulating nino and Ryosuke into doing what they've done with a smile. If this is really what's happened, then he IS someone pretty evil-

but now that I read it over I think that's just based on Aqua's interpretations about the guy.

Is what's being portrayed in those pages ACTUALLY how he is? Just yesterday, I theorized that Kamiki loves his children and has been doing whatever he's been doing for his children. I did have my reasons for making that claim.

We still don't know what his motives are!! Aqua doesn't state anything about why Kamiki would do such a thing if he's done so. Does he know anything about this??? Just what reason would make it.. enough to have someone kill the love of their life and their very daughter? What good would it do for Kamiki? For one thing, does he have ANY good reason to kill Ai at all? For having felt betrayed?? Then why wait out that long????? Killing their daughter? After having her live for, how long now? how old are they now? 15?? 16? Why now? Why would he??

The important thing would be just WHY he'd be doing all those things if he's really been so, so WHAT IS IT AQUA?? WHAT??

Forgot to mention this but in the beginning of the chapter, we have kamiki saying, Hm, but what did I do? Did I "stab someone?" did I "push someone off a cliff?" I never "did" "anything".

Then we have Nino going "Kamiki-san didn't do anything. He just talked about Ai. He talked about her so we(her and Ryosuke) wouldn't forget about her. That was enough to make us break."

OH come on. COME ON. HUH. I feel like he's never told them anything bad about Ai, he probably let out how much he loved and misses her, because he thought they were her fan and coworkers as a fellow member, I bet he was happy to befriend people who knew about Ai because they share a common interest together. With it being his favorite person in the world even while he was dumped.

What a stupid reason, Nino. You brought everything upon yourself. I can see that now.

I do think.. kamiki has some sort of power that causes people to grow insane or act out, that could have had some influence on ryosuke and nino in a way...

but again, why would he try to kill his lover and his daughter even if he can use it with his own accord??? Even if he's using those powers now?? Would he use it to do those respective things?

Even if he has those, that shouldn't be all there is to it. According to Kamiki, they were already obsessed with Ai when they approached him and YEAH! Makes sense?? They came to him first, probably already aware that he was Ai's lover?? He isn't responsible for them hoarding those kinds of feelings!!

Coming to think of it, I find it really strange that he still hung with nino being the complete wreck she is. Oh wait, I guess he still could. Ryosuke killed Ai and Nino doesn't seem to have played a part with that. Nino was there with Ryosuke when Gorou died but she's not the one who's pushed him off a cliff. Ryosuke's the really...horrible one. He had a pretty gf like nino JUST WHY. Then again, nino was obsessed w Ai too so they were a match. I guess Kamiki hanged with Nino thinking she's just another victim who wants Ai back or whatever. He still hangs with her when she says that are super creepy like she can't forgive Ruby if she surpasses Ai though.. Perhaps he's really bad at letting people go.. OH, YEAH. He was always pretty attached to people as a child. Okay, I got that part cleared up on my own. Stream of consciousness is like this. It can happen.

Continuing on!! Aqua says Kamiki is a "despicable, selfish liar, worse than a murderer". Even Kamiki can't smile hearing that. If he ISN'T one, then that'd hurt.

Well, he responds again, saying:

"Ah, yes. You're the same way as I am. You share those same eyes I have. The type of eyes that grant the power to persuade others into believing you. The eyes that grant you charisma, befitting that of a star." Then we see a panel with Ai, "The eyes of liars, that fool, and make others submit to you"

he must be thinking of what Ai's told him when she talked to him about having the same eyes. (CH 140)

"You've been inciting people just like I have, right? Just how many people did you fool to fulfill your goal?"

"It must have felt good to use your talents to impact the lives of others, right?"

I'm not sure if this is a taunt/mockery or just him stating the facts as a liar/a black star user himself.

If he's thinking about Ai... then it can be the latter. She approached him saying "they are the same". He could be thinking about that.

Actually, he's strangely calm. His emotions are a bit hard to read on this one, I'd say it actually feels collected compared to what he's heard.

This could actually be sympathy or empathy...

I didn't take it that way when I first encountered it, so I felt.. Kamiki could be lashing out a bit but no. That doesn't seem to be it.

Hey, he really never gets angry. He actually looks a bit sad depending on how you look at it, I think he may be feeling a sense of guilt in that particular panel where he says "Just how many people did you fool to fulfill your goal?", the one where he glances down,

just like how he talked to Aqua in 152, "It's a lie, isn't it? it's because they're important that you keep your distance from them. why would you go that far to bottle yourself up?"

This guy understands his son really well. In fact, I think he may be trying to say, "we're the same=I understand the way you are, we're on the same track" the way Ai's done for him. That's what was his salvation.

Aqua does not take this well.

He says yeah, we're both terrible beings, but Ruby is "different".

Oh, and the rest.. what's stood out to me is the panel where Aqua goes,

"sending love to the one who desires for love" as he describes what Ruby is doing. Kamiki shows up in that panel.. This is what Ai wanted to do for him.

and there's a panel that comes up that shows Ai with the twins that follows right after saying:

"it's the eyes of the one who desires to love someone"

This is really sad. I think that page actually indicates Ai desired to love him while he desired to be loved from Ai. That happened both ways. It was a nice page.

Yeah, and Aqua points his knife to his dad like a toy gun saying

"You must disappear right here and now, for Ruby's sake."

I don't think Aqua's actually up to stabbing him, actually? If he's pointing the knife at him like that, I think it's more like he's warning him to stay out of their way forever, scram, or just go die off on his own.

Both of his eyes are white, he's not going to kill him with his own hands, rather, he's going to make him go away.

So I don't think next chapter would start on a fierce note? Kamiki does not seem like a guy that gets agitated so easily. He STILL never once got angry in this chapter as well. He's still pretty sweet to his son. I'm not being biased on this, the way he talks has always been really soft. If this were to be an anime, you'd hear how he'd talk and see whether if he has thorns in them but I don't think it's that way at least, I think he's trying to be understanding??

This guy is soft. He will not put up a fight. I don't know, he may jump off that bridge and try to die maybe. If that's what his son wants? Move out of the way? He doesn't seem.. angry about it all. He's not even protesting.

In the end, the only thing that got proven in this chapter was that Kamiki DID NOT DO ANYTHING IN A PHYSICAL SENSE, AND HE DIDN'T TRY TO SCARE AI.

the fact about him manipulating people and lying to get his way, I think there's low chance of it being applied for Ruby and Ai's case.

I think he really didn't have a clue Nino would attack Ruby? If he's considered her as a friend?

what are the basis of Aqua picturing him that way? He must really hate his dad. There is no way he could have seen such things happen. Unless Tsukuyomi told him about it?? there is no proof that it's what's actually been taken place. Kamiki could have incited people, or influenced others, yeah, but I don't think he did anything to Ai or his daughter. Again, I think he loves his family. Why wouldn't he??

Until things get cleared up more, I???? I ACTUALLY?? think Kamiki's taking it in a really calm manner despite all the things he's being accused of??

This is very long, but that is all for now!!

Oh, this was worth revisiting and analyzing. There's a lot more I see when I scrutinize it like this!!

