#divine scourge

[hunniegl4zed]

Divine intervention ending. Hear me out here.

You really think mephiles and iblis don’t have a plan b in case it all goes wrong? We’re talking about gods here, and there’s more where they came from.

Super scourge has completely taken over, and mephiles is too exhausted to fight. Iblis came down to help fight him off, but their strength is fading, and fast. So, with a last ditch effort, he decides to summon an old friend or two.

Iblis and Nazo were on the brink of exhaustion, and even with Sonic, shadow, seelka, and Iris approaching as the reinforcements, they wouldn’t be able to make it in time before he tried destroying the planet.

Yet before the final blow, he’s stopped by something. Someone.

???: “that’s enough out of you.”

Scourge is entangled in vines as he struggles to break free. Three figures appear into the sky, and they all seem just a little too familiar.

The primordials. The gods who were created long before anyone else, with the mere chance of their creation being a one in a billion shot. They have heard their prayers of a miracle, but now bears the question of who summoned them?

One carefully steps down onto the ground, the grass surrounding them wilting to dust as she lands with the gentle click of her heels, her black and white tail swaying around gently. The others soon follow, approaching them all as Nazo steps back in an almost fearful expression. He’s heard of mobius having a primordial god of death, but never in a million years did he’d see the day of death so close. Even with her cloaked identity, he could feel all of the power, pain, and sadness that comes from her.

One of the others, a silvery colored hedgesiren with pearly white scales approaches mephiles and the others and starts preparing to heal their injuries, while the last one, Gaia, uses the vines to hold him down.

What will happen next, who knows?? That’s really up to you! 👀👀

HEV, YOU'RE IN THE COOKING CLASS TOO?! HOLY COOKIES, THAT'S SO AWESOME! ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥😭😭👑🙏🙏🙏🙏

You've gotta be real strong to scare Nazo, but being Death does do that job 👀👀👀

I MUST DESIGN AND DRAW THEM 🙏🙏✏️✏️❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥 The design prompt you gave are already hyping me up to do it 😍💚💚💚 THANK YOU SO SO MUCH!!! *humbly bows down before you*

[themalachitecreates]

Styrmir Stormborne (Outdated Design)

Here is Styrmir Stormborne's original design! He has gone through 2 or 3 redesigns since then, but I still love to see how far he has come! He was from an old campaign that is no longer going on, but he is getting to live on in his new game!

[naswoop]

Obnoxiously bright scourge aasimar!

[travelers-of-the-multiverse]

@diffxrentwxrlds continued from x

"Ah, my apologies, I should have introduced myself first." She says bowing her head. It...seems like the insults aren't really getting to her. "My name is Reyna, and I'm a Lizard. I actually travel study different worlds so I can learn new ways to help my people." She says happily.

"May I ask for your name?" She ask. He seems like Sonic, but he's far more rude and aggressive. Also much more of a swearer, if a bit basic with them admittedly. And he smells funny, but she won't say any of this out loud.

[koyoba]

genuinely agreed, this is why I will purposely build flaws or less than optimal choices into my initial builds too, if it makes for tastier flavor. It forces you to do creative problem solving, and just makes for interesting narrative overall ✨

rolling badly is something that can be so good for developing your character, actually 

[pa1nrema1ns]

Master and Apprentice || Sung Jin-woo (Part 1 of 3)

Siren!Jin-woo x Deaf!Omega!reader

A/N - Hello everyone! This fic was inspired by the lovely @forbidden-sunlight's siren!au. We both collaborated on this piece and it serves as a direct sequel to her imagine, so do be sure to check it out first! This story picks up right where her imagine left off.

╰┈➤ Chapter Index

🪸 Prequel by @forbidden-sunlight 🌊 Part 2: Two Intertwining Melodies 🦈Part 3: In a Sea of Fire

Content warnings: 18+ MDNI, mythical creatures au, canon divergent, a/b/o dynamics, afab!reader, suggestive themes, obsessive thoughts, slightly ooc Jin-woo (he's very reverent towards Ashborn), mentions of violence, death, and despair, forbidden romance (humans and sirens are natural enemies), eventual yandere!Jin-woo.

