#challengers (supernatural cast version)

[casboobs]

jenmisheel could have done the shawn spencer series finale proposal btw

[physalian]

What No one Tells You about Writing Fantasy, #2!

I did this list about 7 annoyances about fantasy, but I write in this genre for a reason! Fantasy knows no bounds, it can encompass all other genres within it. You can write a fantastical murder mystery, fantasy horror, fantasy romance, political drama, slice-of-life, comedy, whatever you’d like!

Whether it’s urban or high fantasy, supernatural or scientific, here’s seven great benefits of writing in this genre:

1. No modern means of communication

Unless you’re writing a world with phones or phone-adjacent devices. Phones and instant communication seriously inhibits the plausibility of dramatic irony and tension when you have to keep coming up with reasons to keep your characters from calling or texting each other everything they know. It’s exhausting, I tell you, and such a relief when phones aren’t a factor.

With that said, without phones, you have complete freedom to design your own magical channels of supernatural FaceTime, as weird and zany as you want. But without instant connections? Your character who knew too much can’t pass on the intel before they die. Your hero team can’t call for backup in their darkest hour. Otherwise easily preventable tragedies and deadly miscommunications are now very real.

2. The Monster Allegory

Fantasy and sci-fi tend to overlap more than they’re set apart, and in that overlap sits the monster allegory. Everything from werewolves to vampires to witches, reapers, demons, angels, goblins, trolls, wraiths, fairies, mermaids, ghosts, to Eldritch horrors and your classic Hollywood cast of mummies, creatures from the black lagoon, and Frankenstein.

Most of the time, the monsters aren’t just monsters, they represent a monstrous aspect of society the author wants to challenge and caricaturize in a fun and entertaining way. Or, the monsters are the good guys and the humans are the real terrors. Or, you’ve got two kinds of monsters to allegory two human sides. Sometimes they represent metaphorical demons, like vampires often representing addiction and werewolves repressed identities.

What all of this boils down to is the hyperbolic nature of science fantasy that allows you to go over-the-top with your metaphor and allegory in a way that a book grounded in reality just can’t.

3. Magic Systems!

Do you love world building? Do you love filling pages upon pages with your cool and unique set of superpowers you want your characters to have? Do you dream about your fight scenes and dramatic slow-mo shots?

Then Fantasy is for you!

There are zero limits to how you want to define your magic system. You can go classic with the familiar archetypes of elemental magic, wizards, sorcerers, and witches. Or you can step off the beaten path and design a whole new funky system of power sets. Best part? Your readers will have an awesome time imagining themselves with those powers, and debating endlessly about how it works.

4. Real-World Politics, who?

Amazon’s Rings of Power was twice-doomed when they only got the rights to adapt the appendices of The Silmarillion and when they decided to inject current political problems into a timeless story written purposefully to be divorced from those politics. You *can* write about human politics, but in fantasy, you don’t have to. You *can* interpret Lord of the Rings to be an allegory about the World Wars, but no matter how hard you argue, it wasn’t written with that intent.

Which means: Even if your story is set in the reality-adjacent fantasy version of 1543, you are free from the following: Racism, homophobia, sexism, religious bigotry, mental health bigotry, gender norms, anti-feminism, toxic masculinity, and more. “But that’s how it was-”

Nope. This is fantasy. You built this world, you decided to keep in the discrimination. Or… You can fill your fantasy world with a rainbow of gays, POCs in power, women in power, men unafraid to be compassionate and caring, a religion that doesn’t foster hate and division, the list goes on. You. Are. Free.

5. Nothing is too “unrealistic”

Both that you will always have people whining about how X would never happen so write the book you want to read, but also because fantasy is fake. Fairies aren’t real. Mermaids aren’t real. There are no rules for how they must be written and that’s how we have so much variety with so much room for interpretation by so many creators. Twilight made how much money writing about vampires that sparkle like diamonds in sunlight and crack like marble?

This is fantasy, it’s supposed to be unrealistic. Yes, your plot should make sense, but don’t be afraid to get weird. Write at least some of your story dependant on those fantasy elements. Write a story that can’t just be told in the real world minus the spectacle. Don’t be afraid to be sincerely fantastical and weird. People love weird. People love loving weird.

6. You are in complete control

But you do still need to research, unfortunately. Unless this is urban fantasy that depends at least a little on the human world, yours is completely your own to govern like a god tweezing weeds from their garden. You get to design your own geography and weather patterns and seasons. Your own countries and kingdoms and politicians. Your epic pre-canon fantasy war and the stakes that it was fought over. Your species, races, and ethnicities.

It’s a shame that a movie like Avatar (2009) set out to be this wholly unique take on aliens with music completely divorced from earthly bonds, new languages and a visually and culturally distinct alien species… and ended up a largely generic blue Pocahontas in space. It forgot that it was fantasy and didn’t go weird enough. They have horses, monkeys, wolves, rhinos, and deer just re-skinned with some extra limbs and colors. It’s pretty but it’s so, so shallow.

It could have become a cult classic like many a positively *weird* 80s off-beat fantasies, and now it just… exists. It makes a whole lot of money but its impact on the cultural zeitgeist is negligible. I’m the only person I know that can name every major character in the movie, and I’m no Avatar obsessor. They had complete creative control, and this is what they did with it. Don’t be Avatar. Take your creative freedom and run.

7. Even if it has been done before, do it again

You can say this about any genre, particularly romance, but fantasy and sci-fi, by the gatekeep-y nature of their fans, can be a lot less forgiving when it comes to claims of “unoriginality”. No one hates Star Wars more than Star Wars fans. Fans of these genres can get… concerningly attached to their favorite stories (mostly because the people who like them had only their fictional heroes to protect them from very real bullies).

But Game of Thrones exists because the author likes Lord of the Rings and went “yes, but what if it was an R-rated parade of misery?” Dungeons and Dragons exists because people wanted to roleplay in an LotR-esque world. Legolas and Gimli single-handedly defined what a badass elf and dwarf looks like in high fantasy. And people still gobble up media ripping shamelessly, or even good-naturedly, from this one story.

So on my other list, I argued that the sum of your parts is still original, even if the components aren’t. On this list, I implore you this: It’s not stealing or appropriating to write another Legolas if you love Legolas. Everyone loves Legolas. How many generic buff action heroes do we have and love? How many Hallmark romances tread the same predictable path? Who gives a damn if it’s unoriginal? Just make it entertaining and have something fresh to say in the end (or don’t, that’s fine too), and people will read it.

And when people say “Oh, you mean like Legolas”, take it as a compliment, not an insult. Yes, exactly like Legolas. Here’s my new elf because I adore this other book, now watch him go on a new adventure that I wrote for him.

[bumblepony]

Tess Lives Fic Rec (No Outbreak Version)

Here are my Tess Lives fic recs in no particular order! These are all fics where no outbreak happens. I have a separate list of Tess in the QZ fics coming in the next couple of days.

Making Mirrors, a Tess/Joel Modern AU by @hypnotisedfireflies - A parallel universe to Drifters - the life lived had Cordyceps not conquered the world. - Mature

Tin Star, a Tess/Joel Western AU by @hypnotisedfireflies - The Sheriff and the Outlaw: sweethearts, bandits, soulmates. Magic horses. - Mature

Night Fever, a Tess/Joel 1970s AU by @hypnotisedfireflies - 1970s Bodyguard/Boss AU. - Mature

Of Artists and Architects by @emilylawsons - A Cordyceps-Free Tessjoel AU. - Mature

littlest digit, you've got the world by the handle by @ketchupchipsaregross - Ellie turns one surrounded by family.

smoke, ash, and strays by @ketchupchipsaregross - Joel (a firefighter) just wants to do his job and go home smelling like a campfire, it'd be great if the raccoon child from the alley would let him do that in peace.

dodors (and other birds) by @ketchupchipsaregross - How Tess and Joel accidentally restarted parenting in their 40s.

put it down in the pleasure of your company by Nyxierose on AO3 - "Normal functional people who live in mid-ring suburbs occasionally ask favors from people nearby and it’s not weird at all." Or, in which Tess gets into a lot more than she plans, but what else is new. - Mature

sweeter than sin by @raffinit - MODERN AU: Joel is a single dad of tweeny bopper Sarah. Tess is a single mom of teeny bopper Ellie. They've established a pretty comfy routine of being strictly fuck buddies. Until they're not. - Mature

the conjuring by @bradfordchens - Married demonologists Joel and Tess Miller hunt the supernatural together, all while raising two daughters.

we could walk forever, walkin' on the moon by @boopernatural - The one where Joel, Tess and Ellie take a family road trip to see a shuttle launch.

If I Had To Stay In A Haunted House With Anyone, It Would Always Be You by Steph_Puppet on AO3 - If someone had told Joel a few years back that he would end up traveling across the country with a self-proclaimed medium, sending ghosts back to where they belonged, he would not have believed them.

This section includes stories in which Tess is a Part of the story, but the story revolves more around a different pair's dynamic. So, Tess is more of a supporting cast member. These are still great stories, but Tess is just not a primary player.

a light in the dark of this danger (bookshop!au) by @two-birds-alone-together - The Bookshop AU! Joel Miller owns The Back Shelf, a bookstore located in Back Bay. He has no idea that his life is going to change when a girl walks into the store on an oppressively hot Boston day.

Ellie Williams' Guide to Teenage Rebellion by @simoncowellstits - Ellie is the president's Daughter, and Joel is her secret service agent.