[illululusion]

I have not been normal about nerdy prudes must die since it came out so it seems its time for me to write my analysis of 'the summoning'.

I will put a cut down here because holy shit i did not think i was this normal about them this is long. also spoilers for nerdy prudes must die!

Now the summoning is what I would consider the climax of the show.* The scene answers the big questions of the show. Not by just stating the answer like the mayor does, it shows us. it also shows us the oh so beloved oh moment of Steph knowing she loves Peter.

The scene also uses some form of chekov's gun multiple times.

We've been told that the school was built at what used to be a black altar. this scene shows what such a black altar allows someone to do. especially in combination with the book.

A literal chekov's gun, the gun Grace stole and then Steph got is heavily implied to be used. (finally)

As i've stated before the love situation. We knew Steph and Peter had something going for them but this only confirms it.

THE PHONE! Steph thinks her phone is the thing she cherishes most, which is not a big stretch, we've seen her be willing to suffer injury to protect her phone. (a lovely little detail)

they setup Grace using the book against dirty dudes.

I may be missing something whoops but yeah,

now the scène itself has a lovely buildup. First the three are in very low energy summoning the lords in black. The frightened energy is just seeping out of them, you know this is their last resort. Then the lords in black appear, from a pure darkness, with a high energy slightly discordant song (the piano and the guitar clash a slight bit). This stands in contrast with the slow piano music under the teens throughout the scene. Within this song the lords in black seem unsurprised by the situation, they seem elated even. They also clearly state they are not forces of good at most they can be considered gray ("us spawn of the Black and White") however the other pieces of lyrics are very much against that assumption.

Let's look at some of the dialogue a bit more closely why not? I wont be looking at all of the dialogue because thats a bit too insane even for me.

"Out of the depths of Hell and back" Us spawn of the Black and White" "Cover our souls with robes of black" "And take up the arms of night"

This seems to me even like they chose to be in the black, they are from hell they're from the night.

"Nibbleline wants his sacrifice And Wiggly wants his wrath We dance around the pentagram And take all our kingdoms back"

The previous shows intent: sacrifice, wrath, getting what they deserve.

"You summon us once you summon us twice, You gamble it on a roll of the dice"

Now this is what predicts Grace's dirty dudes must die. it also seems to imply that Steph's father among others used the book foolishly, the chance of victory seemed to outweigh the risks.

"The devil has won it can't be undone The book has all but closed on your life"

Shows that the lords know the teens are in no position to bargain. They know theyre above them.

Wiggly: Don't be so formal, Stephie. We're all paly-wals here. I mean, look at us. We even hold court in your own tongue and form. Go Nighthawks! (Lords in Black laughing) Pokey: Our true forms would melt your minds. WIggly: Don't frighten them, Pokey, you nasty boy.

This is what we'll see more in this scene wiggly is the medium between the will of the lords in black and the teens. An interesting detail. This also seems to be Wiggly trying to make the teens be less guarded. THeyre showing some sort of "goodwill", like "hey we could easily kill you but we're throwing you a rock let's see what can happen.". Additionally, this also shows them being more powerful than the teens again.

"The Lords in Black will help you yes You stupid silly girl Why help you with the Jagerman When we can help the world!"

Once again a show of power, why even ask for help they're already there just show them what you can give them. They have got all the time for anything, theyre more powerfull than just stopping that jagerman.

"Steph: What about a bargain? We'll give you whatever you want. Just get rid of Jagerman!"

A show that the teens have no other choice. THe fact they have heard the lords in black say theyre from hell doesn't matter anymore. They're at a low point.

"Whatever we want we want we want Whatever we want we get Whatever you want you want you want Forever in our debt"

no other way to say this other than: "you fucked up kids"

Wiggly: "Oh, you'll hardly miss it. We just want what you cherish most."

hmmm understatements are fun. I love these paradoxical statements.

Wiggly: One of you must give up the thing you treasure above all else. Pokey: Do it, or die!

Once again a lovely power statement, though that's not what I found interesting. The interesting part about this is that they only ask for ONE of them fo give up what they cherish most. They could ask for way more, they've made that clear. So why ask for only one thing?

"We don't give a shit about your phone"

This is the one moment I feel like the lords in black loose their composure. My hypothesis? they don't like people lying to themselves when something is very clear.

"The Lords in Black the Lords in Black call us"

The chorus sing the lords in black call us, WHO ARE THE CHORUS I NEED TO KNOW.

"Out of the depths of hell and back Us spawn of the black and white Cover our souls with robes of black And take up the arms of night You summon us once you summon us twice You gamble it on a roll of the dice La la la la la la la la la la The devil has won it can't be undone The book has all but closed on your life"

JUSt one thing: A lovely circular closure to the scene.

OKAY thats the dialogue wooooo (theres more to be said about it probably but also I just My brain want to get to the next part.)

Okay Okay okay okay now for the fun part!

The lovely staging and costume and its so wonderfull.

So in the above image we can see the lords in black as well as the teens. As i've stated before the lords in black like to make a show in power and the dynamics are very much powerless vs. allpowerfull.

Now what the positioning on the stage does is show this contrast as well. The lords in black are all over the stage standing, moving, dancing. High energy high standing. This while the teens are sitting on the floor, all together, they're as small as they can be in this setting. This shows how little power they have at this point.

The lighting as well as the costumes adds a lot as well:

See the teens here? no special lighting aside from the effects of the lords. This is in incredible contrast with the lords. colourful and bright. This is similarly the case with their costumes, the teens all have quite plain clothes, nothing special for a costume definitely, we do have the more unique clothing to define each character** but that falls away once you look at the lords:

Wiggly: bright green light (so much fun green isnt used in stage lighting often i am in love), Green clothing, a suit with glossy pants a crown and of course the wiggly doll in the back.

Nibbly: SO PINk, but also fleshy pink somehow. the lighting isnt as obvious but it is still pink. here the sparkes return. The giant lolly. just the giant lolly.

Blinky: Interesting choice to have the face as obscured as it is. once again i cant say the lighting is very obvious but it is there. The purple orange colour contrast makes them stand out. when in comparison to the others his costume isnt as showy.

Tinky: HOLY SHIT THE EYESHADOW. which isnt visible because.... yes the lighting! yellow lighting! the outfit isn't as sparkly but because it is the brightest outfit of them all I doubt that would have been neccesary. It keeps the balance. I am also Biassed I love this getup.

Pokey: once again: LIGHTING! blue! but also, Pokey I feel is the least obvious lord in black in the scene, the positioning on the side of the stage across from Tinky the yellow and blue contrast how fun. especially as Wiggly (green) is in the middle. just so good.

I just wanted to add some more because look at how wiggly is so much higher in this scene, he needs to look down on the teens, but doesn't do that often, not even bothered to look at them wow. Also quick note wiggly seems the most bothered by the summoning, wonder why.

And whenever all of the lords are singing with their discordant choreography, the lighting goes all disco and far brighter. A great detail to show they're individuals but are similar. see how the light is not green here? yeah that happens whenever all of the lords are speaking.

All in all I think Nerdy prudes must die is now in my top three favourite starkid shows. and I will be using the lords in black as inspiration in the play I'm in currently as well because this is exactly the type of thing we were looking for. and also I am not going to be able to think about anything but this show for ages.

