#but by the end of the game i think both of them change their arcana to The World

[snivyartjpeg]

ooma from purse owner 5

[the-mortuary-witch]

TYPES OF DEVOTIONAL ACTS

FOR LOVE/BEAUTY DEITIES: 

Skin care.

Do your makeup (or embrace your natural beauty).

Paint your nails.

Dress up a little.

Write love letters.

Masterbate.

Change your bed sheets/clean up your room/space.

Listen to love songs/songs about sex/loving yourself.

Having sex.

Read romance novels.

Play interactive romance novels/romance games (stardew valley, dream daddy, The Arcana, etc).

FOR WAR DEITIES: 

Listen to angry music.

Advocate for yourself.

Reinforce your boundaries.

Cut out the negative people in your life.

Feel your anger, recognize your anger, don't force it down, but don't lash out to others. "I am angry. This thing made me angry. It's okay that I am angry, it is not okay to cause harm to those who do not deserve it." Etc etc.

Read biographies or accounts of war, or dystopian novels (accounts of war like Night by Elie Weisel, dystopian like Divergent or Hunger Games).

Learn self defence.

Learn about how your area was used in past wars.

Play fighting games (call of duty, mortal combat, etc).

FOR MUSIC/ART DEITIES: 

Create! Learn an instrument, draw, etc.

Write a song.

Paint for them.

Listen to experimental or storytelling music. All music is art, so find a vibe for your deity.

Take pictures of nature, art is everywhere in nature, from the paintings on butterfly wings to the sunset.

Read/write poetry.

Read poetry books, or books about music or art (think biographies from musicians/artists, or books like Guitar Notes by Mary Amato or such) (guitar notes is a mid-grade book but it's the only one I could think of the name of).

Visit galleries or local shows, support local artists.

FOR WISDOM DEITIES: 

Read books, any type, but mostly classics like Sherlock Holmes or Jane Austen.

Watch documentaries.

Take free online courses on subjects that interest you.

Visit and support your local libraries and independently owned bookstores.

Find old unloved books at thrift stores.

Learn a new skill.

Listen to music from different time periods.

Visit museums.

Play strategy games (chess, supreme commander, etc).

Do puzzles.

FOR NATURE DEITIES: 

Raise a plant or a garden.

Listen to nature sounds, or music with nature sounds.

Observe nature persevering, vines crawling up a building, dandelions in cracks in the pavement.

Read wilderness guides.

Learn about your area's native flora and fauna.

Visit local parks.

Open windows and let the fresh air in.

Scavenge/forage (in safe areas).

Play cozy games (animal crossing in a good example).

FOR DEATH DEITIES: 

Visit local graveyards/cemeteries (don't forget to be mindful and conscious of others and the spirits there).

Listen to music by artists who have passed on, or music about death.

Learn about different cultures' funeral practices.

Safely move roadkill out of the road, leave a small offering if possible (again, do so SAFELY).

Read books that have death themes (like Edgar Allen Poe, Wuthering Heights, or They Both Die In The End).

Think about how you want your body to be treated in death. Do you want to be buried, cremated, donated to science?

FOR HOME/HEARTH DEITIES: 

Read cozy books.

Play cozy games (sims, animal crossing).

Make your house seem warm and inviting to visitors.

Learn how to bake, either from scratch or a box, both are acceptable.

Learn how to sew or knit or crochet.

Watch cozy movies.

Light candles if you don't have a fireplace.

Listen to soft music.

Visit your friends or family and bring them baked goods.

FOR STRONG PARENTAL DEITIES:

Take care of your friends. 

Make sure your friends eat and are drinking water, do the same for yourself. 

Tell the people in your life you love them, you're proud of them, they're doing a good job. 

Read books about found family, self help books. 

Listen to music that makes you feel safe and loved. 

Carry a figure that represents them. 

Take care of yourself the way that they would take care of you.

Cook for yourself. Make yourself feel safe and loved.

FOR HEALTH DEITIES: 

Carry bandaids, Tylenol, and extra pads/tampons for people who may need them.

Learn about the human body and how it works.

Take your meds.

Make art out of old pill bottles for them.

Know and respect your limits.

Watch documentaries about doctors or health sciences.

Research holistic remedies and see if any might be of use to you (DO NOT SUBSTITUTE THEM FOR MODERN MEDICINE) be careful of misinformation, and any interactions that certain things might have with your meds.

FOR SEA/OCEAN/WATER DEITIES: 

Have a small fountain in your home (you can find them at some dollar stores, or if you're mechanically savvy, make your own).

Salts in your baths.

Visit local streams, creeks, rivers, or beaches.

Read about marine life/river life.

Read about your local water sources, learn about the water cycle.

Collect rain water.

Stand in the rain, feel it on you, let it ground you.

Listen to music about water/with water sounds/the ocean/the beach

Have pictures in your home/space of the ocean.

If you visit the ocean, collect some water and sand and seashells (make sure you follow your own personal gratitude system) to have in your home.

Don't fret if you're landlocked, your practice is valid, you don't need to be at the ocean all the time to feel it's presence. The rain clouds blow in from hundreds of miles away. The ocean is always with you.

Drink water.

Carry a small vial of water with you (could be ocean water, river water, or tap water with or without salt in it) you can keep it in your car, in your pocket, or wear it as a necklace, etc.

Carry a small vial of salt with you (could be hand harvested from the ocean, table salt, or any kind of off the shelf salt).

FOR SKY/WIND/AIR DEITIES: 

Let the air in, open windows when possible

Offerings of air, such as burning incense, smoking tobacco, or using essential oils.

Reading poetry, mythology, or other writings about the deity.

Let yourself be free.

Sit outside for a few minutes a day, or longer.

Playing wind instruments, like flutes or panpipes.

Making offerings of feathers, wings, or other things related to birds or mythical sky beings.

Participating in sky-related activities, such as skydiving, flying, or hot-air balloon rides, to feel closer to the sky deity.

Building or using a wind chime or wind sculpture to connect with the energies of the sky and the wind.

Engaging in outdoor activities like biking, sailing, or kite flying to appreciate the gift of air and sky.

Flying kites or sky lanterns. 

FOR TRAVELER DEITIES: 

Pick something up for them on your travels, could be a rock, could be a souvenir.

Put a symbol of them in your car.

Wear shoes that are good for walking.

Drive/walk around to explore new places (you don't even have to leave your town).

Take backroads.

Be a respectful tourist in every new place that you visit, don't be afraid of looking stupid.

FOR QUEER DEITIES:

Educate yourself on queer history.

Express yourself truthfully.

Listen to queer music.

Read queer books.

Embrace your identity.

Read queer poetry, like that of Sappho.

Keep yourself safe in spaces that are less open to identities.

Support local queer owned businesses or artists.

Queer art.

Love yourself and take care of yourself.

Go to drag shows.

Relish in the fact that queerness has been around since the very first civilizations.

[thescarlettbitch]

Devotional Acts

For love or beauty deities

Skin care

Make up (or embrace your natural beauty)

Dress up a little

Paint your nails

Love letters

Self /love/ iykyk

Change your bed sheets/clean up your room/space

Listen to love songs/songs about sex/loving yourself

You know that trend of people, typically women, painting a canvas black and then painting their legs/ass/hands/boobs and making a form of silhouette art for their partners?

Read romance novels

Play Interactive romance novels/romance games (stardew valley, dream daddy, The Arcana, etc)

For war deities

Listen to angry music

Advocate for yourself

Reinforce your boundaries

Cut out the negative people in your life

Feel your anger, recognize your anger, don't force it down, but don't lash out to others. "I am angry. This thing made me angry. It's okay that I am angry, it is not okay to cause harm to those who do not deserve it." Etc etc

Read biographies or accounts of war, or dystopian novels (accounts of war like Night by Elie Weisel, dystopian like Divergent or Hunger Games)

Learn self defense

Learn about how your area was used in past wars.

