#cyrus drake w101

[dailyspiral]

day 8 - based on that one mob comic

[hazeldragonblossoms]

aita for trying to summon a god to resurrect my wife?

i (142m) recently lost my wife (139f) to terminal illness. we were married for nearly 127 years, and were survivors of a disaster that destroyed our home city and killed nearly everyone in it. she was my best friend, the love of my life, and the light of my world. i’ve spent months trying to move on, but the pain of losing her has only grown stronger since her death, with my grief eventually leading me to quit my job and travel in the hopes of finding something else to live for. i will be upfront in admitting that, in the process of quitting, i blew up the school i worked at (no one was hurt), almost killed my assistant (he’s fine), and released a bunch of monsters from the abandoned gated community i had contained them in a few decades prior (long story).

anyway, during my travels i came across a relic that contained immense necromantic power, but i quickly realized that i would be unable to utilize it for my purposes on my own, as my wife had been dead for several months by that time and was well past the point of resurrection by conventional means. long story short, i decided to harness the power of the same god that caused the disaster that destroyed my and my wife’s former home.

as it turns out, my former boss (????m) picked up a kid (13x) off the street around the same time this was happening, and tasked my brother (also 142m, we’re twins) with teaching them magic. i won’t bore you with the details, but this thirteen year old now keeps following me around and fucking up my plans to reunite with my true love, which i’m frankly tired of.

(side note: this kid also won a fighting competition that hasn’t been won by someone from our school since i attended. i need to remind you, they are thirteen. i’m not certain they’d ever used magic before my boss picked them up, so i have no idea how this possibly could have happened, or when they had the time to even attend the fights since they’ve seemingly dedicated the majority of their time to fucking me over for no good reason.)

my ex-boss seems to think that summoning this being is a “bad idea” and could “destroy the world,” but 1. i’m doing it in my already ruined hometown and 2. i think that the world is a small price to pay to have my wife back. it’s not like it’s worth much without her in it, anyway.

edit: shut up about the fucking giant tree it’s an unrelated current event. you can’t prove that i actually did anything to him, and it’s rude to accuse people baselessly

[maxaroniiiii]

i'm making great financial decisions (spending money on the wizard game)

[auredosa]

I headcanon that Cyrus Drake’s infamous truffula leaves quest is a kind of “The Empty Pot” fable-esque test of character. Like of course they don’t actually exist so what he’s really after is what his clueless freshmen are going to do about it. He automatically fails them if they turn up with some BS already-discovered flora that they’re clearly just turning in because they have to pass. The best response he got was when a student actually went around campus, asked other conjurers how they completed the assignment, read multiple botanical articles and tried to find where the idea of a “truffula tree” might have come from, and ultimately turned the tables on Cyrus and said “I know why you made us do this impossible assignment. I understand what you want us to show you, and it’s not a handful of dried leaves. You told us to pursue a myth and here’s what I found out. Here’s how you create a myth.”

[caroline-nighthunter]

Midnight Sketches of the boys and the girls

[ward-against-blight]

One of the things that brings me sm joy is how even though Cyrus is a jerk a solid 75% of the time, whenever he’s talking about something myth related (Aquila, or the entry quests of Azteca) you can literally HEAR in the voice acting how legit passionate he is about it.

Like yea, the man clearly doesn’t have the temperament for the education field (and needs some serious post Malistaire therapy) but you can’t say he isn’t legitimately passionate about Myth, and it’s so heartwarming to see him happy about something when so much of his storylines are depressing as all hell.

[cheapqueen17]

[malistairesimp]

i like to imagine that every year on the anniversary of malistaires death, the young wizard and cyrus drake visit his grave together and just stand there in comfortable silence. they’re the only ones to visit his grave.

[malistaires]

ambrose to me is like. one of those youtube family vloggers that exploits their children for views. “what’s up ravenwood fam! today im sending my kid off to witness their first ever total annihilation of an entire world and all its inhabitants! stay tuned for how they react!”

[shithivemaggot]

cyrus drake you will always be famous

[edwardsparkleblood]

MAJOR WIZARD101 SPOILERS!!!!!!!!!!!