I highly encourage anyone to give their opinions or whatever they noticed because I need it I would love to hear them. GO NIGHTHAWKS!

1* Now this comes at a relatively late time in the (already very long) show. At the 2 hour point we've been following our dear cast for around 4/5ths of the show. Now keep in mind this is doesn't matter much, but I think it's interesting that they chose to have the climax at this point. The play being as long as it is means they had to have been very confident in their ability to keep the viewers attention and especially with the slow buildup.

2** OH MY GOODNESS I JUST REALISED HOW WELL STEPH AND PETER's PALLETTES WORK TOGETHER. like theyre both earth tones. the green and brown fit together so well, and then you also have the patterns, different but still similar enough to not clash.

[johnny-depplyloveyou]

[Spoilers] Methods to check Gale's true attitude towards godhood to prevent his “Sneaky God” ending (with a full list of dialogue options that determines his human/god ending)

Several people mentioned that they are playing on console and therefore can't check his flag status in my last post about using console commands to avoid his sneaky god ending(it is where you reject his proposal of ascending together in the boat scene, although he acted convinced but will then leave you and ascend to godhood alone), after searching through dialogue files, I found that it's actually possible for all players to check which ending he'll get after you have done his act 3 scenes(book scene, meeting Elminster, meeting Mystra, boat ride scene), but that involves killing him, which is not optimal :((...

So here's how you do it: first, send him to camp, enter turn-based mode, use your party members to kill him in one turn, switch back to your avatar and cast "Speak with Dead" on him, and ask him: "What were you trying to achieve?", if his answer is "Seeking... Karsus' power... failed..." then he's going to ascend at the end of the game, if it's any other answer, he'll remain human. Now revive him or load a save before this event!

You'll need to redo his Act 3 scenes if you got the Karsus answer, and if you want to know which dialogue options you need to choose to ensure he's convinced, I gathered a list of options you need to pick or avoid under the cut. If you really don’t want to kill him, you could load a save right after his act 3 scenes and view dialogue history to count options you chose with each flag and figure out which ending you’ll get.

If you are playing on PC, you have progressed too far in the game and don't want to redo the entire Act 3 when you find out about this, or you just want to see other endings of him with your character without replaying the game, here are some console commands for you to alter his ending using Norbyte's BG3 Script Extender’s console([X]this is an old version with a config file that enables the console, it will automatically update once you start the game, or you need to manually edit the JSON file if you download the latest version from the first link). These codes should still work during the scene when you defeat the Netherbrain before his part starts.

To get the normal human ending, copy and paste the text below in the console repeatedly until it returns a 0

Osi.SetFlag("ORI_Gale_State_RejectedBeMyGodProposal_de72eaa6-c6f4-014c-b1a2-213c243c1dba", GetHostCharacter(), 1, 1) Osi.ClearFlag("ORI_Gale_State_AcceptedBeMyGodProposal_3d452ca4-14e6-176a-88ad-47d0ef8271d3", GetHostCharacter(), 1, 1) Osi.ClearFlag("LOW_StormshoreTabernacle_State_WantsSurrenderCrown_4f748986-27db-df27-bd9d-115c101ab015", GetHostCharacter(), 1, 1) Osi.SetFlag("ORI_Gale_Event_PushAwayFromCrown_303eeb6d-22cb-4832-a186-f366a4a6eacc", GetHostCharacter(), 1, 1) print(GetFlag("ORI_Gale_State_SwayedTowardsCrown_76150a10-511d-4eeb-b263-46994bab0b48", GetHostCharacter()))

To get the normal god ending, copy and paste the text below in the console repeatedly until it returns a 1

Osi.SetFlag("ORI_Gale_State_AcceptedBeMyGodProposal_3d452ca4-14e6-176a-88ad-47d0ef8271d3", GetHostCharacter(), 1, 1) Osi.ClearFlag("ORI_Gale_State_RejectedBeMyGodProposal_de72eaa6-c6f4-014c-b1a2-213c243c1dba", GetHostCharacter(), 1, 1) Osi.ClearFlag("LOW_StormshoreTabernacle_State_WantsSurrenderCrown_4f748986-27db-df27-bd9d-115c101ab015", GetHostCharacter(), 1, 1) Osi.SetFlag("ORI_Gale_Event_PushTowardsCrown_96fad101-7c29-495c-91d3-3645b30c2bab", GetHostCharacter(), 1, 1) print(GetFlag("ORI_Gale_State_SwayedTowardsCrown_76150a10-511d-4eeb-b263-46994bab0b48", GetHostCharacter()))

To get the sneaky human ending, copy and paste the text below in the console repeatedly until it returns a 0

Osi.SetFlag("ORI_Gale_State_AcceptedBeMyGodProposal_3d452ca4-14e6-176a-88ad-47d0ef8271d3", GetHostCharacter(), 1, 1) Osi.ClearFlag("ORI_Gale_State_RejectedBeMyGodProposal_de72eaa6-c6f4-014c-b1a2-213c243c1dba", GetHostCharacter(), 1, 1) Osi.ClearFlag("LOW_StormshoreTabernacle_State_WantsSurrenderCrown_4f748986-27db-df27-bd9d-115c101ab015", GetHostCharacter(), 1, 1) Osi.SetFlag("ORI_Gale_Event_PushAwayFromCrown_303eeb6d-22cb-4832-a186-f366a4a6eacc", GetHostCharacter(), 1, 1) print(GetFlag("ORI_Gale_State_SwayedTowardsCrown_76150a10-511d-4eeb-b263-46994bab0b48", GetHostCharacter()))

To get the sneaky god ending, copy and paste the text below in the console repeatedly until it returns a 1

Osi.SetFlag("ORI_Gale_State_RejectedBeMyGodProposal_de72eaa6-c6f4-014c-b1a2-213c243c1dba", GetHostCharacter(), 1, 1) Osi.ClearFlag("ORI_Gale_State_AcceptedBeMyGodProposal_3d452ca4-14e6-176a-88ad-47d0ef8271d3", GetHostCharacter(), 1, 1) Osi.ClearFlag("LOW_StormshoreTabernacle_State_WantsSurrenderCrown_4f748986-27db-df27-bd9d-115c101ab015", GetHostCharacter(), 1, 1) Osi.SetFlag("ORI_Gale_Event_PushTowardsCrown_96fad101-7c29-495c-91d3-3645b30c2bab", GetHostCharacter(), 1, 1) print(GetFlag("ORI_Gale_State_SwayedTowardsCrown_76150a10-511d-4eeb-b263-46994bab0b48", GetHostCharacter()))

If you wish to do this on other characters, change their flags etc., this list of all the uuids of items, character tags and flags in the game could be useful, and you could look into datamined dialogue files from this post by @roksik-dnd to find which flag you need to look to get things done.

You'll need to choose more options with "PushAwayFromCrown" than "PushTowardsCrown" for his human ending to work, for his god ending, you should choose equal or more amount of "PushTowardsCrown" than "PushAwayFromCrown". You do not need to choose every possible option or ask him to seek Mystra's forgiveness to get his human ending. u/airydandelion explained this mechanism in detail in their reddit post, you should check it out if you want to understand how this works!

