#d2 racing

[viper-motorsports]

Storming down the boulevards of this urban circuit, D2 Racing’s N°22 Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) tests it’s Pirellis ahead of the 2023 FIA GT World Cup as part of the festivities surrounding the Macau Grand Prix.

[petrolhead-carspotters]

Made me relived some of my childhood moments..

SEGA Touring Car (1996) ᶜʰᵃᵐᵖⁱᵒⁿˢʰⁱᵖ

[thorough-witness-enjoyer]

For a game with central themes such as „every being should have a right to self-determination and autonomy“, „inclusionary communities forms bonds strong enough to protect themselves from forces that seek to prey on it“, „free will, though scary and potentially leading to harmful actions, is something worth defending for every being“, and „the cruelty the universe can spawn can be overcome with the will to continue on and do better for your people“, I find it so disappointing we‘ve had little lore that give psions the spotlight, let alone a narrative that focuses on their struggle to build back their culture and lives after who-knows-how-many-years of servitude.

I feel like the psions are the most underdeveloped in-game species, and when we do get development for them, it’s always in the context of them serving the cabal empire or the Conclave taking on antagonistic roles to sabotage the efforts of the Vanguard. I love the development of the eliksni and how in recent years, the game has really been pushing stories that humanize them, validates their struggles, and gives them hope for the future of their species, I just wish psions got the same courtesy.

Yes, they were freed under Caiatl‘s rule, but that wasn‘t given much narrative emphasis as they either continued to act for the empire or joined the Conclave, neither of which gave them a stronger presence in the story or a character that joins our cast of allies .

What was their servitude like? How much cruelty and discrimination did they face? Were there revolutions and movements for better legal protections? What parts of their culture, besides religion, did they bring with them when they were taken by the empire? Is there still anti-psion sentiments present in Uluran culture? What was their home planet like and do elder psions remember it like Riis-born eliksni remember Riis?

The psions have been influenced by Nezarec/the Witness, have been a part of the cabal empire and it’s turmoils for an extended period of time, posses incredible intelligence and psionic powers (that may have connections to the darkness), have a religious schism that was affected by Nezarec’s disappearance and the empire preventing open practices of their beliefs, and yet they are always treated as an afterthought (usually antagonistic), a one-off character in lore, or given a subservient role.

Psions are so cool and deserve the universe, yet we are given crumbs when we could have meals that accentuate the messages Destiny is trying to craft, such as respecting the right of others to have beliefs and perceptions of their own. Psions feel less like people and more like characters playing side roles to progress smaller story beats. It’s so infuriating and I don’t know if Bungie is just too timid to tackle a story involving slavery, there wasn’t enough time to develop them, or Bungie never intended for them to be more than what they currently are. I have hope we will get something soon though!!!

Acasia I haven’t forgotten about you and I never will!!

[savyir-genesizz-the-wizard]

I'm not sure if it's a popular opinion or not but I'm 100% sure that human teeth, while smaller, are sharper then Uluran teeth

[raitrolling]

me resisting the urge to just straight up call troll las vegas Casinopolis for one of the place sharle + tira will be racing at

[sw5w]

Keep Racing, Ani, You're Gonna Be Bug Squash

STAR WARS EPISODE I: The Phantom Menace 00:48:17

[newpacificarcology]

Do you think Crow is ever gonna come across the sparrow Amanda was making for him?

[fatlace1337]

[rugbyprime]

Pro D2 : Vannes s’intéresse à Francis Saili (Racing 92)

Francis Saili est dans le viseur de Vannes – Icon Sport Leader de deuxième division, le RC Vannes compte bien étoffer son effectif en vue du prochain exercice, surtout s’il s’écrit en Top 14. C’est ainsi que, selon les informations de Midi Olympique, les Bretons auraient ciblés le trois-quarts centre néo-zélandais, Francis Saili (33 ans, 2 sélections). En fin de contrat au Racing 92, le All…

[scribeofmorpheus]

Veilguard Review: Doom Upon the World

Warnings: Spoilers for Veilguard, very political review (considers race, gender, religion and choice consequences centred around established Thedas).

Another long post: 4k words

In my first review (Love, Wisdom and Pride), I focused on the relationships most pivotal to Solas’ arc reaching resolution: Inquisitor and Mythal (though heavily Solavellan inspired, I tried to be aware of how the Inquisitor’s role as a rival/friend outside of romance was still considered as an important relationship in his story). This review, on the other hand, will focus on the worldstate and what we lost [x], as well as my speculations on which story beats/companions/advisors I feel should have been integrated into the story for a deeper emotional payoff for past Dragon Age players (and overall story cohesion).  

EDIT: Why Dragon Age Veilguard isn't a "Cathedral" thread (very important tet-a-tet about understanding game development politics--especially what was happening in Bioware)

N.B: This review is definitely a critique of something I love, born from love, because—yes, I had expectations; yes, they were high; no, I don’t think that’s a problem; no, I do not hate the game we got, but I mourn for what the devs clearly were building towards with the last 3 games in the series, and from what we know from the internal struggles with Bioware under EA’s helm (as evidence from the development time, layoffs, staff’s disappointment, and the differences between the final game and the concept art) the only thing getting in the way of a truly epic game was corporate meddling and greed.

Spoilers below the cut.

Without further ado, the primary criticism I have is that Varric should not have been our advisor! I read a post somewhere that succinctly surmised the that Varric was chosen as our Advisor so that:

Solas would make an “irredeemable” mistake for all the Solas haters to use as an excuse to simply view him as an antagonist, simplifying the goal of the game to: stop the elf from bringing down the Veil.

Varric was used for marketing purposes rather than story depth choices; he’s popular, beloved and an easy carrot for the EA stick to dangle in front of loyal fans.

His writer has literally been trying to kill him off for the last 2 games! Varric was supposed to die in Inquisition! (lol) [EDIT: Just want to clear up one mistake I wrote here--I say Mary Kirby (Varric's Author) was trying to kill him off since D2, but I meant the scrapped Exalted March DLC helmed by Gaider, and then someone else wanted to kill him off in Inquisition (Mary, I'm sorry I accidentally passed a fib about you!)]