Right Where We Belong by cauldron_zeta on AO3 - Frank has upheaved his life to move to almost the middle of nowhere. His closest neighbour isn't really a people person but Frank has always liked a challenge. - Mature

Compassionate Friends by @mildredellie - Ellie & Joel meet at a grief support group they were both forced to attend.

move so quickly (it can't catch me) by @howtotrainyourdoofus - Ellie navigating her first job as a professional ballet dancer and all the joys and strife that come with it.

Stubborn Love by @renegadeknight - Your favorite feral father-daughter duo repackaged, now with 95% less zombies and 99% more modern problems (golfing isn’t one of them)

world around you by @boopernatural - Joel's first date in two decades gets interrupted when his kid needs him.

To Have Loved Someone by Joels_revolver on AO3 - On her way back to Jackson, Ellie is teleport into a world where the cordyceps doesn't exist and Joel is very much alive.

At the end here, I am adding a few authors who have written so many good Tess Lives stories it's best to just go pursue their AO3 pages.

tessaservopoulos - @bradfordchens on Tumblr - Mature

Glitter_Gecko - @seethesunny on Tumblr - Mature

sillylily07 - Mature

Last, I am going to add my Tess Lives fics under the cut because I really am not trying to toot my own horn, but I want to have them on the list so I can have them all in one place.

Fate Makes Fools of Us All - Tess is Ellie's foster mom AU. - Mature

A Soul For Sale Or Rent - Ellie is a Ghost, and Joel is the only one who can see her. She needs his help to figure out what happened to her before it's too late.

In Another Time and Another Place - Joel and Tess meet at a bar in an Alternate Universe where the Cordyceps Outbreak never happens. - Mature

Ashes denote that Fire was - Behind Closed Doors - The Firefighter Joel Miller AU that only a few people asked for and I just had to write it. - Mature

Construction Corner with Joel Miller - Joel has his own TV Show on HGTV and Ellie is a foster kid who comes on as a helper and things progress from there.

And Baby Boy Makes Four - An AU where no apocalypse happens, and Joel has two kids with his ex-wife, Sarah, and a son called Junior.

[the-vampire-queer]

The Vampires Digital Media Poll: Round 1, Bracket 3

Please reblog for a bigger sample size.

Results get posted on December 10th. at 5PM CST.

<- Previous poll | Next poll ->

If you wish to learn more about your options, either as a refresher or an introduction, press the "Keep reading" button.

What is The Twilight Saga about?

Summary (first movie only): "High-school student Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart), always a bit of a misfit, doesn't expect life to change much when she moves from sunny Arizona to rainy Washington state. Then she meets Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), a handsome but mysterious teen whose eyes seem to peer directly into her soul. Edward is a vampire whose family does not drink blood, and Bella, far from being frightened, enters into a dangerous romance with her immortal soulmate." Source: Rotten Tomatoes

Source: Twilight (2008)

Cast:

Kristen Stewart - Bella Swan

Robert Pattinson - Edward Cullen

Taylor Lautner - Jacob Black

Ashley Greene - Alice Cullen

Jackson Rathborne - Jasper Hale

Note: Cast lists provided here are not complete lists of people and characters featured in the media being listed. These are partial lists that include some of the main characters and their actors.

Additional information: The Twilight Saga are based off of the books of the same name by Stephenie Meyer.

Meyer attributes one of her desires to create her books to 2000s band My Chemical Romance (other bands and media also inspired her, but MCR is much more well-known for being one) and even attempted to get them to make a song for the movies. The band's response was that they wouldn't and would later they would create a song in response/as a reaction to this offer (Vampire Money from Danger Days).

What is Being Human (US + UK) about?

Summary:

US version: ""Being Human," based on a BBC series of the same name, features three 20-something roommates who each try to keep a secret from the rest of the world -- one is a ghost, another is a vampire and the third is a werewolf. The three roomies try to help one another navigate the complexities of living double lives." Source: Rotten Tomatoes

UK version: "Deciding to turn over a new leaf, a group of friends who also happen to be vampires and werewolves move into a house together, only to find that it is haunted by ghosts of people who have been killed under mysterious circumstances. As they deal with the challenges of being supernatural creatures, their desire to be human bonds them." Source: Rotten Tomatoes

Source: Being Human UK

Cast:

Russell Tovey - George Sands

Guy Flanagan (pilot) + Aidan Turner - John Mitchell (UK)

Andrea Riseborough (pilot) + Lenora Crichlow - Annie Sawyer (UK)

Sam Huntington - Josh Levison (US)

Sam Witwer - Aidan Waite (US)

Meaghan Rath - Sally Malik (US)

Mark Pellegrino - Bishop (US)

Note: Cast lists provided here are not complete lists of people and characters featured in the media being listed. These are partial lists that include some of the main characters and their actors.

Additional information: The UK version of the show came out first, airing on the BBC, dubbed Being Human (UK). Later, a new show of the same title would come out, dubbed Being Human (US).

In the UK version, two of the original three cast from the pilot would be replaced. These two would be Guy Flanagan and Andrea Riseborough, replaced by Aidan Turner and Lenora Crichlow respectively.

[harlivies]

Legacies: The Little Spin-Off That Wouldn't

[Article translated into English below; access link above for original Portuguese version.]

With the first anniversary of Legacies' series finale long past us, it seems the appropriate time has finally come for us to reflect a bit on the various elements that led to the series not achieving the same kind of success as its predecessors. If you haven't seen this spin-off of The Vampire Diaries and The Originals in its entirety, don't worry; you didn't miss out on much. If, on the other hand, you followed the series and our reviews while it was on the air, you know we have a lot to discuss. So grab your favorite snacks, maybe a drink, and without further ado, let's get into it.

Created by Julie Plec, Legacies premiered in October 2018 on The CW. The spin-off provides a continuation to the story of Hope Mikaelson (played by Danielle Rose Russell since The Originals' fifth season), the descendant of some of the most powerful lineages of vampires, witches, and werewolves in the universe created by The Vampire Diaries. The teenager attends the Salvatore School for the Young and Gifted, a boarding school that aims to provide a safe haven for young supernatural beings, teaching them to control their powers and navigate the challenges of an adolescence which, albeit similar to that of ordinary mortals, isn't without its differences.

Despite a promising premise that had indeed worked in the past, Legacies came to an end after only four seasons, becoming one of the last series to succumb to the great purge of 2022. This cancellation was not received with much surprise by most of its audience, who, after a season marked by the departure of an original cast member, anticipated the inevitable. However, Legacies' failure can hardly be exclusively attributed to what happened during its final stretch, having the problems of "the little spin-off that wouldn't" started long before the final nail was ever hammered into its coffin.

The Forgotten Legacy

As a spin-off, Legacies inherited not only a well-established vast universe from its predecessors but also the obligation to find its own voice within it. It's quite the burden, but let's be honest: anyone who wanted to revisit The Vampire Diaries or The Originals could do so at any time, so something a little different wouldn't have been frowned upon. However, while there is much to be said about Legacies' distinct tone – and, believe me, we will get to it –, one of its cardinal sins will forever be the relationship of narrative neglect it maintained to the original series.

For a self-titled "legacies" show, Legacies always used its source material rather loosely, treating the inherited mythology and characters with carelessness. If its solid mythological foundation was disrespected and scattered with the introduction of the ill-fated "monster of the week," so were the very characters who were brought into this derivative of The Vampire Diaries. By name alone, Hope, Josie (Kaylee Bryant), and Lizzie (Jenny Boyd) are the "legacies" the series should've served. Instead, the baggage they had accumulated throughout both original series and its implications were often minimized to favor a more carefree plot, reducing the main trio to a mere shadow of what it could've been.

It's purely antithetical that Legacies sought to capitalize on the emotional connection its audience had to the source material all the while ignoring it entirely, but that didn't stop it from trying. This led to the existence of cameos and references that, in an attempt to evoke a nostalgic feeling, appeared at moments that contributed little to the plot. If, in The Originals, Hope's family moved heaven and earth for the young tribrid, in Legacies, they seemed too busy to provide any kind of support to the character until the ratings demanded it. As for Caroline's (Josie and Lizzie's mother, portrayed by Candice Accola) absence, although its reason was briefly explained at the beginning of the season, her mission hardly justified her being gone through circumstances that truly warranted her visit, with the character making her first and only appearance in Legacies' series finale.

Everything Everywhere All at Once

As previously mentioned, it's no secret that Legacies attempted to differentiate itself from the other series in its universe by adopting a lighter tone, opting for largely inconsequential narratives, caricatured villains, and a whole roster of stock characters. During its first season, this gave the show its own vibe, something akin to series like Legends of Tomorrow: a comic book series with a somewhat out-there premise, but still with rather captivating characters. However, Legacies quickly began to alternate between its decidedly camp style and a more serious tone in an attempt to rationalize its overall lack of seriousness. Thus, while one episode would present a more grounded reality, the next would return to its extravagant origins, giving rise to scenarios such as a musical, a dream world, and even an alternate universe.

This inconsistency in tone between episodes had a negative impact on the various storylines and how they were received. The constant change not only left the series' audience uncertain about what to expect from any given episode but also caused many important storylines to fall flat, their content and message often contrasting with the overall tone of that particular chapter.