Dialogue options with the "PushAwayFromCrown" flag

In the discussion after you give him The Annals of Karsus

Romanced with Player

That crown is an abomination, Gale. I don't need a private conversation to understand that.

Not romanced version

I thought you were past this kind of temptation, Gale. You know exactly where such over-reaching leads.

Or to destroy the next wizard who attempts it. The attempt would kill you as it killed Karsus.

(after choosing "This is no ordinary artifact, Gale. Do this and you'd challenge the gods themselves.") Wallowing in the dirt? Is that what our time together has meant to you?

(Mystra is Player's deity) What you're suggesting is blasphemy. You'd be wise to banish these notions from your head. ['Gale -1']

(after choosing "Gale - I'm urging you to drop this. This Crown cannot be reforged." ['Gale -1'])You're still destined for greatness, Gale. But you won't find it chasing Karsus' shadow.

 (after choosing "Gale - I'm urging you to drop this. This Crown cannot be reforged." ['Gale -1'])Don't give up yet. There will be an answer - it just isn't the Crown.

(after choosing "Gale - I'm urging you to drop this. This Crown cannot be reforged." ['Gale -1'])You're deluded, Gale. The crown is clearly dangerous, as is pursuing it.

In Stormshore Tabernacle before meeting Mystra

Seek her forgiveness, Gale. It might be your only hope of curing the orb.

After meeting Mystra

if SwayedTowardsCrown=true (n(PushTowardsCrown)>=n(PushAwayFromCrown))

No, Gale. This all sounds far too dangerous - Karsus' magic must be destroyed.

if SwayedTowardsCrown=false (n(PushTowardsCrown)<n(PushAwayFromCrown))

(after choosing"Is that what you want?")  We're going to cure you - I promise. ['Gale 2']

(after choosing"Is that what you want?") You're a great man, Gale. With or without the orb. ['Gale 2']

(after choosing"Is that what you want?") A better incarnation of you, I hope. Not the impulsive wreck who unleashed the orb in the first place. ['Gale -2']

(after choosing"Is that what you want?") And what then? What will you do?

(after choosing "Sod redemption. With the Karsite Weave and the Crown, you could be a god.") You'd be more of a fool for chasing godhood. Take up Mystra's offer - it's the best way.

Boat scene

(Gale has not met Mystra in Stormshore Tabernacle) So much power will only prove dangerous. You should forget it.

(after choosing "I feel the same. Whatever you need of me, consider it done.") Wait. Perhaps I'm being too hasty... and perhaps you're overreaching.

(after choosing "I love you. But for the man that you are. Not the god you'd pretend to be.") Stop his protests with a kiss.

(after choosing any options other than "I feel the same. Whatever you need of me, consider it done." or "I love you. But for the man that you are. Not the god you'd pretend to be.", then ) You're already everything I need you to be.

Dialogue options with the "PushTowardsCrown" flag

In the discussion after you give him The Annals of Karsus

 You're a convincing man, Gale. The crown sounds promising. ['Gale 5']

(Shadowheart origin Dark Justicar route) Mystra is no friend of the Dark Lady. If you can dethrone her, you have my support. ['Gale 5']

(Player is a wizard) The pursuit of knowledge and power is in our nature. There's no question - you must do this. ['Gale 5']

In Stormshore Tabernacle before meeting Mystra

Make her squirm. Tell her the Crown will be ours soon enough.

After meeting Mystra

if SwayedTowardsCrown=true (n(PushTowardsCrown)>=n(PushAwayFromCrown))

Of course. ['Gale 1']

We're usually inclined to agree on moral matters. That's good enough for me. ['Gale 1']

Morals be damned - this is an incredible opportunity. You must take it. ['Gale 1']

I'm right beside you. Time to make you a god.

if SwayedTowardsCrown=false (n(PushTowardsCrown)<n(PushAwayFromCrown))

(after choosing "When you put it like that, it sounds rather easy...") I thought you were more ambitious than this, Gale. Why settle for mortality when immortality is on the table? ['Gale 2']

(after choosing "Sod redemption. With the Karsite Weave and the Crown, you could be a god.") You're right. This opportunity is too good to pass up. We need to get you that Crown.

Boat scene

(Gale has not met Mystra in Stormshore Tabernacle) I'm here to support you, no matter what you want. ['Gale 10']

(after choosing "I feel the same. Whatever you need of me, consider it done.") Kiss him.

(after choosing "I feel the same. Whatever you need of me, consider it done.")(Karlach origin without the second heart upgrade) You know I would if I could. But I'll sit with you as long as you'll have me.

(after choosing "I love you. But for the man that you are. Not the god you'd pretend to be.")You're right. We should not deny ourselves such a gift. The crown must be ours.

[tree1138]

Astarion Contradictions and Breakups

Major spoilers for Astarion’s personal quest, The Dark Urge questline, and game endings. 

When I was trying out different paths for how Astarion reacts to the Dark Urge questline something that stood out to me was the wide difference in responses Astarion has, as well as the way he contradicts himself. This essay started as a way of trying to explain “why does Ascendant Astarion tell you to take over the world when he immediately becomes a thrall” from a Watsonian (in-universe explanation) vs a Doylist (out-of-universe explanation) and wound up being a focused on; why does Ascendant!Astarion react so differently to when you break up? 

There are 4 opportunities to break up with Ascendant!Astarion; 1) refuse to become his thrall immediately after the ritual you breakup and have a follow up conversation the next morning, 2) become his thrall and break up with him whenever before killing the Eldar brain, 3) break up with him on the dockside convo at the beginning of the ending, 4) in the last scene with him say you want to break up at which point he doesn’t let you: “You're mine remember? The tadpole is gone, which means your future is mine to decide. How lucky you are that I chose you as my consort. Chose you to help me take Baldur’s gate, then sit by my side as I rule it. There’s no backing out now - we’ll be together forever. I can promise you that…��.  

Comparing breakup conversations with Spawn!Astarion after killing Cazador, Ascendant!Astarion responds with so much more spitefulness and defensive anger across the board, even at Spawn!Astarions most angry (breaking up with him in the literal last conversation) it doesn't match the anger and cruelty in senario 1. To me it reads as him wanting to make the player character just as hurt and upset as he is after a very emotional day and the lines get really nasty:

He then won’t say anything but “why the hells are you bothering me now” until you do 3 long rests which stands out considering if you break up in any other non ending scenario he’ll talk to you pleasantly afterwards. 

That conversation days afterwards is really interesting where his “goal” is to get you to agree to be partners in crime together, and in doing so is the most honest he gets about how a romantic relationship would have been unhealthy:

In regards to love It's really interesting what Astarion will say about love during the conversation where he asks you to become his spawn:

If the pc expresses insecurity about being a spawn he’ll reassure them and say he loves them, in a way that deliberately parallels his Act 1 seduction conversation down to the way that he starts with a degrading pet-name “what can I do for my dearest pet” vs “here’s my little treat with their cheeks all flushed”.

