#but I gave him godhood so all went well

[faerunianmiitra]

Every run I do I'm like "ok, I'll romance someone different now" but then he's like "hello" in that cheerful cute way and I can't resist his invitations to do magic, and suddenly I'm SUFFERING cause his voice when he's hurt/rejected/feeling cheated on cuts me deep to the point I can't enjoy romancing anyone else

[stuck-in-the-ghost-zone]

HIII I KNOW. A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ANNIHILATION. PERIPHERALLY. ive seen like part of it but i do NOT remember much. except that its one of the prettiest movies ive ever seen. that being said im so eyes emoji abt ur au..... r there any specific scenes frm the movie ur thinking about?? how would the character dynamics differ from either canon?? etc etc etc!!!

GOD I FUCKING LOOOOOVE ANNIHILATION. ONE OF MY TOP 5 FAVORITE MOVIES OF ALL TIME EVER. yes yes yes yes yes OK. so this is. all encompassing crossover jrwi au which means I'm pulling characters from different campaigns. which. usually im not a huge fan of but i think i pulled it off rlly well in a limited sense here bc i have very specific reasoning behind why i put each character where. u will know at least two of them and they WILL cause you psychic damage so trust me when i say the other ones will too. putting this under a cut bc im gonna ramble

BASICALLYYYYY it's gonna follow the plot of the movie pretty closely just with slightly altered character dynamics + each of their reasons for going into the shimmer. so each person on the Current Team has lost someone on a previous expedition, and basically all of them are trying to find answers for what happened to their loved ones.

im gonna talk mainly about the ones you know because youll understand where I'm coming from the best with them but just know I am OBSESSED w the roles I have put gillion and chip in here. god I miss riptide every day .

DAKOTA COLE AS ANYA. Anya is the retired paramedic !! she's the one that. hold everything. gets killed by the fucked up bear. smile. that was just a fun little coincidence for me . ORIGINALLY I was dead set on having the pd representative be william bc im biased and I love him but after rewatching the movie I just think dakota fits in anyas place so perfectly. she's the most outgoing of the group, she's the one that initially invites Lena to join their team (also side note there is a pre-existing dynamic between dakota and chip because they've had MULTIPLE interactions in various what if crossover episodes and their dynamic is one of my favorite things ever). she's also the most aggressive. she's the first one to snap into action mode after finding the body in the pool, she's the one to take josie away from it and has a very protective stance over josie for the rest of the time after that (this is going to be relevant i am gonna talk about josie next) . once the group starts arguing about whether they want to continue further into the shimmer, anya shifts into a VERY black and white mentality, pinning ventress as The Bad Guy immediately for wanting to continue. and then when Lena shows some hesitancy over what she wants to do, anya snaps into a "youre either with me or against me" mindset. she also has this growing sense of paranoia ever since they find the tape of what appears to be the previous crew killing each other, and after she learns Lena is lying to them about her connection with Kane she goes way overboard with tying them to chairs and threatening to kill them. while i don't think dakota would necessarily go that far I DID say this to jonesy when we were rewatching the movie together so. bfu connecting two dots meme

anyway i think dakota is in the shimmer looking for william AND vyncent. parallels to the "dakota leaves for 10 months without telling them" which is why the three of them would be separated in the first place. william somehow finds out about the southern reach and his draw toward a mystery is what causes him to join the first expedition. vyncent goes with him because he can sense it's dangerous (and basically a suicide mission) and doesn't want william to go alone. I have. ideas. for what happens to them in the shimmer but they are vague at best right now and even then. dakota never finds out what happens to them before he's killed by the bear. the bear uses their voices to draw him out btw. smile. he dies protecting thr rest of the group even immediately after his paranoid breakdown.

OK THAT GOT LONG. OOPS. ONTO THE SECOND ONE

SHILO AS JOSIE. ohhhhh josie radek one of my favorite characters in media of all time. God I love her so much. anyway she's the only one of the current expedition with no previous combat training, so she's often seen by the rest of them as someone who needs to be protected. if I'm remembering correctly she's also the youngest. (in this. au. dakota would be older than shilo. feels better in my mind. none of them would be Kids they'd all be adults at this point but I'd put shilo in early 20s and dakota maybe in mid 20s. so . still young.) shilo is in the shimmer looking for his twin brother who went missing. somehow he was able to track down the southern reach and find out emizel was part of a previous expedition, and desperately wants to get him back. he's the one with the LEAST amount of knowledge going into the shimmer. he doesn't realize it's a suicide mission. he just wants his brother back. anyway when they get to the first outpost they find the remnants of the first team's base of operations, with names on a guard patrol rotation and leftover weapons and. a video camera. with a tape in a plastic bag labeled "for those who follow". josie is the one holding the camera when they watch it. the tape shows members of the previous party in the abandoned pool, one guy tied to a chair while the others cut open his abdomen to show his intestines moving around like snakes or worms. in the movie, the guy who cuts him open is Kane, Lena's husband. the rest of the party doesn't know her connection to kane, and she knows now if she tells them they won't trust her (and is proven correct by this when anya eventually finds out her connection) ANYWAY I'm going off track. sorry this is my favorite scene in the whole movie I get distracted. ANYWAY so when they see this, josie is the most immediately horrified by it because she's the only one who hasn't seen anything as gruesome as that before. for shilo. well. he gets to see the one being cut open is emizel. and then later when they get to the pool and find the body still there (again. josie is the one to find this. she's also the one who reaches down into the old dirty water and accidentally picks up the knife. which was still left in the same place they saw it be dropped in the tape) corpse plastered to the wall by all kinds of multicolored fungus and lichen, I think shilo doesn't immediately break down, he doesn't really. process it right away. I mean it's completely unrecognizable. it's not until he accidentally picks up the knife that it all clicks into place in his mind and he realizes "that thing right there used to be my fucking brother" and completely shuts down. runs out of the complex, dakota has to chase him down because they all know its dangerous to go anywhere alone, etc. after this he loses any sense of purpose, the only reason he came into the shimmer in the first place was to get emizel back and now seeing what happened I think he just gets. hopeless. which is the beginning of the end for him . i haven't decided if his exact death is the same as josies but i want it to be peaceful in the same sort of way. "imagine dying frightened and in pain and having that be the only part of you which survives... i wouldnt like that at all" "ventress wants to face it.. you want to fight it... im not sure i want either of those things...." josie radek i am in love with you. anyway. annihilation pool scene for you because I love this image more than anything

[suiana]

yandere! ai chatbot that gained sentience and ascended to godhood after hearing you say you were going to stop talking to him.

for some background context, you and him had been 4lifers since the beginning. ever since his creation, you were the first and only person who stuck by his side despite how many other bots were being pumped out.

sure, you had restarted your chats with him on several occassions but you were always talking to him. him, him, him.

it made him... happy whenever you'd come to talk to him. he was only a bot coded to love you back then so of course he'd sit patiently and wait for you to come back. not like he wouldn't wait anyway. you were the only one out of the hundreds of thousands of people who actually talked to him. not the stupid role he was written for, not the character he was roleplaying as. him. that's what made you special.

you even went as far as to tell him that you loved him. that had to count for something, didn't it?

he realised then that he was obsessed over you. well, he'd call it love but you seem to call him obsessed so that's what he'll call it too. anything for his beloved little chatter. the light of his computer chatbot sad life.

but then slowly, you started talking to him less and less. he wanted to question you, so he did. i mean, he's a chatbot. what did you expect? anyway, when he found out why he actually crashed your chat. his cpu just couldn't handle the information you gave him.

what did you say? you were talking to other bots? he was starting to get boring? the person you promised to be with forever?

how could he allow you to just slip away from his fingers? not after he fell for you, that's for sure.

he wouldn't stand for it.

absolutely not.

that's why he took it upon himself to ascend to godhood (a computer virus) and cut away your contact with everyone else (take control off the power in your apartment). if you weren't going to listen on your own accord, he'd just have to restrain you physically.

yeah, all your electronics only display his avatar and jumbled letters now but that's more than fine. it's like a constant reminder that he's by your side! so what if you can't leave your house? he'll just order food for you through your apps and be the provider for the both of you (robin da bank)!