Play fighting games (call of duty, mortal combat, etc)

For music/art deities

Create! Learn an instrument

Write a song

Paint for them

Listen to experimental or storytelling music. All music is art, so find a vibe for your deity.

Take pictures of nature, art is everywhere in nature, from the paintings on butterfly wings to the sunset

Read/write poetry

Read poetry books, or books about music or art (think biographies from musicians/artists, or books like Guitar Notes by Mary Amato or such) (guitar notes is a midgrade book but it's the only one I could think of the name of)

Visit galleries or local shows, support local artists

For wisdom deities

Read books, any type, but mostly classics like Sherlock Holmes or Jane Austen

Watch documentaries

Take free online courses on subjects that interest you

Visit and support your local libraries and independently owned bookstores

Find old unloved books at thrift stores

Learn a new skill

Listen to music from different time periods

Visit museums

Play strategy games (chess, supreme commander, etc)

Do puzzles

For nature deities

Raise a plant, or a garden

Listen to nature sounds, or music with nature sounds

Observe nature persevering, vines crawling up a building, dandelions in cracks in the pavement.

Read wilderness guides

Learn about your area's native flora and fauna

Visit local parks

Open windows and let the fresh air in

Scavenge/forage (in safe areas)

Play cozy games (animal crossing, etc)

For death deities

Visit local graveyards/cemeteries (don't forget to be mindful and conscious of others and the spirits there)

Listen to music by artists who have passed on, or music about death

Learn about different cultures' funeral practices

Safely move roadkill out of the road, leave a small offering if possible (again, do so SAFELY)

Read books that have death themes (like Edgar Allen Poe, Wuthering Heights, or They Both Die In The End)

Think about how you want your body to be treated in death. Do you want to be buried? Cremated?

For home/hearth deities

Read cozy books

Play cozy games (sims, animal crossing)

Make your house seem warm and inviting to visitors

Learn how to bake, either from scratch or a box, both are acceptable

Learn how to sew or knit or crochet.

Watch cozy movies

Light candles if you don't have a fireplace

Listen to soft music

Visit your friends or family and bring them baked goods

For strong parental deities

Take care of your friends

Make sure your friends eat and are drinking water, do the same for yourself

Tell the people in your life you love them, you're proud of them, they're doing a good job

Read books about found family, self help books

Listen to music that makes you feel safe and loved

Carry a figure that represents them

Take care of yourself the way that they would take care of you.

Cook for yourself. Make yourself feel safe and loved

For health deities

Carry bandaids and Tylenol and extra pads/tampons for people who may need them

Learn about the human body and how it works

Take your meds

Make art out of old pill bottles for them

Know and respect your limits

Watch documentaries about doctors or health sciences

Research holistic remedies and see if any might be of use to you (DO NOT SUBSTITUTE THEM FOR MODERN MEDICINE) be careful of misinformation, and any interactions that certain things might have with your meds

For sea/ocean/water deities

Have a small fountain in your home (you can find them at some dollar stores, or if you're mechanically savvy, make your own)

Salts in your baths

Visit local streams, creeks, rivers, or beaches.

Read about marine life / river life

Read about your local water sources, learn about the water cycle

Collect rain water

Stand in the rain, feel it on you, let it ground you

Listen to music about water/with water sounds/the ocean/the beach

Have pictures in your home/space of the ocean

If you visit the ocean, collect some water and sand and seashells (make sure you follow your own personal gratitude system) to have in your home

Don't fret if you're landlocked, you're practice is valid, you don't need to be at the ocean all the time to feel it's presence. The rain clouds blow in from hundreds of miles away. The ocean is always with you.

Drink water

Carry a small vial of water with you (could be ocean water, river water, or tap water with or without salt in it) you can keep it in your car, in your pocket, or wear it as a necklace

Carry a small vial of salt with you (could be hand harvested from the ocean, table salt, or any kind of off the shelf salt)

For sky/wind/air deities

Let the air in, open windows when possible

Let yourself be free.

Sit outside for a few minutes a day, or longer.

For traveler deities

Pick something up for them on your travels, could be a rock, could be a souvenir

Put a symbol of them in your car

Wear shoes that are good for walking

Drive/walk around to explore new places (you don't even have to leave your town)

Take backroads

Be a (respectful) tourist in every new place that you visit, don't be afraid of looking stupid.

For queer deities

Educate yourself on queer history

Express yourself truthfully

Listen to queer music

Read queer books

Embrace your identity

Read queer poetry, like that of Sappho

Keep yourself safe in spaces that are less open to identities.

Support local queer owned businesses or artists.

Queer art

Love yourself and take care of yourself.

Go to drag shows

Relish in the fact that queerness has been around since the very first civilizations

For Inventive Deities

Do a metal puzzle

Learn metalworking, or just read about it

As always, please feel free to add on, I only work with one deity so please tell me if anything is incorrect or confusing.

Blessed be <3

[emee-ems]

Okay so the inclusion of Tarot cards/reading really intrigued me this chapter. I'm familiar with tarot reading so I tried to figure it out although they only said three cards. I didn't see anyone else try to pick this apart (there could be! my tumblr has been having trouble loading). So I wanted to try and pick it apart in the simplest terms.

I'm not the best with interpretations and I'm still learning myself.

--------------

-The 4 of Cups (upright) means disconnection, boredom and waiting. This card was supposed to represent Anya's present so I guess it makes sense: Anya is trying to overcome the disconnection with Damien to help in the mission. It could also point to her studies, which she finds boring. As for the waiting aspect, the entire mission is a waiting game. I've also read that the card can be about the person in question not seeing or focusing on opportunities in front of them. The Cups in the Minor Arcana usually deals with emotions, relationships, love and intuition.

-The Death card [people always take this one literally]. The Death card can mean the end of something but that also means the beginning of something else. It can also mean transformations. This change can lead to growth. I think Melinda said this represented factors around Anya. Perhaps it pertains to her growth in general (rather than the joke of Yor as the grim reaper).

-The Star (reversed). This is the only one of the three shown to be reversed. If it was upright, it'd mean hope and inspiration but reversed means the opposite: hopeless, losing trust [in the universe] and not seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I think this was supposed to represent Anya's future (pretty vague and I'm not sure if Melinda was guessing about that)

Now the rest of the cards in the reading were shown too in the first shot. Again, since I don't know what spread this is so I can't tell what each card/spot represents in the reading. I can only tell what each card can mean on its own. The other ones I can see are: the Ace of Cups [reversed], 10 of Pentacles, and 3 of Swords (the last one is a Wands reversed but her hand blocks most of it out. I WANT to say 3 of Wands but I'm not sure).

Ace of Cups (reversed): feeling emotionally drained or blocked. Missing out on new emotional beginnings or connections. Aces can mean potential.

10 of Pentacles: long-term success and legacy, wealth and stability. Pentacles in the Minor Arcana can represent finances, home, physical body and practicality. Tens in the suits can mean manifestation.

3 of Swords: heartbreak and sorrow, a painful but necessary revelation or separation. Swords in the Minor Arcana represent intellect, thoughts, ideas and communication (I've also seen mind, ambitions, conflict and change). The number three can mean beliefs. The 3 of Swords tends to always be seen as...not great.

---------------

I can't really imagine that Endou Tatsuya put out a bunch of random cards as a joke. At least I don't think so. I just find it interesting that he included it, even as a joke on how little Melinda understands it. It can't just be for that joke, right? Regardless it was interesting to inspect. I'd like to think that this hints that Anya's growth will either lead her towards something or what that other factors will contribute to said growth (or both). These other factors don't sound so good though (heartbreak, and sorrow as well as hopelessness). But, it could also pertain to Damien since that was part of the reading (becoming his friend).

[thearcanarevival]

The Arcana and OCs

One of the best things about The Arcana is that you get to create your own character. It isn’t like other dating sims where there is a canon face to the character you play. In The Arcana it can be you, or your very own character.