Just like the seduction scene he wants the pc on his side and attached to him, but if you push back on him during this conversation its clear he no longer believes in love just power exchanges:

If the player stays together with Ascendant!Astarion a dialogue option is that he’s seem distant since the ritual, and he’ll imply it's due to his new powers but he does that looking to the up and right that others have mentioned he does when he lies. What makes more sense and is better character writings is the Watsonian answer of: killing all your siblings and 7,000 others (including people Astarion regretted victimizing and then had to look in the eye and condemn to death) will fuck a person up. He knows his hands are bloody so he has to believe he got everything he wanted, and he did really want this because if you leave it up to him he will chose to do the ritual vs just killing Cazador.  

I think Astarion has to believe he is better (which in his view means more powerful) than his past self as part of believing the sacrifice was worth it. In scenario 2 he’ll say this if you bring up his past self:

What’s a lot more interesting is if you bring up his past self in the morning after conversation of scenario 1 he’s genuinely shocked and caught off guard:

What I found interesting was Astarion talks in the same way about how the ritual was worth it and the cool new powers he’ll totally get as he does advocating for endings that are bad for him. If you become the Absolute leader Astarion becomes a thrall just like all the other companions whether you do it on your own or in Bhaal’s name. For all his talk about Bhaal’s army being “an unsurpassable dowry” and how he’ll command it, he can’t do jack shit if the player defies Bhaal and then either kills themselves or becomes fully possessed by Bhaal.The Doylist answer is Larian games just have a very limited amount of endings and the characters are forever stuck at lvl 12 , the more interesting Watsonian answer is Astarian is lying/exaggerating out of ignorance or because he really doesn’t have a clue of what to do next and is trying to cover for that.

The whole ritual plotline is very obviously Astarion continuing the cycle of abuse vs helping others, the abuse Cazador inflicted was akin to the abuse he suffered from Vellioth, down to Astarion commenting that Cazador’s rules came from Vellioth. It's also clear that Ascendant!Astarion has processed none of his trauma re: Cazador, after the ritual he says “I will not think about him. I don’t want to even say his name” and he shouts at you to be silent if you mention Cazador when you break up in scenario 2. I personally think Astarion sees you staying with him as a spawn degrading because he was degraded and abused when he was a spawn based on a line he has if the pc is cursed to go mad with The Dark Urge, where he relates too much to the character.

I think the DnD rules of absolute morality that vampires are extremely evil is a boring answer to why Ascendant!Astarion becomes possessive and controlling, especially since Larian has pushed against that theme throughout the game. Yes Astarion has an Act 1 line about how vampires don't turn spawn into full vampires because they don't share power, in my opinion that line falls flat when considering will have kind and supportive dialogue to the player in a number of other Act 3 quests. Whether the its the Watsonian answer that Larian wasn’t going to rewrite large chunks of dialogue when there are Act 3 quests with no companion reactions or the Doylist answer that he is just extremely possessive and has attachment issues about the threat of you leaving him is an interesting dilemma.

In regards to scenario 4 it's a fucking huge contrast to Astarion's whole character arc about learning to trust and being around someone who respects his boundaries and consent, where here doesn't respect the player's boundaries or consent. It's such a contrast to scenario 3 that happens right before it where Astarion says "We have served our respective purposes, we're free to go wherever we wish" and doesn't mind you breaking up with him as if your relationship was a strategic alliance. It's also the clearest contrast from his pre-ritual dialogue of "we're a team. If I become all powerful, then we become all powerful" because he's taken away all power from the player. The Ascendant romance is not subtle with most of the romance specific dialogue being themed around an extremely toxic D/s relationship where the Narrator explicitly says he’ll see you as degrading himself by being with him as a spawn which feels like it was added to remove any ambiguity about what Astarion feels.  From the way he says “on your knees” before he turns the player character, the way he calls you “bad boy/girl” if you fail the check to see his thoughts, and that infamous line about sitting naked on his lap.

Between the heavy message of power corrupts and how the rest of his ending dialogue is about how his evil future plans will be so fun, it's a clear callback to an act 1 conversation:

tldr: I don't think that corruption is as fun or as freeing as you thought Astarion, but he doesn't have to confront that fact if you're "lovers forever, until the world falls down"

[lucrezianoin]

Sub!Marazhai's impossible romance

"Are you pleased with me?"

Love THIS.

Even if the first sex scene is clearly dom!Marazhai, but I think it is a known bug.

God, romancing this guy as a dom is impossible without mods (toybox in particular).

I think there are at least three points Dom/Sub you can get in act 3 (or between act 3 and the start of act 4), because when I started the romance I had three points. The problem is that the flag seems to be opposite.

From what I remember (I cannot confirm this is 100% flagged for a sub!Marazhai, as at the time I was not using toybox to check the consequences of answers):

Grabbing his wrist:

The agoniser (use it on yourself instead of letting him use it on you)

I cannot remember a possible third point, but it must be somewhere before the triggering of the "first warp".

Then, when Marazhai goes mad with terror/bloodlust you can start the romance (the agoniser tho is fundamental too, so don't skip it). You can decide how to deal with Marazhai's needs every time the ship jumps through warps. @pjenn literally saved me because when I checked the dialogue description in toybox I actually got this:

Deciding Marazhai can hunt wherever he wants (1 point in Domination = Dom!Marazhai)

Letting him have the lower decks as his hunting grouns (no sub/dom point, but a third mysterious option called "sybarite").

Locking him away (1 point in Submission = Sub!MarazhaI)... the problem is that apparently this option breaks the romance, and it did for me.

So when I reloaded and checked my dom/sub points, even if I only chose the dom-related options (from dialogue) I found that in:

Toyboy -> Search n Pick -> Submission was LOCKED. Zero points, still locked. While Domination had three points. Which meant that me grabbing his wrist or bossing him around ended up flagged in the opposite way.

So I had to change that. I changed it to 10, which is probably too high, but because I read from some steam comments that ten should be the final result I will keep it as that until the end (and adjust it later).

And I lowered the Dominant to zero.

The romance fully starts once he invites you to hunt with him and you can tell him:

Guide me (Dom!Marazhai - Sub!Player)

Ask me properly (Sub!Marazhai - Dom!Player)

This time, the "ask me properly" was correctly flagged as Submission (as you can see in the pic above my current value is 11, so 10 that I set + 1).

When I selected "ask me properly" when I used to have Dom!Marazhai at 3, Marazhai answered with annoyance, telling me I should not mix our games. Basically telling me I was giving him mixed signals.

I will keep an eye on future choices in game to see if in act 4 stuff is flagged oppositely too. But for now it looks like act 3 Dom/Sub options are opposite.

This is him in his first romance scene with zero points in Dom!Marazhai btw:

Btw, he doesn't kiss you if he is dom!Marazhai, and later in bed he refuses your kiss.

Unfortunately, the sex scene is also weirdly bugged. He acts like dom!Marazhai indipendently from your dom/sub score. So I annoyingly tolerated him calling me "pet":

At least I got this:

I am going to change the dom/sub score now pre-first warp scene to see if it influence the first dialogue you have with him too (given he calls you pet there too and there used to be a specific sub!Marazhai dialogue post it, but it is not there anymore). If you see no updates to this post, it means nothing changed.