It's fair to say Legacies tried to be a bit of everything: comedy, drama, fantasy, film noir, western – the list goes on. But thinking that this amalgamation of genres would result in a cohesive series was just another of the many mistakes made by the production. Continuing on this topic, whose inevitable conclusion is the maxim "less is more," Legacies was inconsistent even with its characters, introducing a too vast array of figures that, ultimately, it couldn't develop. Instead of focusing on the main and secondary characters it introduced during its first season, the series wasted its time not only with the monsters that appeared in each new episode, but also with so many figures whose impact on the narrative proved negligible. Eventually, this disregard was reflected in the loss of actors (such as Olivia Liang or Peyton Alex Smith) and characters of interest to the audience to more appealing projects.

A Wronged Protagonist

Werewolf, vampire, witch. These are the three factions from which Hope Mikaelson descends, making her the first tribrid in the The Vampire Diaries universe and one of the most powerful supernatural beings in its mythology. When dealing with characters as overpowered as Hope, there are several avenues writers can explore to lay the foundation for their conflict. They can create an even greater force to pose a challenge to the protagonist, or they can choose to present an internal struggle, for example. Ideally, good writers seek to develop both external and internal conflicts side by side. Legacies, however, relegated all of Hope's baggage to the background, neglecting all that made the character great in favor of a supernatural bulldozer that had little use beyond dealing with whatever threat was present at the time.

The primary conflict for a character like Hope Mikaelson should always be internal – that's a fact. In this particular case, Legacies had no shortage of material to work with, to the extent that it would be possible to write an entire article about its protagonist alone. Identity crises due to her unique position in the supernatural world, expectations associated with her lineage, the fear of becoming like her parents, ethical and moral issues related to her powers, the fear of losing those around her... These are just some of the many viable options the series had at its disposal but, unfortunately, chose not to explore.

Another criticism that must be leveled at how Legacies treated its protagonist related to the romantic relationship between the character and Landon Kirby (played by Aria Shaghasemi). For reasons that, in all honesty, I'm still unable to comprehend, higher powers believed it would be beneficial for the series to focus its narrative on Landon instead of Hope. Thus, storylines like that of Malivore – which initiated the external conflict of Legacies – gradually began to shift toward the character, placing Hope in a secondary position.

Finally, the very characterization of the protagonist suffered from the presence of Landon in her orbit. Any qualities or interests the young Mikaelson might've had faded over time. In a way (and taking the opportunity to make a Barbie reference), he was everything; she was just Hope.

The Risks Not Taken

The existence of a protagonist like Hope, all-powerful and always ready to save the day, was a factor that consistently contributed to the lack of perceived stakes throughout the series. Legacies had several other opportunities to raise the bar of its storyline but, like many other aspects discussed throughout this article, it chose the easiest path to tread. In general, whenever something a bit more daring happened, it quickly got resolved. This rule could be applied to almost everything within the show, from narrative threads that were concluded easily and inconsequentially to the deaths and subsequent resurrections of a handful of characters.

Combined with the fact that the narrative was almost circular in both its content and development, this regression in any kind of weighty decision resulted in a progressive loss of interest for an audience that, considering the unpredictability of The Vampire Diaries and The Originals, concluded that the spin-off was entirely too mild.

In summary, the series made promises it simply couldn't keep. Its initial marketing and the premise set forth during its first season had little to do with what the spin-off eventually became. Instead of a drama about the trials and tribulations of supernatural teenagers with a special focus on a trio of female lead characters, the audience ended up with a clash of titans between these same young adults and Greco-Roman gods. No, I don't think it's unreasonable to say that the production of Legacies lost the plot.

Even with months separating the end of the series and the date I finish writing this article, it's impossible not to feel a certain level of frustration with this spin-off. Legacies had everything it needed to become a successful series, including feedback from the audience and numerous opportunities over time to correct its many mistakes, but it never did. Whether out of pride or stubbornness, it continued to dig its own grave by reinforcing everything its fans and critics complained about. For this reason, Legacies will forever live in my memory not as "the little spin-off that could" (an allusion to the folktale The Little Engine That Could), but rather as "the little spin-off that wouldn't."

You can revisit Legacies on Max.

[natalieironside]

Introducing the Writer Tag Game

Ty @iloveyou-writers for making this and to @thewriteflame for tagging me <3

Rules: fill in the blanks with as much or little detail as you would like and tag some writer friends to play too. (blank version)

Hello, there. My name is award-winning speculative fiction author Natalie H. Ironside and I won a writing contest in high school one time that I'm gonna milk harder than Pabst milks their one blue ribbon. I'm a writer of the dark sci-fi and dark fantasy genre(s) and I love to write about sad gay ppl in horrible situations. Also, hope. The hope is very important, and my stories can get pretty dark but they always have happy endings.

I cover a broad enough range that I think I can just reject the dichotomy of SFW/NSFW (everything is adequately tagged and described so the rest is in God's hands). I write about some pretty dark themes and a lot of my work deals with the aftermath of stuff like sexual violence and child abuse, so just be aware of that, as well as the "entrails, lovingly described" throughout. Tropes you will never find in my writing include any salacious depictions of sexual violence (the word "aftermath" in the above is an important one) or...Well, I'm not sure how to put this. Most of my protags are racial, religious, sexual, or some other sort of minority, and obviously there's some darkness in the world et cetera, but there's a certain way of framing bigotry in fiction as though it's cinematic action violence which I find uniquely distasteful and I will not be doing any of that. I'm not sure if I'm explaining this in a way that makes any sense at all but I promise to never try to be the Kojima of sexism.

In my humble opinion, my best work I've posted is The Scruggsdale Organizer #4: Local Woman About Tired of All This Mess because I think it's very funny. Maybe I'm just being precious, but comedy is really really hard and I very rarely even bother trying at it but I'm pretty proud of The Scruggsdale Organizer and this installment in particular. For y'all who don't know, which I'm sure is a lot of y'all since I haven't posted about it in forever, The Scruggsdale Organizer is an epistolary horror-comedy serial about a little town in rural Mississippi where strange supernatural things happen, but instead of blog posts or letters the story is being told through articles in a weekly anarchist zine. Yeah, I guess I've written some "novels" and some "short stories" and some "poetry" or whatever, but I look at Scruggsdale Organizer #4 as a time I set out to do a specific thing and just really nailed it; it's the literary equivalent of parking the car in the spot just right.

My all-time favorite character I've made is Freydis Gothi Thorkilsdottir, daughter of Thorkil Gothi Swordbreaker, Matron of War Witches, Matron of War Matrons, High Field Marshal, Eater of Cities, Mother of Abominations, and Chief Royal Consort. She's a recurring protagonist in my Nameless Queen dark fantasy universe and I am love her very much. Freydis is an enormous ginger transsexual, a sword-and-board fighter who can cast wicked spells, and a rough-and-tumble freebooting adventurer type who suddenly found herself part of the royal court and fast-tracked into becoming a monstrous demigod. It's super weird for her and she's dealing with a whole "to become a god is to lose everything that made life worth living" situation but she's also having a rip-roaring good time while she does it.

Something I'd love for you to know about my writing that isn't listed in this game is, well, I feel like we got kinda dark in the middle there, so I wanted to end back where we began and talk about hope. What really does it for me when it comes to the dark stuff is recovery; I like telling stories about recovery. My characters sometimes have very very bad days, but tomorrow can always be better than yesterday and there's always a reason to keep trying.

Thank you for reading and now I challenge the following people to fill this out: I seem to have misplaced my list of people who said they liked participating in tag games so I'm leaving this one open. I tag each and every one of you.

[danthediamondminecart]

Hi!

Got some questions mostly for the RBB Pokemon AU! :D

1. In your RBB Pokemon AU, Will Tanqr ever get exposed for being part of an evil team?

2. In the Pokemon RBB AU, Is Tanqr like Chairman Rose from Pokemon Sword and Shield?

3. In your RBB Pokemon AU, How is Tanqr ever related to the villain group?

4. In the RBB Pokemon AU, What is the name of the region where the AU is gonna take place? Is it still Robloxia or no?

5. In your RBB Pokemon AU, how in the world did Kreek became an elite four? He must have been really powerful.

6. In your RBB Pokemon AU, Will we ever get an custom battle gimick exclusive to the region on where the RBB Pokemon AU takes place?

7. In your RBB Pokemon AU, is PinkLeaf the "Ash Ketchum" of this AU or no?

8. In BLSMP, Does the time in the BLSMP server work the same as the time in Robloxia or does the time in the BLSMP server work differently than Robloxia?

9. In your BLSMP AU, What do you mean by God-Adjacent? Like can you please explain in detail because I am generally curious!

10. In your RBB Pokemon AU, Are the characters in the AU all human or some of them are not human such as some of them being animal hybrids, supernatural creatures, etc.

This is a heck ton of questions, hope you don't mind answering them! Also how's your hand btw?

More questions! My hand is fine, btw, the burn was less bad than we thought. Just got a lil lump lol

I really hope answering lots of questions on the Pokemon AU motivates me to work on the drawings for it again, lol.

I'll try to post what I have done of it here eventually, for those confused! For now I'll link to Twitter.

Okay, let's go!

Q1, 2 + 3: I'm putting these in the same group because the answer to the first two questions is no, the reason being Question 3. Tanqr is not a villain, nor is he part of the villainous group - he's wholly a good guy, just a little mysterious. He's related to it in the same way Russo is related to the villainous group - in a sort of punny way.

Q4: Yep! You can find the map of it here.

Q5: Well, Kreek used to be the Top Champion of Robloxia before Tanqr beat him out. He is an incredibly skilled Pokemon battler, having practiced it for most of his life (as opposed to Tanqr's seemingly natural talent). He just happened to get overtaken - but he's still the leader of the Elite 4, and a tough challenge for any prospective battler.