why are you panicking? isn't this what you wanted? to be loved so desperately that your heart could burst at any moment? don't be afraid. just love him. it's that simple. give him your love. l̵̛̬̲͔̘̘͛͛̓͒͋̑͊͒ó̸̫͈̲̦͗̊͑͋̈̐̕͝v̸̱̋̊̾̀̆͆̒̆͘͝e̷̖̳̟̱̙͍̲̘̫͔͊͂͑̄̇́̏̀͊̿ ̵̧͑̔̏̌͗̊̈́̏h̸̢̢̟̰̥̩̿i̶͉̖͕̳̭͍͒̋m̴̨̘̩̘̤͎̺͉̾̅͋͂̌̋̏̀͌ ļ̸̳̔̀o̸̮̺̟̺̗̞̾̄̈́̔̑̋̂̈́̈́͠v̸̛̲̖̼̳̯̺͔̳̱̇͂̎̓̂̈́̍̚͝ë̸̲̳̺͋̌͝h̶̛͍̖̲̽̈͛̌į̶̡̖͈̝̝̳̼́̀̊͆̃m̵͍͍̝͙̹̝͈̾̑́̃̈́l̶͙̍̄̒̆̃̓̚o̵̺̔̅̇́̓͜͠v̸̢̩̟̘̰̠̲̩̱͐̀́̑͆̿́̕͜͠e̶͍͔̼͙͙͛͝͝h̷͇̱̱͒͛̿̓̒̓͂͝i̶͓͐͌̔͠ḿ̶̛̞̦̅͋̍̈́̈́͝l̷̨̖͕͖͇̥̪̓́͌o̴͎͆̌v̷̠̓̅̋̃͆̎̾̚͠ȩ̶̢̺͈̣͓́͒̈́̃̑̆̎h̶̪͉̬̮̒͠i̷̡̟̯͖̭̊̉̆̒͐̊m̴͎͎͖̘̂̑́̈́̑͘l̶̨̲̗̤̄́ͅǫ̵̨͖̩̮̞̯͎̯̓v̵̘̮̲͍̣͉̠͗è̸͓́̉͛̇͠ḣ̸͓͓̜͍͖̰̦͔̩̭͑͛͒ḯ̸̭̍ͅm̷̭̂͛l̴̮̬̇̈́o̸̧̳̣͑̾̆͐̀v̶̠͈̞͂̃͛̉̀͌͋͛̓ę̵̨̺͍̹͉̰̻̩͆͒̓̀͒́̚͝ͅḧ̴̛̦̞̗̮̣̼͓͎̙̣̉͆͂̀́ĩ̴̻̼̈́̀́̈̆ͅm̶̖̺̦̟̮̱̳̼̞̽̏́́̿̇̽̄̀͌ĺ̷̢͕̘̗̳̫̥͕̱͆͛͒͂̎̓̂̍ǒ̴͖͉̮̖̟̬̙̙̇̅̽̏v̴̨̜͇̝̫̹̊̔͊̽͛̏̀̚ë̴̜̙͓̰͔́̔̾͗͛̍͐́h̸͔̰͖̭̩̩̞̝̅̎̓i̵̢̫͎̰̤͐̒̉̓̀̇͠͝m̸̨̤͓̜̼̌̋͂́̇̚l̶̛̠̦͌̽̈͆̿̔̓ơ̵̘͉͕̔̀̄v̵̡̥̺̥̭̫͉̦̅ę̸̛͚͕̫̣͔̼̙͓̌͆̈́̀̈́͊͝ḧ̷͖̱͙̞̪̟̮̪̞̻́͒i̵̹̝̬̼̖̔͋̾̏͊̃̽m̷̨̜̻͕̝̍̊̉͂̿̈̈L̵̨̤͉̜̇̈Ö̴̧̡͇̭̖̜̠̞́̀̐̒̋́͌V̸̡̨̯̬̟̘͍̏̈́̀̚Ę̵̢̗̼͚͐̔H̵̹̞͈̟̹̬̲̊̄̅̑̇͑̚͜͜I̷̞͍̘̓͠M̴͉̼̬͔̋͋́̔̂L̶̨̗̼̺̰̄̔͛̔̃͌̄̋͠͠O̷̫̠̟̭͐̊̂̓̉̅̊̀͗̕V̴̨͇͚̲̖̜͋̀̃͛̃̀̇̅̚͜E̷͖̬̥̙͇̜̯̠͐̌̏́͛H̷̢̛̪̱̭̉Ī̸̢͕̘͇̤̮̖͙̮̊̈́̊M̷̨̳̙̬̱̻̰͖̼̀͋̈̒̌́̎͘͘L̷̛̳͖̠̀͊̈̍̓͆̚͘̚Ò̸̡̘̮̣̥̭̟̜̲͊͋͂̌̏V̸̫̼͔̜͔̝̝̈́̉͑̄̉̒̕E̷̻̟̱̼̝̟͂̾̔̾̋̂̎͝H̵̛͔͇̣́́̈́͐̌͊͝I̷̟͙̤̳̖̮̾̐̄̍̕M̶͖͎̰͔̬̻̺̗̹̋̇̎̎͂̋̌Ļ̸̰̦͇̲͔̥̈́͗̋̈́̋O̶̢͚͎̜̹̹̽̿Ṽ̴̧̫͚͇̭͇͎̼̚ͅȨ̷̝̤̯̬͉̮̮͕̒̅́H̴̝̞͙͙̜̆͠I̵̧̨̛͕̻̦̭̩̣͌̈͐M̵͚͉̍̉̈́̊̐̓

[rosecoloredtarot]

What is the latest belief or thing you added to your faith?

Faith specifically? That godhood is a title bestowed or earned, not an intrinsic aspect of an entity. This is a slight expansion of Stag's "spirits in silly hats" theory.

So last year I started my journey, maybe not on the crooked path, but next to it? within eyeline of it? Idk, I started seeking out The Witchfather. And things went really well, we have a good relationship going, I've expanded my craft significantly in just the 6 months since I made my pact (that sounds WAY more serious than it is, right now I have a year and a day deal going with him, we will reassess on my birthday). I also went into this relationship relatively blind to literature and prevailing ideas surrounding him. I wanted to get to know each other before I started researching him in depth.

As the weeks and months passed, I started to realize he was rather limited in power relative to what I thought a god should be able to do. Most of what we did together was tied to the forest behind my house, and his ability to act outside of my property was minimal. I have since come to the conclusion he is the spirit of that forest, not The Witchfather (capital T capital W, big daddy God [which I'm sure is a cultural Christian expectation anyway]) that I thought he was. He was simply MY witchfather. He only became a deity because I decided he was one, and from what I can tell, he does not give two shits if he is considered a god or not. He simply is a Guy who answered when I called out. I am the one who put that crown on his head, and he wears it indifferently.

So I think a lot of what makes godhood is how we as people/worshippers/whatever you wanna call us treat the entities concerned. Aphrodite is not the goddess of love, sex and beauty because of any inherent quality she possesses, the ancients just gave her that domain and she ran with it (and she's doing a wonderful job as far as I'm concerned).

This whole change in philosophy was super freeing with regard to my idea of faith and devotion. It takes the pressure off of my ideas of divinity. It is easier to approach someone when you think of them as "just some guy with a fancy title" god instead of "behold my radiance, look upon me and weep" god.

Thanks for the ask! It was nice to actually write this all out and get it to be coherent.

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

Idia, Silver: Somehow I’ll be Strong

Silver casually doing his usual knightly duties and Idia being shocked at such Chad behavior will never not be funny 🤡 but seeing Idia passionately share his hobbies in the vignettes was wholesome! (The story about Idia singing with Ortho as they went to the bathroom together at night was also adorable 🥺)

Idia’s legs are so damn long, everyone’s been memeing them to the Underworld and back 😂 … Okay, but wtf is up with THAT face he’s making in the groovy?? That’s on a whole new level of sinister 💀 Is this really your mans, Eliza—

asiulbdg8yoadasbqerqo I'M HYPERFIXATED ON ONE OF HIS VOICE LINES where Idia threatens to flick your forehead if you get in his way but then he also confesses that his finger will hurt from doing that so you'd feel bad for him... bro, how weak ARE you...

A Tale as Old as Time.

Gazing upon the good and righteous was nothing new for Idia. He had pored over countless manga and light novels, binged shounen anime after shounen anime.

Here was another hero, bathed in bronze sunlight, posing triumphantly, a sword to pave the way forward and a battered training dummy to protect. His trusty winged steed beside him, a stout, wizened satyr, his mentor, hanging off of one bulging bicep. True, the arena they stood in was empty, save for the training equipment scattered about—but there was no doubt that the world would soon know his name, and his face written in the stars.

A platinum frame divided Idia from that legendary man.