EDIT: on the left this is how he greets you if you manually change him to full sub; on the right is how he greets you normally (impossible at the moment to get the greeting at the left without mods)

Which is pretty annoying because it confirms that the whole "pet" ordeal is heavily dependent on him being dominant. Which means that there is no possible scene of sub!Marazhai for the first sleeping together.

[amelikos]

Gibeon seems to take betrayal very personally. He even took a dig at Amethio's father, presumably, when he told Amethio "so you were the same, you would stray from the path too...". He seems to hold a lot of bitterness over what happened. Given how he talks about him, it's no wonder that Amethio started seeing his father in a negative light and would say that he is not like him in an attempt to distance himself from him.

I wonder if Amethio's father will show up soon. I still think Crave (Friede's former superior at Exceed) is the only candidate for it from the characters we've seen so far. He showed up in the same episode Gibeon was revealed to be Amethio's grandfather, he seems kind and caring (and apparently, Gibeon doesn't like that), and they made sure to show that he is a married man. So it's either him or a character we haven't met yet. But I think Amethio's father is alive, not only because of the way they talk about him, but also because I think Amethio will mend his relationship with him and he'll have a home to come back to in the end. If Liko, Roy and Dot's families are there for the trio to come back home to, then I think Amethio's situation will be similar (or at least, I hope so).

Going back to Gibeon, I wonder if he perceives whatever happened with Lucius as betrayal, and now casts people away at the slightest hint of what he views as betraying him (Amethio's father, and now Amethio himself...). Gibeon seems affected by "betrayal" and maybe "choosing something/someone over him" from his reactions in the episode... From what has been implied so far, Amethio's father didn't take up Gibeon's will and chose his own path and wants (family, career..). And Amethio's actions in this episode made it look like he "chose" the enemy (Liko) over Gibeon, from his grandfather's perspective.

All of this makes me curious because all the framing around Lucius so far makes it look like Gibeon is the one who did something to betray him, hence why Terapagos seems to have a strong negative reaction to Gibeon's name being mentioned. But now, it also looks like Gibeon is affected by betrayal, potentially for a reason that has roots to the past (and which has been amplified by Amethio's father straying from the path, etc).

Liko's line about hearing people out ("I can see that there is stuff you'll never know if you don't hear people out") might have been the most important line in this episode. She got to talk with Amethio and they both got to hear each other out and understand each other better. And she only had to ask to receive answers. Meanwhile, Gibeon refused to hear Amethio out and shut down the possibility for dialogue. Which means that there is stuff he will never know, because he wasn't willing to hear Amethio out. It makes me wonder if whatever happened between Lucius and Gibeon is a huge misunderstanding that could have been solved if Gibeon was willing to hear the other party out. Like, what if Gibeon is dragging everyone in his messy breakup with Lucius over something that could have been easily avoided and solved, and what if there are huge misconceptions and misunderstandings on his side.

[kyokikia]

Dine and dash!

Pairings ; Portgas D. Ace × fem!reader

Request from @luvfzw : heyy can i request a female reader and any one piece char of your choice with a platonic partners in crime trope? (With a smidge of romance if you want)

(thank you for the request! And my night is going great, ty for asking as well!)

Type, fluff and platonic, partners in crime trope

Warnings, cursing (both in dialogue and in the actual story) and thats about it, y/n is used 2-3 times

Likes and reblogs are very appreciated!

alr so ik the main storyline is dine and dashing, but ive never actually dine and dashed.. so uhm, i'll just work with what i think is how it works! Im really sorry if i got it wrong, feel free to send over an ask or a message if i did anything wrong and i'll fix it!

You and Ace were what some people would call partners in crime. Did that mean you guys committed crimes together a lot? Yea of course, you were his best friend after all. You and Ace had each other's back unconditionally, and everyone could tell. You both were always together, honestly knowing he knew your weaknesses better than you did your own, and vice versa. Both of you also seemed to be in sync, so much so that it was worrying. You both always knew what the other wanted when together, which meant you mostly knew what the other felt most of the time, and this included whenever you both felt hungry. Which led you to today.

You and Ace walked around an island that the ship decided to stay in for a day and a night, just to resupply some necessities, take a break, the usual. And you and Ace took this time to wander around the island's city, turns out this island was quite well-of and sort of large, a few shopping districts, good housing, very nice restaurants, an actually nice hospital, and good-looking hotels. Walking all over the city had both of you hungry after a few hours, so both of you started looking for restaurants to eat in.

Both of you agreed not to go for too much of a fancy restaurant, but not too bad of a restaurant either, you wanted good food after all. The pair of you chose a restaurant that was kind of crowded, and thankfully it wasn't those kinds of restaurants where you needed reservations and all that. You both found a table and after ordering, you both didn't wait too long before getting your food served.

You were both seated at a table not too far from the exit, but not the most easily noticeable or seen by the staff. You contentedly watched Ace as he was satisfying his near bottomless stomach while you also ate to your heart's content. The two of you conversing about stupid stuff, and also more silently, talking about how you're gonna get the fuck out of there without paying this time. This wasn't your first time committing these kind of not so harmless shenanigans with him.

The food was good in your opinion, but you both made sure not to spend too long there and when you both finished up, you got up, and left, after telling Ace to come in a few minutes, which he did not listen to. "Ace what the hell!" You whisper-shouted with no serious anger laced in your voice as you watched him exit out of the diner's doors just a minute after you left.

"Why'd you leave so soon!" You whined, bickering with him with a slight teasing manner. He looked at you while smiling with his usual grin, before replying with, "well, because i know I wouldn't get caught!" His response got him an obvious facade of being offended, "I? You deadass think only you wouldn't get caught?" You remarked, with a fake scoff leaving your mouth right after.

His grin grew larger at your scoff, before he quickly answered with, "Yea well I don't think you would get caught but I'm ju—" "just better than me?" You interrupt him, with a knowing smile on your face, before he looks straight in your eyes, "yea. i'm better than you." You look at him and his eyes as he says that, before deciding to turn away frohe freckled man, and you started distancing yourself and walking away from the restaurant and Ace, with him quickly trying to catch up, "hey! y/n! you know i was only joking!"

After he says that, you stop walking and say, "Yea yea i know! But—" the last part of your sentence, you purposefully pause and whispered. Before continuing it with a, "Last one to the ship actually has to pay for the next restaurant visit we go to!" You exclaim with a joyful grin before taking off, running back to where you came from. Ace takes a moment to register what you said, and why you're running off, and what'll happen if he loses. And once he does take it in, his eyes quickly widen before he takes off after you.

"y/n! This is unfair! You got a headstart!" Ace complained, running after you as he quickly tries catching up, the two of you running back to the ship. Eventually, you run out of stamina and start to tiredly walk, Ace not as run down on stamina as you are. "Alright alright Ace! We're done with the race—" you mutter while out of breath, the both of you were close to the ship anyway.

He slows down to match your pace, letting you regain your breath and you both approach the ship, "well, looks like i win!" Ace exclaimed cockily, "yea yea whatever." You replied in frustration at having to pay for the next meal, especially with his bottomless stomach.

"Don't worry about paying for the next meal, i'd rather not pay at all" he assured, "but.. you and me, we go out and steal for a hefty load of berry the next stop we have, alright?" He declared, and to which you gladly accepted. It's free money, and you get to commit crimes with Ace, win win for you all the way!