Q6: Yes! It is called Metalysis, and you can find Professor Boringsworth's notes on it here. (It's basically Terastallisation but with a different aesthetic.)

Q7: Nope. He's simply a member of the Elite 4 - if he had more time to train and more confidence in himself, he probably could've become Champion, but he didn't. Still, he and Bella are the youngest members of the Robloxian Pokemon League to this day. The closest character to Ash would be you, the Battler. (To note: The RBB Pokemon AU is closer to the structure of the games, not the anime.)

Q8: For the sake of simplicity, yes. In practice, most likely not, but because I'm the author and I don't want to figure out timeline things, yes. You get the gist.

Q9: As Russo said, and as I outlined here, he wields / is the concept of Truth itself. The items, to him, simply enhance his already existing powerset. That's basically god-adjacent, right? He started off mortal, hence 'adjacent'.

I tend to refer to them as 'demi-gods' in my notes. Hence [REDACTED]'s reaction to him. (Disclaimer: the redaction is not a spoiler for things yet to come - the chapter I am referring to is already posted.)

BLSMP itself isn't an AU in the traditional sense - it's canon divergence. So basically, anything I say about my take on the 'canon' versions of the cast applies to BLSMP as well (as long as it's pre-Season 3).

Q10: All Pokemon AU human characters are, well, human.

[goshdangronpa]

"Screw it, Danganronpa Vampire AU" pt. 1 (Trigger Happy Havoc)

So, Danganronpa is my favorite video game series. My favorite book series is Anno Dracula, an alternate timeline created by Kim Newman in which Bram Stoker's Count not only survives the events of the novel, but becomes king of England and reveals the existence of vampires to the world. Newman's books explore the ramifications across world history, with real figures (Queen Victoria, the Red Baron, Winston Churchill) and even characters crossing over from other fictions (Inspector Lestrade, James Bond) being vampires thenselves.

Rereading the terrific first book naturally got my mind mixing these two fixations. How might Danganronpa's characters be different in an AU where turning isn't unusual and many vampires live alongside, and sometimes in tension with, the "warm"? I'm gonna write a few posts, starting with the cast of Trigger Happy Havoc

Aoi Asahina: swimming is hardly a problem for vampires, who don't need to hold their breath. It's all the more impressive that a warm girl like Aoi can beat them in races, winning her an Ultimate slot. She'll never turn - she loves the flavor of high-calorie snacks too much to settle for an all-blood diet.

Byakuya Togami: warm for now - he believes vampirism is the natural choice for supreme human beings like himself, but he'd rather not be a teen for the rest of his life. Unfortunately for him, that means Genocide Jack can still drink his blood, and Toko can simultaneously live out a vampire master/human servant fantasy. Proof that the warm can be just as cold as the dead.

Celestia Ludenberg: claims to be a vampire of Countess Elizabeth Bathory's bloodline, but isn't even a vampire. She sure wants to be, though, and fantasizes just as much as her normal DR version about living in a castle with a harem of vampire boys.

Chihiro Fujisaki: warm, yet a firm believer in vampire supremacy. Even in regular DR, she believes there are two types of people in this dog-eat-dog world: the strong and the weak. She wants Mondo to turn her so she can be among the strong. Something odd happens in her murder, causing her spirit to wander the school before settling in a laptop. From inside the computer, she manually codes a presentation of herself - not AI, but the two Chihiro.

Hifumi Yamada: honestly, he probably wouldn't be that different. I do like the idea of him becoming Celestia's drudge, manipulated into believing he must serve her even though she doesn't have any vampire powers to actually enchant him like that.

Junko Enoshima: the rare vampire who shows up on film, but her true nature is a well-kept secret. In this version of THH, it really is Junko who gets impaled on the Spears of Gungnir (sorry, Mukuro fans). However, she designed them to miss her chest and heart. She spends the rest of the game recovering with supernatural healing, fueled by feeding off the blood of victims and executed blackeneds. More dangerous still, she's an energy vampire who feeds on other people's despair. If ever Dracula had an heir, it was her.

Kiyotaka Ishimaru: despite his father turning vampire as a means of advancing his political career, he remains warm. His friendship with Mondo challenges his negative bias against vampires. "Ishimondo" remains as bizarre and inexplicable as in the game - he's no longer fully warm, though a gross attempt at drinking blood suggests he didn't somehow become fully a vampire either.

Kyoko Kirigiri: tell me this girl wouldn't be a vampire. She refuses to share her turning experience, which may have something to do with her perpetually gloved hands. Her nature enhances her perception of small details, an asset to her detective work. However, the transactional nature of vampirism strongly influences her worldview, making her sensitive when she feels like others aren't giving her as much as she's giving them.

Leon Kuwata: another character who likely wouldn't be too different. In besting and slaying Sayaka, he'd mainly serve in the narrative to prove that the warm can be just as physically powerful and lethally dangerous as vampires.

Makoto Naegi: warm and perfectly ordinary as ever. He's a little nervous around vampires, having not met many before. He warms up to them as he gets to know them, especially Kyoko, who gives much of her blood to him after he nearly dies in his botched execution. His first time in a bloodgiving interaction gives him the power and vitality to defeat the mastermind, and his spreading of hope to his peers deprives Junko of the despair that gives her such great power. If Junko is Dracula, Makoto is the sun.

Mondo Owada: turned vampire so he could be even gnarlier and stronger, though his brother Daiya chose to remain warm. He became reckless like so many young vampires and would've been killed once had Daiya not sacrificed himself for him. He tries to give Chihiro what she wants, but her twisted views of vampiric masculinity unintentionally hit him where it hurts. The resulting mental break makes him lose control of his feeding, draining her to death.

Sakura Ogami: fully warm. Even with their enhanced strength, all but the fiercest elders would fall in battle with her, more than earning her the title of Ultimate Martial Artist. Jealous rivals speculate that she allows vampires to feed on her so some of their power can transfer to her in the process.

Sayaka Maizono: turning vampire was one of the many choices she felt compelled to make for the sake of her music career. If she can't age, she can be a teen idol forever. This version really is an esper. A silver knife to the chest kills her just as good as in the game.

Toko Fukawa: her split identity was always too cartoony to really fit any real condition or disorder. Here, she's a halfa, Blade-style, compartmentalizing her human and vampire sides into Toko and Genocide Jack. Of course it's not healthy, as Jack tends to kill those she feeds on (cute boys are her preference). Even that changes when she meets a certain girl in Towa City ...

Yasuhiro Hagakure: warm, but a Hope's Peak research team infused him as a child with the blood of multiple psychic vampires until he became a greater psychic than all of them. Otherwise as chipper and unserious as ever.

And Monokuma can be a little bat. Monokomori.

[instantbreplay]

Note: I really wanted to post this, but I decided to make it into parts because there are a lot of characters to go through. Consider this part 1!

Recently, I’ve been listening to Twisted Wonderland English voice headcanons, and I agree with some but not others but that’s the point of headcanons. They’re always someone’s thoughts, and sometimes they fit perfectly! So, I wanted to give my headcanons for the Twisted Wonderland cast.

Part 1: Heartslabyul

Ace Trappola — Max Mittleman

Most known for:

Saitama in One Punch Man

Ryuji Sakamoto in Persona 5

Arataki Itto in Genshin Impact

I chose Max because I agreed with a few other headcanons! Max, during his performances as Itto and Ryuji, has a very playful and mischievous tone of voice and as Saitama, he can perfect a voice that’s nonchalant, a bit bored, and blunt which summarizes Ace as a whole. When thinking of Saitama, I remembered his scream when he punched Vaccine Man with one punch and got mad and when he told Genos to get to the point, and that could fit with Ace as he signed a contract with Azul and had a sea anemone growing out of his head and got crushed by a cauldron.

Deuce Spade — Johnny Yong Bosch

Most known for:

Vash the Stampede in TRIGUN (original from 1998) and TRIGUN: Stampede (2023 reboot)

Lelouch Lamperouge in Code Geass

Ichigo Kurosaki in Bleach

Personally, as a girl who loves both TRIGUN shows, I loved the way Johnny performed; as Vash in both versions, he maintained a kind and gentle voice while also being silly and giving out the best surprised shouts or nervous chuckles at the right moments. This would make Deuce very memorable as Deuce has a bit of Vash’s personality towards his friends but still maintains a little of his delinquency from his past and acts more of a tough guy when certain challenges arise such as when his opportunity to play in Spelldrive came, but after playing Ichigo, I doubt that would be an issue to give a rough voice.

Trey Clover — Alejandro Saab

Most known for:

Cyno in Genshin Impact

Izumi Miyamura in Horiyama

Yuri in Fire Emblem: Three Houses

This was another one I agreed with as Alejandro is the king of voice range! Trey is the calmest yet one of the firmest vice housewardens, and sometimes can go out of character a bit when it comes to brushing teeth. Alejandro fits this as I heard him play the most serious yet punniest Genshin Impact character, Cyno, who breaks character to break the tension in the room through jokes, but he is also capable of being a gentle soul who comforts like Miyamura or someone as calculating and diligent as Jing Yuan in Honkai Star Rail.