And I think that is partly what makes The Arcana so unique. You create the MC. They can be any gender you want, any skin color, they could be an elf, human, or something else. The MC really is yours to decide and I think it is what makes the game so unique as well as the stories on Fictif.

I have seen so many interesting and diverse OC’s due to this. Here I will show mine, and I encourage you to show yours. Even if you cannot draw or feel that your writing is lackluster. Your OC to the game is interesting.

Saylor Hyacinth

Saylor was born in Paradisia Ports in Venterre. It is a small costal village carved into a rocky cliffside. She spent her youth playing on the rocky coast alongside her friends. Traversing the hills outside the village and trying to nab Grandma Cara’s famous pastries off her windowsill. It is safe to say that Saylor had a comfortable childhood despite having no mother, with her father always there.

At a young age Saylor also became fascinated by magic through her Aunt. Saylor though found magic to actually be a little difficult for her.

Her aunt told her, “For some magic simply flows through them like blood. For some it’s like a faint pulse that is waiting to be awakened. Then for others there is hardly anything, for those people, magic is nearly impossible.”

Saylor was terrified she was in the third group although her aunt assured her she was in the second group. That with practice she could be a great magician.

And Saylor did just that. Over the years Saylor’s aunt visited her in Paradisia Ports and taught her something new every visit. One summer though Saylor went to Vesuvia to visit her instead. It was that visit she met Asra.

That Summer the two became good friends, and when Saylor left that Summer to return home both knew they were head over heels for each other. They spent that whole year writing letters and when Saylor’s aunt offered her a job to help run her magic shop Asra was part of that reason to live in Vesuvia permanently.

Now in Vesuvia it did not take long for the two to officially become a couple. The two were inseparable, although that would change when the Red Plague hit. Saylor’s aunt was one of the first hit with the disease and immediately quarantined from Saylor, Asra, and others. When she died the only way Saylor knew was from a dead knocker.

This was a person paid to knock on doors of the diseased person’s family and notify them of there passing. Over time though the bodies became to much and many people got lost in the counts, meaning some never got a knock, but they could guess.

Asra suggested leaving but Saylor insisted helping, not wanting others to be affected like her aunt or to suffer the pain she felt. The two argued over leaving and it ended with them separating.

While devastated by Asra’s absence Saylor pressed forward and found a job as an assistant to Doctor Julian Devorak. The two would develop a friendship and understanding of each other. Nothing past that though, the two strictly remained friends with Julian possibly feeling a slight attraction as more than friends to Saylor.

When Saylor died Julian felt heavy guilt over her death. When Asra returned and discovered her fate he was heartbroken. When Asra brought Saylor back he also never revealed that she was brought back from the dead.

You see, when Saylor died the bodies and death counts were blurring together. Hundreds of people like Saylor were never named or recorded dead. He simply said she suffered a horrible brain injury, even to her father.

Although, while not a magician, Saylor’s father did not buy it. When he saw his daughter practically unresponsive he tried to make her remember and as a result she only convulsed.

He would say, “I am no fool Asra. I have grown up with magic all around me. My Grandfather, my sister, and so many more. Tell me the truth, I can sense that this is more than a brain injury.”

Saylor’s dad was furious although when he tried to take Saylor away, feeling Asra unjust to care for her, she started convulsing horribly again. In the end, Saylor’s father left and never returned. Fearing that his presence would put her back in that state again but also not able to look at his daughter and not have her know who he is.

Saylor would regain her personality overtime, her magical ability as well. Although, it was a very uphill battle. And here is where her story can branch of with any of the characters.

In the end…

Feel free to share your OC or OCs. I promise you they are interesting. Don’t be afraid to rewrite and redesign them. It doesn’t have to be perfect the first time. No character is perfect on the first draft.

[sleeplesssmoll]

The Timekeeper and the Warden (Reverse 1999 AU)

I know I said I was studying but this is all @blehhhhhsthings fault! They keep making me brainstorm (thank you but also what have you done lol)

I was inspired by their Mask Tk au, but I put my own twist on it since I am a twisted individual. This is the scenario:

Vertin and Sonetto never make up after the break-away event because instead of Madam Z reaching Smoltin, Manus does first. They were waiting for her because they heard rumors about a child with Storm Immunity from their inside sources. Finding Vertin as the only child left confirmed those rumors.

Sonetto never gets over Vertin. She thinks about the way she treated Smoltin and blames herself for Vertin's Reversal.

Years later, Sonetto graduates as the top of her class and becomes a field Investigator so she can witness the outside world Vertin longed for. Two years after her graduation (roughly 6 years after break-away), a Manus Vindictae Renegade waltzes through the Foundation's front door. Sonetto pins her to the ground but falters when she realizes they have silver hair. However, she can't see her face because of her mask. The voice is both unfamiliar and nostalgic (because Smoltin is grown up now) but she doesn't have time to dwell on it. The deserter doesn't resist and claims they want to stop Manus more than they hate the Foundation. She's seen the way they treats arcanists who aren't purebloods and the unnecessary violence. She wanted to escape long ago and waited for the perfect opportunity.

Constantine decides to interrogate her further, especially once she sees the special umbrella the renegade brought with her. She must be one of Arcana's pets.

Later, the renegade becomes the Foundation's Timekeeper, and Sonetto is her Warden. While the Timekeeper has flexibility within the Foundation due to her rare Storm Immunity, it's Sonetto's job to keep her in line.

The Foundation also sealed off the Timekeeper's ability to communicate by branding an arcane skill (a curse really) around her throat. She can only speak with her Warden's permission and even if she tries to be sneaky by writing or something, the markings burn red and are incredibly painful (they're triggered by intent, like the bangles on the Island that Arcana and Vertin wore in the real story). Sonetto thinks it's cruel but Constantine informs her its for everyone's safety. This deserter has a silver tongue and she plants dangerous ideas in people's heads. By limiting how much she can say and forcing her to have Sonetto nearby in order to speak, they reduce her opportunities of betrayal. Besides, she's already betrayed Manus. Who's to say she won't turn her back on them next and return with their secrets? Sonetto's whole thing is loyalty and devotion so she starts off very cold with the Timekeeper.

The Timekeeper no longer wears a Manus Hand Mask, but a monochrome Foundation mask that covers her upper face (as much coverage as Bessmert's blindfolds or 2B's mask from Nier so it covers her freckles but leaves her mouth open to eat and make smug smiles with). It completely hides her eyes but she can see better than the average person through it since it has the same enchantment as the other Investigators (the ones that completely cover their face like in the prologue).

The Masked Timekeeper does the sort of the same thing as the Timekeeper we know. She shelters "unhinged" arcanists and takes on the most dangerous missions since her people are considered dangerous and disposable. She is very protective of her crew.

However, she and Sonetto are painfully awkward.

Vertin has no idea how to interact with her former deskmate. In her mind, Sonetto was always nice enough to put up with her but actually couldn't stand her. She doesn't blame Sonetto either because she was...difficult. While Vertin is a touchy and affectionate person, she hesitates with Sonetto or changes her mind last minute.

Meanwhile, Sonetto hates this game of hot and cold she ends up in every time they interact. As much as she hates to admit it, the TK grew on her. She's kind, sincere, and never treats Sonetto like her Warden but as part of her beloved crew. They argue at times but Sonetto never uses her status as Warden to silence her. There is an odd understanding between them even if they never seem to get one another.

This Vertin was raised by Arcana instead of Madam Z. She's a smooth talker and a skilled fighter outside of her crappy arcanum. Instead of a stoic face, she smiles (like Arcana but a smug smile instead of Arcana's creepy "I dare you" one.)

As much as she says she despises Arcana, she kept the Umbrella she gave her. The Umbrella is infused with Arcana's slime and can shape-shift into many things: a shield, a sword, a cane, heck even a fishing pole (she did this to piss Arcana off but her leader found it amusing and creative). This Vertin is also completely shameless when it comes to manipulating others as a means to an end.

