#dd the crimson court

[pearl-the-artist]

Heresy in the Blood.

[theshyreader]

My addition to the Darkest Dungeon Art Zine 2023 with my lovely buggy lady, Ann!

I am so grateful to be apart of this zine and the community that came with it! You should check out all of the art and writings made by the rest of the artists in the zine!

[joz-yyh]

DDMonth ▪️ Day 5: Wounds ❤️‍🩹 TITLE: Acta Est Fabula Ch. 11 - (Preview) SUMMARY: Crimson Court AU. It’s time for the viscounts annual banquet and the boys are not so fortunate to escape unscathed. No beta. Read at your own risk. RATING: MATURE (blood/violence) PAIRING: Bounty Hunter x Flagellant WORD COUNT: 1,583 A/N: (If you're interested in reading Acta Est Fabula from the beginning, click the link to go to Ch. 1)

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

“Ah, there's our main course! You're just in time, boy.”

This damming scene, Damian almost can't believe it's real, to see his worst fears imagined, manifested here, now. 

Tardif and the fiendish patriarch are locked, one side holding the upperhand, the other impaled upon its forelegs.

The flagellant moves without thinking, hoping this was a nightmare he could wake from, if only he dispelled the illusion. 

“Ah, ah, ah – not another step,” the viscount warns, teeth chittering, growling out his next words, “or I'll run him through.”

At Tardif's pained whimper, Damian stops, their despicable gourmand putting pressure on torn flesh to illustrate a point. 

“Do we understand each other?”

Damian wants to tear the malignant smirk off the bloodsucker's face and while he may not be within range to do so, Sebastian might be. He just needs to keep him talking, distract him long enough for the reptilian to make his move.

“Let him go,” the blonde nobleman snarls, playing along with this sick game.

“You're in no position to make demands,” their enemy counters, “Same goes for your croc there. One wrong move and your human goes pop like a souffle.”

As much as he's against the idea, the flagellant issues the command, prolonging their standstill in an effort to save Tardif's life.

“Sebastian … stay.”

“Good,” the viscount chuckles, “Now maybe we can have a polite conversation.”

What irony, the gregarious glutton carrying both knife and fork within his hands, tenderizing the very man he holds hostage.

“What shall we discuss?” 

The visage of compliance gives him time to think. The viscount may have intercepted Sebastian, but he had no knowledge of Pierre, Damian hoping the insect hybrid will return soon, giving them the opening they need.

“Would it please you to know I celebrated the baron's passing? Afterall, we both carried a certain distaste for him.”

His black eyes are fixated on Damian, expecting a rise out of him, dredging up old wounds, but the vagrant nobleman gives him nothing, perpetuating his cold stare.

Not to be deterred, the viscount continues, determined to break his spirit.

“A constant source of indigestion that one, I was grateful to the fool who dispatched him, but imagine my surprise when the baroness told me it was the work of a hunter, but seeing as you're here, we both know that's not entirely true, now is it?”

“The baroness is loyal to no one, but herself,” the flagellant reminds him, “You should know this.” 

“Yes, I thought myself too valuable to warrant this disservice, but then, I never expected you to be a danger either. Tell me, whatever did you do to recruit a hunter into your coup?”

“Damian,” Tardif grits, glaring daggers at his attacker, “kill this bastard already. Tired of hearin’ him talk.”

“Quiet, meatbag,” the gastronome snaps, “know the peril you're in.” 

Forelegs are shoved in deeper, the hunter using hands to block the ligament's advance, but the bloodsucker outweighs what strength he has.

“Hurt him again,” Damian warns, claws growing lengthy, gleaming with intent, “and I will not be so civilized.”

The haughty parasite laughs at his threat, a bloody neckerchief erupting into his mouth. He may be a fat old coot, but he's been around the block long enough to read between the lines. 

“You always were a devious sort, a hazard to yourself. Now here you are, playing with your food. Though, I suppose I can see the appeal of taking a human pet. Perhaps, I should try it for myself.”

He strokes Tardif’s cheek with his fork, tilting it up with the help of three iron prongs, his long tongue swirling out from between his mandibles to taste him. The human flinches back, offering what resistance he can while being pierced in both shoulders, the appendage lapping at the blood trickling down from his mouth.

“You try my patience,” the flagellant hollers, diverting the viscount's attention with a spat of disgust, “Either you tell me what you want, or I rip out that vile lamprey you call a tongue.” 

The slimy extremity beats a hasty retreat back into his lecherous face hole, proceeding with their negotiations.

“Preservation,” the bloodsucker says, “I let you go, you let me go. A truce.”

“You would betray the baroness,” Damian prompts, “You know the penalty is death.”

“So it is, but I'd rather live to eat another day then die here in this hovel.”  

“He's lyin’,” Tardif growls, struggling against his captor, “don't trust him.”

“Learn your place,” the viscount barks, “Your liege is speaking.”

Tardif hates how he's reminded of the Order, that this same fallacy of rank and superiority is echoed here, showing how much he cared for social hierarchy with an explicit curse.

“Fuck ye!” 

It's all he can manage, even the slightest motion causes a sharp rebellion of ache, his grip fading, slumping against the imprisonment of pretarsus stakes.

“Oh dear, seems we're running out of time. Your hunter is losing a lot of blood.”