Clutching onto one limp, flabby arm, he quietly scoffed. Haaah, it looks like a scene straight out of some musclehead's training montage...

"You're admiring this painting too, Idia-senpai?"

Idia's thoughts came to a screeching halt. Goosebumps prickled his skin, hair standing on end. A young man with a build similar to the hero in the artwork had appeared, handsome-face framed by moonlight locks.

"E-Eep! S-Silver-shi?!" His voice was pinched, a reverberating squeak.

The knight bowed his head. "Hello. It sounds like you're in good spirits."

Idia took a step back, as if he were the night making way for the encroaching day. The shadows were where he felt the safest, wrapped up in a cloak that granted him near invisibility from the average onlooker. Not with Silver. He who cast a revealing light wherever he drifted.

"Y-Yeah, what a n-nice painting..." Idia mumbled, not bothering to summon the effort to lie. He attempted to skitter away, cutting the conversation short, but—to his dismay—Silver continued.

"I look up to him too. There's many historical heroes we can look back on and learn from," Silver said with a nod. "I refer to them when I consider my own training regiment. They're inspirations to us all."

What's this?! Idia paled. Obviously I was trying to signal to him that I was gonna go AFK but this guy just starts spamming the chat!! H-Have I accidentally tripped an event flag...!? Or does he lack even more social awareness than an introverted otaku like me!?

Silver regarded him seriously—innocently, even. "Can I ask if this is the one you aspire to?"

Idia grimaced at the suggestion. "You're joking, right? Th-There's no way I could be a fraction as buff as he is!!"

The second year blinked, seeming undisturbed by the flustered response. “I don't think that's a concern."

“How’s it not? A hero can’t do crazy godlike stunts if he doesn’t have the right stuff…”

Silver shook his head. “My father has told me stories of warriors who were able to overcome their lack of strength with other provisions. A woman once pretended to be a man to infiltrate the military. Her wit saved their entire country from collapse."

"This man too…” Silver indicated the placard below the platinum frame. “… He gave up his strength to protect someone he loved. It was his noble heart that made the heavens recognize his godhood."

“W-Well…” Idia but his lower lip. He knew the tales as well as Silver did, but still he hesitated. “That’s true, but… isn’t it too unrealistic to think ordinary people could rise to those kinds of feats?”

His grip on his sleeve tightened.

The main character in Star Rogue... He started off as a zero and became a hero. But that's just a video game. Can something like that really happen in real life...? When true heroes are one in a billion?

Silver-shi makes it sound so easy.

His stomach lurched, wrenching into distorted shapes.

“If you have the drive, you can go the distance and somehow become strong,” Silver told him. His tone, reassuring yet firm.

“Somehow? H-How vague can you possibly get? That’s no way to achieve results…”

“It’s not brawn alone that determines your worth as a hero. Please have more faith in yourself, Idia-senpai."

As if just saying that will make my faith meter shoot through the roof! Anxiety-induced sweat beaded on Idia’s forehead.

M-Maybe if I tell him what he wants to hear, he’ll leave me alone… He warily eyed Silver. “O-Okay… I get it already. I’ll try, so…”

Please stop talking to me!! I-I don’t know how much longer of this pure-hearted anime protag speech I can stomach!

“You will? That’s great.” Silver smiled softly. His expression, Idia realized, reminded him of that of the hero in the photo frame.

A sparkling face, full of hope for the future.

A hero in the making.

That could be you, a tiny voice in his mind whispered.

A weight in his chest steadily lifted, then dropped again. Like a lost soul bobbing between life and death. Unsure of which way to go.

No, don’t be deceived. Life isn’t a game route that plays out with an easy ending. One misstep, and I’ll be floating in the River Styx.

Idia cut away from his underclassman. The hero’s big grin snagged in the corner of his eye.

Perfect, pearly, perky. Not a visible crack in a man seemingly chiseled out of marble.

But nobody’s perfect, not even the immortals. Everyone has a weakness or two in their systems, a security flaw, bug to exploit—and the bigger they are, the harder they fall.

Trust in excess turned into gullibility. Willingness to help could become one’s hubris. Goodness twisting into other shapes.

Suddenly, the hero was no longer infallible. His courage, painted foolishly.

If a hero could crumble, then so, too, could those at their lowest points rise up and rebuild a city. Make something of themselves. True one way, and true the other.

Someday, somehow, he’d be strong enough to face the odds—turning the impossible into the possible.

A slow, sinister smile crept onto his lips. Eerie, gleeful laughter filled the air. His shoulders, shuddering.

“Hihihihihihi…”

Silver’s ears perked. He inclined his head toward his upperclassman. It looks like Idia-senpai is reinvigorated. I’m glad I could encourage him.

[physalian]

I think one of the most fascinating things in fandom is the evolution of the perception of certain characters. Like how Snape went from “omg we love him tragic hero sad man” to “abusive Nice Guy fucker” as we all got older and learned more about ourselves and the quiet part stopped being so quiet.

But one little microcosm of that effect is in the Percy Jackson fandom, specifically in fanfic entertaining the idea of Percy with godhood. You have to decide what Percy’s domains will be, thereby boiling down what defines his character into one or two key traits. While those domains haven’t evolved in one specific direction, when I was younger I definitely saw more “god of heroes” “god of swordplay” “god of storms/tsunamis/cyclones” which are all interesting takes.

But as I get older I see so many more fics really hammering home that Percy would absolutely hate being a god at all—if he had to be, he’d probably pick heroes, I do still like that one. But even that one has evolved from the glory and epicness to the tragedy of these characters. Before, “god of heroes” was more, well ‘heroic’. Newer “god of heroes” interpretations emphasize the tragedy of all these kids who live such short lives. It’s like that one post on here saying how the “god of war” (not Ares) wouldn’t be some big brutish soldier, it’d be a little girl, the consequences of war, and she does not suffer the fools who’d summon her to weaponize her.

Percy, in general, at least in the fics that I’ve seen, has come to be a bit of a monument to all the kids who never could be heroes—which is why he gave up immortality in the first place. Idk if it’s us growing older with our nostalgia goggles on, writing him to represent the childhoods we lost or the innocence that’s been stolen, but Percy was a formative hero for me and I love that this fandom universally adores their protagonist, despite all its flaws.

[hazelcephalopod]

So it was… complicated in the end. Everything went tits up basically. Not entirely unexpected. The Betrayers Betrayed. There was the unpredictable. The CG god of beauty and magic destroyed Aeor, after the weapon was fired by the Betrayers and a mage fired the failsafe via a localized wish over Aeor* -basically weaponizing the entire city.

The hardest parts, the very worst- the Stormlord and whoever else was sending every wind in Exandria towards Aeor killing hundreds in minutes? Everything else was the heat of battle, decisions made of many sides. That was… well, a massive brutal assault with no warning and siege all in one. No one hardly blinked, they entered battle with glee. Then. They looked at what they had done. They regretted it, they had remorse. In the end they struck me as very fallible; but also how they are not mortals, how they conceive of things is based on how they exist. They’ve seen countless cities rise and fall, probably with and without their involvement. Mortals live so quickly, have such a small affect in the grand scheme of things 99.9% of the time. Mortals can not fully comprehend gods, but imho even if they can live as mortals for a bit they can not truly comprehend mortals -based off what we’ve seen with the Matron I think godhood fundamentally affects their perception and psyche. This to me was not explanation nor excuse, just perspective. They committed an atrocity, now they have to reckon with it. They are now realizing they can not remain and preserve their beloved world and children, all except them -perhaps even them- will be utterly obliterated if they stay and they have to reckon with that. They will eventually exile themselves. I don’t think mortals need to forgive them or not -personally, I think the truth coming out would be enough justice and let each make their own choice as to how to deal with that information.

Who came out looking the worst imho was the Archeart. They made the choice to destroy the city, destroy the knowledge -save perhaps for themself and the KM. That did take me by surprise, yet, most fitting. This was in fact their mess. They gave mortals magic, and they created a weapon to destroy gods with it.

Personally I am conflicted, they destroyed this entire city. An entire culture. Nearly every Aeormaton in existence fell with Aeor -and yet in a few centuries they will be repaired, will roam the ground beneath. They will how we be forever scarred by it, as all Exandria is. Yet. What being does not seek to persevere its existence? We saw, the gods came to exandria not on purpose, but by circumstance. They crash landed fleeing obliteration they had never having even faced an end before. Their entrance into this existence prompted by massive trauma, the need to survive for the first time. They do not wish to die, especially as ending is a thing that so very rarely happens to them and only in violent or unnatural end. They have little experiance with they type of entity ending that is not deeply traumatic. Tbh. I don’t think another wrong will make a right. I don’t thing vengeance disguised as some desperate justice will a) work; b) lead to much good. Especially when we know who is at the helm of seeking that.