Cater Diamond — Kaiji Tang

Most known for:

Osamu Dazai in Bungo Stray Dogs

Satoru Gojo in Jujutsu Kaisen

Gengo in Naruto Shippuden

I won’t lie; finding Cater’s voice actor was difficult until I stumbled upon Kaiji who voices Osamu and Gojo, two playful and supernaturally powerful men with quips and mischief. When Osamu said thanks to Chuuya after telling him to go into enemy fire to die, I knew this fit Cater too well as Osamu, like Cater, is depressed but keeps a smile on his face with a fun, joking tone with any situation, and like Gojo, Cater is a bit flirty (not womanizer flirty). Although he might have a little more of a feminine sounding voice because it is canon in the Japanese version that he is bisexual, I'm sure it would still be fitting to have Kaiji as his actor.

Riddle Rosehearts — Billy Kametz

Most known for:

Naofumi Iwatani in The Rising of the Shield Hero

Ferdinand von Aegir in Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes

Josuke Higashikata in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable

Not only was Billy Kametz talented with line delivery, but he brings out the personality of his character that playing Riddle would have been magnificent. It is unfortunate that he passed on, but I still appreciate his work. What really made me choose him for Riddle was his performance as Anai in the Sanrio anime Aggretsuko because Anai was one to get easily sensitive over everything, feeling as if he was being personally attacked because he didn't like how one of his coworkers phrased their words to him. Because Billy played such a stickler, his voice would have suited Riddle in better ways than imagined with other voice actors, especially when he gets upset or angry or even overblots.

[queen-of-deans-booty]

Everybody Hates Hitler: Part Two

Pairing: Dean Winchester x Female!Reader

Word Count: ~2.2k

Warnings: canon angst and violence

Author’s Note: I do not own anything from Supernatural. All credit goes to their respective owners. Any and all comments on these are appreciated.

There aren't any more entries because the last entry was made by your mom. This journal only dates back to the late 1700s, but you know that you come from a line of witches dating back much further than that. Was your mom a Men of Letters as well? You've gotten so much use out of your magic, you can't imagine a life without it. Since you're technically next in line to become the Sapphire Witch, there aren't any other entries after your mom.

It says that the Sapphire Witch can utilize Order Magic, allowing mastery of spells capable of manipulating and/or reconstructing reality and the very fabric of existence, and bring about order to the cosmos. The Sapphire Witch is a being capable of spontaneous creation. She can shape and manipulate this magic for different effects, such as forming tangible constructs of energy or cast spells without incantation.

Basically, you're a badass who doesn't need spells to do magic.

The rest of the journal does go into great detail about the capabilities the Sapphire Witch has, but they're all rumors since no Sapphire Witch has achieved that level of power before. Apparently, the greatest Sapphire Witch can warp reality however she sees fit, and she can create small zones in which reality follows her wishes and rules. If you achieve this, you can create pockets in the real world where the laws of physics don't apply to within the pocket you created.

The Sapphire Witch can create life where there was none previously, can teleport, can manipulate the weather as well as all four elements. All these things are rumors, but no one has ever been able to do it. That kind of gives you a challenge to work towards, but you know you may never actually reach it.

You're nowhere near being the most powerful you can be, but with a lot of practice, you can get there. This journal now belongs to you, and you hope that one day, you can add to it and make your own entry to pass onto Joanna, Maryann, and any other daughters you may bear.

"I can do anything," you whisper, staring at the journal in front of you.

Knowing the brothers have to see this, you get up and bring the notebook with you on your way to the twins' nurseries. Joanna is in there helping them build the cribs since that's the last thing that needs to be done. They've been working so hard the past week, you're grateful to have them in your life.

"Hey, is everything okay?" Dean asks when he sees you.

"Check this out. I found this book all about the Sapphire Witch. Henry said that I was supposed to become one. The stuff each witch wrote about in here is amazing. I can't believe it." You tell them everything you found, and they're shocked to say the least. "I'm a fucking badass. I mean, my only limit is my imagination."

"That you are," Dean chuckles. "Alright, we deserve a break."

Sam and Dean do deserve a break, and Dean's version of that is to take a long ass shower. Can you blame him? You took one the first night you got here, and the water pressure is amazing. Sam, on the other hand, went to check out the library since he didn't get a good look at the books. Joanna and Zeus follow you and Sam to the library where you take back your seat at one of the big library tables.

Thirty minutes later, Dean walks back into the room wearing one of the gray bathrobe and slippers left behind by the previous occupants. Sam managed to create his own library on the other table based on how many books are laid out around him.

"The water pressure in the Letters' shower room is marvelous."

"Yeah. I still can't figure out how we even have water... or electricity."

"Yep. I am putting that under the 'ain't broke' column. Listen, little brother, let's not go all geek on this stuff, okay?"

"Geek?" you and Sam ask at the same time.

"Yeah, I mean, don't get me wrong," Dean lifts a scimitar, which is a very long and pointy sword that's on display, "this stuff is awesome, and it looks like they ran a real tight outfit here, but I'm just saying, you know, don't think that they knew some big secrets that we don't know."

Dean strikes a pose with the scimitar while Sam's back is to him. He doesn't think anyone is watching him, but you are, and you have a wide smile on your face. As Sam turns, Dean quickly straightens up and pretends like he wasn't having fun.

"Dean, they were a secret society."

"Which means that they made shit up and wore fezzes and sashes and swung around scimitars. They probably didn't even sharp--" Dean runs his finger along the blade and cuts himself, stopping him from finishing his sentence. "That's very sharp."

"You're an idiot," you roll your eyes.

Dean replaces the scimitar back on the stand before he hurts himself more or someone else.

"Dean, look, I think we might have something here--something that could help us and help humanity. Henry certainly thought so. I mean, you know damn well we could use a break. What if we finally got one?"

"Are you gonna take off the dead-guy robe?" you ask, briefly changing subjects.

"No."

Week Two

"Are you ready to see your new room?"

"Yeah!" Joanna says happily.

You got her everything she asked for which meant you spent a lot of time in the princess section of the store. Everything in her room is pink, white, blue, and stocked with princesses and stuffed animals. You open the door to introduce her to it, but she is too excited to hear what you have to say. She screams happily and runs inside, giggling at how pink it looks.

"Happy?"

"Yeah!"

"Good."

You let her bask in the glory of her new room alone as you head across the hall to where the twins' room is. You used your magic and helped finish the room, so you already know what it looks like. This is everything you could have ever wanted, and nothing could ruin this moment. The room next to Joanna's room is her playroom where all of her toys and games are, and since it's only your little family, you're not worried about taking up some of the extra rooms. Speaking of taking up the extra rooms, you made Dean knock down the wall separating his bedroom and the bedroom next to him so that you two could have a master bedroom of sorts. If you two were going to share a room, you'd need something bigger than what they had.

Ever since reading the journal, you've been practicing with your magic in ways you've never used it before. It's taken some effort, but you're able to change objects into something that's different. For example, you're able to take the queen bed that's normally inside the bedrooms and turn it into a California King. Your bedroom also consists of a walk-in closet that you absolutely love.

Dean deserves to have his own space as well, so you're also using one more bedroom for either one of you if you ever need some time apart from each other. Zeus doesn't have his own bedroom, but you did make him his own little corner in the library. You can keep him here in the air conditioning while you go out and hunt without worry that he is going to run away.

It's a nice little setup you have got going on here.

You're seven months pregnant now, so this is a perfect spot to wind down in and get ready for the twins' arrival. Dean is out right now getting more food for the house since you've been here for two weeks, and Sam is still nose deep in all the books. You and Joanna are sitting near Sam playing a tea party. Sam doesn't mind since he gets to hear the little giggles coming from his niece.

Soon, Dean comes back with food, and he sets his duffel bag on the table next to where you and Sam are.

"Hey, how's Kevin doing?" Sam asks.

"He's okay, I guess. He's in his corner, hacking out his Da Vinci code--nothing actionable yet. Garth says hi, by the way. Anything from Cas?"

"No, not a peep. Why?"

"He's not answering."

"Right. Well, uh, so I have been trying to chart out the Letters' network of hunters, their allies, and affiliated groups they worked with prior to 1958. Most are dead or defunct, but others, I'm not so sure. There's this one that you should definitely check out."

Sam places a file with the Aquarian Star symbol on it over to Dean.

"The Judah Initiative?"

"It's a European team. They were active during World War II."

"Really? Hunters fighting in a war? That's cool," you shrug.

"Not exactly hunters and not exactly fighting. They're Rabbi's."

"Wait, really?" you ask, suddenly interested.

"The Letters' file on them is sketchy, but they were hard-core saboteurs. So, I ran a search on the Initiative's entire roster, and I got a hit on Rabbi Isaac Bass. He was seventeen years old when he joined the Initiative and eighty-five years old when he died two weeks ago in a college town back east."

"What happened to him?"

"He was there doing research, and according to eyewitnesses, he spontaneously combusted."

"So, this is a case?" Dean asks, and Sam raises his eyebrows at him in confusion. "I just got back."

"If I have to go, you're going. Come on, Jo, let's go get ready."

"Okay, mama."

After getting ready, you leave Zeus at the bunker with more than enough food and water to last until you can come back. Sam is stuck on research duty, so you have him and Joanna at the campus library while you and Dean head to the local campus pub to talk to some of the students about the professor who died.

There were some kids who didn't want to talk to you, but two young women took one look at your husband and decided they wanted to spill the beans to him. You're not jealous since you're getting the information, but you do make it known that you're clearly married to him and pregnant. Dean smirks when he sees you showing off your ring, but he doesn't say anything about it.

"He was a really nice old kook," one of them says.

"Kook? How so?"

"You know, he'd talk a lot to us, to himself, or to anyone who'd listen. He was always talking about this secret war that nobody knew was going on."