I firmly believe he should have been holding the blight back in Kirkwall, and that his position as Viscount of Kirkwall should have affected the outcome of the blight spreading in the South!

Advisors in the North

Right off the bat, the two best choices for advisor, (excluding the Inquisitor out of favouritism) should have been Dorian and Morrigan.

Dorian: because we’re in the North, the Shadow Dragons are by far the more “grassroots organisation against imperial power” kind of organised body the Inquisition started out as. Since we don’t have a calling to fight against like the Wardens in Origins or a family to try and keep together in a city on the brink of implosion like Hawke, or a pseudo religious-political body to inspire Hope in the faithful like the Inquisitor, Valour, Love and Hope cannot be at the heart of this story. It has to be JUSTICE [x].

Justice for the culmination of Anders’ story; for Merril and everything she endured to repair the eluvian; for Fenris, the origin of his lyrium tattoos (which according to GhilDirthalen’s post, there was a plot point linked to elves whose lyrium bodies did not possess latent magical prowess) and the slaves in Tevinter; for the rebelling elves that should have formed factions as the Dread Wolf’s Agents like the Trespasser epilogue hinted at; for misunderstood spirits hurt by mages like Cole; for the ancient elves like Abelas; for the templars who saw the corruption in their ranks but had no way out because of lyrium addiction like Sampson; for those corrupted by red lyrium that was spreading throughout Thedas with no cause or cure; for the dwarves like Branka, obsessed with the answers held in the Anvil of the Void, or Harding, or Shaper Valta who saw a Titan and witnessed the death of the Legion of the Dead; for Sandal’s prophecy!; for the qunari oppressed by the Qun, turned talvashoth, searabas, hisraad like Bull! Justice for two decades worth of worldbuilding on the part of the writers and the devs who loved telling these stories.  

Morrigan: is self-explanatory to the story they were crafting between Solas and Mythal. And what would have been even better is if they actually just explained away the Well of Sorrows’ choice unaffecting the Inquisitor because Morrigan eventually had to assimilate the essence from the well to keep the Inquisitor from going mad—like the anchor had to be tempered by Solas in Trespasser. Easy as that!

The best part is that pitting Morrigan and Dorian as foils of each other further allows the game to have greater stakes and tension because Morrigan (changed by Mythal’s righteous anger and need for justice for what was done to her by the Evanuris) could champion making choices more detrimental to Thedas but ultimately in line with Solas’ plans. And Dorian could make choices that put the safety of Thedas’ citizens at the forefront by sacrificing headway in stopping Solas and his Agents from advancing with their plans!

Best yet, we could have had a hardened vs softened Dorian depending on whether you recruited him in Inquisition, and/or did his quest.

[Inquisitor concept art by Matt Rhodes]

Favouritism Bonus Round: The Inquisitor (or alternatively Morrigan) should have been the voice to champion Rook to seek out the wolf statues, and they should have been present when discussing the memories, as it would have given them more gravitas when uncovering the literal story of "Solas is Andrastian God creating the Veil" or "the Dalish Dread Wolf is being proven to be a saviour" or "Elves originally being spirits in the beginning", or "Titans were at war with the elves" beyond comments like: “Oh, Solas regrets this” or “They were doing it”. (This is the issue with having a “couch setting” for a “war room”—discussions feel less intellectual, factions don’t necessarily bring their own unique viewpoint into the interpretation of Solas’ decisions/Elgar’nan and Ghilan’nain’s presence, etc.) Everyone is not digesting the material given like it’s a clue to stopping the world from ending but rather like gossip. With the Inquisitor, as either a friend to Solas, a rival or a romanced Lavellan, finally finding the Dread Wolf’s Achilles Heel after vowing to stop him would have rung true, closed the loop.

Sigh.

This is also why I feel the Inquisitor should have been the one in Varric’s place—like literally. I mean recovering from an injury after failing to catch up to Solas in ACT 1, possibly dispatched by Agents of Fen'Harel! Because they could then be forced to pass the mantle to hunt down Solas to “Rook”. Not dead. Or a blood magic illusion. Just, Inquisitor, wounded, making small talk, sometimes bringing up plot points from Inquisition—your Hawke on the battlements in DA:I or Alistair in the gardens with Morrigan and Keiran.

It would also make more sense for the Inquisitor to be able to use the eluvian to travel between Skyhold and the Lighthouse, allowing for believable absences during plot points where their lack of action inspite of their presence wouldn’t make sense. Not to mention more gut-wrenching if we heard about the South from Inky rather than reading 4 letters!

Previously, I stated how the Inquisitor’s presence needed more weight in the non-Solavellan endings! Some people’s Inquisitor befriended Solas, some hated him, either way, the Inquisitor should have been present for the final showdown beyond a passive observer! If the Inquisitor ended up being the last friend/former love that Solas destroys (in a bad worldstate end where you don’t collect Mythal’s essence), which then prompts Rook to fight him because Solas’ last tie to empathy failed to redeem him, that would have added so many layers! The Inquisitor falling is the last straw for Solas too, whether friend, lover or foe, he fought beside them, stopped Corypheus with them! The Inquisitor was partially his making of a hero; his first “good” mistake! It would then make sense for him to snap, choosing to be a villain in the hopes of being stopped because he can’t stop himself, he’s come too far! Rather than the ‘I am a God’ ending they gave us.

Agency of a “Rook” on an Empty Chess Set (Factions and Backstory)

Personally, from both a writing and a viewer’s perspective, I think our protagonist should have always been linked to the Shadow Dragons (and the factions choices shouldn’t have been incorporated). This is more because, framing one’s backstory as being a member of a faction—not a people with established political positions in Tevinter—siphons the narrative of personal stakes. Imagine being a mage who could have begun with higher approval in Tevinter but lower elsewhere, maybe they’d be saved from the Venatori’s thrall that was linked to Neve’s companion story—again linked to Ashur and the Dragons. Or an elf mage could begin a storyline like that of the city elf in da:o but focused on the Shadow Dragons’ tackling slavery’s presence in Tevinter. A Qunari origin could explore being a refugee aided by the Shadow Dragons as they flee the Qun because they don’t fit in the dogmatic religion. A warden could be a criminal in Tevinter, showing us what is considered ‘rules for criminality’ in a city that corrupt and extremist.