“Mark me, I'll see you choke on it if you so much as breathe one word to the courts.”

“Of course, my word is my bond,” the viscount agrees, looking a tad too smug about their deal, already eating his dessert before it's been served. 

“That leaves one last thing.” 

He’s curious as to why the flagellant is smirking, of what other issue they’ve failed to cover, inconvenienced by compromise.

“And what's that?”

“How much footing you're about to lose.”

It's Damian's last warning before the gourmet is assaulted by a deafening hum, Pierre's supersonic wings disabling the viscount, the wig-totting glutton putting claws over his ears to escape the pain. 

Sebastian is the next to leap into action, biting off the very limbs that keep the wounded warrior barred into submission, the bloodsucker having a new reason to scream, beg for mercy as blood gushes out across broken cement, painting it a new shade of red.

Reptilian jaws munch down on the stringy appetizer in his mouth, the viscount staggering back, falling on his well-rounded abdomen, spilling dramatic tales of woe.

He drags his body in search of sustenance, leaving an erratic trail of blood behind, stumbling upon the scorched limbs of one of his dearly departed guests. He quickly gorges himself on it. A corpse or overturned supper, he'll take whatever scraps he can get his hands on to benefit his selfish regeneration.

Rather than cut the head off the serpent, Damian goes to his lover, patting a clammy cheek, stirring him awake. The human blinks, but he is unseeing, his pulse growing faint.

“Tardif, Tardif look at me. I need you to drink this.” 

The vampire bites open his wrist, letting the severed vein splatter drip drops onto the human's bottom lip.

“M’fine,” he grumbles, turning away, refusing the help, fighting with delirium.

“You must. You've lost too much blood.”

At Damian's vehemence, the hunter obeys, sucking the fountain of life-giving crimson into his mouth, gaining an appreciation for it, his enthusiasm increasing as his vitality does.

“There you go. That's it.”

The vampire sighs in relief, satisfied when the human accepts, aiding it into his mouth, watching him swallow it down.

Mortal wounds suture, vampiric blood accelerating his recovery, the gruff warrior able to use his arms again, raising them to curl around the wrist he suckles on.

Only when he's sure Tardif is well enough does Damian turn to his croc, imploring his assistance.

“Sebastian, stay with him. I'll finish the rest myself.”

The croc seems worried about his master's state of mind, but inherits the task. Pierre too hovers back, keeping close, protecting those he holds dear.

Now Damian tends to unfinished business, following the scrawled drags of blood to where his enemy cowers, Tardif's words echoing inside his head, a mentoring companion.

‘Better to have a weapon than not.’

The blood that cascades down his hand coalesces into a blade, shiny, long, visceral as he aims it at the disgraceful wretch who dared harm his love.

“What will you run out of first,” Damian taunts, a degenerate snarl, “Limbs or corpses?”

The scavenging viscount is still stuffing himself full, sporting two new limbs, freshly grown as they glisten with stolen red flesh.

“Stay back! I am warning you!”

If the loathsome insect intended to sound threatening, Damian felt nothing of the sort, a glint catching the flagellant’s eye, an ornate scabbard laying amongst the rubble, an idea coming to him like a vision. Clearly, it's owner no longer had any use for it, the nobleman picking it up, tossing the sword in the bloodsucker's direction, the weapon clattering next to his gaudy reach.

The viscount is taken aback, eyeing the blonde nobleman, not making a move. Similarly, Damian draws out the inevitable climax, giving himself more cause to enjoy it.

“Go on, pick it up. I'll give you a fighting chance.”

The insect remains skeptical, thinking surely this must be a trick, not about to fall for such an obvious trap.

“Hurry now,” he insists, “before I change my mind.”

With that looming threat, the foppish bloodsucker claims the weapon, skittering to his feet, aiming it back at Damian as quickly as he can.

“A true madman,” the viscount laughs, a haughty pompous gloat, “Allowing me to recover, handing me a weapon, you might as well have signed your own death warrant!”

“Is it madness, to know that when I kill you, it will be because I was the better man?”

{End Preview}

[neverthls]

Sorry for posting rancid bugs there's a change it might happen again...

[beepune]

brainrot is real and it kills

mans gonna call her a moron and im living for it

[werepaladin]

New blorbo just dropped. I found a houndmaster unit in the Baron’s courtyard in Darkest Dungeon and it kinda spiraled from there.

[guardianoftheotherside]

Ok one more for the day, feel free to answer this whenever you have time. No rush. I also have been on a Darkest Dungeon kick so pardon my enthusiam some, heheh...

How does each Horseman react to seeing Y/N rage whilst playing Darkest Dungeon 1 and 2? How do they react to playing it themselves? And what are their favorite classes for lore and gameplay reasons? Fave/Least fave boss? Who keeps Dismas and Reynauld alive past the Old Road or to the end of the first game? Finally, what is their reaction to seeing Dismas missing Reynauld before unlocking him via saving him in DD 2?

Side note, could see Crimson Court driving everyone nuts. But they still enjoy it for the most part.

I’m sure that after learning about mechanics horsemen would try to remind Y/N about heart attacks and keep an eye on stres levels.