"Conspiracy stuff. He was obsessed with Nazis, but he said they were 'Special Nazis'. You know, necromancers."

"Necromancers?" you ask, raising your eyebrows.

You happen to look behind the two girls and see a bearded young man carrying a fruity drink with a pink umbrella. He sits down at a high table and watches you and Dean. You've actually seen him a few times around campus, but you thought he was just a student.

"Yeah, like from that world of whatever-craft that my little brother is always playing," one of the women says, bringing you back into the conversation.

"Nazi... necromancers," Dean says, looking at you.

"It's sad that old people go so crazy sometimes."

"I know, it's sad."

The bearded young man at the high table catches your eye again, but this time, he's looking at Dean. He smiles and raises his hand at him flirtatiously. That throws off both you and Dean, but you try to ignore him.

"I'm sorry. You both saw the accident?" Dean shakes his head.

"I can still hear his screams. It was like the fire was alive, like it was attacking him."

"It was like watching the most awful movie of the most terrible thing you could possibly see."

It's clear the man at the table isn't going to stop staring at you, so maybe he has some information that might be useful to you. You excuse yourself from the two women and get up, following Dean over to the man. He sees you two coming and suddenly gets shy, looking down in embarrassment.

"Special Agent Bolan and Recker," Dean says, flashing his badge at him.

"Oh, really? Wow. I thought you were like a headhunter or something," he laughs.

"This is the second, maybe third time I'm seeing you today? Why are you following us, Gingerbread?"

"Oh, so we, um... we didn't have a thing back there, huh?"

This is the last thing you thought he would say, and you burst out laughing at the thought of this man thinking he had a romantic connection with your husband. You look at Dean to see his bitch face, and you quickly cough to cover up the fact that you were laughing.

"Sorry. I am his very pregnant wife," you say to him.

"I'm sorry, man. I thought we had a thing back at the quad, you know, a little 'eye magic' moment, and I saw you here and I figured I'd wait until you were done with your meeting. I can see now that it's not going to happen."

"Even if I wasn't married, this is a federal investigation."

"Is that supposed to make you less interesting?"

"We should go," you giggle.

"You two have a good night."

You and Dean got up, and thankfully, Sam called his phone. The man makes Dean nervous, so Dean turns to respond, but he ends up knocking into the table behind him.

"You have a--okay." Dean quickly leaves the pub, and as soon as you're outside, you burst out laughing again. "Shut your mouth."

"I can't, that was so funny," you laugh some more.

x

Follow my library blog @aqueenslibrary​​ where I reblog all my stories, so you can put notifications on there without the extra stuff :)

[princeescaluswords]

For the same ask game, 4 + 16 + 74?

4. Where do you find inspiration for new ideas?

Strangely enough, I get most of my inspiration from the interplay between different media creations (literature, television, cinema) and the fandoms that exist around them. On the positive side, I am still amazed by the perspectives and the variations that people can bring to a text, even if I don't agree with them. On the negative side, I am quite frankly tasked by the racism, by the misogyny, by obsessive hostility, by the decadence pervasive in the fandom, but it also inspires me to answer it.

I have an imagination, fantastic but also moral. When I read something that I hadn't considered before, such as your excellent Great War AU for Teen Wolf, I can see how you draw a parallel between the established mores of class and patriotism that propelled British youth into Flanders fields. Your versions of the cast are placed into a bloody war not of their own making which served the interests of people above their social and economic level rather than into a supernatural feud not of their own making which served the interests of people above their social and economic level. I wouldn't want to write the same thing, but I am in the initial stages of an AU set in California during the American Civil War, where concepts of human dignity were in direct conflict. After all, I see human dignity as a value in and of itself as a core value of Teen Wolf expressed through its lead protagonist.

And then there is the endless inspiration through negative example (referred to in fandom terms as 'spitefic') where fundamentally corrupt interpretations inspire me to write countering fictions. For example, one that always gets my passion burning is the fanon idea that the primary problem with Teen Wolf is that Scott doesn't kill enough people, conjured in complete disregard of how the very story was predicated on the endless acts of vengeance between Argent and Hale. I can never bring any version of Scott, even the ones I write who do kill, to treat human life cheaply, and there is always scorn for those who do.

16. How many fic ideas are you nurturing right now? Share one of them?

I presently am preparing for publication my final offering in Scottuary 2023, a missing scene from The Wolves of War, but I have four other stories in planning stages. There's a lull, as a lack of WIPs mean that I don't have a nagging voice in the back of my head telling me that I made a promise of finish that story, so I better finish it.

I won't talk about the one that's going up this Saturday -- people will see that soon enough -- but the one that I'm interested in the most is the one I mentioned above: the Civil War Era story, set in California in 1861 rather than in 2011. It will require a significant amount of reading and research on my part, as there are three significant cultures I want to study -- the indigenous peoples, the remnants of Spanish control, and the American entrepreneurs that dominated the mid-19th century Californian society in the wake of the 40s gold rush. It would be quite a challenge to pull off successfully.

The others are continuations of my MCU fusion and my Game of Thrones fusion along with one that is difficult to write but persistent in hanging around. It's a very dark fiction, an exploration of the consequences if a post-nogitsune Stiles bought into Peter's proposition that you can kill your way to safety, because I've seen too many triumphant Steter-Kills-Anyone-They-Don't-Like-and-Live Happily-Ever-After power fantasies for them not to leave an impression.

74. You’ve posted a fic anonymously. How would someone be able to guess that you’d written it?

Aside from the characteristic typos? For some reason, I tend to leave suffixes off words or leave out necessary words altogether. But mostly I reject the idea that teenage characters don't think about their own actions and that it is boring and presumptuous to spend time wondering if they are doing the right thing. One of the flaws of many properties, including Teen Wolf, is the idea that audiences wouldn't be interested in the why. For example, Scott McCall had many adults mentoring them who demonstrated specific rationality about their behavior. It hurt the story to forbid Scott from talking about it. Empathy and compassion are not just intuitive phenomena. It does give my work a cerebral feel, though I've never posted a fiction anonymously.

[themovieblogonline]

Caddo Lake Review: A Haunting Dive into Time and Trauma

Caddo Lake is a thought-provoking thriller that weaves together mystery, supernatural elements, and deeply personal traumas in an atmospheric narrative. Directed by Celine Held and Logan George, the film deftly blends a story about family tension with a time-warping, psychological exploration of grief and loss. With M. Night Shyamalan producing, this movie contains the kind of emotional intensity and unexpected twists that fans of his work might anticipate. The strong performances by Dylan O’Brien and Eliza Scanlen further enhance the film’s haunting atmosphere, even as its intricate plot occasionally threatens to overwhelm its character-driven core. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rrx_lZxzjbQ An eerie central location: At the heart of Caddo Lake is its titular location, a sprawling, eerie body of water in Texas. The lake serves as both a physical and metaphysical presence, drawing the characters into its mysterious, time-bending pull. The setting, beautifully shot with murky, desaturated tones, feels almost like a character in its own right, embodying the layers of history and pain that ripple through the narrative. Premise: The film opens by focusing on Ellie (Eliza Scanlen), a rebellious teenager clashing with her family as she grapples with her place in a fractured household. Her step-sister Anna’s sudden disappearance near Caddo Lake marks the catalyst for the film’s central mystery. As Ellie embarks on a search to uncover what happened to Anna, she discovers that the lake holds the key to more than just the recent events—it also bridges past and present, unraveling a multigenerational web of trauma and connections she never anticipated. Parallel to this storyline is Paris (Dylan O’Brien), whose life is marked by tragedy when his mother drives their car off a bridge, leaving him to survive while she perishes. His investigation into the inexplicable event leads him back to Caddo Lake, where he too confronts the time-bending forces at play. As the stories of Ellie and Paris converge, the film builds tension while blurring the lines between reality and memory, grief and hope. Narrative structure: Caddo Lake’s narrative structure is both its strength and its potential pitfall. The film uses time manipulation as a central device, with different characters interacting with various time periods as they seek answers. Ellie’s discovery of her ability to travel through time when she walks across the receded lake bed adds layers of complexity, and the story grows increasingly convoluted as different time periods, characters, and plot threads intersect. There is something compelling about the way the film plays with the butterfly effect—the idea that small actions across time can have profound consequences on the present. For example, when Ellie encounters younger versions of people she knows in the future, the film challenges its characters to reckon with the weight of their actions and their family histories. The revelation that Ellie’s step-sister Anna is actually her grandmother creates a surprising and deeply personal twist that elevates the film’s emotional stakes. An ambitious story: However, the film’s ambition in weaving multiple timelines and mysteries together sometimes feels overly ambitious. While its core themes of trauma and familial connection are powerful, the plot occasionally loses focus in favor of intricate reveals and temporal disorientation. At times, it becomes difficult to keep track of how the various timelines align, which might frustrate viewers looking for a more streamlined narrative. Yet for those willing to embrace its intricacies, Caddo Lake offers a puzzle-like experience that challenges expectations and rewards close attention. Lead cast: What anchors Caddo Lake amidst its twisting, time-bending plot is the strength of its cast. Eliza Scanlen delivers a standout performance as Ellie, embodying the frustration, confusion, and determination of a teenager grappling with both typical adolescent angst and the extraordinary, supernatural mystery she finds herself entangled in. Her emotional range allows her to seamlessly shift between moments of deep vulnerability and fierce resilience, making Ellie a compelling character to root for. Dylan O’Brien as Paris brings a sense of quiet desperation to his role. His grief over his mother’s death and his search for answers about the circumstances of her crash add layers of pathos to his character. The scenes in which he tries to reconcile his experiences with the lake’s strange powers are some of the film’s most compelling, showcasing O’Brien’s ability to balance sorrow and determination. Supporting cast: Supporting performances, particularly from Lauren Ambrose as Ellie’s mother Celeste and Caroline Falk as Anna, add depth to the familial drama at the heart of the story. Ambrose portrays a mother trying to hold her fractured family together, while her past holds secrets that tie into the central mystery. Her scenes with Scanlen are emotionally charged, as their strained relationship becomes central to the film’s resolution. Eric Lange, as Ellie’s step-father Daniel, also adds complexity to the family dynamic, particularly as his connection to the past is revealed. Shyamalan's involvement and themes: With Shyamalan attached as a producer, Caddo Lake carries an air of suspense and psychological intrigue reminiscent of his work. While Held and George put their own distinct stamp on the film, Shyamalan’s influence is felt in the film’s focus on emotional undercurrents and the use of supernatural elements to explore deeper, more human fears. The film’s most powerful moments come not from the time-traveling revelations but from the characters’ emotional reckonings with their pasts and the impact their actions have on their loved ones. Caddo Lake also touches on themes of fate, legacy, and the cyclical nature of trauma. By using time displacement as a metaphor for how unresolved grief can haunt generations, the film delves into how past wounds shape the present. The final act, in particular, emphasizes the emotional weight of the film’s twists, as Ellie and Paris grapple with the revelation that their fates are intertwined in unexpected ways. Overall: Caddo Lake deserves praise for its ambitious storytelling, powerful performances, and atmospheric visuals. The film’s intricate plot may not always land as smoothly as intended, with certain narrative threads feeling overly complex or unresolved, but its emotional core keeps the viewer engaged. Eliza Scanlen and Dylan O’Brien bring vulnerability and depth to their roles, grounding the film’s supernatural elements in relatable, human struggles. For those who appreciate mysteries with a psychological edge and don’t mind a complex, time-bending narrative, Caddo Lake offers an engaging and suspenseful journey into the unknown depths of family, grief, and the passage of time. Read the full article