Overall, the factions don’t add much diversity to Rook’s background, backstory, dialogue tree or influence on the world state beyond a last name that doesn’t really matter. With a Shadow Dragons’ background, the very ethos of “Rook” would have been about overcoming oppression, and then the nickname makes sense too, a name to stay concealed, to keep loved ones safe while DAV’s protagonist battles politics, blood mages and blighted gods. It would have been even more meaningful if the nickname “Rook” paralleled “Dread Wolf”, in that it was bestowed by your origin-based backstory antagonist and then used as a call to freedom (we wouldn’t even need a cutscene, this could have been revealed in part of their banter/dialogue). This simple choice would have allowed us to focus on Treviso and the Antaam’s occupation and Tevinter and the Venatori’s rise to power on a more personal level. It would also place our Rook in a position to be a foil to Solas’ “do what is necessary for the greater good” vs “be better than those that came before” plot lines. Building off this, the hardened companion status between Neve and Lucanis should have formed a parallel, with one tilting towards understanding Solas’ extreme efforts to stop the Gods, whereas the non-hardened character should have taken the role of foil. Both of whom would add balance to the tension when discussing Solas’ memories or even in exploration banter during missions (one the “devil” on your shoulder, the other your “angel” depending on where Solas’ actions stand for you since Inquisition).

Finally, the Shadow Dragons' should have been linked to Dorian more directly, potentially created with backing/support from the Inquisition’s advisors/Inquisitor directly (since their default attire is the Shadow Dragon apparel).

Companions: Cole for Compassion; Briala for Rebellion and Revenge

Cole

In my review Love, Widsom and Pride, I briefly touched on the fact Cole (whether recruited, not recruited, kept spirit or changed human) was absolutely necessary as a companion. Because it doesn’t matter which version was present in the world (RIP the tapestry), every iteration of Cole works synergistically with appealing to Solas’ spirit side:

If he wasn’t recruited in Inquisition, he could simply have his default origins as a compassion spirit that ‘follows’ the greatest pain in the Fade that yearns to be healed, giving a compassionate viewpoint to Solas’ folly.

Recruited-to-the-Inquisition Spirit Cole could have a greater connection to Solas than even Varric, seeing as Cole was most likely a literal representation of Solas rewriting his own history of corruption by preventing a spirit from becoming something against its nature.

Human Cole would have a deeper connection to the world of Thedas, and could have been a great tool to prove how change was inevitable, not always a bad thing, and inevitably out of even Solas’ control. And he could still offer insight into Solas' mind via 'remnants' of the time he was more spirit.

Briala

What I enjoy about this companion head canon is that Briala is literally Solas’ direct parallel story-wise:

She’s in love with Celene, the ‘best’ choice for ruler in Orlais even though she burned Briala’s alienage. They share a great power imbalance, with Celene able to affect the fate of all elves in Orlais, yet is unwilling to free them, return the Dales, or concede power even though she claims to love Briala, too. Briala is a rebellion upstart, raised by Felassan for crying out loud. She controlled the eluvians and knew how to get around the crossroads, she has more of a bone to pick with Solas than any other NPC not close to the Inquisitor! (Celene and Mythal share many similarities as well, with Celene seen as the more benevolent of rules when compared to Gaspard the Warmonger; and if Gaspard is in power but controlled by Briala, imagine her being dethroned from her seat of power by Agents of Fen’Harel after she lost access to the eluvians, that would have been a great story arc to explore).

Sidenote on DAV's Romance, Companions and Choice Consequence

Building off having either Cole or Briala as a companion, I do think it would have been nice to have them as non-romanceable too. Don’t get me wrong, I know it's great to have options, but I do feel making everyone “pansexual” wasn’t the right way to go for all the companions. It takes away character choice, personality, taste and individualism from the companions. Dorian’s story would not be nearly as impactful if he could have been romanced regardless of gender. Solas being unwilling to romance any race/gender besides female elf (though a direct correlation to the developers being afraid of the ‘evil bisexual’ trope that was popular in the 2010s) also adds to his story; where he’s reluctant to see the world as real, to accept non-elven people as having agency, because that would mean he wasn’t walking through a see of Tranquil, but instead, he was the Forgotten One out of time.

I also firmly believe that a possible reason Cole wasn’t a companion despite there being plans in place that he’d return (Trespasser epilogue slide, I remember you), is because I can 100% see an EA big-wig being like: “He’s unfuckable. Give us someone hot and brooding and slap a demon in them and you’ve got fuckable-Cole” and then we got Lucanis.

I like Lucanis. I’m not crazy about him, but I enjoy the Machiavllian family drama. Very Renaissance Medici story beats. I adore Mary Kirby as a writer, too, but I feel the introduction to the Crows of Antiva should have been Zevran’s mantle, or he should have at least haunted the narrative and missions related to the Crow factions (of which there should definitely have been factions within the Crows). Considering the fact I romanced Lucanis, I couldn’t shake the fact that a lot of his “acceptance for being bound to Spite” beats paralleled a Human Cole having been ‘cured’ from Compassion.

The romances seem less… memorable to me than past games. The importance of choice means you have to accept the story unfolding based on the consequences of your choices; and gender-locking at least one companion would show the cause and effect of beginner choice. Taash is actually written to prefer women over men, which is vital to their arc around gender dysphoria and being non-binary, they would have been a perfect candidate! I imagine their story would also be a great way to explore how being one race attempting to romance another could have a slower progression rate (again, because of Taash’s multi-cultural background, and their complex feelings at having been raised by a mother so tied to the Qun, them being cagier around a qunari Rook romance would also have added layers!) But with everyone available to be romanced, and having no initial repercussion for early game choices despite which character model would have bruises or cuts (Neve or Harding), genuinely roleplaying as Rook, and not as someone using Rook as a stand-in for ourselves, is more disconnected than previous games. This is why the romances feel off to me. Doing the romanceable companions’ storylines seem like I’m the one trying to date them, not Rook. Maybe it’s because Rook’s established personality is the direct repercussion of a sanitized worldstate!  

Foibles of being ‘Unproblematic’: A Sanitised World

The issue with trying to make a game that won’t touch on difficult topics, is that, when you make that game a sequel to a series that was literally built on the backs of tackling real world politics, it makes a lot of the world seem plastic. A poor imitation perhaps.