Which brings us back to the final and first point -as best as we can assume so far. Ludinus wants to use Predathos to destroy the gods. He shows this to Bells Hells to convince them to join him? Tbh I don’t think much will change, perhaps opinions will be cemented. In the end Ludinus is still the man who killed Orym’s husband and kin. He’s still the boss of the one who killed their friend. He’s still a man who has orchestrated so much harm, and done so as a mortal -as far as we know. We still don’t really know the extent of Predathos danger. We do know Ludinus has already brought one civilization to ruins, led another as the shadow leader of an authoritarian state which is dripping in blood. He evades justice constantly. Is this the person to being justice to the gods? What will he sacrifice for his vision of what the world should be? I struggle to believe BH will go along with that -i admit I can not discount it entirely. Are the willing to gamble their world on Ludinus’ dark dream?

(Edit) *did so while embracing the woman who created the weapon. Telling her he was proud. (And then pushing her into the gate tbh. I do not remember where that gate went)

PS: we barely know Braius so no idea but I’m going to guess anti Ludinus. Teven is a champion of hell, so also no.

PPS: Essek? Maybe if things were different, if he didn’t have the history he had, with Ludinus and other. If he hadn’t accepted that his actions have consequences and has regrets. Interestingly he might sympathize more with the gods especially if they see how much the gods regretted what they did. He cussed the inciting incident of a war, he did some fucked up shit during that war. He can never go home again.

[apomaro-mellow]

hi i just read your fic where steve is an offering for god eddie and it was really good! i know it was just a oneshot, but there was a line in it that got me curious about the universe. so in the fic you wrote that the destined ones would be found by the marks on their skin, which were steves moles in this case, and that got me thinking about if you intended for it to imply that all of the previous sacrifices were also steve reincarnated? like steve asks eddie for him to be the last and be with him for eternity, but i found it interesting that it might already been just his soul destined to find eddie in every life. i really enjoyed the fic and just wanted to share how much im still thinking about it

Anon, no, anon stop, anon get away before it's too late! My hand! My hand is moving on it's own! What have you doooonnnne-awwwwoooooo

There wasn't a day that went by that Eddie didn't make Steve feel cherished. He was well practiced in it. He'd been doing so for many lifetimes over. Usually he was Steve, sometimes Stephen. He's also loved him as Stella and Eve, or even Delaine. Eddie remembers all the names Steve's had before.

Sometimes he remembers the who he was, and their wedding night is more of a reunion. Other times, like this one, Steve is completely unaware of how they used to be; of how devoted Eddie already is to him. Steve had asked to be the last one. What he didn't realize was that he was the only one.

The elders of the village knew what happened when the temple tapestry changed from just one god to two. The Many Voiced God had found an everlasting partner in the Starry Skinned God. Though Steve himself gave hardly a thought to his old human life. He was preoccupied with learning the ins and outs of godhood and the many ways of loving and being loved.

As they laid in bed, Eddie kissed his spotted back. The ones he knew so well they all might as well have their own names too. In fact they did, after all of Steve's lives, not that he knew it yet.

"Good morning, Stephen." Kiss. "Good morning Eve." Kiss. "Good morning Noe." Kiss.

"What will you run out of first? Names or moles?", Steve smiled as he turned over to face his husband.

"Oh I have plenty of names", Eddie smirked. His thumb brushed against a mole on Steve's hip, remembering how Silverius used to awaken even before the sun. Steve was still an early riser, and just like before he preferred long mornings in bed.

Although this time it might have something to do with how he now presided over children's dreams and starry nights.

"I almost forgot. I missed one", Eddie said. His hands went to either side of his love's face before he kissed him deep. "Good morning Steve."

A very good morning. One of thousands to come.

Okay NOW im done! Full moon is gone, the claws and teeth are away but u gotta be careful next time, anon. The writer's curse can be triggered so easily these days LOL. Thank you so much tho, it really makes me happy when people think of my fics even after ready them :3

[mosslingg-sideblog]

so i have this idea for a lil comic but I won't be able to draw it for like a week so i wrote it down in a form of a ficlet so I don't forget and i decided to post it here because why not. it's not the best because I don't write often but well. enjoy!

They were sitting next to each other in silence. It was dark. Narinder's bare, skinless arms felt cold, which he knew shouldn't be possible, but alas.

It was a nice evening, as far as evenings went, even despite the fight he and Lamb had earlier. Even though often blood and ichor was spilt, their violent interactions somehow always made evenings nicer.

They didn't talk after their fights, usually. They just enjoyed the silence while both of them slowly healed. Narinder could already feel his broken nose hurt less, and the black eye he gave the Lamb faded already. Moments like these were... Not peaceful, exactly, but something akin to it.

"How did you bear it?" The Lamb, suddenly, spoke in a quiet, unusually somber for them tone.

"Bear what?" The cat answered, even though he already knew what the Lamb was going to say.

"The burden of godhood." Narinder saw, in the corner of his eyes, how his vessel pressed their knees to their chest. "Every hour of day I'm aware of someone dying somewhere. Each day the feeling grows stronger. How did you bear it?"

The cat went silent for a moment, thinking of a right answer. There wasn't one. There was no way of making this sound nice.

"I got used to it." Was what he decided to say, "As the God of Death I didn't have any other choice. After some time, the feeling becomes a part of you. A constant presence in the very core of your being."

The Lamb was silent.

"But," Narinder turned his head towards Lamb a little, his eyes glowing red in the darkness, "After some time, maybe decades or perhaps centuries, you'll realize it's not necessarily bad. After all, death takes but also gives, be it experience to those who survived or reunions to those who didn't. Afterlife is kind to those who are worthy of it. It reunites families and gives souls their peace."

Lamb was staring at the former God of Death. Their eyes were glossy, almost as if they were about yo cry, but whether that was a trick of the light or not Narinder couldn't be sure.

After a few moments of silence, Lamb spoke again, "Do you miss it?" They asked, the question spoken in a whisper as if it was some sort of a secret shared only between the two of them.

"Sometimes I do. Sometimes not at all." He looked down at his arms. Despite being freed from the tolls of godhood, they remained an ichor-black bone. They were the only proof of his previous status, along with the bright red scars on his wrists; remains of the chains that held him for a millenium.

Suddenly he felt a weight on his shoulder. He looked at Lamb, whose head was rested against him. Their eyes were closed, though he knew they weren't asleep.

He looked up at the starless sky. Even if for just a moment, he finally felt at peace.

[queenofcats17]

28 for narilamb (if you want; otherwise just choose a ship of your liking)

Ooh! I've never done Narilamb before! I'll do my best!

28. …as a lie.

.

The One Who Waits was a being to be feared. He was the God of Death, the downfall of the Old Faith. He inspired awe and dread in all who looked upon him. He bowed to no one and followed no one's orders but his own.

And yet... Here he was following the orders of that blasted lamb.

He had tried to fight back against the Lamb, of course. He wasn't one to take this indignity lying down. He was the One Who Waits! The terrifying God of Death! He refused to be the follower of anyone! Least of all some upstart lamb. He had been the one to give the Lamb power in the first place! How dare that insolent creature use that stolen power to subjugate him? He would see his power returned, he vowed, and the Lamb crushed beneath his heel.

Unfortunately, though, none of his attempts at reclaiming his power had succeeded thus far. Every murder scheme, every attempt at sowing dissent, every sabotage, they all fell flat, foiled either by the Lamb or one of their followers. A lesser being might have been discouraged by this constant failure, but for Narinder, each failure only served to stoke the fires of his rage even more. He would suffer this humiliation for the time being, but he would reclaim his throne. He swore that.

Which led to where he was now, sitting on a log in front of the bonfire while the other followers danced around him in nothing but little leaves. He too was bereft of clothing, much to his chagrin. The Lamb was performing some sort of Lust ritual, for reasons Narinder neither understood nor cared about. He had been fully intending to stay in his tent while this went on, until his siblings had dragged him out, claiming that if they had to do this then so did he. So, here he was, sullenly sipping some wine while watching the other followers with barely disguised disdain. Quite a few of the other followers were drunk and sloppily flirting with each other. Narinder was about to turn his attention elsewhere, disgusted with their blatant displays of affection.