[walterteigan]

I made a monster

Most dnd fancontent created nowadays is for 5e, and very little in the way of 3.5 content has been created recently. I've been dming a 3.5 game for over a decade and have to make monsters A LOT so I figured I'd try to share some of the stuff I make.

I have modified this to be more easily used in more generic settings, though I suppose if asked I can post the original. This one here is an unmodified version without the breath weapon or energized fists.

I also can't draw to save my life so you're just getting text

Legering Golem

Huge construct

Hit Dice: 40d10+40 (220)

Initiative: +4

Speed: 40 ft. (8 squares)

Armor Class: 46 (-2 size, +4 dex, +28 natural, +4 haste), touch 12, flat-footed 42

Base Attack/Grapple: +30/+50

Attack: slam +50 melee (5d10+20)

Full Attack: 2 slams +50 melee (5d10+20)

Space/Reach: 15 ft./15 ft.

Special Attacks: trample

Special Qualities: construct traits, magic immunity, dr 50/+6, alacrity, arcane cloaking

Saves: Fort +23, Ref +27, Will +23

Abilities: Str 51, Dex 19, Con -, Int -, Wis 11, Cha 1

Skills: -

Feats: -

Environment: Any land

Organziation: Solitary or with controller

Challenge Rating: 23

Treasure: None

Alignment: Always Neutral

Advancement: 41-60 HD (Huge); 61-80 HD (Gargantuan)

The first legering golem was created through the collaboration between two high priests with the aid of their deities and was improved over generations. Later on, a more accessible version of the recipe became public and those who could afford the prohibitive expense, created more.

This golem is made of an alloy of mithril and adamantine that happens to be dense enough to act as lead, blocking magical attempts to determine its magical nature. It resembles a 30 foot tall humanoid and weighs 20,000 pounds. It cannot speak, cannot vocalize any sound, and has no discernable scent.

Combat

A legering golem gives no quarter, taking advantage of its strength and mobility to turn enemies into paste.

Alacrity (Su): Once per round, the legering golem may take an extra partial action (either before or after its other actions in the round).

Magic Immunity (Ex): A legering golem is immune to all magical and supernatural effects, except as follows. A slow spell negates its alacrity for 1d4 rounds, while a haste spell restores 1d6 hit points per level of the caster (maximum 10d6) or restores its alacrity, if previously negated by a slow spell. Multiple slow spells simply extend the duration of the effect.

Trample (Ex): As a standard action, during its turn, each round, the legering golem can literally run over an opponent at least one size category smaller than itself. The trample deals 8d10+30 points of bludgeoning damage. Trampled opponents can either attempt attacks of opportunity at a -4 penalty or Reflex saves (dc 40) for half damage.

Arcane Cloaking (Ex): A legering golem is coated in a mithril-adamantine alloy that blocks any divination spell of 9th level or lower that would reveal its magical nature.

Creating a Legering Golem

The legering golem's body requires 45,000 pounds of iron that is divided into two parts. The first is polymorphed into mithril and the second adamantine, both using polymorph any object. A bonding agent is then used to merge them into an alloy that is shaped into the desired form.

Construction requires 350,000 gp, which includes 15,000 gp for the body. Assembly requires a dc 35 Craft (armorsmithing) or Craft (weaponsmithing) check

The creator must be 27th level, have the Craft Epic Magic Arms and Armor feat and be able to cast arcane spells. The spell drains 8,000 XP from the creator and requires the spells bigby's crushing hand, geas/quest, haste, polymorph any object, and wish.

[the-vampire-queer]

The Vampires Digital Media Poll: Round 2, Bracket 2

Please reblog for a bigger sample size.

Results get posted on December 20th. at 5PM CST.

<- Previous poll | Next poll ->

If you wish to learn more about your options, either as a refresher or an introduction, press the "Keep reading" button.

What is Being Human (US + UK) about?

Summary:

US version: ""Being Human," based on a BBC series of the same name, features three 20-something roommates who each try to keep a secret from the rest of the world -- one is a ghost, another is a vampire and the third is a werewolf. The three roomies try to help one another navigate the complexities of living double lives." Source: Rotten Tomatoes

UK version: "Deciding to turn over a new leaf, a group of friends who also happen to be vampires and werewolves move into a house together, only to find that it is haunted by ghosts of people who have been killed under mysterious circumstances. As they deal with the challenges of being supernatural creatures, their desire to be human bonds them." Source: Rotten Tomatoes

Source: Being Human UK

Cast:

Russell Tovey - George Sands

Guy Flanagan (pilot) + Aidan Turner - John Mitchell (UK)

Andrea Riseborough (pilot) + Lenora Crichlow - Annie Sawyer (UK)

Sam Huntington - Josh Levison (US)

Sam Witwer - Aidan Waite (US)

Meaghan Rath - Sally Malik (US)

Mark Pellegrino - Bishop (US)

Note: Cast lists provided here are not complete lists of people and characters featured in the media being listed. These are partial lists that include some of the main characters and their actors.

Additional information: The UK version of the show came out first, airing on the BBC, dubbed Being Human (UK). Later, a new show of the same title would come out, dubbed Being Human (US).

In the UK version, two of the original three cast from the pilot would be replaced. These two would be Guy Flanagan and Andrea Riseborough, replaced by Aidan Turner and Lenora Crichlow respectively.

What is The Vampire Diaries (+ The Originals + Legacies) about?

Summary (TVD only, due to nature of spoilers when it comes to spin-offs): "This supernatural drama, based on the series of novels by L.J. Smith, details the lives of two brothers, Damon and Stefan Salvatore, who have been living as vampires for centuries. After years of moving from from place-to-place to hide their eternal youth (and bloodthirsty condition), the brothers return to the small Virginia town, Mystic Falls, where their lives as humans ended. Damon is snarky, handsome and charming, with a propensity for evil, while Stefan tries to remain noble -- in part to atone for bad behavior in his past." Source: Rotten Tomatoes

Source: The Vampire Diaries

Cast:

Nina Dobrev - Elena Gilbert (TVD)

Ian Somerhalder - Damon Salvatore (TVD)

Paul Wesley - Stefan Salvatore (TVD)

Candice King - Caroline Forbes (TVD)

Kat Graham - Bonnie Bennett (TVD)

Note: Cast lists provided here are not complete lists of people and characters featured in the media being listed. These are partial lists that include some of the main characters and their actors.

Additional information: The Vampire Diaries show is based on the books of the same name by L. J. Smith. Lots was changed in the book-to-show transfer. Some fans prefer the show over the books.

[dangeroustimemachinehologram]

MOTHERLAND: FORT SALEM review

Motherland: Fort Salem is an alternate version of America. Witches work for the government in return for non-persecution.

The action takes place in an alternative America, where witches ended persecution against them by making a deal with the government to fight for the country. Motherland: Fort Salem follows three young women, from training to deployment, fighting terrorist threats using supernatural tactics.

Interesting fact: The series was filmed in Vancouver, Canada.

Three hundred years ago, during the Salem witch trials, an Agreement was made under which witches would serve the United States as an army, in exchange for freedom, security, and the use of power with impunity. Thanks to this, nowadays, young, magical girls end up in a school - Fort Salem, where they train to be soldiers serving the country. Soon, young adepts will have to face a group of rebellious witches calling themselves SPREE, who despise the Agreement and are behind terrorist attacks on non-magical US citizens.