Alright so sorry this is kinda trash, first one shot i really finished that i'm actually gonna post! I dont know how dine and dash works so i also apologize for that, and im also sorry if you wanted something more intense in the sense of partners in crime! I'm really sorry if you wanted something like robbery or something like that, my brain just couldn't figure a storyline for anything other than this. Please let me know if its to your liking!

[self-indulgent-paw-patrol]

Someone pointed out that the scene from the first movie where Ryder brings Chase back to where he found him to boost his confidence doesn't make any sense. At least on the scene where Ryder rescued Chase from the truck then say that He sees something heroic and braveness in Chase when he didn't really do much at all other than being scared. Like that scene should've been Chase confronting his fears by rescuing someone in danger.

Ah, THAT scene. I actually believe it MADE SENSE, so let me try to explain why they made it like that. Under the cut because it got kinda long too XD

First, let's take a look at the dialogue in that scene:

Ryder: I remember the first time I saw you. You were a tiny little pup, all alone in a big city. Chase: I know. You saw me and took pity on me. Ryder: Not at all. What I saw was a brave, heroic pup. Even though you were too small to look after yourself and you were up against all the scary things, you got back up and kept going. I didn't adopt you because I felt sorry for you. I chose you because you were the bravest pup I've ever seen.

Now let me just celebrate a moment here because HELL YES I'M DOING A LOT BETTER AT UNDERSTANDING DIALOGUES IN ENGLISH OMG I'M SO PROUD OF MYSELF RIGHT NOW THAT PART ABOUT BEING TOO SMALL TO LOOK AFTER HIMSELF HE SAID IT SO FAST AND STILL I UNDERSTOOD IT PERFECTLY IN THE FIRST ATTEMPT AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA I'M SO HAPPY ok let's go

Now, it's time to break it down!

"I know. You saw me and took pity on me."

Here we see what has been Chase's point of view about that moment, which he believed in it all his life so far. He wholeheartedly believed that he was just an insignificant scared little puppy, worth nothing but pity. He was a nobody. He was nothing, and since then, up to now, he believes that it was Ryder who turned him into something, into the brave rescue pup he now is- or believed to be, until he's now back in the big city, feeling all his fears and trauma of being a nobody coming back up to swallow him whole, reminding him that he is nothing.

But then, Ryder tells Chase what was his OWN point of view of the whole thing, and what was his motivation to rescue and adopt Chase. First, let's see his point of view.

"What I saw was a brave, heroic pup. Even though you were too small to look after yourself and you were up against all the scary things, you got back up and kept going."

This is literally what Ryder saw. Chase was small, yeah. And instead of staying in a corner, of keeping quiet, or hiding somewhere, where he would be certainly safer, because he literally could NOT fend for himself... Chase was out there. In middle of the people, SO MUCH BIGGER than him. Risking being stepped on. Risking a car running over him. Risking an aggressive stray possibly finding and attacking him. He was out there, trying to move, trying to go - no matter where, he was on the move. He'd take a couple steps back to avoid being stepped on, and still press on to advance again, trying to cross the street.

He was afraid? Of course. Did it stop him? No.

THIS is the key for understanding Ryder's quote here. No matter how threatening things were for Chase, Ryder saw him out there, insisting, persisting, pressing on, even with all odds against him. Even if what moved him was the fear and uncertainty and confusion as to why his owners abandoned him there, Chase was NOT hiding away. He was trying for whatever, braving into the unknown, into the scary terrifying world of the big city. And it was traumatic, he was probably having a bad anxiety attack right there at that moment (note it's different than a panic attack, I explained a bit about it when I answered another ask earlier). But he was out there and not hiding.

While Chase saw himself as just a scared good-for-nothing baby, Ryder saw him as someone who didn't hide when faced with probably the scariest things ever in his life and facing it all alone. Which brings to the last part:

"I chose you because you were the bravest pup I've ever seen."

Not many puppies would do the same as Chase did, not in such conditions. "Oh but I've seen stray puppies following people and trying to play with them", yeah, same. I've had dozens of dogs in my life so far and all but one were strays I rescued from the street (or were born from said rescued strays). I've also seen tiny puppies trying to interact with people passing by. But in a crowded sidewalk? People walking nonstop, a wall of stomping feet not caring if you're in their way? With so many loud noises of people talking, cars driving by? Cell phones, cars honking, so many echoing steps. This is a complete nightmare to any puppy, they tend to cower in fear and wait for when the chaos is over or at least less chaotic until they venture out again.

This is the reason why Ryder saw Chase as the bravest pup ever. He was terrified, he was risking his life, but he was still out there.

Which contrasts with what has happened in the movie so far up to that point, if you think about it! Since Chase was taken back to the very city that left him traumatized as a puppy, his fears have been taking over stronger than ever and rendering him unable to keep going, much unlike what happened when he was a baby. And why's that so?

The answer is also simple, it's because since then, Chase's point of view was that it was Ryder who made him brave - he didn't believe he was already brave from the very beginning. He never thought of those moments as moments of bravery, like Ryder did. He thought of those moments as cowardice. These thoughts were what caused him to begin freezing and inducing him into this constant feeling of anxiety crisis and eventually leading to panic attacks, making him believe even more that he has always been nothing, and it's Ryder who made something else of him.

Chase never gave himself any credit for what he has become. For him, it has always been Ryder - and for Ryder, it has always been there with him from even before they first met. Chase just never associated it, until Ryder took him to that very place where they met and told him his own point of view, for the very first time, as apparently those two never addressed why Ryder adopted Chase ever before, which explains why Chase always held this belief that Ryder adopted him out of pity.

You see a scared puppy in the middle of a crosswalk, nearly being ran over by a car.

I see a brave little soul, pushing through against all odds and trying to get somewhere, anywhere, just for the sake of not standing still and waiting for who knows what, which might never even come.

And he fucking GOT somewhere and is indeed the bravest pup I've ever seen.

And he's not even my favorite pup XD

[russenoire]

7, 14 for the ask game :) 🌻

from this MP100 ask game! :}

7: what’s the most hilarious moment to you?

[note: i'm terrible at picking 'one favorite thing' as a general rule, and have too many Most Hilarious Moments to count (anime and manga). so i'm just gonna list random ones that kill me if more ppl ask me this question.]

and i called it! i will answer question 7 as many times as people ask; i simply adore this story's flavor of dry humor.

anime: in s1e8 during ritsu's attempt to pick a fight with shigeo, shigeo sincerely congratulates ritsu on finally obtaining ESP after his younger brother attacks him with it. he then launches into embarrassing parent mode and starts describing, for anyone within earshot, how ritsu used to bawl his eyes out when they were younger because he couldn't bend spoons. ritsu doesn't deny this; he just says, 'that hadn't changed up until recently.'

manga: the meat omake. OMFG. i can't decide what's funniest about it: shigeo's absolutely based refusal to clarify an awkward misunderstanding, or teru's emptying reigen's wallet and hanging it out to dry.