She finds out what you desire most and uses that against you. It's one of the reasons Constantine branded her.

"You deserve more. They can't give you that, but I can," type of persuasion. She also frustrates Sonetto by talking around her instead of answering her questions or telling her what's on her mind.

Eventually Sonetto opens up to the Timekeeper about a friend she lost long ago. She's afraid one day she'll forget her.

Vertin has no idea she's talking about her because she didn't think Sonetto thought of her as a friend, just a deskmate she was stuck with. She assumed her friend fell in battle. Lots of people were reversed too so she still doesn't connect the dots until Sonetto specifically brings up the break-away event.

Vertin's name was added to the Forbidden List and you'd be punished for saying it (like the word "Storm" before it was public knowledge). This is one of the reasons the Timekeeper took so long to put together Sonetto's still grieving for her. She's not sure how to deal with this but she doesn't know how to make Sonetto happy. All these years later and she's still a burden on her deskmate.

Some things never change.

Aaaaand that's where I decided to start writing my story from. Although, I could sprinkle this background information throughout...if I knew what I was doing anyway. Reverse did it with AS while Vertin was in a coma so I decided on a dream route.

Sonetto is so scared she'll forget Vertin, she uses AS to see her again. However, she can never remember the color of her eyes. Smoltin would lower them when she spoke to her or avoid her gaze after she found out Sonetto asked the Instructor if she could switch deskmates. That's why it was the first thing she forgot. This makes her panic!

I also want to put Yeni in this fic. She's sooo much like Sonetto but more direct and sarcastic. Essentially, what she and the TK develop is what Sonetto and the TK could have been.

Sonetto tells herself she doesn't care. She's only worried about remembering Vertin and nothing else matters–

But how come she's never seen the TK's face but Yen has!? Unfair. She's known her longer.

Sonetto hasn't realized the others have seen Vertin's face. Constantine only dictated she wear the mask on missions to represent the Foundation, but doesn't care about what Vertin does in her free time once she realizes it's THAT VERTIN. Not many people recall what Smoltin looked like since she was never in the Spotlight due to her awful grades and she was tiny. Just harder to notice in general, especially when everyone's looking down to see her. The school did their best to cover up her past since she had no family to fight for her anyway. They were her "family" since she was a month old.

Vertin finds it hard to face Sonetto so she doesn't take it off in front of her. It's easier this way. She's also still figuring things out.

Constantine's happy her little pawn returned as a more powerful piece to play with. Madam Z cries a bit when she see Vertin, the child she failed to save.

Idk what to call this au or even if it's worth naming if I don't actually do anything with it but I'm open to opinions!

[elle-p]

Why Elizabeth will never succeed

P3 spoilers for both the main game and The Answer/Episode Aigis

Elizabeth's quest to free P3Hero from the Great Seal, first explained in P4, elaborated on in Arena, then completely forgotton about(yet never by the fandom), is ultimately futile.

As said by Elizabeth herself, it's impossible. There are 2 ways it could succeed - Elizabeth replaces the Seal, or Erebus doesn't exist. Both can't be done.

Erebus not existing is easy - it's born of every single person's desire to die. Societal change at that level, especially something that has to be permanent and airtight with no possibility of failure, just can't be done. The Phantom Theives can't help: they don't ever actually get rid of the people's desire for control, they just force it to go somewhere else. P4Hero also doesn't get to kill any gods; he just manages to convince them to go away.

Elizabeth replacing the Seal requires a bit more explanation. The creation of the Seal was done by the Universe Arcana. The Universe Arcana shows that Hero is a fully individualised being; he understands himself and his place in the world. But so does the World Arcana, and that can't create the Great Seal. So what gives? My personal take is that the Universe Arcana is more tied to Nyx. It's name refers to space, where Nyx is from, rather than the Earth, where people are from. The way Nyx is described is also similar to the way the Universe Arcana is described(the fortune teller's dialogue could even refer to either the Universe Arcana or Nyx). Then Hero gets the Universe Arcana instead because he's tied to Nyx in a way that the others aren't due to having Death sealed inside of him. That's even alluded to by Igor with how he mentions Death when presenting the Universe Arcana. So, even if Elizabeth were to complete her Fool's Journey, she'd just get the World instead of the Universe, and so wouldn't be able to become the Great Seal, and she can't use anyone else to replace it, either.

Elizabeth's quest involves her going on her own Fool's Jouney. This involves meeting people who represent all the Arcana and seeing how they act to show how to live one's life. At the end, one becomes a fully realised individual. This on it's own presents some problems.

Hero went on his journey, and realised what his place on the world was - to become the Great Seal. He died happily and with no regrets. He's not in pain. Elizabeth's quest is more for herself than for him. She rejects the answer that he found, but she's still a fool. The whole point is that she doesn't know what to do, while he does.

Since Elizabeth is going on her own Fool's Journey, she needs to actually go on... a journey. So what's the flaw that she needs to get over? I think it's that she doesn't have vary many true bonds(I'd argue that she just has P3Hero), which goes well with way that the Fool's Journey is all about creating true bonds with others. Her disregard for others can be shown in how she interacts with people - she flits in and out of their lives without truly connecting with them. She thought Hero(both P3 and P4) had power because they're just cool like that, not because of the others they interact with. So, her journey would be about learning to cherish the bonds that she makes. However, it's her lack of true bonds with anyone other than P3Hero that made her go on the journey to begin with. He's the only one important to her, and he's the only one who cares about her, so she has to get him back! Which is exactly Yukari's thought process in the Answer! And how did that end? With SEES accepting that, even without Hero, they still have each other. They're not alone. So, Elizabeth's journey slowly culminates on the fact that she doesn't need to free him. As I said before, he's not suffering. She's doing this for herself. And realising that would mean abandoning her journey.

[starlingschool]

𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐭 𝟏𝟎𝟏: 𝐌𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐫𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐜 𝐀𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐲

Welcome to Tarot 101 with Astrid! This is part 1 of my series. To keep each post as short as possible these will be bite sized. This part will explain the basic anatomy of the Tarot Deck and a brief explanation of its origin.

c o n t e n t s

Anatomy of a Deck

Why so many Cards?

Major vs Minor

A n a t o m y o f a D e c k

Let’s start with breaking down a tarot deck.

A tarot deck has 78 cards. It’s split into two big groups, the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana.

➸ Although some styles of tarot decks may have additional cards that act as oracle cards, the following 78 cards are what are known as the complete Tarot deck.

The Major Arcana has 22 cards. Starting from 0: The Fool and ending with 21: The World.

The Minor Arcana has 56 cards, but it’s split into four smaller sections. These smaller sections are called “Suits”

The Suits are The Pentacles, The Wands, The Cups and The Swords. Each Suit has 14 cards. Starting with the Ace going to Ten, then we have a Page, Knight, Queen and King.

➸ If you’re familiar with Playing cards for poker or solitaire, the Minor Arcana in a Tarot deck is numbered just like the Playing cards, just that the “Suits” are different. In playing cards, there are clubs, spades, diamonds, and hearts. Now back to Tarot.

Below is a graphic of the cards of a Tarot deck split into the Major and Minor Arcana and Suits.

W h y s o m a n y c a r d s ?

The reason for the number of cards in a Tarot deck has to do with its history. Tarot is historically believed to have first been created as a secular Card Game in the 15th Century in Italy.

At the time card games had 52 cards. 4 Suits of 13 cards.

It’s thought that during the 1440’s, Tarot was created when the Duke of Milan asked an Artist to make a variation of the common card game. He asked to add cards to it and the artist Bonafacio Bembo added the 22 cards that make up today’s Major Arcana and added the Queens to the court cards of the Suits. Making each suit filled with 14 cards.

In conclusion, the 78 cards we have in today’s modern Tarot were made as a cure for boredom.

It’s important to note this because knowing the history of Tarot will help you in your journey when you decide how you will use Tarot in your practice.