They all would love to try to play themselves. I see it like that:

War as Crusader or Man-at-Arms

Death as Plague Doctor or Leper

Strife as Highwayman or Jester

Fury as Hellion or Musketeer

I’m not sure about bosses so I will live this question open for you to discuss it. Also I think you are right about Crimson Court.

[feelmyskinonyourskin]

Take What You Need - Part 1: Let the Devil Out

Matt Murdock x Female Reader

Part 2 | Part 3

Series Masterlist | My Masterlist

Warnings: SMUT/18+ ONLY. Female reader (anatomy and implication of she/her pronouns) No use of Y/N. Established relationship. Red Suit DD. Oral sex (M receiving), unprotected P in V (be safe IRL), P in V with no prep, DomMatt, choking, lil bit of breeding kink, aftercare.

Summary: The first time Matt takes you up on your offer to take what he needs. After a night of patrolling doesn't calm the devil inside, you offer for him to take it out on you.

WC: 1801

Matthew Murdock is a giver by nature – whether it’s the deep-seated catholic guilt, the childhood trauma of never having his emotional needs met, or just his naturally innate personality. For whatever reason, he is incapable of taking for himself, rarely ever utters or even thinks the words I need.

You discovered quickly into your relationship with him that also very much applied to his habits in the bedroom. He would have himself slotted between your thighs for hours, pulling orgasm after orgasm from you like it was just another day in court, but when it came time for you to return the favor, he’d shutter away from the notion. Behave as if it were a nuisance. Only give himself the pleasure for your satisfaction more than his.

Matthew, take what you need became a prayer on your lips that he very rarely answered.

That was until tonight.

The streets of Hell’s Kitchen were volatile lately. Gangs, muggers, hitmen – just to name a few of the characters he’d run into recently. He stumbled home bloody and bruised more times than he’d care to count over the past few weeks.

The crisp air nips at the little skin he has exposed, making his bones ache, seeping into him like a thousand needles. Every molecule of the blood-stained suit he wears rubs against his skin in a fiery itch. Even the faintest of sounds from the street below sends his ears into a frenzy. Not to mention the smells – copper from the blood, garbage and gasoline from the streets of New York, and sweat from his own body.

His senses are in overdrive. He’s irritable, itching for a release to calm his twitchy nervous system back into place. Even a night spent beating up the worst of Hell’s Kitchen is not enough.

A soft but familiar heartbeat cuts through the anguish and draws his attention to you, enjoying the dawning morning from a spot just outside his roof access door. He makes the final leap across rooftops and strides forward, head cocked to hone his senses to only you.

You stand to meet him, discarding the plaid throw blanket from your shoulders.

“I couldn’t sleep. Came up to get fresh air and wait for…” You begin to explain, but are cut off by him pulling your body against his and his mouth smashing into yours.

His kisses are immediately intense. Fervent. More teeth than tongue.

Between the violent attack of kisses and the stark contrast of his warm body pressed against yours in the cool dawn air, you’re left breathless, even a bit dizzy. But before you can orient yourself, he’s spinning you around and pushing you through the door that leads into his home, grasping at any part of your body he can get his hands on.

Because as this city tears him down to nothing but fragile atoms, burning every part of him as deeply as the fires of hell to which he feels his sins condemn him, there you are to save his soul.

You pull away from his kisses only for a moment, to let out a familiar request.

“Take what you need, Matthew”

And for the first time, he accepts your gracious offer.

“On your knees. Now.” he commands through his shaky exhales with a tilt of his chin.

The realization he was finally resigning to selfishness sends a fire of anticipation through your veins. Not wanting to give him any opportunity to rethink it, you scramble to drop down to your knees with a creak of the wood floor beneath you.

He licks his lips the way he always does when he’s on edge. Fiddling with the pants of his crimson devil suit for a moment until his cock springs free, already unbearably hard.

As he runs his gloved finger over your lips, he swallows thickly.

“Open.”

He pushes himself inside your mouth as soon as you part your lips.

A shudder runs through him when he reaches the back of your throat. Then he does as you requested – he takes. Thrusting in and out with no regard to how you’re gagging and choking on his length. His thick thighs offer a stable surface for you to grasp and through your lashes you look up and meet the red eyes of his mask. The eyes of the devil.

And what a devilish sin it is, Matt thinks to himself, to give in so fully to his desires. To fight so hard against his selfless instincts.

Tears spring to your eyes with every rut of his pelvis while your strangled moans encourage him to keep fucking your willing mouth. If he continues at this pace, he knows he will finish before fully having you in the way he wants.

No. The way he needs.

Grasping at your throat, he pulls out from you, heavy boots stomping backward to orient himself. Warm spit dribbles down your chin. You gasp at the now empty space around you and it’s suffocating.

“Still with me?” His breathing is ragged and uneven as he finally speaks again.

“Yes”

He wastes no time, bending down to strip you of your clothes quickly. They flutter over the side of the railing into the living room below. A soft contrast to the plonking sound of his gloves haphazardly being discarded as well and meeting the same fate as your pajamas below.

“Turn around.” he orders with a nod of his chin

Now bare beneath him, you comply and turn to face away. Your hands grasp at the spindles that cage the landing in, also now caging you into his unrestrained desires.

Desperation seeps from your every pore like watercolors bleeding across a canvas, your thundering heartbeat and the slick between your legs alerting Matt’s hypersenses to your readiness. He nudges at your entrance with the head of his cock, not wishing to waste another moment apart from you.