The World of Thedas book actually tells us that Thedas is a fantasy setting that uses the real world as its backdrop for conflict and world building. Andraste is Joan of Arc. Andrastian faith is Christianity founded by a woman. Orlais is the French bourgeois era. Fereldan is more Highlands/Celtics region if it never had a chance to expand because of the blight. Elves are the disenfranchised (and a direct parallel to popular elven cultures that were often portrayed as the pinnacle of advanced magic/civilisation). City elves live in alienages (literal ghettos). Dalish elves (native to the land) are being run out of their homes, the Orlesian’s are trying to claim the territory for their Empire, and their numbers are dwindling, their culture and language a poor imitation of what it had been, barely surviving colonialisation! Dwarves have a caste system that determines everyone’s future! Dagna had to leave her home! Harding grew up on the surface. Varric’s whole plot thread anchoring him in act 1 of DA2 is helping his brother discover Deep Roads riches so they can get their family’s title again.

And through all 3 games prior to Veilguard, we’re told the Ventaori are monsters, the Imperium is crueller to its elves/slaves than any place in the South! The best option beyond turning Feynriel tranquil in DA2 (one of the few Dream Walker mages) is to send him to Tevinter. What becomes of a half-Dalish mage in Tevinter? Neve, our first companion beside Harding, is determined to make Dock Town a place worth living! So, to walk into Veilguard and have no slavery storylines in a place called the fucking TEVINTER IMPERIUM (modelled after the fucking Roman Empire close to collapse) is so jarring. So unbelievable. What injustice is Neve battling? What woes has Dorian been dealing with in the Magisterium?

The closest we get to seeing the darkness that exists in the world (besides the hanging corpses lining the streets of Dock Town if you save Treviso) is the side quest where a father makes a deal with a demon to keep his child alive by sacrificing so many innocents.

And then there's Tevinter's "savage" neighbours, the Invading forces of the Qun! Frightening, right? But from the blasé manner the Qun's rigidity is discussed, it is framed as though anyone can simply up and leave the Qun if they so wished it, according to Taash’s mom. Yes, Taash is being hunted, and their mom is taken prisoner, but it was all in service to a tablet that discussed fire-breathing, not about returning to the Qun. Iron Bull being deemed talvashoth holds less severity when the consequences of leaving a subjugating, dogmatic, religious-political society are simply... nothing. There's no anchor to Taash being raised in Rivain for safety reasons beyond keeping their fire-breathing secret. And what of all the elves that commit to the Qun? Why are there no elf converts among the Antaam? What about the fucked-up stuff the Dwarves of Kal-Sharok were doing before Veilguard? Kal-Sharok dwarves apparently were changed by the First Blight, and are supposed to have a ‘tainted’ appearance according to the World of Thedas concept art book. Why are they just... normal dudes in booby armour (lol)?

[Imshael! A demon/spirit of choice & Calpernia as potential companions is insanity>>!]

I possibly wouldn’t have these strong opinions if the games gave the companions more… just more ‘controversial’ stories with harder choices! Veilguard in a way feels like playing a game with child-lock on. Yes, what happens to Tevinter or Treviso looks awful when you see it, but the side-quests, companion stories, NPC dialogues and world around the ‘mise-en-scene’ don’t reflect this--it's like set dressing. The “I can’t believe the Venatori are evil” side comments by Rook in Tevinter when the Venatori takes over become whiny, child-like and “hopes and prayers” coded. Do something then, Rook. You are the hero of this story, are you not?

I am forever grateful that Lucanis is actually hardened and removed as a romance interest if you sacrifice Treviso (finally, good old dragon age consequences).

Now onto good criticism of our companions!

Companions: The Good, the Balanced and the Essential

Good: Neve and Davrin.

Neve is our eyes and heart to Dock Town, our humanising presence for the Tevinter Imperium. She is also written in a way that I find her to have the best agency as a non-romanced character than most.

Davrin is a breath of fresh air for the reputation of the Grey Wardens, he’s the genuine article. Him owning up to being young and foolhardy when he rejected the Dalish ways in search of adventure, only to be battle-hardened and then become more appreciative of the fact he was taught to live in harmony before he was exposed to the discord of the Deep Roads is such a good character growth moment.  

Balanced: Harding. Harding grows into a much more invaluable story piece when she unlocks the Stone Sense and uncovers her people’s history. It’s a rather short-sighted choice to have her be one of the Ultimate Sacrifice characters because what becomes of the story of the Stone? Who hears the song? Who will speak of the Titans to other dwarves if she is chosen to go on the final mission?

Essential: Antoine and Evka! No notes, they should have been conditional companions in a side quest! They’re fleshed out so well, and their relationship is real and built into their character, but it’s not all they are! Antoine is smart, hopeful and also tortured by the new blight. Evka is powerful, pragmatic and also caring.

The Red Herring that should have been: Bellara as an Agent of Fen’Harel! Her storyline would have worked with the concept of being found ‘suspicious’ by players if the Agents of Fen’Harel were an active group. A Veil Jumper in Arlathan whose brother got entabgled with a Forgotten One? Someone who is an outright believer in the elven pantheon? O, Bellara, the power you would have had as a possible double-agent in our midst, only for us to have been wrong in doubting her and having it be someone else! Race and position to power should have inforced so many story beats in this game, man!

Finally: Religion, Where?

I’m a little exhausted, so I’ll wrap this part a little quickly. Religion is paramount to understanding the decisions and states of mind of so many characters in Thedas. Leliana’s arc alone is one of the most intimate insights into Andrastian faith! The Inquisitor is literally responsible for appointing the Divine! The Divine can call for an Exalted March! The Black Divine is a huge plot point when discussing the differences between the Southern and Northern iterations of the Chant. Tevinter’s Old Gods (Archdemons) are blighted dragons linked to the Evanuris that whisper the will of their masters to humans. Archdemons are responsible for the Blight, our first “save the world kiddo” moment in da:o! So where is the disbelief in the streets that Elven Gods exist? Why is it always “Our Gods” are back? What about city elves who believe in the Chant of Light? Where is the Black Divine? Why is everyone okay remaining Andrastian when the fact Solas made the Veil is revealed? Where is the politics and religious civil war in the streets between NPCs?! Between companions? Why isn’t there a cultish, zealous group of extreme Andrastians following Solas around? Why isn’t there another version thinking of Solas and all elves as the second coming of Maferath? How are city elves fairing compared to Dalish elves at the reveal it’s their pantheon gunning to end the world? Again! RACE AND POLITICS MATTER! They always mattered in Thedas before, yet here they are anecdotal at best.