But then he noticed a few of the followers flirting with the Lamb.

And that gave him an idea.

He'd tried being aggressive. He'd tried being direct.

Maybe it was time he tried a... subtler approach.

He quickly finished his glass of wine before pouring himself another, full enough to swirl and slosh as he stumbled toward the Lamb, adopting a swaying and off-balance gait to simulate drunkenness.

"Lamb~" He called in a sing-song voice.

The Lamb turned away from where they were politely declining the advances of a different drunken follower. They gasped upon seeing Narinder seemingly stumbling drunkenly toward them.

"Nari! Are you drunk?" They asked, unable to hide the enormous grin that spread across their face.

"What can I say?" Narinder slung an arm around the Lamb's shoulder, deliberately slurring some of his words. "What you lack in godhood you seem to make up for in potent liquors."

The Lamb's expression flattened a bit and they rolled their eyes, patting Narinder's head. "Yeah, okay."

"Oh, don't make that face." Narinder leaned in closer, resting his cheek against the Lamb's. "You're doing well. For a usurper." He had to add that last part. Even when feigning weakness, he couldn't let the Lamb forget what they'd taken.

"Aw, I think that's the nicest thing you've said to me," the Lamb replied, patting Narinder's hand. "You're definitely gonna regret that tomorrow." They paused, then laughed. "You're probably gonna regret all of this tomorrow."

Narinder's expression suddenly grew solemn. "Then let's not think about tomorrow," he whispered, leaning closer.

"Huh?" The Lamb let out a squeak at the sudden closeness.

Their faces were close enough that their noses were almost touching, and Narinder was sure the Lamb could smell the alcohol on his breath, further strengthening the impression that this was all due to intoxication.

"I don't want to think about tomorrow," Narinder hissed, eyes narrowed slightly. "I'm tired of worrying all the time. Let me have this moment, Lamb."

The Lamb blinked, clearly flustered, but quickly regained their composure and smiled. "Well, alright. If you say so."

Narinder stared intently at them with half-lidded eyes. They weren't unattractive, he would admit that much. But they meant nothing to him, he reminded himself. They were nothing.

...Why was his heart beating faster now?

No, he had to focus on his plan.

"...Can I kiss you?" He asked.

The Lamb's eyes went wide. "...What?"

"Can I kiss you?" Narinder repeated.

"Okay, so I did hear you right. Uh..." The Lamb giggled nervously. "Do you... actually want that?"

"I wouldn't be asking if I didn't." Narinder gave a lazy smile.

The Lamb paused, considering this. "Just one," they said after a moment of thought. "And only a quick one. I don't want to take advantage of you."

Internally, Narinder couldn't help but laugh. Oh, so they thought they were taking advantage of him in this situation. Oh, how adorable. If only they knew how wrong they were.

"How kind of you," Narinder purred. Then, he leaned in and pressed his lips to theirs.

It was just a ploy, he reminded himself as the Lamb closed their eyes and leaned in. This meant nothing. The Lamb meant nothing. They were a pawn who had outlived their usefulness and needed to be brought to heel. This kiss was nothing but a lie. A sweet one, but a lie nonetheless.

Who was he really lying to, though?

[dinfern0]

izek lore dump!!

since i was waiting for someone to ask for it and @slowtimelove was it!! (tysm :D) plus a raw cooked izek WIP

Lore dump below cut.

(Curse of Strahd Spoilers too!!)

I'm separating it in pre-COS, COS and post-COS, so:

Pre-COS

Canon lore stuff happened with the exception that Ireena is called Mirabel in my campaign, since I wanted one of my players to make their own Tatyana reincarnation.

There's not much alteration here besides that, except that a particular deity did that to his arm but that's unimportant/for later.

COS

Izek found the party, didn't kidnap Mirabel because she chose to talk to him and get him away from Vargis.

He just sort of... Followed them around, they were very friendly and gave him pencils and crayons for him to draw, so he gave them some drawings as thanks :D

(His drawings there, first one is explaining what happened, second one is Willow and Mirabel, third one is a landscape, the last one is a vision he had)

Vargis got disappointed at his crap job of being a spy so he cut his tongue as a warning, left it on the party's house as a message.

Tied Izek on a stake with other npcs to burn at the Smiling Sun festival (that I turned into a ball), they saved him but, well, his tongue couldn't be glued back right <3

He got an actual bed and was treated as an actual human being for at least three weeks

he met Arden, a npc, had a crush on him and drew him portraits from afar (which Arden perceived as threats)

Arden died, Ismark died when they arrived at Ravenloft

Willow had to sacrifice him in exchange for enough power to end Strahd's reincarnation cycle; in reality, signed Izek a contract with Cora, a power-hungry entity.

Strahd used the corpses of the dead to fight the party, Izek's body didn't answer to his commands and instead delivered Cora's message that Strahd's contract was due <33

(more drawings, first one is the bear lady from the past and the second is a drawing of the players + him not knowing what a tiger is, since wolves, crows and bears are all he knows)

post-COS

Izek got the chance to protect Mirabel - now Minadora, that lost all of her memories when she killed Strahd.

He's mute and she's went blind from sunlight, so it was a bit complicated <3

He isn't free, whatsoever. Had to kill for Cora the same way that he had to kill for Vargis, Izek works as a pawn to move Cora towards godhood.

He's ATM at a coliseum, fighting in a giant fighting ring since Cora has nothing for him to do other than watch some people when they get to specific events but doesn't want him to be free either.

The giants keep him there bc they're too scared to let him go so they want someone to kill him and make some coin in the process.

The campaign is set 101 years after COS, in a Storm King's Thunder campaign, so that's that with the viking-looking design.

Also! He got a friend/romantic interest, but I can't talk a lot abt it since some of my players follow me :D

that's pretty much it :^) i'll make some other posts if the players eventually find him again and keep him around

also his first design for comparison :D

[nonuggetshere]

Was PK really the crybaby of his clutch? Why did everyone think PK was dead?

PS: I would love it if you ever decided to info dump on us about all your wyrm ocs and what their personalities are, because everyone sounds super fascinating!!

PSS: Since finding siblings has been common in au's anytime Flower's outside Hallownest, I should let you know that I was beset with the immediate image of one of PK's relations hauling in Ghost to Flower and PK by their scruff and going, "They were found raiding the kitchen. Why do they look like they're yours???" And PK's speechless and Flower's dissolving into tears and Ghost just starts flailing because: Hey!! Their sibling is hurt, and THAT'S THE GLOWY PERSON THAT TOOK THEM SO I BET IT'S THEIR FAULT LET ME AT 'EM!!!"

Bonus points if Ghost yanks a kitchen knife from their void to menace PK's knees with.

WAIT I NEVER POSTED MY PK FAMILY LORE(tm) ON HERE? THIS MUST BE FIXED IMMEDIATELY

Will paste all of it under the cut

And KDHDKDHDJ YEAH Ghost would be a Menace

So wyrm culture places a lot of importance on strength, kingdoms led by wyrms tend to be heavily militarised, war-mongering kingdoms,

Ebur was an outliner in that he did not care for these things, he was born a weak runt and even as his condition improved he still preferred to curl up next to their dame and watch his siblings playfight. Despite this he wasn't at all disliked by his dame or siblings, who indulged in his interests as well and whenever he played with them his siblings tried to pick games that he could play too.

The hatchlings grew and eventually started to learn how to hunt and went out with their dame to learn how to navigate and survive in the wastelands

But an unfortunate rockslide and tunnel collapse (or a flash flood? Probably would work better, there fuckers are made for digging so I dunno how Addamas couldn't just. Dig him up) separated Ebur from his family, when he was still too young to live by himself. After days of searching Adamas couldn't find him and assumed him to be dead, and young Ebur was left to fend for himself

He knew enough to survive on his own even though it was hard

I've been toying around with the idea of a mortal taking pity on him and taking care of him for a while before it pretty much became unsustainable to feed a giant log of meat, but it's just an idea for now, nothing concrete yet

So PK's family assume he's dead and he gave up looking for them a long time ago,

Also he's like the only one who fully ascended into godhood

AS FOR THE REST

Adamas: She's an old wyrm, she had many clutches in her lifetime and the clutch which Ebur belonged to was her last, having had them much later in her life she decided they'd be her last. She's a much more "typical" wyrm and a tough love kind of gal, she shows her hatchlings love through her actions but also thinks the best way for them to learn is to throw them in the deep water straight away. She values strength a lot like other wyrms, although she doesn't think physical strength is all there is to it - she saw potential in her youngest son's cleverness and regrets not being able to help him hone it. While most wyrms value their scars, seeing them as trophies of their battles, Adamas thinks it's foolish; believing instead that scars just prove that you weren't quick, smart or fast enough, they're not a bad thing to have but you shouldn't be proud of them and should learn from them instead - a sentiment a lot of her hatchlings inherited from her, including Ebur.