Any remaining shred of control is lost. The sound of his sex meeting yours and the warmth of your arousal is enough to make him lose it. He plunges all the way in with a vicious thrust of his hips, allowing no time for your cunt to adjust. And then he’s desperately rutting into you, breathy little moans escaping with every push of his hips.

“Matthew!” you cry out as satisfying pain burns through you.

The sensation of finally indulging in his own needs and desires first is so foreign to him, to be given so much with no expectation in return. He knows this must truly be what it means to let the devil out - to fully blur the line between man and demon.

The rough woven fabric of his suit burns against your exposed back as his thrusts become harsher. Tonight the praise that usually slips from his lips as your bodies meet is replaced by only harsh moans and grunts.

You’re fully pliable to his touch now, eyes brimming with tears moments away from spilling over your lids and staining your cheeks. He can taste them in the air, as he adjusts his pace and begins pounding into the spot guaranteed to unravel you quickly. Your growing whimpers alerting him that he’s got you exactly where he wants you, teetering towards your undoing. At this point, you’re well aware that he’s toying with you, edging you to your limit for his own gratification, full control over when and how you cum. If that’s the only thing he feels like he can control at this point, you’ll let him have it.

He leans forward to wrap his arm around your front and capture your throat in his grasp while his other hand runs desperately up and down your body, grabbing and groping at every inch of exposed skin.

If this was the intensity at which he patrolled and protected, you understood why the underbelly of this city only dared whisper about the man in the mask. But you weren’t afraid of him letting the devil out. If anything it was relieving to submit fully to his mercy – to fully know the parts of him he so desperately wanted to hide from you.

Reaching above where the two of you are joined, his tepid fingers harshly rub at your clit, coaxing you towards your end almost as furiously as his mind has been racing this evening. He doesn’t miss the cues your body is giving – the arch of your back, the intensified way your cunt is squeezing around him, more and more of you dripping onto him. Knowing the fire within him wont fully extinguish until he feels you meet your release.

You can barely think straight from the sheer intensity of your pleasure as your orgasm floods your system, finally breaking him free of the unruly angst he felt tonight. The vibrations in your chest as you continue to whimper and recover from your high pull him into the abyss along with you. He’s panting harshly as he cums, his whole body shaking as frazzled grunts spill from his lips. Electricity ricocheting between the two of you as he spills deep inside, finally placating the burning itch.

A new pain appears (in addition to the ache in your knees and the releasing tension of your muscles) the horns of his devil mask poking into your shoulder blades as he rests his forehead on your exposed back. His grip releases from your throat to find the hand you have clutched to the spindles, lacing his fingers with yours.

The stabbing of the horns are quickly replaced by featherlight kisses. Calmness washes over him in a tidal wave with the act of giving pleasure to flesh, not pain. It feels like an eternity until he finally pulls himself from you, his breathing now steady and even.

“C’mon, let’s get cleaned up” he speaks, almost in a whisper, as he paws at your soft flesh, assisting you to your feet and gingerly guiding you down the stairs.

A warm shower and a massage of your shoulders later, you’re snuggled together under silk sheets, not daring to give in to the sleep you both desperately need. Afterall, the harsh cries of your morning alarm are any moment away.

Matt holds you near, running long circles with his hands up and down the exposed flesh of your arms and back. As he embraces you, he marvels at how easily you offered yourself to him tonight and how willingly you gave, just as he does in nearly every aspect of his life. The thought grounds him, more than being buried inside you already has.

The pink and blue glows of the night time billboard through the large, loft windows are now washed away with the warmth of morning sunlight and the last signs of the devil inside finally dissipate with the rising sun.

NEXT CHAPTER

[bardofhype]

hello darkest dungeon and lobotomy corporation communities

i saw a post in the darkest dungeon tag talking about how DD was sort of like LobCorp, except with everything gothic instead of the Kabbalah. And though I didn't quite have thoughts about it at the moment of seeing it, I think I silently agreed with it, to the point where my brain went "hey you know what would be funny" so... here I am, about to assign all of Darkest Dungeon's heroes what I believe would be the EGO suits that best fit them. take this as a LobCorp DD au if you'd like, but either way, I'll put the list (and explanations for each) under the cut, for courtesy. Here we go.

Abomination - Cobalt Scar (Big and Will Be Bad Wolf) (Yes, this is going to be in alphabetical order. Bear with me.) For those who don't know much about Lobotomy Corporation, a lot of the Abnormalities/monsters in the facility are based off of urban legends and fairy tales from different corners of the globe, with a few grim twists here and there. Big and Will Be Bad Wolf (and a different Abno we'll get to pretty soon) is based off of Little Red Riding Hood, where- from the Wolf's point of view- he was expected to be bad, and his hunger ended up making that expectation his destiny. And. Well. It's Bigby we're talking about here. Dude is trying so hard to not be a terrifying monster, to keep it at bay... but sometimes it has to come out, whether he wants it to or not. And in Lobotomy Corporation... well, the agents themselves don't get to choose which EGO suits they have.