The Veil Should Have Come Down

It’s apparent to me, and numerous others, that Veilguard was stunted by its attempts to be an entry piece that wasn’t alienating to new players of the RPG game format, but it was also haunted deeply by it’s very EPIC tapestry mechanic (choices mattered!). Ironically, Veilguard served to be a soft re-boot of the series. This, I think, was the grandest mistake. If they meant to reboot the series for future instalments, we should have fundamentally changed the physics and rules of Thedas completely to allow the next instalment to start from the literal ground up. By bringing down the Veil, we’d finally free the Titans, introduce the concept of Dwarves with magic, awaken the Forgotten Ones and maybe allow for new species/lore/concepts to shape the future. And to work around the tapestry, they could have simply set the next sequel 200 years later. Sent our heroes to rest. Ended with a new canvas.

It should have concluded with the very ending that was prophesied by Sandal in DA2:

“One day the magic will come back. All of it. Everyone will be just like they were. The shadows will part, the skies will open wide. When he rises everyone will see.”

Bonus: Anaris should have been a DLC boss with Fenris involved!

Why, you ask? Just this data-mined codex entry still present in the game:

Truth be told, like they did with Corypheus in the Origins DLC, I think they could very well bring him back as the big bad of DA5—which I think should have always been about fleshing out the war between the Titans / the Forgotten Ones / Evanuris!

Anaris and a waking Titan?! That would have been beyond amazing!

Which… again, is why the Veil should have COME DOWN!

P.S.: I know a lot of these criticisms seem like unhappy nitpicks, but I did enjoy Veilguard, I got an ending I could live with. BUT I am so angry by how many roadblocks are placed before game devs with a clear story in mind--as is obvious with the concept art book. Obvious threads were leading to Veilguard having always been the end of the Dragon AGE! We kill the last Archdemon! The last dragon linked to the Gods and the blight! The game developers have even alluded to having fought tooth and nail with EA's suits, but could only manage to give us the game we got. And I'm beyond grateful. But MAN does it hurt!

Remember to say thank you to the writers/artists/voice actors on their socials, they deserve a little love too.

Fin!

[eegnm]

🏎🏁F1 AU🏁🏎

Ok so Team Hightower thoughts

Driver 1: Gwayne

Driver 2: Criston

Team Principal: Otto

D1 Race Engineer: Alicent

D2 Race Engineer: Tyland?

Strategist: Larys

Also should the team names be the house names or should it be an imaginary brand so that they aren't all nepo babies?

[herstoryheaven]

Descendants Harry Hook x Reader: Scripted Romance, Unscripted Love

Request: Could you do one where the reader got casted as a new character in D2 and the reader is dating Harry on screen but ends up falling in love with Thomas behind screen idk just something behind the scenes with Harry.

Reader: Female

Word count: 2551

Average reading time: 9 min 20 sec

Category: Fluff

Warnings: None

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Disclaimer: All events portrayed in my stories are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events is purely coincidental. Any actions or behaviours portrayed by the characters may differ from reality and cannot be connected to any actual person. This work is purely fictional and intended for entertainment purposes only.

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Y/N had always dreamed of being in a Disney movie, so when she got cast as a new character in Descendants 2, she was over the moon. Her character was part of Uma's pirate crew, and to her surprise, her character was dating Harry Hook, played by the charming Thomas Doherty.

From the very first day on set, Y/N felt an instant connection with Thomas. There was an undeniable spark, an energy between them that made every interaction feel like fireworks. But she pushed the thought aside, assuming it was all part of their roles. After all, they were professionals, and they were supposed to have chemistry on screen. 'He’s just being professional', she would remind herself whenever he flashed that dazzling smile her way, or when his touch lingered a little too long during a scene.

One of their first scenes together involved a heated argument between their characters. Harry was supposed to grab her wrist and pull her close, the tension thick between them. As they rehearsed, Thomas kept breaking character, laughing and teasing her whenever she tried to be serious. “C’mon, love, where’s that fire I know ye’ve got?” he’d say, his accent thick and teasing.

Y/N would roll her eyes, trying to ignore the way her heart raced whenever he called her "love". She forced herself to focus, channeling the anger her character was supposed to feel. But when they ran the scene for the cameras, and Thomas grabbed her wrist, pulling her close, the smirk on his face shifted into something deeper, something more intense.

“Look at ye, lass.” he murmured in his deep Scottish accent, his voice low and filled with something that felt all too real, “Stealin’ my heart both on and off the screen.” His eyes, a shade darker now, locked onto hers with an intensity that made her hold her breath.

Before she could respond, he lifted her hand to his lips, his gaze never leaving hers. The kiss was gentle, his lips warm against her skin, but it sent a jolt of electricity straight through her. It wasn’t part of the script, wasn’t something they had rehearsed, but it felt natural, as if this moment had been building between them all along.

Y/N's breath hitched, and for a moment, she forgot they were surrounded by cameras and crew members. The world seemed to shrink down to just the two of them, the heat of his gaze making her stomach flip. But then, the director called cut, and she forced herself to laugh it off as part of the act. Thomas, however, seemed to have other plans.

As filming continued, Y/N began to notice how Thomas was always around, even when he didn’t need to be. Between takes, he’d find reasons to talk to her, whether it was to joke about a scene or to compliment her on her performance. “You’re doing’ great, love.” he’d say with a wink, causing her heart to flutter every time.

Off-screen, Thomas’s attention only grew more intense. During lunch breaks, he would search for her in the crowd, always saving her a seat next to him. He’d share stories about his life in Scotland, asking her questions about her own life in a way that made her feel like she was the only person in the world. The way he listened to her, with genuine interest, made it harder and harder for her to dismiss her growing feelings.