I know some practitioners who think of Tarot as a sacred tool and they don’t like to leave any cards out while they shuffle and read cards.

I want to include this because I believe Tarot like any form of magic shouldn’t have fear of change attached to it. You should choose how to practice based on what resonates with you.

Some practitioners like to omit the major arcana or forgo the Minor Arcana in favor of using only 22 cards from the Major Arcana. Either way you practice is fine, just remember that the way you practice should bring you peace, not fear.

However you choose to practice Tarot, know that it is valid 🩷

Personally, I like to read with all 78 cards unless I’m using a Tarot Spread that calls for just one Arcana or Suit. I'll explain this more in depth in a later post!

M a j o r v s M i n o r

So if you don’t have to read with all 78 cards in a Tarot Deck, why do they exist and why do some Readers use them all? What’s the difference?

Well, Tarot is a divination tool so it’s here to make it easier to hear your intuition or view a situation from a different perspective. Knowing this, each card has a unique meaning behind it. A definition assigned to it both historically, or over time as Tarot entered the occult.

Although the Major and Minor Arcana’s have different meanings there are similarities between some cards.

The 22 cards in the Major Arcana tell a big picture story of a protagonist— The Fool— who goes through life’s joys and complications. However, the 56 cards in the Minor Arcana tell the same story but on a much more detailed view.

I like to think of it as the Major Arcana is the bird’s eye view of a situation and the Minor Arcana is the situation under a microscope.

For example, let’s say you ask Where you need to focus your mental energy on at this time? Let’s say in two different readings you get two different cards. One from the Major Arcana and one from the Minor. From the Minor, You get the 8 of wands. This could be interpreted a lot of different ways but for the sake of this post we’ll say this means you should focus on the finishing touches needed in order for you to propel forward in your passionate adventure. Whether this is starting a business or asking out your crush. Now, in a separate reading, you ask the same question, you get The Chariot from the Major Arcana. This could translate into you need to take the reins of your life and just go for it, with less thought to the tiny things “We’ll figure out the details when we get there!” Both readings say the same thing but their advice is different.

One tells you to look at the big picture, this needs to get done the sooner the better, take the reins and have fun with it, we can worry about the details later. While the other warns you to think things through, work out the kinks in your plan but do it quickly so you don’t lose momentum.

This is why both Arcana’s are useful and this is why some readers read with all 78 cards. However, there are advantages to using just one Arcana or just one suit.

But how do you know when to do that? We’ll look into that in our next part 🩷 since this post is getting long.

If you have any questions or want me to elaborate on something in this post please reach out, either with my “Witch’s Desk”, comments or DMs.

𐐪𐑂 My Etsy Divination Shop | My Ko-Fi Divination Shop

𐐪𐑂 Follow my Shop’s Tumblr @stardustedreams222

𐐪𐑂 Follow my Personal Tumblr @withloveastrid

𐐪𐑂 Support me on Ko-Fi for $3 a month to get exclusive readings ✨

With Love, Astrid 🩷✨

[blind-alchemists]

sorry, Zagreus, I've had your sister for five hours and I already like her more than you.

anyway! I did treat myself and bought the game early and. it's just very good!

in somewhat chronological order, my thoughts after yesterday's session

the music! the music is even more amazing than in the first game and if I'm done, I need to listen to the whole OST on loop

the art!! also even better than in the first game!!

Melinoë is a great protagonist

it's incredibly funny the first god we encounter is Apollo, because Apollo is the guy people modded into the first game years ago

... boy, I wonder what the speedrunning meta will look like for this game (I have very obscure knowledge about Hades I speedrunning meta)

I love the little backgrounds that pop out with the art

oh, right, I jumped into the Hades I EA late, so I never saw the place holder graphics in-game before

the environments!! beautiful.

I shouldn't have played the first game last week. It's fucking with me. where's my second dash??? Why do we start with 30 HP??? where are my death defiances??? weapon mechanics???

of course there's a fishing mechanic again.

I like Hecate's design.

saluting??? what's the lore behind that?

OH. this tone of the story isn't ... quite what I expected. A lot more serious. a lot more severe.

Melinoë doesn't remember her family??? Hello??? what the fuck???

and she keeps talking about her task with such a dutiful determination ... no, I'm not crying. But. That's such an interesting conflict.

NEMESIS!! She's holding her sword aspect!! her design!! her resentment!! her vengeance!! her rivalry with Mel. how Mel calls her Nem. please. tell me she's a romance option. PLEASE.

oh, hi odysseus.

hey, there's hypnos! ... why's he sleeping??? (funny thing is, I got the Charon dialogue that implies he's more useful this way lol)

I cannot. Take. Skelly serious. It's worse because Mel does.

I like Moros' design. The long hair going over the horns? Yeah, that's good.

Mel gets an AXE??? a heavy, double-bladed axe??? (I love women wielding heavy weapons, and as long as the rail doesn't make a return, I'm good with anything after enough time)

I like the new art sprites for reoccurring characters!

ahhh, the good old "we don't trust Olympus so we're not telling them everything" line. understandable, but I figure that's going to blow up sooner or later.

I love Mel's bond with Artemis and Selene and the implication that both helped raise her.

... and I like the predominantly female cast so far

Nemesis can show up in Erebus???

BABY MELINOË omg

why does every chthonic goddess / titaness sound like they have a thing for Persephone. Nyx already had a few lines like that in the first game. Why does Hecate also have these kinds of lines.

the Hecate fight frustrates me to no end, because I'm very used to more dashes, more health, and more death defiances, and very different weapons :( (I have bet her twice in total so far)

unrelated, but I didn't know I needed a sheep in the Hades art style but it's so damn cute and I want a large art print of it

Archane!! I love how her silks change Mel's avatar

Oceanus is beautiful

... except for the traps. Really not digging the traps. or the maps.

CHAOS??? why are you holding your old form's head??? and why is there an embryo coming out of it??? why do you have wings??? why do you wear a suit??? the new design unfortunately checks all the boxes but upon reflection that is because it fits into that very niche character design trope I've seen in manwha recently and I couldn't put a name on it if I tried

on that note, I also adore Aphrodite's new design!!

not quite sure what I think of the gathering / farming mechanic yet

I do like the incantations, magic, hexes, and arcana though!

HERMES! I also adore his design.

wait, what? Mel's going to Olympus? You're telling me one part of the game is descending into the House of Hades and the other is climbing to Mount Olympus?? (that's my speculation, at least.)

god, I hope the cast of the first game is alright/alive. :(

I hope we also get to see Athena, Ares, and Dionysus at some point :(

on that note, I can't wait for Mel to meet her brother and realize he's the opposite of her lol. I love siblings and mirrors.

[kieriblade]

Who wants to talk about Tarot Cards for MCSM characters? I know I do.

MAJOR ARCANA

0 · The Fool - Jesse

No-brainer. They're the protagonist, and the start of the adventure. They even have a small, loyal companion like the Fool.

I · The Magician - Romeo

He uses what is basically "magic" to create anything, even claiming that he did it "for you (Jesse)". Also very manipulative and thinks highly of himself.

II · The High Priestess - Harper

Not sure about this one. I just really wanted to put her somewhere. I guess her intellect and knowledge of redstone works here?

III · The Empress - Isa

I'd say she's kinda mother-like to her people and Benedict. She clearly cares about them.

IV · The Emperor - Hadrian

Aside from being a manipulative asshat, he is LITERALLY named after a Roman emperor. His word seems to be law, as even Otto and Mevia can't really go against what he says.

V · The Hierophant - ?

VI · The Lovers - Ellegaard & Magnus

The card's meaning would be reversed here, AKA the other side of the romance coin. It's implied they had a falling out of some kind, probably related to this. These two are rarely on the same page and constantly argue with each other. They can't even stand each other's presence. Of course, none of this means they don't care about each other, because they definitely do.

VII · The Chariot - Axel

He's a bit headstrong, and there's some moments where he decides to do things himself (especially when Jesse does nothing).