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Cyrus Drake is Malistaire's, brother!???!? 😲💥 ❗ ❗ ❗ ❗ ❗ ❗

[save-the-spiral]

Malistaire 1000000% definitely had constantly cold hands and feet because 1) necromancer and 2) shitty circulation and no meat on them bones. So I say he was Notorious (to just Cyrus and Sylvia) for being the one who when in bed just pushes his cold feet against them. Cyrus learned of this as a child and suffered for years and is glad that it is mostly Sylvia's burden now. Thankfully she runs warm and will burrito bundle her husband in blankets.

[oneriderratbug101]

Alright so, in part because I see my tempest post gaining some traction, I want to talk for a second about Wizard101's aoe meta.

Nono come back, I see you walking away already, this isn't just going to be a rah aoe bad aoe meta bad post. There are way too many pieces of content about this issue that don't actually make any points and just say the issue is there. We know the issue is there, we all feel it, that's why a shitpost where I spent 5 minutes manually typing out the word tempest (that's right, not a single word was copy pasted) is doing so well right now.

Part 1 - Why hasn't anything been done?

I'm going to say it right off the bat, I don't think a lot of us really tend to think about how much of a nightmare aoe must be to balance. In the current state of the game, aoe is basically necessary for quality of life. This raises what seems like one of the biggest dilemmas in balancing history though- there is no middle ground for these spells. The only point in which these spells would be nerfed enough for the community to not spam is if these spells were made practically unusable. Because of the unique amount of time battles take in a turn based mmo vs literally any other mmo, using single target spells can feel like it takes forever, and is wildly inefficient. Other games with more traditional gameplay loops can make up for aoe's effeciency by having it in a middle ground, but because we have long turn based instances rather than open world quick fights as our main battles, if the aoe is in a "middle ground" we will still spam it as if it's op. There isn't a pure balancing fix to the aoe problem. In order to fix the aoe spells from a game design perspective, a system is going have to be added, changed, or the entire gameplay loop get reworked. Needless to say, that's probably not happening, and I can't really blame KI on that one.

Part 2 - What's the problem?

Alright, so we've established that, for the forseeable future, an aoe dominated metagame is here to stay. However, aoe makes up an incredibly small portion of the vast array of spells we can obtain. Not even just wiping off single target spells from the table, for efficiency's sake, the main aoe spells used are ones we obtain relatively early on in the game. This branches into two very heavily interwoven problems I've seen a lot of people reblogging the original tempest spam bring up.

2a:

This aoe domination greatly thwarts gameplay diversity. That's the main appeal of the post that started this all, really. It becomes a chore to play the game after a while when all it boils down to is the same exact gameplay loop you have been using for years, with no change despite the addition of more and more spells into your repetoire. It becomes tiring, and it makes the obtainment of new spells lose a lot of excitement, getting not only in the way of fun gameplay but also in the way of core progession mechanics. Other games can avoid this issue becoming too large, as the traditional MMO combat style puts you in more control of your character and adds another layer of enjoyment to be had through that. In Wizard101 I have to take drawn out turns to do combat, where in traditional MMOs you have a chance at getting a bit of a rush from the more involved, faster paced button spams. Now, from here, you can bring up the fact that card games have been around for ages and have been able to avoid gameplay loop issues like this for a good chunk of that time, and I will meet you with a

????? Card games have had balancing issues for ages and many people struggle to get into and stay in the hobby, they've got their own thing going on

But yes, I will agree that despite having their own problems, card games can generally avoid the issue of gameplay loop growing too large through being PVP. That's right, all of you Wizard101 PVP mains out there, congratulations, you've managed to avoid this problem! I'm sure Wizard101 PVP has its own problems though. Regardless, let's get into what PVP brings to the gameplay loop table. As opposed to PVE where you face a semi-predictable AI, in PVP you will be put against another real person, formulating new strategies, using a deck you might not know about, and using spells in a more random/unpredictable pattern. PVP has the benefit of novelty, forcing you to strategize differently across your battles, and to think hard about your opponent's next move every time.

I'm not claiming PVE doesn't have anything like this! Just that in the core gameplay of an MMO, which typically consists of a lot of general mob battles, this battle novelty typically isn't all too present.

2b:

We're missing out on a lot of cool spells! Animations, art, sound design, game design, etc, all of that work poured into these spells and we're just tossing them on the ground like that scene from Toy Story! This sentiment was lost in reblogs as I put it in the tags of the tempest post, but I LOVE storm! The ocean themes, general water themes, and of course actual storm themes hit their mark incredibly well for me! And I feel the same about every other school, as well! Tempest was merely an easy vessel for this message, as it's the most stereotypically spammed aoe. As I said before though, when all you're using is the same spell, a certain excitement surrounding the game leaves. I feel we have gone from seeing new spells and going "That's so cool, I can't wait to use it!" to seeing them and going "That's so cool, I wish I had a chance to use it!".