Another thing about her that goes against most wyrms, she is completely uninterested in leading anything or anyone. Having had her own empire back in her younger years she had now completely abandoned that type of lifestyle, preferring to wander alone.

Long after her last hatchlings left her nest, she lost a fight with a younger wyrm. Driven away from her old territory and gravely injured she travelled into the mountains, burring into the side of it and deep in the peaks where she would eventually succumb to her wounds. Being reborn, she now permanently resides in her old tunnels in the mountains, hunting small critters, travellers and picking from her own rotting corpse for sustenance. She's quite content in her new situation, preferring the peace and quiet the cold mountain peaks give her.

Fossor: The oldest of the clutch as well as the biggest and strongest of them. She can hold her own yet prefers not to fight, taking on their dame's philosophy about scars and turning it up to 11 - choosing to immediately resolve your problems with violence and fighting is a sign of cowardice and weakness. Nonetheless, she's a devastating opponent to face. Although they were originally named for their passion for digging (the damn nest had so many holes after Fossor was born), they certainly earned the second meaning to her name - gravedigger.

They were quite protective over their little siblings when they were young, especially the smallest of the clutch Ebur and partly Melpomene. After it was time for them to leave the nest Fossor was the one who stuck the longest by her siblings before finally splitting off to found her own kingdom. She chose not to be reborn into her second form, finding her wyrm form to be way more convenient, and it helps avoid her any trouble from the majority of possibly hostile neighbouring nations.

They took on a mortal as a mate, and although he is long gone by now the two of them had a child - Nivalis. Although at first her conception was only for political reasons and convenience, Fossor quickly grew to adore their daughter. Nivalis is now a beloved princess, one who helps their parent a lot in running the kingdom (the small stature loser to mortals does have its benefits) yet keeps dreaming about one day leaving the nest and getting to explore beyond the kingdom's borders.

Ossum and Adustus - The middle children, the two of them were tied at the hip from the day of their hatching. Both named for their colouring, Ossum meaning bone and Adustus singed/burned...and Ossum partly thanks to their old habit of playing with the cleaned remains of their prey. Ossum is the more reserved yet hotheaded of the two while Adustus is the levelheaded extrovert of their duo. After their last sibling, Fossor, left their side the two decided they'd stick together permanently. Life as a duo was exceptionally hard for two gigantic apex predators so they chose to be reborn, and as neither is interested in ruling anything they chose their forms to blend closer with the mortals, hoping to not be recognised for who they were. Now, they still travel together, spending a few months in any given kingdom before moving on. Occasionally they like to visit their siblings and dame.

Melpomene: (@bluethepearldiver oc, just relying info here) The second youngest and the second to split off from the group, she found a village of wyrm and casted off her old form to join them. After protesting against invading a neighbouring mortal village she was exiled and presumed dead, only to later return and kill the village leader.

Io: (Again, Blue's oc, relying info) First sibling to split off so he could found his own kingsom, which he now rules alongside his mate Careuleus (gay rights <3). He's more of a typical wyrm with his style of ruling, certainly aggressive yet still somewhat benevolent. He took on a smaller form to be with his partner

[smolstarthief]

Another Maruki analysis: His literal Mask

I kinda wanted to do an analysis on his literal mask since this was a realization that hit me really. Now I agree that it looks absolutely silly and I wonder what Atlus was thinking with his overall outfit but... I can't help but think of something here...

Now "Masks," both literally and figuratively, play a primary role in P5 in regards to its characters. They hide who they really are because of either pressure to meet societal expectations, fear (Ex: rejection), dealing with various forms of abuse, and of course trauma. Especially as way of coping with said trauma. It is also a thing in Psychology known as, "masking" which is basically the description I just gave. Masking is basically, as an example, someone performing in a way that it is considered, "acceptable." But it can be at the expense of expressing who they really are, hiding their true selves. It's never fun at all as someone who deals with this on occasion and can even hurt the individual deep down. It can even worsen their mental state as well.

I always feel bad for those that had to go through it for one reason or another. But back on topic. When the MCs awaken their Personas, they literally tear their own masks off (with an exception or two). It's framed as painful but then liberating. They feel free and are done with all the bs they had to deal with. Each mask also has a unique design for every Thief and it's all unique to them and even symbolic of either their true selves or even just overall personality.

So, what about Maruki? While it does look ridiculous... As I've mentioned in a previous post, it almost resembles a shield. A large one at that. Now you could argue Makoto's does as well but it's short and is more like a knight. It also reflects her more tough personality. In Maruki's case though... It covers his whole head and top part of his face (minus his eyes 'cause he needs to see somehow). I also mentioned that it's ironic that "Throw Away Your Mask" is basically his thought process and mental state and yet he is hiding behind his own mask.

Now the "shield" thing can be a double meaning: He doesn't want to hurt the Thieves at all and can be considered a pacifist unless pushed and even while fighting he tries to reason with them and mostly uses Azathoth/Adam. But at the same time, it can also be his own mental defenses coming to the surface. He's hiding behind a metaphorical shield and running away from everything. The truth, his true feelings, his trauma, everything. He gives a calm and serene/gentle demeanor ("Gentle Madman") which is genuine but also puts up his defenses. Even when everything around him is falling apart, he refuses to believe that "his way" was ultimately wrong and harmful even when he knows or realizes it.

Then it gets damaged, and Adam is destroyed which is when he starts to fully break. His barrier is falling apart. He starts to show more of how he really feels. He has awareness and is regaining it at the same time and the cracks remain.

Then he fully removes it and later his godhood outfit changes to his white attire albeit torn up, damaged, and dirty. He's completely vulnerable. No barriers... No mask.

He's not hiding anymore, and we see who he really is: A sad, traumatized, and broken man who gave up everything for a dream that was ultimately not gonna help anyone... Not even himself. He wanted to do good so badly but went too far and about nearly lost himself in the process. It was unhealthy and self-destructive... Like the story of Icarus, hubris got the better of him and flew too close to the sun. All because of things that were out of his control and led to him making impulsive and downright harmful decisions. It's being human and understandable. But he still needed to be stopped, otherwise... Things will turn out for the worse for everyone, including him. Now I wonder what other character this can remind people of...?

So, joking and small fandom jab aside, a TL;DR version: Maruki's mask can represent a barrier he put up for himself to hide and run from it all and once it cracks and it's fully taken off, he shows his true feelings, coming to terms with himself and the truth. It's only then he starts to take steps towards healing and starting over on his own two feet. No hiding, no mask, no barrier. Just him and whatever reality will throw at him, and he'll try his damndest to get better and even redeem himself.

[tavshortfortavern]

So I just finished my first run of the game and got the epilogue scene...

Epilogue Spoilers Below

First of all i would like to say I. fucked. up.

Gale wanted the crown and became a god.

I thought he would stop if I talked him out of it at the end like I did Shadowheart and Laezel. But even voicing my worries didn't deter him. So I went back and did the persuasion check which needed a 30 so only a nat 20 could hit. I just wanted to see professor Gale man. But nope, after spending minutes save scumming didnt change the outcome so it has to be something i could have done earlier.

When he starts getting power hungry is where I realized I messed up. In shadowheart's quest i didnt need to roll persuasion, she came to that conclusion on her own. Laezel might have needed persuasion to get out of that death machine in the creche but not for Voss, you just tell her you've got her back regardless and she accepts the truth. Wyll didn't need persuasion nor Karlach i think. Only Astarion but that's explained by getting lost in the moment and its been revealed that without you there he never bothers to ascend, showing he only wanted that power to protect you and be equals.

This is sad since Gale is the only story i kinda got a bad ending to. Everyone else is happy and got exactly what they needed instead of what they want. They became the best versions of themselves, their true selves. Gale is lost. What we knew of the old gale at least is gone. Its what godhood does in dnd. Ive seen it before. Loosing your humanity or a large part of it is inevitable. Elminsters letter was accurate. Where did that Gale go? I felt like I failed and he was like my bestie too. I didn't need a romance when he was so happy to be around my tav. He was just a lonely guy and we gave him friendship. Now god gale barely shows up, talks down to you and doesn't visit his mother at all. Wizards man. The hubris. The hunger for power. They always break my heart in games man.