Then there were the little gestures, things that could be easily overlooked as simple kindness but made Y/N’s heart race all the same. He started leaving little notes in her trailer, always signed with a playful heart or a cheeky "Yours, Harry." One day, after they had a particularly challenging scene, Y/N found a small bouquet of her favorite flowers waiting for her, with a note that read, “To brighten your day, love. – T.” 

On breaks, he’d bring her snacks, always making sure they were her favorites, like the time he surprised her with her favorite chocolate bar, claiming he “just happened to find it” even though she knew it wasn’t easy to come by on set. During late-night shoots, when the temperature would drop, Thomas would drape his jacket over her shoulders without a word, his hand lingering just a moment longer than necessary on her arm. Each touch sent a shiver down her spine, and she’d find herself wearing his jacket long after she no longer needed it, just to keep his warmth close.

One evening, after a particularly grueling day of filming, the cast decided to relax by having a small gathering. Thomas found Y/N sitting alone, watching the stars from a quiet spot away from the others. Without asking, he sat down beside her, their shoulders brushing.

“Long day, huh?” he said, his voice soft as he looked up at the sky with her.

“Yeah, but I’m getting used to it,” she replied, smiling at the thought of how far she had come since the first day.

Thomas turned to her, his gaze soft but intent. “I’m glad you’re here, love. It wouldn’t be the same without you.”

Y/N felt her cheeks heat up, and she looked away, hoping he wouldn’t notice. “Thanks, Thomas. That means a lot.”

The silence that followed was comfortable, but charged with something unspoken. She wanted to ask him if he meant more than just as co-stars, but the fear that it was all just him being friendly held her back. What if this was just his way of keeping things light on set? She was new, after all, and maybe this was just how he made everyone feel welcomed.

But then, there were those moments, moments that didn’t feel like they could be just for show. Like when they were filming a scene where Harry had to protect her character from a threat. The script only called for him to pull her behind him, but Thomas improvised, wrapping an arm around her waist and holding her close. Even after the director yelled cut, Thomas didn’t let go right away, his hand lingering at her side as he looked down at her with something that felt far too real to be just acting.

As the weeks passed, Y/N found herself falling for him more and more, despite her best efforts to remain professional. The way he treated her, the way he made her laugh, the way he seemed to see right through her… it was all too much to ignore. But that little voice of doubt kept creeping in, telling her that she was just another co-star, that he didn’t see her the way she saw him.

One day, during a particularly emotional scene where Harry had to comfort her character after a fight, Thomas went off-script again. Instead of just saying his lines, he brushed a strand of hair out of her face, his thumb gently caressing her cheek as he whispered, “Ye deserve better, lass. I’d never let anyone hurt ye like that.”

The intensity in his eyes made it almost impossible for Y/N to stay in character. She felt tears welling up, not from the scene, but from the overwhelming emotions she was feeling in real life. When the director called cut, she quickly turned away, trying to compose herself. But Thomas followed her, his concern genuine as he asked, “You alright, love? Did I push too far?”

Y/N shook her head, forcing a smile. “No, it’s just… you’re really good at this, you know?”

Thomas smiled, but there was a hint of something more in his eyes. “So are you, Y/N. So are you.”

Despite all these moments, the fear that it was all just part of the job kept her from believing it could be anything more. What if he was just being nice? What if he didn’t really see her the way she saw him? But every time he looked at her, every time he called her "lass" or "love", that tiny spark of hope refused to die. Maybe, just maybe, he felt the same way.

-----

The last day of filming was bittersweet, and Y/N felt a deep, aching sadness settle in her chest as the reality of it all began to sink in. The entire cast had gathered for a wrap party, the air filled with laughter, music, and a sense of finality that she couldn’t quite shake. She tried to enjoy the night, but the thought that this might be the last time she’d see Thomas kept creeping into her mind. He’d return to his life, and she’d return to hers, and the thought of losing him, of losing the connection they had felt almost unbearable.

Thomas seemed unusually quiet as the night wore on, his eyes constantly following her across the room. He wasn’t his usual playful self, and it only made Y/N’s heart ache more. She kept trying to convince herself that this was just another chapter ending, but every time their eyes met, she felt something pull at her heart, begging her to reach out to him.

Needing a moment to clear her head, Y/N stepped outside to get some fresh air. The cool breeze was a welcome relief from the warmth of the party, but it did little to soothe the turmoil inside her. She wrapped her arms around herself, lost in thought, when she suddenly sensed someone nearby.

Looking up, she found Thomas waiting for her, leaning casually against the wall with that same boyish grin she’d come to adore. But there was something different about it tonight, something softer, more sincere.

“Y/N,” he called softly, his voice almost a whisper in the still night. “Come take a walk with me, love.”

She hesitated for only a moment before nodding, her heart pounding as she fell into step beside him. They wandered away from the party, the sound of their footsteps echoing through the empty studio lot. The silence between them was heavy with unspoken words, and Y/N couldn’t help but feel that something monumental was about to happen.

Thomas was quiet for a long time, his usual easy confidence replaced by a tension she had never seen in him before. Finally, he took a deep breath, as if steeling himself, and broke the silence.

“I’ve been meaning to tell you something.” he began, his voice uncharacteristically nervous. He stopped walking, turning to face her, and Y/N’s heart raced as she saw the serious expression on his face.

“What is it?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, a mixture of hope and fear swirling in her chest.

Thomas took a step closer, his hand reaching out to gently cup her cheek. His touch was warm, tender, and it made her heart skip a beat. His eyes searched hers, as if trying to find the right words, the right way to say what he had been holding back for so long.

“I’ve had a hard time keeping this to myself.” he finally said, his voice thick with emotion. “But… I’m not just acting when I look at you, love.”

Y/N’s breath caught in her throat as she processed his words, her heart pounding so loudly she was sure he could hear it. “What do you mean?” she managed to ask, her voice trembling with a mixture of hope and disbelief.

Thomas took another step closer, their bodies almost touching now, and the intensity in his gaze made her knees weak. “I mean that I’ve fallen for you, Y/N. Not just as Harry, but as me, Thomas. I care about you, more than I can explain. And I was wondering if maybe… you felt the same way?”