Antiquarian - Gold Rush (The King of Greed) This one was a little tougher to pin down, but I eventually decided to go with the semi-obvious choice. The King of Greed is one of three (technically four if you take Ruina into account) Abnormalities that are part of a Magical Girl group- heroes of the world who were corrupted in one way or another by different events. The one Josephine here has been assigned used to be the Magical Girl of Happiness, until that desire for happiness turned to obsession, which turned into greed- and she sealed herself inside a case of amber for the sin of ravenous hunger for every earthly pleasure there was. Josephine may not share such a desire so outwardly and for so many things, but she does have that eagle eye for valuables and shiny objects...

Arbalest - Bear Paws/The Forgotten (Happy Teddy Bear) Happy Teddy Bear is an Abnormality based around abandonment and memory, coming in the shape of... well, a giant stuffed teddy bear that's a little worse for wear after its child grew up and left it. Each Abnormality has a special ability that can trigger upon a certain condition being fulfilled, and Happy Teddy Bear's activates if you send the same employee to its containment twice in a row- in which it hugs the employee to death, not wanting to be abandoned again. Missandrei wasn't quite abandoned, but her backstory involving the death of innocence and being left on her own with nothing but a crossbow- not to mention one of her Crimson Court trinkets being a stuffed animal called Childhood Treasure- definitely makes her a good candidate for this. (Though it should be mentioned that she wouldn't have Happy Teddy Bear's EGO weapon, as it's too close range for her. She'd have Parasite Tree's crossbow. "what the fuck is a Parasite Tree" don't worry about it :] )

Bounty Hunter - Crimson Scar (Little Red Riding Hooded Mercenary) Told you we'd get to the other Little Red abno. Based on the titular character herself, Little Red Riding Hooded Mercenary follows a Little Red who's become a soldier for hire, hunting down the Wolf from her nightmares whenever she can, swearing that she will be the one to kill it. Hell, she has a mechanic where she'll breach containment if Big and Will Be Bad Wolf does so as well, just to fight him. It's nuts. You know Tardif would respect the shit out of that. And dare I say it, he might even see himself in the Abnormality, to an extent- dude has a Vengeful Kill List for a reason, and the both of them have some pretty deadly methods of dealing with their foes... "Does this imply Tardif and Bigby are enemies in this AU?" No, Bigby's just a lot more scared of Tardif that he would be normally, even when the big guy doesn't even have that much aggression towards him. Very funny "rivalry", if you can really call it that.

Crusader - Pink (Army in Pink/Black) Before you say anything, he has One Sin and Hundreds of Good Deed's EGO gift. I promise we'll get into the tasty religion Abnos later. Just lemme explain. Army in Pink/Black is one of the few Abnos in this whole thing where- if you hadn't checked the wiki beforehand and spoiled yourself- the game lies to you about what they are and you don't even know it. It starts out as a ZAYIN grade- the lowest threat level possible- and it seems to do nothing but benefit your employees at first. But then, when the conditions are right and it breaches... it wrecks hell, or it has the very good chance of doing so if you're not properly prepared. And after a good bit of time, it'll reveal it's actually an ALEPH- the highest threat level possible. It's still willing to benefit the facility even after all that, but... now you know you have to be careful around it, because it can and will destroy your shit. To me, that just kinda screams Reynauld. A guy with humble beginnings who simply signed onto the army to provide for his family, who then became an absolute powerhouse with little to no mercy. And I know the EGO set involves a gun, but like. Why not see what the holy knight can cook with that.

Duelist - Frost Splinter (The Snow Queen) Yeah I'm bring Darkest Dungeon II into this as well. Because the two new girlies deserve it. The Snow Queen is based on the story of the same name, where after a series of events, the titular character freezes the heart of someone who was led to her Snow Palace so that he could not feel the cold anymore. Not much of the story is important for the context of this list, but what is important is that her special ability involves freezing an employee and then having a different employee duel her for the frozen employee's freedom. Sahar has probably dueled with her many times while in the facility, and it's never been a grueling task for her- in fact, she enjoys the stakes in place, as she believes it brings out the fierceness in both her and her opponent- though don't get her wrong. She does not see this as entertainment or play-fighting. Simply a honorable duel.

Grave Robber - Cherry Blossoms (Grave of Cherry Blossoms) Had a difficult time pinning this one down. Not because there were no good options- I just didn't know which one fit the most at first. After reading over Grave of Cherry Blossoms, though, I think this is the right choice. Nourishment from the dead, using what they had for themself to the benefit of the many in a kinda twisted way... Audrey would probably raise an eyebrow at the specific methods used, but she can't help but think it clever. Some things do look more beautiful with a lot of blood on them, after all. ... and speaking of blood,

Flagellant - Paradise Lost (WhiteNight) Here's the tasty religious horror shit right here, babey!! This is where it's at!! Possibly- maybe arguably- the most dangerous ALEPH in the entire series, this thing wants to be God so, so bad. And the worst part is that it probably is, and it's fucking terrifying about it. The first time it ever breaches, it's when it's transforming into WhiteNight in the first place- oh, yeah, forgot to mention that this guy first comes into the facility as a ZAYIN-grade called Plague Doctor who gives blessings to the first twelve people (all having to be different people) to visit it, only to reveal that those "blessings" were actually WhiteNight marking them as Apostles, and OOPS! THOSE EMPLOYEES ARE JUST FUCKING DEAD NOW, SAVE FOR ONE THAT'S THE HERETIC APOSTLE THAT BETRAYS THE THING BY CONFESSING TO A DIFFERENT RELIGIOUS ABNORMALITY ENTIRELY- All I'm saying is, Damien would really like this guy. And in as unhealthy a fashion as you could imagine.