14: are there any MP100 fanfics you HAVE to rec?

my tastes lean towards deep character study and the whump side of angst, so take that as you will. most of these are ongoing/incomplete. in no particular order:

kegare (can be translated as 'spiritual defilement' in japanese) by zillasafe. an organization looking to solve the global energy crisis kidnaps shigeo after the confession arc for their aims. skilled scrambling of narrative chronology and use of an unreliable narrator, visceral depictions of the effects of long-term sensory deprivation. [mature, graphic violence, 95K words]

a breach of trust by phantomrose96. what if mogami'd sunk his claws into shigeo early... and he and teru never crossed paths? preternaturally naturalistic dialogue, willingness to challenge fanon interpretations of canon characters, thoughtful examinations of how trauma can warp the psyche into violence, OCs that give me life. it's a serious long-read. [teen+, graphic violence, 384.6K words]

the brassica heresy by scribefindegil. captures the unnerving atmosphere of the psycho helmet arc perfectly. what if psycho helmet got his wish? and why doesn't anyone remember shigeo? a mystery from tsubomi's perspective, and she's fascinating. [teen+, creator chose not to warn, 27.5K words]

a murder of crows and a kaleidoscope of butterflies by redberrysoda. slowly sketches out a seductive world of palace intrigue and burgeoning trust/love between the princes of two kingdoms. shoumob. i'm not much of a shipper, but i found myself wanting more of this pair in this world. [teen+, 23K words]

blackhole by dmyy20. river-of-consciousness internal monologue that ripped me apart in all the best of ways. what if dimple hadn't been there to talk shigeo down after he saw his family in the fire? [teen+, graphic violence, 2.1K words]

childlike wonder, in the palm of our hands by nanayon. high school slice-of-life in which shigeo stretches his wings tests the limits of his ESP, with ritsu's help. exploration of dissociative identity disorder/system dynamics, lovely sibling bonding, shigeo learning to enjoy his powers for once, dammit. [gen rated, 11.6K words]

can i recommend one of mine? i'm proudest of this one... a friend described it as melancholic fluff: kain no shirushi (the mark of cain). it's a slice-of-life story where thirty-something shigeo's quiet intensity and his powers end up intimidating others unintentionally... and then later on purpose. from my summary on AO3: 'Inspired by that scene in canon where high-school boys attempt to bully young Shigeo and he ends up saving them from his posse. There, he isn't yet sure how to defend himself without causing others physical harm. Here, he's managed to figure something out…' [teen+, 2.9k words]

[evita-shelby]

Prove it

Version of my only other Namor x reader one shot with the dialogue in English.(spanish dialogue)

Gif by @unicornspwnall

You weren’t born yesterday.

There was no possible way for this fucking historical hotel was truly haunted.

There was no cool poltergeist, no ghost ladies giggling in the floral room where the hacienda’s owner’s daughter died suddenly in the eighties, and there was no fucking way there were Mayan Warriors with blue skin led by fucking K’uk’ulkan himself to pay homage to the big rock in the garden.

That had to be some idiot they had hired from town.

You bet your shitty paycheck you knew that dumbass in the slutty green shorts.

“How much are the paying you to do this bullshit every December?” you ask as the man stares at you in horror.

“What?” the man asks before cursing you in Yucatec Mayan, an older type with like no Spanish in it whatsoever.

But it’s still the same language, so you insult him back, which makes it worse.

Especially when you slip back into Spanish and he acts like you just spat in his face.

“This is my mother’s sacred grave!” he shouts at you in Spanish, but you don’t buy it. He is too real looking to be a ghost, that vein popping out on his forehead and the way he gets close enough for you to feel the warmth of a human being lecturing you on your rudeness.

“Yes, I know that is the grave of a woman, but I seriously doubt a woman in the 16th century has a , I don’t know, thirty year old son in the year 2020.” You cross your arms and stand your ground.

Would he be offended if you ask him out for drinks at the shitty hotel cantina once you two get over this?

“And if I told you I am over five hundred years old?” he continues with the farce, and you wonder if its worth it to have another wannabe actor fuck buddy here.

“I’d say you look pretty fit for a five-hundred-year-old geezer, but I’d sooner believe that you get five hundred pesos to show up in such little clothing every fucking winter.” You answer with a scoff, five hundred pesos was a shit rate, that was barely fifty dollars. The cute girl from the local University got paid twice that to do her fake shaman tarot reader bullshit every month.

This fucker should ask Rigo the Owner for more.

He laughs, a slightly bitter thing that tells you he is this close to just killing you outright.

He is handsome, you give him that. And well endowed, which is probably why Rigo’s slutty much younger wife chose him.

The feathers and his outfit look legit, too real, especially the fake jade jewelry. You had to hand it to him, the nose plug and the earrings looked pretty fucking good.

“I would kill you, but I wouldn’t dishonor my mother’s grave with the blood of an idiot who can’t see the difference between a human man and the god, K’uk’ulkan!” he exclaims and you think he may be right.

If the Norse had sexy Thor and whatever his goth brother was, if the Americans can defrost Captain America like frozen meat, maybe, just maybe the weirdo standing here was the Serpent God of Mesoamerica.

Could explain why he looked the same in all the photos since cameras were invented.

Could the man you’ve infuriated so much that he stands there breathing hard and clenching his fists to avoid hitting you be the god, K’uk’ulkan?

“If you really are a god… then prove it.” You say goading him into proving he was fraud. If he is a fraud, he will do anything to make you forget it, like kiss you in anger and get the two of you fired for hate fucking where some of the guests can see you.

You hope he is a fraud; it has been so long since you’ve had a good fuck.

He smiles, one that makes you shake in your metaphorical boots, as he took you by the waist and flew with the weird little wings on his ankles.

“Holy fuck.” You utter as he flies you to the beach.

[ckret2]

I dunno if this has been asked before, but is Bill biologically female or male? I mean lots of people call him a "lady", and his body shape is rather feminine, but he's referred to as a "he". So is he agender? I gender non-conforming?

I think in canon, he doesn't actually have a gender and is just referred to as masculine. Is this true to your AU too?

Short answer: he's biologically female. Longer explanation about the why here.

Whenever the dialogue calls him "lady" or the narration uses "she," it's the speaker/viewpoint character doing that thing where a person looks at a stranger and goes "well that person's got tiddies so I'm gonna automatically assume that's a woman."

In this AU, he does have a gender, but his gender is triangle—literally that's a gender where he's from—so whether humans consider him "male" or "female" matters as little to him as it would matter to you if you visited Bill's home dimension and no one could agree on whether you were an oval, rectangle, or hexagon. You're obviously not any of those things, so what do you care which of those categories you're stuck in? What if shapes who meet you on the street think you look ovaloid and refer to you accordingly but the shapes who have known you for a while tend to use hexagonal pronouns for you because the punny nickname you chose to use in their language happens to be six letters long? Man, okay, sure, whatever they think makes sense, you're just visiting, right? That's what human gender assignments feel like to Bill.

You might could call him "agender" since he doesn't have any gender that maps neatly into humanity's gender system, and he'd probably shrug and say "okay," but he doesn't consider himself absent any gender whatsoever. Just absent any human gender.

At this point, he's doing absolutely nothing to actively encourage the humans to view him one way or another. He's just existing with his body and his voice and his name, the humans are drawing whatever assumptions they want to, and he doesn't care until/unless it's useful to be seen a certain way.