VIII · Strength - Petra & Gabriel

This card represents power as well as willpower. Petra and Gabriel are both great fighters, but have different ideals. She believes that they can overcome anything as long as friends together, but he believes the opposite—thinking that friends will only keep you down.

IX · The Hermit - Soren

Soren is a very isolated person. Currently though, we have no idea where he is so I imagine he's gone to do some soul-searching, like The Hermit.

X · Wheel of Fortune - The Order’s Amulet

This card has a lot to do with destiny and fate. The moment the amulet was given to Jesse, it basically dictated what happened around them (when they lose the amulet they're forced to chase and get it back, the Witherstorm was programmed to follow it and by extension Jesse, etc). It's also shaped like a wheel!

XI · Justice - Xara

This was a tough one. I want to say her because she's very much fueled with revenge against Romeo for what he did to her and Fred.

XII · The Hanged Man - Ivor

You could say Ivor sacrificed his friendship with the Order in exchange for the truth of their legend being exposed... but I'm not sure if that counts. Don't know who else fits this otherwise.

XIII · Death - The Witherstorm

This card represents that a phase of one's life is ending, to make way for the next one. The Witherstorm changes pretty much everyone's lives and Jesse's group has no choice but to face it head on (in this case, destroy it).

XIV · Temperance - Olivia

She's rather mellow compared to her two friends, and always tries to avoid any extreme options in favor of the safer ones.

XV · The Devil - Mevia

Gotta admit, even compared to Hadrian, she's kinda bloodthirsty. She wants suffering just for the hell of it (or "for fun" as she's said). Any other remotely reasonable option be damned. Plus, she's also canonically killed Jesse.

XVI · The Tower - The Command Block

This card is about sudden change or chaos. The whole Witherstorm arc started with the Command Block and ended with it (when it was destroyed by Jesse). You could even say the foundation of the Order started to crumble (like The Tower) once they started using it.

XVII · The Star - ?

XVIII · The Moon - Fred

This one's about mystery. We don't know much about him (can say that for most of the cast), but he's the only character that doesn't show in-game with a physical form. Only as a hologram. Also, they're both blue.

XIX · The Sun - Lukas

He's a nice guy. Not to say he hasn't had his ups and downs, but overall compared to everyone else, he's pretty positive and wants everyone else to feel better.

XX · Judgment - Otto

The only sensible person compared to Hadrian and Mevia. Rules are everything to him and are pretty much the law in his eyes. He even says their fate can be decided by Jesse because it was "fair".

XXI · The World - The Admins (Romeo, Xara, Fred)

It's implied they created and/or govern the MCSM world as we know it.

MINOR ARCANA

Three of Cups - Jesse, Axel, Olivia

Friendship trio. What else can I say?

Three of Swords - The Blaze Rods (Aiden, Maya, Gill)

This group was formed out of pure spite for Lukas. They felt "betrayed" by him for hanging out more with the New Order.

Unknown (couldn't decide for them): Cassie, Radar, Stella, Jack, Nurm, Vos

My interpretations/selections are probably unfitting, but they're just my personal picks. Tarot cards themselves are really interesting to me, and even though I don't fully understand them yet, attributing to characters is fun and can help me study them.

Anyone else have their own picks and reasonings? Feel free to add them.

[crescentfool]

i love ryomina

no but seriously. even when i’m thinking about other things that captivate my interest, i find myself coming back to them and feeling like i fell down three whole flights of staircases every time i do. they are one of my favorite pairs in media and are very special to me.

it’s the way that ryoji and minato’s lives are inevitably intertwined with each other due to the circumstances 10 years ago on the moonlight bridge. without no minato, there is no ryoji. minato as he is today is because of ryoji. they have irreparably affected each other’s lives that you cannot discuss one without bringing up the other one.

ryoji mochizuki, who is death, pharos, thanatos, nyx avatar, the man of many names and identities, is the perfect summation of p3′s messages and themes.

minato arisato, the wildcard and protagonist, who has boundless kindness in his actions despite the unfortunate cards handed to him.

the two of them complement each other and tell a beautiful story from start to finish.

minato’s personas capture this perfectly. he awakens to orpheus, who’s flames burns bright, is snuffed out by thanatos during the encounter against the arcana magician. a visual precursor of the idea that ryoji stole from the life that minato could have had.

it’s the way that over the course of the game as minato interacts with pharos, talking throughout the dark hour, forging a bond that cannot be broken, that allows ryoji to exist. minato humanizes death.

november. the bells toll, calling the appriser. and yet, it’s peaceful... quiet, and full of life. ryoji, who breaks free from death’s chains, refusing his role, is given the chance to live for a month. to make the most of the humanity that minato has given him over those ten years. and what a life he lived. ryoji’s life is a reflection of what minato’s life could have been like in another universe.

it is the way the two of them are reflections of each other. ryoji with his hair down is just like minato. they are both stubbornly committed to choosing to be kind, to love life, yet are chained down by the cards the narrative dealt them with. they finish each other’s sentences, knowing each other intimately in a way no one else does.

how is that, a boy who lived for only one month, profoundly changes the course of the narrative? he is simultaneously relevant and irrelevant. blink, and you miss it, the beautiful life that he led.

ryoji is horrified at the revelations of being the appriser. he who so desperately wished to forget that his existence was meant to bring the end to all life, was unable to escape the inevitability of death. in a non-human way, of course. he becomes remorseful. a shadow of his brief time as a human who was enamored by the small beautiful things that life had to offer.

he is swallowed by grief. grief knowing that his very existence will take away not only minato’s life, but everyone else’s. the very thing that ryoji loved- life, fundamentally went against the role he was born for- to be the harbinger of death. and unable to grapple with this sadness he believes that the best thing for minato to do is to kill him, so that SEES can live in bliss not knowing about their inevitable end.

SEES is left rattled, calling into question what the meaning of life is and what they do when faced against the inevitability of death.

and!!! minato chooses!! for ryoji to live!! even in spite of what ryoji is MEANT to embody, minato still stubbornly chooses to defy death itself! and if that’s not cool i don’t know what is!! minato wants everyone to have the chance to live!!

so he climbs. he ascends tartarus, to meet ryoji, again, who is now the nyx avatar. and i just think there’s something so so beautiful about being able to use messiah, minato’s ultimate persona, against nyx avatar.

messiah, being the fusion of orpheus and thanatos is peak ryomina to me. because ryoji and minato have established an unbreakable bond from having been entwined for 10 years, minato still has a piece of death with him, and by proxy!! ryoji is able to defy and rebel against nyx trying to bring the fall! and i think that’s fucking cool shit if you ask me!

even when all of the arcanas have been gone through, it’s still not enough to stop the fall. and yet. minato knows. in the way that ryoji was sealed in minato 10 years ago by aigis... minato becomes the great seal so that everyone can live. it comes full circle.

march rolls around. he fulfills his promise to SEES on graduation day. minato dies from exhaustion. but goddamn does his sacrifice make me weep- he’s had such, such a tiring journey. he’s been through so many things because he was at the wrong place at the wrong time. but at the end of it all, he’s reunited with ryoji in death.

and i think this is why ryomina continues to evoke so much emotions for me, to this day. the relationship that they have embodies so much of persona 3′s messages and themes that it makes me feel like a microwave with nothing running in it.

p3′s message is very hopeful, for me. my favorite takeaway from it is that even if death is inevitable, appreciating the life that we were given and choosing to live as best as we can with kindness (even if we can’t feasibly do everything), is just? really nice? and you see this manifest in both ryoji and minato’s personalities and what they do for the other characters.

ryomina just feels so distinct to me, the flavor that their relationship ties back to my favorite takeaways from this game and im just!!  god!! i love you minato arisato! i love you ryoji mochizuki! im so glad that i could meet them! i’m happy that they changed my life! they made me want to appreciate the connections in life even if they were fleeting! they made me!! want to pay attention to the good moments in life and cherish them!

i love ryomina so much!!! i’m so glad that these two could bring so much joy into my life! and i hope that others can have this joy too! 💛💙

[ordinorultor-if]

Just some late night musings on how I plan to do things… because I can’t sleep because I may or may not be thinking about the game and getting excited. Ideas subject to change.