Hellion - Wingbeat (Fairy Festival) Fairy Festival is an Abnormality that is weird in a good way to me. You see, its special ability is sending out a group of fairies to aid and heal any employee that had a normal or good Work with it. These little fairies heal 10% of the employee's max health pool for 8 seconds, and these 8 second are so, so vital, because while these fairies are capable of benefiting the facility and the emplotees, they are also capable of gruesome employee instadeath by eating the employee they were sent to care for it if said employee was sent to work on anything but Fairy Festival. After eventually getting over the horrors of that, I think Boudica honestly respects that sort of system. You turn attention to something else while they're trying to thank you? You get what you deserve. That and the cannibalism.

Highwayman - Regret/Magic Bullet (Forsaken Murderer/Der Freischutz) Listen. I was split on this for so long but I know- I just know- he has stuff from both of them. I could not choose between the two. Probably started with Regret first, then got Magic Bullet a few weeks later- because the Manager is an evil bastard- and has the EGO gifts of both of them. Most Haunted Employee of the Month. Forsaken Murderer is kind of what it says on the tin- the story goes into a lot more specifics that outright involves experimental cruelty, but such specifics are not why this Abnormality was a candidate for Dismas here. It's moreso the themes of freedom despite being so heavily restrained, whether physical or otherwise. It's the trauma, and the illusions/hallucinations that came about because of that. It's so- I want to word my thoughts on this better, but I hope you see the vision with this half. As for Der Freischutz... roughly German for "The Marksman", and also based on the tale "Freischutz". A gunman who made a deal with the Devil, for a gun whose magic bullets could hit anyone, no matter what- but the last bullet was meant to puncture his beloved... so he went and killed every single loved one of his, so that the bullet shot through his own heart instead. Do you see it. Do you understand the vision. The absolute torture. When you add on the context that the Magic Bullet EGO weapon- a rifle- pierces through everything and can damage an entire corridor of enemies and allies alike and does not care to stop friendly fire, it's just. Dismas practically requires a mental counselor at the end of each day because of this shit.

Houndmaster - Beak (Punishing Bird) To make a long story short, there's these three specific birds in the game that are all linked- similar to the Magical Girl abnos, but much more fucked. One of these birds is Small Bird, aka Punishing Bird, whose story involving wanting to punish any wrongdoers in the forest it and the other birds lived in, but someone said he couldn't possibly do such a thing, due to how small his beak was- "the punishment wouldn't hurt at all." So Small Bird grew a fucking mouth on his stomach to devour wrongdoers. William really would not like that sense of punishment, but he'd understand it was just trying to protect what it loved. When it inevitably breaches (and it will do this often), he just lets it sit on his head and peck at him. It's fine, as long as he doesn't hit it back. "Why not any of the funny dog abnormalities???" Because his dog's still alive here and he doesn't want to betray her trust behind her back. (Dogs are man's best friend, after all.)

Jester - Da Capo (The Silent Orchestra) The Silent Orchestra is the third ALEPH to appear on this list, but unlike the other two, this one at least lets you know it's ALEPH pretty much right away! No surprises with this guy, but lots of fear! His containment breach is literally him conducting a whole orchestra and making everyone around him take physical, mental, emotional- pretty much any type of damage you can get in the game. And when the finale happens, anyone with less than great sanity after the rest of the performance dies. And considering what the hell Sarmenti did to that royal court the one time, I think he's one of the people to give the Abnormality a standing ovation. Real great music, even if he couldn't really hear it.

Leper - Spore (The Little Prince) I'll be honest, this is what got me to actually read The Little Prince's wiki page & story in full for the first time, and oh my god. It. I want to be able to describe it, but words are failing me right now. Just trust me when I say that Baldwin would feel sympathetic for it after finding out the story himself, and would be the only one of the team to request the Abnormality's EGO gear himself. (It does help that it's actually pretty decent gear, too, in my opinion.)

Man-at-Arms - The Sword Sharpened with Tears (Knight of Despair) The second Magical Girl on our list!! This time, the Knight of Despair- who used to be the Magical Girl of Justice who sought to protect and uphold the law, but realized after many years that nothing was upheld on her watch, and she had failed to protect anyone. Barristan can certainly relate, not being able to protect the men under his own order during the war. The blade that comes with the EGO set doesn't quite feel right at first, but now he wields it with what he hopes is a truly noble purpose.

Musketeer - Heaven (The Burrowing Heaven) With how little we know about Margaret and her past, this is actually one of the harder ones to try and figure out. But a single thought was what won me over to this concept, and I really need you to bear with me on this one. In this universe, what if this is what Margaret saw when the bullseye target shifted in her sight? What if she somehow caught a glimpse of that creature and just... knew she needed to figure out where the hell that came from? Just an idea. I hope we learn more about Margaret at some point.