For a moment, Y/N was too stunned to speak. All this time, she had convinced herself that he only saw her as a co-star, a friend at best. But here he was, standing in front of her, confessing the very thing she had been too afraid to admit to herself. The realization hit her like a wave, washing away all the doubts and fears she had been holding onto.

“I… I do feel the same way.” she finally managed to say, her voice trembling with emotion. “I’ve liked you for so long, but I didn’t think you felt the same.”

Thomas’s face lit up with that familiar grin, but this time, there was a softness to it, a vulnerability that made her heart swell with affection. Without another word, he leaned in, his lips capturing hers in a kiss that was as tender as it was passionate. 

The world seemed to disappear as Y/N melted into him, her hands finding their way to the back of his neck as she pulled him closer. His arms wrapped around her waist, holding her as if he never wanted to let go. The kiss was everything she had imagined and more, filled with all the unspoken feelings they had both been holding back for so long. It was soft and sweet, but there was an intensity to it a deep, burning need that made her toes curl.

When they finally pulled apart, both of them breathless, Thomas rested his forehead against hers, his eyes still closed as if savoring the moment. His smile never faded, and Y/N couldn’t help but smile back, her heart overflowing with happiness.

“Guess we don’t have to pretend anymore, aye?” he murmured, his voice filled with a mix of relief and joy.

Y/N laughed softly, her fingers tracing the line of his jaw as she looked up at him, her eyes shining with affection. “No, we don’t.”

Thomas leaned in to kiss her again, this time slower, savoring every second as if they had all the time in the world. Y/N felt like she was floating, her heart so full she thought it might burst. She had dreamed of this moment for so long, and now that it was real, it was even better than she could have ever imagined.

As they walked back to the party, hand in hand, Y/N couldn’t help but feel like she was living in a dream, one where the pirate with the hook had stolen her heart for good. The night air was cool around them, but she felt warm from head to toe, the warmth of his hand in hers grounding her in the reality of it all.

When they reached the door, Thomas paused, turning to face her once more. “Y/N, I meant every word I said. This isn’t just a set romance for me. I want to be with you off-screen, in the real world. Whatever that looks like, wherever it takes us, I want it to be with you.”

Tears welled up in Y/N’s eyes, and she nodded, her heart swelling with a love she could no longer deny. “I want that too, Thomas. More than anything.”

With one last lingering kiss, they rejoined the party, their hands still entwined, their hearts forever bound. And as they laughed and danced the night away with their friends, Y/N couldn’t stop the smile that spread across her face. This was just the beginning of their story, a story that was real, that was theirs. And as they looked into each other’s eyes, she knew that this was a love that would last far beyond the final cut.

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Requested by: Anonymous

[thorough-witness-enjoyer]

[rayesgenesis]

i love you, i’m sorry — b.f

who? ben florian x fem!reader

summary: you are nowhere to be found one night and ben worries he might have lost you for good.

a/n: the inspo for this weirdly came from a scene in modern family?? don’t even ask — alsoo d2 vibes anyone?

wc: 2k

warnings: hurt/comfort

where is she?

ben came busting down your dormroom door after receiving a text about your disappearance. he looked alarmed, standing in the doorway. his chest was rising and falling quickly, as his heart was hammering against his chest. he looked around the room franticaly, a slight waver to his voice.

“well obviously not here.” mal mumbled. evie turned around and shot her friend a warning glare before answering ben.

“we don’t know...” she looked desperately at him, her shoulders slumping slightly as she sighed.

ben held a blank stare. he looked lost, like he didn’t quite understand what he was told. “what do you mean you don’t know?” he asked, his eyes darting between each of friends.

carlos cut in. “we’ve searched the entire campus and found no sign of her.” he looked between evie and ben as he answered, equally as worried.

“she texted me saying she was going on a walk to clear her mind. she hasn’t answered any of my calls or replied to my texts since.” evie added.

ben couldn’t decipher any thought that was going through his mind at the moment. too much was going on at the same time. he felt his ears starting to ring. only a couple minutes left until midnight and his girlfriend was missing with nobody seeming to know where she was. despite his racing mind, one thought remained constant: it was all his fault.

he closed his eyes, trying to drown out the world around him as he felt a force threatening to take advantage of his state and let loose.

evie, ever so caring, stepped forward and gently placed a hand on his shoulder, taking him out of his trance. he was breathing deeply, his internal turmoil affecting him deeply.

“she’s been worried sick about you, ben.” evie started, her eyes searching his face. “she really likes you, you know that? she keeps saying how she wants to talk and sort things out. it’s killing her that you’ve been pushing her away.”

ben’s heart ached at evie’s words. he knew he had hurt you. distancing himself from you was one of the hardest things he ever had to do. but at the time, he thought that he couldn’t do it any other way.

you first noticed something was possibly wrong when he would blow things out of proportion. as if he had become a perfectionist overnight, the littlest of details made him tick and kept him tossing and turning in his bed at night. it was so unlike him to act this way.

still, you let him be. ben was the most straightforward person you knew, if he ever needed help with something, he’d come to you to talk about it, the way he’s always done. at least that’s what you thought.

one weekend, while he was staying at his parents castle, something growled to no end in his bedroom. it wasn’t him— or rather he didn’t want it to be. he didn’t remember what happened that night. all he knew, was that he felt lighter afterwards. his mother had heard him, though. always being on the lookout, she ran to his room and as soon as she saw the fangs and the long nails, she knew. she’d seen this before.

ben quickly came to understand what happened that night, his father being quite helpful with filling in the blanks. he hated sharing this in common with him, though. it was basically like granting his father the right to think that they were one and the same, which ben tirelessly tried to disprove ever since he became aware of his father’s ways. he was aware that a transformation like the one he experienced could happen, being warned about it very young. however, he never thought it would happen so soon.

as he started imagining his life with this new aspect, the thought of you crept up in his mind. if he ever lost his mind in your presence and harmed you in any way, he would never forgive himself.

ensued a week and a half of ben ignoring you the best he could, missing lunch and classes, hoping he wouldn’t run into you.

at least, when he pushed you away, it was hurt that he could control. however it was wrong.

it was funny how ben had spent so long convincing himself and everyone else that he wasn’t like his father and yet, there he was, behaving just like him.

only now, you were missing and ben didn’t know what to do. were you hurt? were you still in auradon? he couldn’t protect you. the perspective of you being out there, alone? it terrified him. he had to find a solution. he had to find you.

he absentmindedly fiddled with his family ring for a bit before having the semblance of a plan. he needed to act as the leader he’d been taught to be if he wanted any kind of result. “okay, evie? i’m gonna need you to try the phone again—”

evie typed your phone number on her phone for what felt like the millionth time when mal cut ben off.