Part 3 - Why is this a problem? (E.g. why not just use whatever spell you want?)

You, balance wizard reading this: when's the last time you've heard something to the tune of "just blade me"? How did that make you feel? Did that extend to other parts of your gameplay? To expand on this, anyone who isn't fire or storm, has Wolf Stormblade ever told you that you can't hit? That you deal no damage? Told to just support or pass? Even fire wizards are sometimes subject to this!

The chances are, a lot of people don't realize how much of an effect the community has on their gameplay. I've even encountered this as early as Unicorn Way, but people care about the meta. You're going to play with people, and a lot of this playerbase can tend to treat their own word as law, and so you will have the meta drilled into you. Hell, sometimes their "meta" is less efficient or just straight up worse than your plan. Putting that aside though, opinions turn into "facts", they then circulate, and then you have been pressured to play a specific way. Before I continue, I'd like us to remind ourselves that this is NOT League of Legends, and that at its core this is an all-ages game in a humorous fantasy setting, and that some of us might be taking PVE gameplay a little too seriously. That being said, I get it though! Circling back to an earlier point, this gameplay loop can be absolutely numbing! Of course after 80 battles against Malistaire just trying to get that one drop you want everyone around you to play with maximum efficiency! It's impossible to always keep in mind that some people might be trying to experience these parts of the game you might have already experienced as much as you can! And in a way, it makes sense, why would we roughly double our already extended battle times through not playing aoe? Metas get popular because they work. They work extremely well. Under Wizard101's current combat system, which is a large part of why I love Wizard101, single target spells are rarely a better option, and instead cost me multiple more minutes in my day.

The next suggestion would usually be to solo, however:

A: Not all content can be soloed, you WILL have to encounter another player at some point, and it will usually be in a setting where these types of players congregate most.

B: Even if more challenging content CAN be soloed, you have to play extremely to the meta, defeating the point of soloing here.

C: This is an MMO. A core part of it is inherently community and other players. Why am I only allowed to have fun while lonely?

Unless you come upon a rare chance and find the perfect group of people, you can't consistently play Wizard101 the way you want. And the problem is much larger than the aoe spells.

So, we have acknowledged we all understand the problem and have feelings one way or another about it. We have described why nothing has been done about it, and what the problem really is. We've gone into the community pressures, incentive to self, and damage to gameplay options regarding aoe and a greater meta. I've also done my best to show that this problem runs deeper and is harder to avoid than you may think. So, what's my big suggested change for Wizard101 and KI to fix this problem?

Nothing. That's right, all this for me to suggest nothing. Unless a lot of random reworks somehow magically make things better, this isn't changing. I don't even necessarily want the reworks, either. This problem is just here. I guess the only actually meaningful call to action would be please, regardless of whether it's Wizard101, some other game, or even just life in general, be mindful of the experiences of others. You may be beating that boss for the 80th time today, but this might be a teammate's first encounter with it. You may be jaded and want to do things as fast as possible, but try your best to remind yourself not to take the sparkle out of the eyes of someone enjoying themselves. Remember- you always matter, and whether or not that's going to be positive or negative is in your hands.

Maybe our game gets better, maybe we get better, or maybe some secret third option happens. It doesn't even matter too much to me, despite this lengthy post. I just wanted to get my thoughts on this issue out there.

[hazeldragonblossoms]

What a Lovely Day

YAHOO this one’s a day late bc we hit post limit. whoops. ANYWAY

warnings for .. uh. unclear. internalized ableism? malistaire overextends himself after a serious injury bc he wants to prove he’s still Capable™️ and cyrus pesters him about it.

“What in Bartleby’s name are you doing?”

The necromancy professor sighs, not bothering to turn. “I’m not an invalid, Cyrus.”

Cyrus’s frown deepens. He puts a hand on his brother’s shoulder. “You’re shaking, Mal.”

Malistaire grunts softly. “Only slightly. It’s more of a tremble.”

“That’s worse.”

“Yes, well, you would know.” He hands the shopkeep a handful of gold coins before depositing a bundle of herbs in the bag at his hip.

“Did Syl—”

“Cyrus, since when are you my damned babysitter?”