Occultist - Sound of a Star (Blue Star) Hello fourth ALEPH on the list and second ALEPH to make your intentions known as soon as you show up. So Blue Star is... interesting. Its story involves employees treating it as some sort of god or deity, practically making an entire religion around it, and it's highly implied- if not explicitly stated- that it's a result of the Abnormality itself corrupting their minds, to the point that the company had to issue a statement about it. Something in me has the feeling that Alhazred would be one of the agents whose mind got corrupted by it, but due to training he received before being hired by L Corp, he was actually able to resist most of Blue Star's little mental antics- which probably ends up being the reason why he gets the EGO set in the first place. There is a dark curiosity lingering in him, though...

Plague Doctor - Solemn Lament (Funeral of the Dead Butterflies) I know I mentioned the Abnormality called Plague Doctor back during Flagellant's section, but considering what that led to, I don't think I'm gonna do that to Paracelsus. Plus, I think she'd be more interested in a personification of Death, anyhow. An arguably peaceful rendition of it, even- the Funeral of the Dead Butterflies understands that everyone's end comes eventually, and it wants to comfort those who die and have nowhere else to go in this place. It's got the coffin for a reason, after all- it wanted to be a savior, a long time ago. Much like a certain doctor who thought she could best Death.

Runaway - Fourth Match Flame (Scorched Girl) Based on the story "The Little Match Girl", this Abnormality takes the form of a charred, almost innocently cartoonish silhouette of a young girl, with a lit match piercing through her torso. Do I gotta say it, even. Bonnie probably ends up being good friends with the Scorched Girl, somehow, due to somewhat similar trauma. Or at least she'll really like using the flamethrower that comes with the EGO set.

Shieldbreaker - In the Name of Love and Hate (The Queen of Hatred) All the Magical Girls (sans Servant of Wrath) are here!!!! (celebratory emojis) The Queen of Hatred used to be the Magical Girl of Love, until too much peace and her strong mindset towards justice caused her to have a thought: "If there's too much good in the world, who will be the villain I have to protect everyone from?" Eventually, she became the villain herself, just for a balance of order to the world. Nowadays, she's actually relatively friendly with all the employees of the facility- even doing a friendly breach to help the employees with containing other Abnormalities- but if there's too much peace for a long time, she'll start having those familiar doubts... That's not the reason Amani was given her EGO, however. The reason is for what the Queen of Hatred looks like after she breaches with hostile intent- a giant winged serpent, with hands coming out the sides of its head. The Manager said its shape reminded them of her. Amani does not like the Manager. But she can't deny the effectiveness of the equipment given to her.

Vestal - Pleasure (Porccubus) Remember the possibilities of funny dog Abnormalities I mentioned back with Houndmaster? This is one of them. Imagine a poppy but looked like a dog and it was giant and it floated. Oh, and you can get addicted to petting its thorns because getting pricked by one causes you to experience a very large dose of an indescribable joy that the average human cannot hope to withstand. So now you might be thinking. "How the hell would Junia get this thing's EGO with all her repression?" Yeah, funnily enough, I think she tries her hardest to avoid this Abnormality at all costs, but she's been in there a few times and she claims it wasn't that bad, actually. That said, she hasn't pet it yet.

[coffee-in-veins]

You mentioning the DD 2 steam sale reminds me that despite the fact I bought the game early access, they expect people to buy it AGAIN if they want it on Steam. I can't put to words why it makes me so upset, I just want the fucking Steam icons!! And to not spend another $40 for them!!

hullo hullo!

thank you for the ask and sharing in my pain. and sorry for such a late reply, my inbox is a mess and I feel like i don't do it justice when people are trying to reach to me... i'm very sorry, I'll do my best to do better

to be honest, i'm kinda on the fence with all this 'exclusive early access'. especially with the DLC announced. they made people buy the game, and now will try to sell characters separately. don't get me wrong - this is an amazing monetary model... if you're the seller. have you noticed their wording in their answer to the questions about future DLCs?

translated from polite talk: If this crusader DLC is lucrative, we will make more DLCs with heroes you actually want, so if you wanna see the one you are actually interested, prepare to pay up! this feels almost like holding other heroes hostage so to speak - get enough cash to get previous ones or the one you actually want won't see the light of the day.

and i mean... this just reminds me so, so much of EA or Total War, you know? it sure is lucrative for them, people are dying to see their favs in gorgeous 3D (if they don't treat them like poor Damian over there but i digress...), and play with them in new maps against new bosses... i just dunno if i can be bothered to cough up 10$ or however much they'd want for each pair of them, you know? if we count all of the missing heroes and if they'll continue Crus' model (aka 1 oldie and 1 newcomer per DLC), DD2 becomes almost scarily expencive. especially where i am now.

honestly, with the amount of shit around me, i almost stopped monitoring the situation, but i am curious about the price they'll put on Rey fans to have him back (the achievements for Rey and Dis are just grinding the boot at this point imo), and how this all will be received. we'll have to wait an see, i guess.

but i'm scared that people will be happy and they will cough up that money, and RH will follow this monetization path, follow? not meaningful DLCs with mechanics like Farmstead or Crimson Court, but hero packs. and i am genuinely not sure what to feel about it. sure i'm happy Rey gets to be in DD2 but... shouldn't he be there by default? especially if they add achievements for him, Dis and the Usual Suspects. dunno. i don't want to be too negative or sound like a tin foil conspirator, but it almost feels like a planned idea? see if people want their old characters back, and then put a price tag on nostalgia and attachments and see if it will work.