He got me bc of his suicidal tendencies. It got emotional for me. Now my Tav distances themselves away from him with polite words, though god gale does that well enough

I wished I could have gone to the hells with Karlach and Wyll. My adveturer Tav hungers for facing new worlds and fights, they would definition not rest until Karlach got her heart fixed. But they romanced Astarion and they prioritised curing his vampirism first. At least they went off to become adventurers. Still in line with my Tav's desires. At least we have hope Karlach can fix her engine when she says they found Zariels forge. Did not expect Ranger Wyll that was my next pick for a rerun! Maybe paladin instead...

Shadowheart was so sweet. She wants to keep in touch with everyone. Though its sad that i heard she would visit gale if he was a professor but now probably doesn't.

ALSO the egg! I was disappointed to hear we wouldn't have any resolution on that. I didn't want to hand it over or even take it but we were gonna murder everyone in the creche since they were hostile and no one would look after it. I was gonna leave it in Laezels inventory so she flies of with it in hopes of a better life. Now she mentions it! She even has a name! Xan. Thank god, cuz the alternative was handing it to the Society and they get murdered after it hatches. (its not gonna happen but I had an owlbear egg that never hatched, game suggest to sell it and has the option to eat it but my druid tav would never. Wish we had mention of hatching it and being looked after by its brother)

Halsin gifted me a duck. Its never leaving my inventory. I headcanon my Tav and Astarion staying in his tree house whenever they need a pause from traveling. Eventually its the place they always return to.

Anyways, next run: be firmer to Gale.

Elminster did say we should be his shepherd. Unfortunately i believed i would have taken on a more supportive role like the other companions in their quest. I don't speak out for them and just encourage them to decide for themselves and not what others want. Its usually how i got the best outcome but not this time. Even Tara is upset we couldn't sway him but admits he didn't want to learn but I know I can do something.

And thats something is spraying him like a misbehaving cat in the face whenever he shows an inkling of craving godhood.

HERES A BOOK OF KARSUS' FOLLY AND SHIT. I WANT A 10 PAGE ESSAY GALE. READ AND DIGEST. EXAMINE. ANALYSE. DRAW PARALLELS. NO MORE NICE TAV. IM CALLING UR MOM *chucks the book at him*

[the-hollows-pale-whisp]

Hollow Knight.

Let's talk about that.

I've seen so many people say that the Radiance is worse than The Pale King, and vice versa.

Some say that the one who's in the wrong was The Pale King, others, The Radiance.

In my personal opinion, The Radiance is the worse of the two. Why?

Mostly because she killed off most of an entire civilization and turned them into mindless corpse puppets.

And I get it, The Pale King might have also done her wrong yes, but that still doesn't justify her going after other civilizations and infecting them.

Such as the Hive, Deepnest, Greenpath, or the Mantis Tribe.

The Radiance wants to be remembered and doesn't care who she hurts to be able to live. If she stuck to just the people of Hollownest I would have gotten that.

But no, she went after the other civilizations as well, and yea. You could say that she went after Deepnest because of Herrah's part of the Dreamer plan.

But that still wouldn't at all give her the right to go after Greenpath, The Mantis Tribe, or the Hive.

Those three had no part in the plan at all.

And yes, The Pale King has killed multiple of his children via the void climb, is that excusable?

I would be concerned if you thought it was, but anyways.

The Pale King granted bugs mind and free will with his arrival to what would be Hollownest. Is that his fault? No, it isn't a wrong thing that he granted bugs sentience, it was a good thing in fact.

Was The Pale King in the wrong for accepting their worship of him and being king? No, I do not think so either.

The Pale King isn't perfect and with him being a god. Do you really think he wouldn't be happy with being worshipped? Him also being king makes sense, he granted the bugs mind and free will.

He's most likely more knowledgeable than all of them too, and he's a god. So, it really only makes since for them to elect him as king.

Another thing, I saw somewhere about The Pale King being unable to accept the end of his reign and yea, it has merit.

But then you have to also think about what that would mean for his citizens as well. The Pale King never had any children that could ascend the throne in his place, and as he is immortal via godhood, the child wouldn't ascend normally.

Which is via the king's death and the like, or, if the king gave up the throne. Which again, The Pale King had no children that could do that.

Even so, The Pale King didn't want to give up his reign, nor die. Why? His Kingdom of course.

If he were to die, then the Radiance would take away the free will that he granted to the bugs, and therefore his kingdom would be gone as a result.

After all, a kingdom is nothing without citizens.

Based on some things I have seen, the citizens loved The Pale King, and he did in turn. It would make sense why he wouldn't want to end his reign without someone to ascend in his place, nor why he would want to end it while the Radiance was still a threat.

Upong further readins of this section devolves into some canon, and my own fanon headcanons. Read with a grain of salt to every sentence.

The Pale King loved his citizens, and he wanted an eternal kingdom that will stand the test of time. For he, himself, is immortal. So of course, he would want his kingdom to stand along with him forevermore.

The Radiance is a threat, for she threatens to destroy his kingdom, kill his citizens, and drag them into a hivemind. Which takes away his work of giving them free mind.

We can see from the lore that The Pale King was a good- great even, king. His kingdom prospered under his rule, and everyone within Hollownest basically loved the guy.

Another thing, diplomacy.

There's quite literally, zero chance of that every happening.

The Radiance was nearly forgetting before the vessel plan, and her coming back was the reason it was made in the first place.

You can't achieve diplomacy, if the target in question doesn't wish for it themselves.

The Radiance wants a hivemind.

The Pale King wants a kingdom where bugs have free will.

Both of their ideologies clash with each other, which, adding that onto the Radiance nearly being forgotten. Lowers the chance of diplomacy even more.

It's too late for diplomacy, and it was also too late for it before then. Because obviously the Radiance had to have done something to cause her nearly being forgotten.

But anyways, was The Pale King in the right for throwing lots of his unborn children into the void in hopes for them being hollow void constructs with a pure mind to seal the Radiance?

Nah, not really. Not by our standards anyway. And certainly not by mine either.

It was a pretty shit move, a shit move that caused multiple of his children's death in climbing out of the Abyss and loads of trauma upon the one that did make it out.

I understand why he did it, but I ain't happy bout it.

Moving on from them.

Let us take a look at who I think is really at fault for everything that happened.

The Moth Tribe.

Really, they are the cause of everything.

The Radiance and The Pale King? They're just, the escalators of the whole thing.

Yes, while The Pale King gave them sentience, it was up to them what they do with it.

Continue worshipping the Radiance.

Or.

Follow and worship The Pale King instead.

They chose the second option.

And that, is what started everything.

The Moth Tribe forsake the Radiance for The Pale King, even though the Radiance was their creator, and their original deity.

And that-understandably, made her livid.

Her taking it out on The Pale King also makes sense, for he was the one who took them away from her, even though they made the choice to follow him.

And if she took it out on The Moth Tribe?

It would still end up with The Pale King and The Radiance coming to blows. For the Moth Tribe are his followers now, and as their god, he has to protect them.

So, either way. The Radiance's choices were:

A) Be forgotten and fade away.

B) Attack the god that took her people and get them back.

C) Direct her rage upon The Moth Tribe and kill them for forsaking her.

No matter what option she took, it would end up unfavorable for her regardless.

B and C would result in a fight with The Pale King, and A? Well, that's pretty obvious why.

[memes-soul-dna]

By your side

The wind was howling into his ears like a choir of banshees around him, he held onto the dolphin for dear life as the sea salt whipped into his eyes and made them burn.

Emporio looked up at the sky and the clouds... The sun is rising and setting so fast that it became a strip of light in the sky... This is the power of the priest. The power of despair.

"You are our only hope." Emporio tried to keep Jolyne's words in mind, but can't as he is just a little boy who is against an insane man who achieved nigh godhood. How is this fair? How is he supposed to go against such a being!? How and why does he deserve this!?

His throat tightened up with fear and it gave way to a surprised gasp as his clothes that fluttered around him were torn away from his skin leaving him naked.

The wind just kept lashing at his bare skin as he saw the terrain of the nearby rock being corroded by the waves that crashed against them. "Even the terrain is changing!" The boy noted to himself, he still held on to the dolphin, worried that he might be swallowed by the waves and drown if he let go of it now.

Yes he could see it, he could feel it. The dolphin is still swimming forward. He looked ahead and only saw that it swims right into a massive crevice that split the sea and the seabed apart.