Cyrus balks at the way his brother hisses at him, like someone has just told him to go bed a minotaur. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“That I am the older brother—”

“By barely seven minutes.”

“—and you need not waste your time fussing over me. I’m a grown man. I can handle a simple errand for my wife.”

“I didn’t say—”

“You implied it clearly enough.”

Cyrus sighs as he follows his twin out of the shop. “You know, for an elder twin, you certainly are acting like a child.”

“And you are acting like you’re my mother.”

“Oh, we’re resorting to name-calling?”

“Just shut up, will you? You’re the one trailing after me like an anxious little boy. It’s a lovely day, and I’d like to enjoy it.”

“I am not trailing you. I happened to enter the same shop as you, and now we’re having a discussion. That’s not the same thing.”

“A discussion? Is that what you call this?” Malistaire nearly laughs. “No wonder the students hate your class.”

“Says the man who, lately, can barely make it through a full day of classes. You’re overworking yourself and you know it.”

Malistaire turns on his heel, his magic flaring and chilling the air around them, making the grass between the cobblestones shrivel — and then it stutters and fizzles out. He shuts his eyes suddenly and pinches the bridge of his nose, taking a small, staggering half-step to his right. It’s just enough to make the strap of his bag slide from his shoulder, and it puddles around his feet.

“Dammit, Cyrus…”

“Hush. Nothing spilled.” The conjurer’s voice is soft as he bends to put the bag back where it belongs, careful of the tender scar around what remains of Malistaire’s right shoulder. He doesn’t make any snarky comments, even though he definitely could. It would only agitate his brother more. “…Come on. Let’s get you sitting down.”

Malistaire grumbles, not opening his eyes, but allows himself to be led to a nearby bench. The tremor in his left hand has worsened, his breathing is shakier, and he’s a few shades paler than normal. They’re both quiet until his breathing evens out.

“…It is a nice day, isn’t it?”

“You’re a bastard.”

“So are you, then.”

Malistaire chuckles despite himself.

[anxiously-sidequesting]

I keep thinking about that Schismist Soldier (because he's a meow meow) and in the possible event that we may never see him again I decided to add a PART THREE to his saga to eventually marry i mean defeat the Young Wizard once and for all. So buckle up for this messed up love/hate story.

We start off on his relaxing vacation that he promised everyone he would take after his second defeat at the hands of his One True Nemesis. He needed a break from his obsession i mean his career and all those thoughts about us isn't really good for him now is it??? So he's going to go to whatever the Wizard version is for Peru to take his mind off things! What fun!

But it doesn't work :((( because everything, EVERYTHING reminds him of The Young Wizard. The sheer AUDACITY to haunt his every waking moment, his thoughts and dreams when he was trying to FORGET you!!! He can't even relax when he's thinking about YOU all the time!!! Ugh!!!

So he just says "Alright fuck it I guess" and he decides (for the 80th time) that he's going to get rid of you PERMANENTLY this time, so that he could finally triumph over you and then be free! So he hatches up a plan, see? A genius plan, a plan that will SURELY cause you the most humiliation and agony possible!!!

He is going to enroll. In the very school that you started out as a fledgling. He will apply to study in your primary Magic School and he will quickly climb the ranks, proving to be a BETTER wizard than you ever were!! He'll RUIN your reputation amongst your peers using his dazzling intellect and unmatched skills, and then when the time is right he'll BEAT you at your own game, making you weep and cry in shame and fright before he FINALLY finishes you off!!! IT'S THE PERFECT CRIME!!!!

Que the Schismist Soldier learning the third rank spell of your primary magic school (Storm Shark in my case) and then he just cackles maniacally with crazed eyes before he fucks off into his dorm to bask in his future glory. The people that know him think he's funny and weird. He mutters our name over and over again at lunch and people just think he's a fan. He draws multiple pictures of us and furiously crosses them out with red ink and nobody gives a shit. Let him have his fun I guess

(I like to imagine that he doesn't even unmask himself when he goes undercover as a student of Ravenwood, he just straight up shows in his Schism armor and people think he's cosplaying as someone they've never heard of before. He truly is pathetic and I love him dearly for it)

[caroline-nighthunter]

Dies on the floor because:

Nothing I do gets the sombre vintage tint out of it it almost feels like I am supposed to work this pallette. :'D

Song that reminded me of Cyrus that played through my playlist - ♪