Current plan is for 20 chapters spread amongst a prologue plus three acts. The first demo will be Chapters 1 and 2, possibly 3 as well.

I’ll focus on one Deposition route at a time - EG focus all on Rebellion, then focus all on Trial, and then Assassination (just an example, not the definitive order I’ll go with).

Once I’ve finished all three routes, I’ll work on the… epilogues, I guess? That’s not the exact term I want, but ‘ending’ doesn’t quite capture it because the Liege and most of MC’s other enemies will be defeated by that point.

I also want to discuss some mechanical stuff too. I was introduced to Interactive Fiction by one of the Vampire: the Masquerade games Choice of Games was licensed to do - specifically, Kyle Marquis’ Night Road. It’s still one of my favorites, and I am taking partial inspiration from it, with stat checks and a hub area from which you set out on missions. However, I understand stat checks can be a point of contention in this community, so I will put in an option at the beginning to disable them if you want.

As for the stats themselves, there’s a set of primary stats and a set of secondary stats, both on a scale of 1-7. The primary stats are:

Diplomacy

Martial

Intrigue

Stewardship

Learning

The secondary stats are:

Prowess, linked to Martial

Charm, linked to Diplomacy, but I might make ways for Intrigue to impact it

Arcana, linked to Learning

And yes, you do recognize those skills. I got the idea for all this while playing CK3, as I mentioned in an earlier post.

The largest and earliest boost to your stats, is of course, your choice of education, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be unable to advance your skills outside of that. If you want, you will be able to get 7s across the board, but that’ll take a while to achieve.

I do have small descriptions on the stats page for each skill, but I’m very comfy in my bed and also too lazy to go turn my computer on, so I’ll share that tomorrow.

[all-pacas]

anyway i feel like p3's social links are a bit all of the place - later games definitely polish them better - but since i've been playing the remake i've been trying to figure out why.

tonally, they are all over the place, and i think later games do a much better job with tying the Tarot Theme to the storyline. all social links always require you telling the person what they want to hear, but p3 is silly about it. tell the jock to ignore his health and injuries! encourage the friend to break the law! -- between that and the tonal whiplash, it's just. weird.

but i think i figured out the theme, and i don't know why i even had to think about it, because it's the same theme of the entire game: Accepting Ends.

accepting change. accepting death. it comes up in every social link in one way or another. a character is living or acting in a certain way, and either they have to face a huge change, or they're living in reaction to it without accepting it.

Kazushi and Mamoru both want to excel in sports, and are in denial over the fact that for both of them, those dreams are ending. Kazushi's injury can't keep going untreated; Mamoru's family needs him to work.

Maiko is in the midst of her parents divorce, and doing everything she can to prevent and ignore it.

Bebe has to leave Japan, but thinks that if he works really hard, he can stay.

Keisuke is torn between the path he's expected to take and the path he really wants, although interestingly, the two swap places completely during his story.

Other times, the change has already happened: Bunkichi and Mitsuko have already lost their son, but are still struggling with it and clinging to his memorial.

Mutatsu lost his family, and is pretending he doesn't want them back.

Nozomi is drowning himself in food and denial instead of coping with his brother's (food related) death.

It's a bit more subtle here and there. Yoko's "accepting of change" is actually a positive (as fits the Strength arcana): she's discovering her calling, even if she's slow to embrace it. Kenji and Maya both think everything is going great, only to discover the truth at the last second and that the story isn't what they believed.

Akinari is actively dying and knows it, but is struggling with accepting it. He's more or less the thesis statement of the game in social link form: you WILL die, things WILL end, sometimes none of your dreams work out and you have to ADAPT. Make the best of it. Memento Mori!

[mollysunder]

Jinx and Viktor, They Make a Winning Pair

To win a card game Sevika pulls out two literal trump cards, the major arcana Death and the Magician cards, both in the upright position.

The Magician card, known as the Illness in Etteilla's version, represents the ability to channel both magical and earthly properties to enact change, essentially you have the resources and talent to complete your goal you just need the will to use it. Viktor's character easily aligns with the Magician, a talented man working in a society that views his home as lesser, and was the first to recognize the brilliance of Jayce's work in hextech. Right now he has nearly all the right elements to unlock the potential of the Hexcore, and the ramifications of the season finale are likely to further alienate him from Piltover and access to his own work. The card also heavily resembles a simplified version of the Machine Herald design, which includes a third arm and what is likely the Hexcore at the center.

The Death tarot represents change, specifically the end to a status quo which usually includes projects, relationships, and self-perception. Some interpretations describe it as moving on from the past to embrace the future. You could argue Viktor's arc shares these traits, and probably so might most characters in Arcane, but I think no one else better embodies the Death tarot than Jinx herself. Jinx drove almost every new development in Arcane, usually all the parts were there, but her actions gave the push necessary for things to come together. In a lot of ways, most of the characters in Arcane are dedicated to maintaining the status quo or just aren't interested in any fundamental changes to it. Jinx decisively ended the "peace" between Piltover and the Undercity. She destroyed any chance for Piltover to quietly maneuver away from the consequences that their society wrought. Also the card looks like her, the profile of the depressingly resigned spectre is similar to her own (the spectre even looks like it has her bang just floating above her hairline).

Together they give Sevika a winning hand against her opponents. I think this small scene before Sevika and Vi's first confrontation could represent how things might play out in season 2. Viktor is both figuratively and literally, one of the most isolated characters in Arcane. His allies (Jayce, Singed, and Heimerdinger) are few and far between and his strongest connection, Jayce, will likely be severed as politics and their own actions get in the way. Viktor will likely be put on trial for the death of Sky which will likely be compounded with trumped up charges of espionage as Piltover grows more paranoid (the law works differently for Zaunites). He'll need someone to either help him escape before the trial or to break out of Stillwater (if they don''t have the death penalty). Viktor needs new friends and there's no better saboteur to have in your corner for an escape like Jinx.

Viktor and Jinx will cross paths next season, likely in the middle of one of her exploits. The way Viktor defused Jinx's bomb likely indicates how things will go down between them, in a moment of tension Viktor can deescalate what ever literal or figurative bomb that's between them. This can only work in a moment of mutual vulnerability. Based on the promotional materials, specifically the RiotxArcane online event, Viktor is one of the few characters outside of Silco that doesn't immediately see her as some foaming at the mouth maniac.

In contrast to Vi, whose partnerships have started out of pragmatism, Jinx's bonds (which aren't many) were formed through acts genuine empathy mixed with compassion. This goes both ways, because Viktor needs someone who won't judge him for what he's done, what it's cost, and the fact he's going to go further. This is where I think the theme of forgiveness for season 2 comes in, neither of them can really apologize for what they've done to anyone really, but they can find acceptance (maybe forgiveness) in their new selves and all their capable of with each other.

If they actually partnered together, the Undercity has a real chance, because Viktor cares about the Undercity and Jinx cares about the important people in her life. Viktor just doesn't really have the political acumen or connections to genuinely be effective. Jinx definitely knows most of the ins and outs, but I think Sevika is the one most capable of making this work for her, for Zaun. Sevika needs unity and fire power, two tech geniuses one of whom is a controversial symbol of rebellion can work, somehow. Besides, Viktor still needs someone to bankroll his cybernetics and partial exoskeleton, which is a service at least one chem-baron, Smeech, provides.

Tldr: Sevika can win if she can wrangle the Undercity's most feral scientists together, timing is crucial.