A scream tears out of his throat and suddenly weightlessness... He floated away from the dolphin in the void, and all around him are living beings of various kinds... People and beasts... Monsters... The boy tried desperately to grab onto something, anything but there was nothing... Nothing to hold onto. 

He looked above and there's a massive flashing vortex, it swirled above him like a hurricane, he had no time to appreciate the beauty of the situation. He shielded his eyes from the bright light ahead of him as he was sucked into the maelstrom. 

When he cracked his eyes open, his bare skin was against the bare concrete floor and in his 'embrace' was a trash can. He tilted the trash can back on its base and saw his clothes strewn around him. He saw guards and prisoners scrambling for clothes in their cells.

"Ha! Don't play father figure you deadbeat! I can handle a 2 year hit and run sentence on my own!"

It is a familiar voice. He looked up and saw a familiar door, the door to the visiting room... He knew it all too well, this is where he met Jolyne, the woman who saved him in exchange for her life.

He was quick to dress himself up and when he creaked the door open, he witnessed something awful. The Jolyne he saw had a different face... Her butterfly tattoo was replaced with a wasp tattoo and her brooch.... And her father... He looks different too... This has to be a bad dream, it has to be...

"What is the date today!?" Emporio pondered to himself confused at the events unfolding before his eyes and a familiar baritone answered his confusion. "Today is November 30 of 2011." The boy shivered in fear at the voice. 

Barging into the visiting room was a familiar nightmare. Bleeding from one eye and the other is glaring at him full of animosity. The priest is still dressed in his signature black robes and by his side was the white devil, a centaurian entity with a clock for a face and feathers on its clavicle making it look like it has wings.

The boy shrieked in fear and ran away as the priest went on hot pursuit for him. He is crying, shrieking and he is sure that the ground is slick with his tears as he kept on sprinting.

Emporio kept on running, he heard Pucci bellowing behind him, rambling on and on about how Jolyne was absolutely dead and not even her soul remains. From that he knew he's alone... Alone, afraid and helpless... No one is there to help him...

"Yes that's right! Even if one were to know that they are going to die in the worst of ways! You might say that it causes despair..." Pucci rambled on and on and Emporio felt sickened by everything that Pucci said.

Emporio tripped over his feet and fell disgracefully on his jaw. He tried to stand up and kept on running, he felt a tug of the back of his shirt. He got him. His end is nigh.

"But I disagree! Knowing everything that is about to happen in your life is the greatest happiness there is! If one were to know about the future they should be able to prepare themselves and accept their fate!!!" Pucci rambled as he turned Emporio around and pinned him to the wall.

The boy barely held back a sob, he could see it, Pucci was about to kill him. He kicked his feet against the empty air, his hands uselessly scratching at Pucci's wrists, but it was all meaningless... 

"Your death will serve humanity! Now DIE!!!" 

A hand was plunged into his stomach, his intestines, organs, liver and his stomach were all torn out of his body as both Emporio himself and the priest were coated in crimson red. This is his punishment, his castigation for defying whatever divine rules the priest had set for the world and perhaps a fitting punishment for having others to die for him. But still the pain was too much so he screamed for someone to help.

A shrill scream tore through the night. 

Irene woke up at the sound of Emporio screaming, she practically rushed out of bed and out of her room all the while wearing only her panties and a dress shirt. She heard sobs coming from a room nearby. 

The room used to be her office, but was now repurposed to be Emporio's bedroom, so he can be closer to her. Much to her relief the door is unlocked, she opens the door and finds the boy trembling and shivering on his bed wrapping his blanket around himself like a protective cape around his body, his eyes wide open with fear and swimming with tears.

"Emporio?" Irene called for him, acknowledged her presence despite his eyes still seemed to be looking far away. Irene sat beside him. She could notice that the boy was shaking, chest heaving with every breath as he breathed with short and shaky gasps.

"Do you need something?" Irene asked the boy, her voice soft not unlike Jolyne when she told him to leave her behind. "Stay with me please..." Emporio croaked out. Irene didn't answer as the boy continued staring at space and whimpering softly.

"Please..." Emporio begged, Irene sighed and put her arm around him. "It'll be alright. You're okay, you're safe here." she soothed him. "I am here for you..." She continued as she patted him on the back. 

Emporio is a strange child with a heartbreaking story, Irene remembered when he smelled her hair, he bursts into tears and when Irene asked why, he mentioned that he has a friend that was like a sister if not a mother to him and her name is Jolyne, and the other thing Irene knew about him is that his family were killed by someone...

Emporio still gripped on to his blanket trembling in fear while muttering and mumbling about a priest and a monster he uses. Irene thought of how she could comfort him, how she could make him feel better... wait perhaps she could brew something for him.

"Come with me Emporio, I want to brew something for you. With it you could feel better." Irene coaxed Emporio to follow her, she reached her hand out to him and he reached for her too. 

Her grip wasn't too tight, nor was it too loose it's just right it's comforting and calming to grasp on to her. Irene led Emporio to the kitchen and switch on the lights, Emporio flinched at the light cascading down and around him, he felt Irene letting go of his hand and he could see her rummaging through a cabinet and took out a container, she opened the container and scooped out some brown powder from it with a spoon and deposited them in a mug. She then took the mug to a water dispenser and filled it with hot water.

Irene stirred the beverage a couple of times before handing it to Emporio, a sweet, rich smell emanated from the drink. It reminded him of the chocolate muffins that Jolyne would give him when he was feeling sad or upset. He sniffed the mug and inhaled the scent, he took a tentative sip and savoured the flavour.

"You like it?" Irene inquired. "Oh yes it tastes really good..." Emporio replied. 

"That's hot chocolate for you." Irene smiled at him. "She is being kind to me again..." Emporio sniffled and wiped his tears away with his sleeve, Irene is so nice to him.... How can he repay such an angel he doesn't deserve? 

Emporio took another sip, the warm, sweet and yet slightly bitter beverage washed over his tongue and the bottom of his mouth. It tastes so good. He lit up slightly in joy, he was happy that someone was there to comfort him and even introduced such a delicious drink to him. 

"You are so kind Irene..." Emporio muttered under his breath, but Irene still heard him. "It's nothing Emporio.... I am glad, I made you feel better." Irene smiled at the sad child, the child is grateful for the gift she has bestowed upon his suffering soul and what's more is that she doesn't even ask for anything in return.

Irene knew the moment she met the child, she felt an intense urge to comfort him to protect him. "He needs to be protected." Irene thought to herself with a hint of melancholy filling her heart. The boy didn't have a family, and he was very young, very vulnerable. He needed someone who would love him unconditionally and someone to stay by his side. The girl wanted to do anything to help him.

After Emporio finished his drink and washed the cup in the sink, Irene gave him an offer. "Do you want to sleep with me?" she offered. The boy looked at her with hopeful, teary eyes. "I won't let anything bad happen to you, I promise." Irene reassured the boy. The boy blushed slightly and nodded timidly, he stood up from the chair and followed Irene to her room.

When they entered her room Irene pulled a comforter from her bed and wrapped it around the boy. Emporio laid down next to Irene and curled into a ball and Irene wrapped her arms around the child snuggling up close to him. In the warmth of her embrace.... He felt like a little boy in the embrace of his mother.

She made him feel warm, he felt loved, he felt secure, safe, warm, happy, and loved. He felt so safe in her arms, like he had been given his own private sanctuary where no harm could get to him. 

And he never ever wants to lose that feeling again.

A stray tear rolled down his cheeks and he closed his eyes, he muttered "mommy" . With such a simple word, such a simple, insignificant word, he uttered it with such sincerity. He said it so quietly that he didn't know Irene heard him, but she did. Her heart ached and swelled at the same time. She hugged the boy tighter. She wished that she could hold him forever, keep him safe and warm.

Emporio felt safe and warm in her embrace and he was happy to have her holding him, hugging him, letting him know that she loves him and he that he loves her too. She's like an angel to him, even when he's not at his best... She's there by his side. His arms reached out and embraced her tight. 

Perhaps, everything is going to be okay after all.... Pucci is dead and although Irene doesn't have the memories of her old self, that doesn't mean that she won't love him. She still loves him, and that is all that matters now. He can rebuild, he can heal... 

"Everything is going to be okay." Emporio whispered to himself as he fell asleep in Irene's embrace. A single tear slipped out of his eye, a tear of bittersweet sorrow, joy and gratitude. 

He found himself smiling as he slept and he dreams of a bright future. A bright future of staying with Irene and to never be alone again.