[pearl-the-artist]

Yeah.

[dukestdungeon]

Finally tried to draw my persona in the DD artstyle! I think it turned out pretty well

Referenced the dresses in the Crimson Court cutscenes for the vibes, I think it's pretty cute uwu

[joz-yyh]

Another WIP for my Crimson Court AU! 🍷🐊 ☁️ 🌫️ Vamp Damian and his Croc BFF Sebastian (or Sebby for short).

[ddsuites]

Beyond the Taj Mahal: Agra's Most Exquisite Hotels and Attractions

Introduction: Unveiling the Treasures of Agra

Nestled along the banks of the Yamuna River in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, Agra stands as a testament to India's rich history and cultural heritage. Steeped in the grandeur of the Mughal Empire, this historic city beckons travelers from across the globe with its magnificent monuments, vibrant bazaars, and delectable cuisine. Join us as we delve into the heart of Agra and discover the places to visit in Agra it has to offer.

Discovering Iconic Landmarks

The Magnificent Taj Mahal: An Icon of Everlasting Love

Commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century as a tribute to his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal stands as a pinnacle of architectural perfection and undying love. Crafted from gleaming white marble and adorned with intricate carvings and inlaid gemstones, this UNESCO World Heritage Site mesmerizes visitors with its ethereal beauty. As the first light of dawn bathes its domes in a golden glow or the setting sun casts a crimson hue upon its facade, the Taj Mahal evokes a sense of wonder and reverence that transcends time.

Exploring Agra Fort: A Citadel of History

Built by Emperor Akbar in the 16th century and later expanded by his successors, Agra Fort bears witness to centuries of Mughal grandeur and conquest. Within its formidable walls lie a treasure trove of architectural marvels, including opulent palaces, ornate mosques, and intricately carved courtyards. As you wander through its maze-like passages and peer out from its towering ramparts, you can almost hear the echoes of bygone eras, where emperors held court and armies marched in triumph.

Marveling at Fatehpur Sikri: The Abandoned City

Venture beyond the confines of Agra to explore Fatehpur Sikri, a ghostly yet enchanting city frozen in time. Constructed by Emperor Akbar in the late 16th century as his imperial capital, Fatehpur Sikri boasts a stunning array of palaces, mosques, and monuments, all crafted from vibrant red sandstone. Wander through its deserted streets and marvel at architectural wonders such as the Buland Darwaza (Gate of Victory) and the Jama Masjid, and let your imagination transport you to a bygone era of splendor and grandeur.

Indulging in Culinary Delights

Savoring Agra's Street Food: A Gastronomic Adventure

No visit to Agra is complete without sampling its mouthwatering street food, a vibrant tapestry of flavors and aromas that tantalize the senses. Dive into a plate of piping hot samosas, stuffed with savory fillings and served with tangy chutneys, or indulge your sweet tooth with a serving of jalebis, crispy fried spirals drenched in syrup. For a taste of local delicacies, don't miss the iconic Agra ka petha, soft translucent candy infused with flavors such as saffron, rose, and cardamom.

Dining at Fine Restaurants: A Gourmet Experience

For a more refined dining experience, best hotels in Agra boasts an array of upscale restaurants and eateries serving exquisite Mughlai cuisine and international fare. Feast on succulent kebabs, aromatic biryanis, and rich curries, all prepared with the finest ingredients and authentic spices. Pair your meal with a glass of fine wine or a traditional lassi, and savor every moment of this culinary journey through the flavors of Agra.

Luxuriating in Accommodations

Hotel DD Suites: Where Luxury Meets Comfort

Situated in the heart of Agra, Hotel DD Suites offers discerning travelers a luxurious retreat amidst the hustle and bustle of the city. Step into a world of elegance and sophistication, where stylishly appointed rooms and suites await to envelop you in comfort. Unwind by the rooftop pool overlooking panoramic views of the city skyline, or indulge in a rejuvenating spa treatment to soothe your senses after a day of exploration.

Nestled amidst lush gardens and serene fountains, this opulent luxury hotels in Agra offers guests an unparalleled experience of luxury and refinement. Retreat to your exquisitely furnished suite, adorned with handcrafted furnishings and adorned with exquisite artwork, and bask in the awe-inspiring views of the Taj Mahal from your private balcony.

Conclusion: Crafting Unforgettable Memories

As we bid farewell to the enchanting city of Agra, we carry with us memories that will last a lifetime. From the timeless beauty of the Taj Mahal to the bustling bazaars and delectable cuisine, Agra captivates the senses and leaves an indelible mark on all who visit. Whether you're exploring its iconic landmarks, savoring its culinary delights, or luxuriating in its finest hotels in Agra, it promises a journey of discovery and delight that is as enriching as it is unforgettable. So, pack your bags and embark on an adventure to Agra, where history, culture, and hospitality converge to create moments that will stay with you long after you've said goodbye.

[ddjester]

.Thirst

[nxghtdoll]

hamlet’s darkest babe lady, Crescent, dating local mosquito vampire Countess

oldie from 2021 I only had the courage to post here now, in the end, Crescent ended up having to kill her own future wife