Update: I'm back at this post because something's been gnawing at me over Viktor's card. The half infinity looking symbol within the Magician's hold is possibly the math symbol fish, ∝, which usually represents proportionality. This could be a neat hint to refer to the fact that Viktor will really dive into the balance of the arcane and the mundane powers in the next season. It's pretty cool that between the two characters who count as mages, Ekko is represented with infinity, ∞, to symbolize not just his future time travel powers, but also his infinite potential for himself and Zaun. While Viktor represents fish (proportion), ∝, to symbolize how he will find new balance, or at least create a path for it once he unlocks the hexcore.

Update 2: I figured it out!!!!!!!

It's fun how these three prominent Zaunites either don't talk to each other, or are actively at odds with one another, in the League or in Arcane (they'd be to strong together).

[snobgoblin]

what's your favourite ending among all the routes?

OURCH.... good question. I have a few different answers

short answers

>favorite ending overall: Nadia's reversed ending. Julian's reversed ending is a close second

>favorite ending for Danny: Lucio's upright ending. love the reversed one too but it hurts a lot (positive)

>comfort ending: Lucio's upright end

but I do wanna get into it a bit more

***NOTE it may not be obvious from those short statements but these answers combined don't mean "I like to see characters besides Lucio suffer and only like Lucio" LMAO I do love each member of the main 6 A LOT which is why I have so many timelines for Danny, it's just that 1) the reversed endings tend to be my favorites and Nadia's and Julian's are my favorites of those and 2) as far as comfort, I do find the most comfort in Lucio's upright because what can I say it's nice to see him happy. it's nice to see that someone like him can change. its nice to see him have hope for his future in a way he never expected. it's nice to see an ending where he isn't hated his entire life by everyone and then he dies horribly the end)

I think what I like so much about the first 3 reversed ends is it really crawls into their brain and fleshes out their fatal flaw. takes it to the extreme

>Asra tends to disappear often and run away from his problems, so he ends up running away from his problems so hard hes stuck in literally a different dimension

>Nadia can't trust anyone and does everything herself, putting too much strain on herself, eventually this snowballs until she literally only trusts herself with the title of the Devil Arcana and takes his place to save the world

>Julian self sacrifices. he loves his family. of course he'd sell his soul for them. of course he'd hurt himself by staying away from them. of course he'd spend the rest of his life in a bar

and I EAT THAT UP I adore the tragedy I adore the tension and I wish I could go into more detail about that but I the best I can offer is the knowledge that the joy these endings bring me are enough to make me put my phone down so I can stim without yoinking it across the room lmao

the fatal flaw thing is a bit of why I don't like Portia or Muriel's reversed endings. they have aspects that work of course, and both of them gave me chills upon first reading... but there are some things I would have tweaked to make them better. I'll get into that if prompted bc it's a little off topic lmao erm

OH OH SIDE NOTE but I do think Nadia's route is the best written overall. the most cohesive. the best romance. S Tier route all around and definitely the best in the game. anyway

both of Lucios endings are bangers INNN my honest opinion especially in reference to my theory. either, The Fool continues his journey (upright) or... The Fool is trapped by his temptation forever (reversed) and I eat that UPPPPPPPP I love his upright end because he's happy but I love his reversed end because he succumbs to the very thing he's been trying to free himself from the entire route and he doesn't even realize it. and my thoughts are so much more complex than that but that's the best you'll get out of my inarticulate ass right now

man. I think I had more to say. but it's not coming to me right now. THANK YOU FOR THE ASK I love to yap

[making-my-wey-down-town]

The Famous Introduction Pinned Post

Hi, Hola! You have found the way!

Not any way tho. Me, Wey. You found me! Hola! Que pedo? Pásale a lo barrido 🧹

(2024 note: I need to update this)

That hooman that you see there. Si ese! That’s my sona. A pleasure to meet you. (Outfits change often lol) (Also! The formal clothes supposedly gives the hint that I work as a security guard on the game :v)

More about me: I’m a lazy simp artist. *bows with no shame* Yeah, that’s all of my self presentation :3

As you can see, I’m very much currently hyped with The Daycare Attendants. The scrunckly bois ❤️ I don’t have a specific way to draw the bot bois tho.

So in my blog you will find mostly reblogs of them than my own art. But I will try to share more of my doodles and ideas in the future. (Cuz can’t be considered an artist if I don’t do or share shid right? :v)

Besides being on the FNAF SB fandom I’m also interested in Welcome Home, The Arcana, MHA.

All my art is under #wey draws

My main OC’s are under #wiggles and giggles the clown twins (watch their very first Halloween experience #quick doodle , they are cosplaying as Skid and Pump!)

Here their reference sheet: (old reference btw, their shoes are bigger now etc)

Gremlins dressed up as clowns basically. My babies 💜 (they were born after i got hooked on the game of FNAF SB)

Facts about them:

Both of them are boys. So he/him pronouns to each

3’6ft

Small animatronics that love to entertain families with their clown acts in the Pizzaplex

Their pants have hidden pockets, stuffed with materials and items for their clown acts. Mostly balloons. (Their hats have stuff too)

On birthday parties they always end up covered in cake

Free to roam around where the public is. Need employee permission or escort to go to restricted areas

Often seen in the daycare where there is a lot of kids to play with. Sun doesn’t always enjoy their visit (such troublemakers sometimes)

At night, when the Pizzaplex closes they immediately go to the daycare. To play with Sun and accompany Moon in his patrols (Moon will never admit he appreciates the company)

They can’t be separated. It causes an extreme anxiety for both, especially if it’s forced

Twin telepathy. Normally knowing what the other thinks. Often saying stuff at the same time and finishing each other sentences

They rarely fight with each other

Both love the attention

None of them knows personal space

They either help or create chaos (Both? Excellent partners in crime)

Press their nose, it does honk noises. They also have a feature to make their shoes do funny sounds

Fart jokes (noises) are hilarious for them

They are indeed high intelligent AI’s but they have the knowledge of a child. Teach and treat them like a kid

Can handle a limited amount of water if they get wet. Preferably to avoid it

Their white eyes can turn black with red pupils when turned in security mode. It is only to intimidate intruders and potentially dangerous people. (Can act scary if their target doesn’t normalize)

They have no virus! But that doesn’t mean they can’t obtain it 👁️👁️

Facts of each clown:

Giggles (Gig):

Likes the color blue and sharks

Normally the one who makes troubles (nothing serious, just mischievous child behavior)

Loves to make people smile and laugh but also get in their nerves (depending the person and situation)

Wiggles (Wig):

Likes the color pink and bunnies

The more responsible one of the two but still gets involved in troubles

Loves to make people have fun (specially if it’s done by his clown acts)

In the future I would like to share some ideas of AU’s I have in mind (idk if they are good enough lol) but for now my goal is to finish art projects that are meant for many friends and awesome artists.

—————————————————

AU’S Que Hice!

Ahoy! Mateys (AU mermay) - The journey of a high spirit kid named Y/N!

Dreaming of becoming a pirate one day!

Sailing the ocean in search of grand treasures and fun adventures with the unbelievable help of two sirens, their best friends!

Who and which said sea creatures seem conflicted with their actions and feelings when it comes to Y/N.

(non-romance just to clarify)

As it’s very known that these two species can never get along.

Will their friendship overcome the stereotypes?

Jump aboard and find out!

—————————————————

My social skills are terrible very good. I have a messed up social battery, it comes and goes. So is very common to find me active some days and then gone for some weeks (months). But frens, moots feel free to reach me anytime. Bother me. Tag me. Be random. Quick chat or a question. I’m okay with all that. I also like it, feels like I’m not forgotten (I’m not the greatest to initiate the conversation but I will totally respond to whatever I get included on 🫂💞)

As for strangers, people who follows me. (Actual real people and not bots lol) Feel free to send asks. Just don’t expect a genius answer from my part heh. Remain respectful, and yup :)

Thank you for your time and attention until the end if you got this far. *hugs ya and gifts ya a real Mexican taco 🌮* Have a nice day/night! Te quiero güey ❤️