“ben we’ve already tried this.” mal sighed, “maybe it’s time we give her her space.”

ben’s voice came out strained as he snapped back at mal. he would never stop trying for you. “her space? she’s missing, mal! and i just can’t sit back and do nothing while she’s out here, possibly hurt or—” he exhaled deeply, the thought too painful to finish. his jaw was clenched tight as his eyes closed by themselves. he was doing everything in his power not to succumb to the dark forceful force within him begging him to give in, but it was getting harder as each minute passed, the last bit of composure he had slipping through his fingers.

he ran a hand through his hair, his mind torturing him with the worst case scenarios. “i CAN’T, okay??” he raised his voice in both frustration and as an attempt to quiet his mind. the three looked up at him. this wasn’t the usually calm and collected ben they knew.

he sat on the edge of a bed, burying his face in his hands as he groaned, the situation heavily weighing on him.

“i love her. and i know that pushing her away was the wrong thing to do and it ended up doing more harm than good. i thought i was keeping her safe.” he shook his head, “i should’ve been honest with her from the start but i can’t…i can’t let anything happen to her, especially not because of me.” his voice wavered again, his emotions overwhelming him.

“she’s my world, mal. i love her more than anything.” he concluded firmly as he stared into space.

evie’s gaze lifted from ben to the doorway. she couldn’t help the smirk forming on her lips. “i think she knows ben.”

“still, she deserved better than what i gave her, evie. it’s all—”

“no, ben..” evie insisted as she looked at him and back in the direction of the doorway, “she knows.”

ben looked up and followed evie’s gaze and here you were, standing in the doorway like a deer in headlights. he stood up immediately and opened his mouth to say something but the words escaped him. your presence was enough to still the storm of emotion raging inside of him.

“y/n.” his eyes never left your face as a mix of relief and trepidation washed over him. he ached to close the distance between you but he was frozen in place, only thing he could do was drink in the sight of you.

“you’re…you’re here.” ben continued.

you nodded, taking tiny tentative steps into the room. “yeah, evie called and never hung up.”

ben’s heart skipped a beat at the sound of your voice, his gaze flicking to evie. he tried to think about the implications of you hearing everything he just said but he was hypnotized by your presence and just as quickly his attention was back on you, the only person that mattered at the moment.

“you’re here…you’re okay. thank god, you’re okay.” ben didn’t trust himself to speak for much longer, opting instead to act on the feelings of raw need and lack that had been eating away at him for the past week. so without a second thought, he ran to you, and in one swift movement, he cupped your face with his hands, his lips finding yours.

the kiss was urgent and needy, a testament to the whirlwind of emotions that ben had been holding onto. his touch was desperate yet gentle, and he pulled you so close that it felt like the world around you disappeared. his only focus was you— the girl he was so desperate to protect, even if it was from himself. he needed to show you how very sorry he was, how much he ached for you.

his hands roamed over your body, holding you like he never wanted to let go of you again. the world started spinning again when he pulled back just enough to look into your eyes. you could feel the profound relief in the way his arms engulfed you.

“i thought i’d lost you.” he whispered as his forehead rested on yours, his voice thick with emotion. “i’m so sorry y/n—”

carlos cut ben off to say that evie, mal and him would leave you to reunite in private. which, of course, left a very confused mal to whisper things like isn’t it our dorm? why should we leave? while evie was dragging her on their way out.

you rubbed circles on his wrists with your thumbs, thinking about what you would say to him. after your long walk, you had come back with a clearer head. your mind was no longer clouded by your sadness or anger. for the past week or so, you thought that you’d lost your boyfriend and evie’s call only proved that he was still there, he just needed some help.

“i just want to know if you meant what you said to mal.” you simply said.

ben pulled away just enough to look into your eyes. he understood that you needed reassurance, that the uncertainty had been eating at you just as much as it had been eating at him. he used his index finger to make you look at him, his voice soft and sincere.

“i meant every word. i’ve been trying to tell you for a while, but i was scared. most of all, i was stupid." he paused, gathering his thoughts. his eyes never once left yours though, he was continuously boring into them. “i messed up, big time. i thought the only way i could protect you was by keeping you away from me.” ben took a deep breath before speaking again, his voice firm yet soft, “i was scared, scared that i’d lose you, scared that i’d hurt you. but i realize now that i should’ve told you everything. and for that, i am so, so sorry.”

ben took a deep breath before carrying on.

"i love you, more deeply than i ever thought i could love someone. and when i thought that i had lost you tonight i—" the emotions threatened to overwhelm him once again when he thought about it. when his breath came out shaky and you noticed it, you took his face in your hands, so he would focus on your words.

“then i don’t need to know anything else, ben. i’m here for you and i know we’ll get through this if you love me, and i love you.”

your words acted as a soothing balm on ben’s worried mind, miraculously ending the battle he’d been fighting against himself. with a relieved sigh, ben pulled you close once again. you were his peace, the secret to keeping it all together.

“you’re right, and i promise, no more secrets and no more shutting you out. i’m not letting you go ever again.” he whispered, his forehead against yours.

the night continued with quiet yet heartfelt talks, expressing feelings that had longed to be spoken aloud. ben finally told you about the night at the castle, his fears and his hopes. and you didn’t run away immediately like he thought you would. no, you stayed and made a promise to help him embrace this side of him.

eventually, the fatigue of the day caught up with the both of you. the two of you settled under the covers, wrapped in each other's arms, protecting eachother, as sleep slowly claimed you both.

[raitrolling]

Sharle Casini makes his third consecutive podium appearance at Lamonri Circuit in four seasons of racing, and his first podium for Season 224!

[sw5w]

The Crowd Gathers Around Anakin

STAR WARS EPISODE I: The Phantom Menace 01:09:44