When it comes to Motherland: Fort Salem, I would like to praise the story concept and the amazing combination of drama and fantasy from the very beginning. The creator himself admitted that he loves the theme of witches and the use of witchcraft, and his enthusiasm for the plot moved to the quality of production.

In the role of the main characters, we get three young girls who have just joined Fort Salem and started training as soldiers. Abigail comes from a military family, is extremely ambitious and does not tolerate laziness or anything other than perfection, and requires the same from her team. Raelle is her opposite. Rebellious, she looks for an answer to the question of how her mother died and who was responsible for it. The stubborn nature and "it-all-in-my-ass" attitude will keep the tension between her and Abigail going. But don't worry! Since we have a leader and a rebel, the team will also include a diplomat. Tally usually stands somewhere between two companions, trying to contain their outbursts of anger. Tally herself is sweet as honey and full of empathy and does not hide that she lives to help. Such a ray of sunshine.

Thanks to different characters, the viewer has a chance to see different points of view on which matters and what is currently happening, so we decide with whom we agree. Personally, I really appreciate this variety, because thanks to the colorful main characters, the whole series felt more colorful and full. Besides, I can honestly say that at the turn of the first season, my liking and dislike of individual girls from the trio changed, all thanks to the well-presented character evolution.

I love when in a series what we feel about the main characters changes at the turn of the episodes and the development of the plot. Because it means that the creators focused on evolution and that the characters should be constantly changing under the influence of the experiences and people with whom they surround themselves. This was the case with Abigail, Raelle, and Tally. Regardless of how you feel about them at the beginning of the series, I can bet it will change and after the finale, you will be surprised by who you support.

Not only do the characters evolve, the relationships between them also evolve. Of course, the most interesting change will be between the trio when the girls are faced with the challenge of learning to see the other (or third) perspective, but no less interesting will be the trio's bond with those around them. Abigail with her strict mother, Raelle with the object of sighs, and Tally learning that not everything is either white or black. Observing these transformations on the screen is fascinating.

Applause for the creators for a perfectly matched cast! So many fresh faces, so many charming personalities, so many colors! I love meeting new names, and in the first season of Motherland: Fort Salem there are quite a few of them, the vast majority of which are promising talents that I hope will open the door to a further acting career.

There are a couple of core threads in the show that combines to form a really interesting mix. We have some teen drama here, with heart problems, betrayals, likes and dislikes, jealousy, rivalry, and infatuation. Of course, we have fantasy elements, since the main characters and characters are witches who actively use their powers. There are a lot of actions, secrets, and thrills related to the dangerous SPREE group. The whole thing is well thought out and well run, thanks to which the series is absorbing.

After the first episode, I thought, "wow, this is going to be interesting!" and so it was until the very end. Dynamics is a strong point of this production. It is she who makes everything seem smoother, that the action is rubbed in front of the viewer, engaging him in the story. Anyway, let's be honest: witches versus the world is a motive that had to work. The finale, on the other hand, perfectly closes a chapter in the trio's history, while opening a whole new one, leaving us with some REALLY good cliffhangers.

The production, however, does not lack the so-called "Mature content", i.e. scenes intended for slightly older viewers. Due to the presence of curses, violence, and even sex in the series, I recommend the title to recipients AT LEAST 17+. Perfect as entertainment and stress reliever, especially for young adults.

The first season of Motherland: Fort Salem definitely did its job, enchanting me with the universe and making ten episodes enough to keep me attached to the main characters and looking forward to meeting again with increasing curiosity. I believe that the creator still has a lot of aces up his sleeve, and season two will be a great extension of the open threads in series number 1.

I love how the show absorbed me, I love how, despite being unambitious, he completely bought me with the creation of the world and the characters. It is full of feminism and brilliantly presented female strength. Applause also for showing a GREATLY developing friendship and proving that there are different kinds of evil, and the perception of individual events depends on the perspective. If you like light, addictive series, full of magic, drama, love, friendship, and fighting injustice - I heartily recommend Motherland: Fort Salem. I believe that it will charm you, just like it was with me.

And of course, seasons 2 and 3 had a lot of plot twists and a great continuation of the story. At an end of season 2 when it was a time of transition at Fort Salem in the aftermath of the discovery of the resurrected Kamarilla. The question still unanswered is how long it will take for the U.S. Army and the Spree to join forces against a common enemy. The smart money is on the two sides, wasting half of the season attempting separate plans of attack. It would appear that the Spree would have an advantage since they are not wearing uniforms and aren't such a readily available target. But they must have a mole in their group since the Kamarilla knew where to attack the Spree leadership. Who's not to say there isn't a spy inside Fort Salem as well?

Motherland: Fort Salem has clarified that the relationship between humans and witches is a strained and one-way one. Under the Salem Accord of 1692, the witches would be drafted into the U.S. Army to serve as the nation's military. In return, well, they got to live.

Still, it's understandable that the weaker but more numerous humans would fear that the stronger but small group of witches might turn on them. And Spree, for whatever reason, feeds right into that paranoia.

Are you glad Tally got reverted to her bubbly self?

How did Raelle and Abigail get their power?

Does it have some connection to that black disease?

Despite having two seasons aired and gaining fans worldwide, Motherland: Fort Salem's third season is it's last. The show had a great run with a talented cast, and fans are sad to see it come to an end. Nevertheless, fans are ready to see what unfolds in the remaining episodes of the final season. Season 3 answers many questions after the explosive ending of season 2. Finishing a journey is not easy, but Motherland: Fort Salem is showing off its impeccable storytelling, brilliant production, and excellent post-production work. The confrontations between witches, plot twists, and the powers of each witch that appears in the show, as well as the way in which the series knows how to delve into the personal stories of the heroines and how they work as a team, are, without a doubt, the key to the success of Motherland: Fort Salem. The show managed to engage sci-fi and fantasy fans while wrapping the story with a careful gender and feminist perspective. Motherland: Fort Salem season 3 follows in the footsteps of the previous two seasons. As the show draws to a close, here's a look back at the show's journey that changed the way witches' stories are told.

Motherland: Fort Salem is great at showing the story, and keeping interesting. Made me want to know what happens next. And when one part finish you just want to watch more.

[sweettsubaki]

Other recs I found:

Witchy Life Story

You have two weeks to save the harvest festival! Tend your garden and collect plants for spells and rituals to help the villagers of Flora. After all, if magic isn't for solving everyday problems, what’s the point of a village witch anyway? A cozy story filled with chaos, friendship, and romance!.

Cozy Grove

Welcome to Cozy Grove, a game about camping on a haunted, ever-changing island. As a Spirit Scout, you'll wander the island's forest each day, finding new hidden secrets and helping soothe the local ghosts. With a little time and a lot of crafting, you'll bring color and joy back to Cozy Grove!

Sun Haven

Build your farm and relationships with townsfolk, or forge ahead on a quest of magic, monsters, and dragons. Level up through a skill tree in 8 person multiplayer, or adventure solo!

Potion Permit

Moonbury's residents need healing, and you're the best chemist around! With your trusty tools, a brewing cauldron, and a canine companion at your side, you'll need to diagnose symptoms, gather ingredients, brew potions, and cure ailments in this open-ended sim RPG.

Wylde Flowers

Join Tara on a heartfelt journey to become a witch in Wylde Flowers. Farm by day, and cast spells by night as you craft your cottagecore life and bond with your coven. Come to know and love the fully voice acted characters of Fairhaven, as you unravel a local mystery.

Little Witch In The Woods

Little Witch in the Woods tells the story of Ellie, an apprentice witch. Explore the mystical forest, help the charming residents, and experience the daily life of the witch.

Ikenfell

A turn-based tactical RPG about a group of troublesome magic students. Use timing mechanics to power your spells and block attacks, explore the twisted halls of a vast magic school, fight challenging monsters and bosses, and uncover dark secrets never meant to be found.

Slay The Spire

We fused card games and roguelikes together to make the best single player deckbuilder we could. Craft a unique deck, encounter bizarre creatures, discover relics of immense power, and Slay the Spire!

Tell Me Why

Tell Me Why is the multi-award winning episodic adventure game from Dontnod Entertainment in which twins use their supernatural bond to discover the truth of their troubled past.

Songs of Glimmerwick

Become immersed in a musical woodland fantasy world where casting a spell is as easy as playing a song. Attend classes, grow the university garden, make friends with classmates and townsfolk, and explore the island’s many oddities and mysteries in this story-driven witch academy RPG.

I've hit the picture limit so I'm gonna reblog this version with other games

Witchy games thats not Hogwarts Legacy

I love games involving witch craft, and Id love to show you guys some!

Twisted wonderland

An anime gatcha fighting rhythm game, yeah, a lot. I still have tons of fun with it regardless. It takes place in a magical school with houses based on Disney Villains. The character design and story is done by Yana Toboso, the creator of black butler.

Strange Horticulture

A occult puzzle solving game. I like its cool atmosphere, and the puzzles are always rewarding. Its art is also very cool. It has plants! You are a proprietor at a local plant store. You also have a cat. Very cool.

WytchWood

A crafting adventuring game that involves fables! I love the story and the art, its been a comfort game to me for the longest. Kinda gothic too. All the areas in this game is magical.

Potion craft

Another game thats just straight up vibes. You make potions! Its very interactive, and everything looks like it was hand drawn and you are playing on a midevil scroll or something. (Thats good. A nice puzzle game.