Word Count - 3.6k

Summary - Sung Jin-woo seeks answers about his potential mate from Ashborn in the deepest depths of the abyss.

Dividers by @anitalenia and @firefly-graphics

After what feels like an eternity, Jin-woo comes to an abrupt stop. He wasn’t tired in the slightest, but he couldn’t finish this journey unless he was in the right frame of mind. If he was going to face the sea monarch, Ashborn, then he needed to compose himself. He was his mentor’s prized disciple, after all.

Resolute in his decision, Jin-woo pinches his brow, shuts his eyes, and releases a deep, suffering sigh. He had to stop ruminating over the useless ‘what ifs’ of his current situation and focus on the matter at hand. You emitting pheromones in his presence was proof enough that you were a compatible mate, but this would be meaningless if you were unreceptive to him. It also begs the question, was humanity even capable of consorting with sirens? In search of an answer, he reminisces about the tales of old passed down by generations of his kin, as well as the many speculations made by humans.

No one knew the exact origins of his species. Most humans assumed the progenitors were Persephone’s handmaidens, punished by Demeter after Hades had taken her daughter to the underworld and forced her into becoming his queen. Some stories also claimed that seafoam  birthed them, but Jin-woo scoffed at this particularly ridiculous rumor. A scholar had recently published an article on how sirens may actually be the offspring of the river deity Achelous and a divine songstress, citing notations from various mythos on this theory. In truth, reality was far simpler than any of these far-fetched narratives.

There was just no definitive explanation for the existence of sirens. They were not interchangeable with the peaceful denizens of the ocean, known as mermaids and mermen. While all fell under the umbrella of the term ‘merfolk,’ the sirens had a far more hostile and bloodstained relationship with humans.

Since time immemorial, his brethren were viewed as nothing but a scourge upon this world of humanity. Beautiful as a raging typhoon and every bit as devastating, the sirens served as harbingers of doom and destruction for those foolish enough to risk the perilous waters. Their heavenly voices were tantamount to the funeral dirges used to usher the dead into the afterlife. It would be understandable to believe that the sirens were the monsters in this baleful story. However, human nature at its core is fraught with wickedness, and men soon grew wise to the machinations of merfolk.

Odysseus was the first to survive an encounter with sirens. During his voyage to Ithaca, the cunning man had instructed his crew to plug their ears with beeswax, effectively blocking the intoxicating songs that had ended the lives of so many before them. Emboldened by the success of Odysseus’s scheme, other sailors began using this method to conquer the sea and establish trade routes. Within a matter of a couple hundred years, humans not only overcame their fear of sirens, but they also poached them. Huntsmen would capture, torture, and kill Jin-woo’s ancestors simply for crossing paths with them. Worse yet, these scoundrels would often murder merfolk solely to harvest their organs, bones, and scales. They would then use the defiled corpses as ingredients for commodities, medication, and even aphrodisiacs. It was truly grotesque, if not outright barbaric, and more than justified the ire his kind felt towards humanity. While they hunted for the noble sake of survival, men did it for bloodsport and money.

The horrific fates suffered by many of their beloved brothers and sisters particularly infuriated the alphas, with their robust constitutions and natural sense of leadership. With a thirst for vengeance, they began targeting and attacking ships, ports, and even beaches. The alphas considered any place or vehicle that harbored humans as eligible targets. The less temperamental betas remained neutral and avoided the bloodshed, opting to prey upon shoals of fish and other maritime animals instead. Omegas could not join in the hunt, as they were far too precious to lose. They were the most cherished and talented singers amongst the sirens and required around-the-clock protection because of their significant rarity. These were the origins of the current hierarchical structure Jin-woo adhered to.

After recalling the tumultuous history of his people in its entirety, Jin-woo clenches his fists until his knuckles turn white. This was so damn frustrating! Rather than granting him an understanding of his attraction, it just proved all the more why it was so illogical. 

Defeated, Jin-woo raises his head, opens his eyes, and continues to swim.

Another hour passes before he finds himself at the ingress of Ashborn’s lair. His enigmatic teacher lived in almost complete obscurity. Devoid of any light, and enveloped by a suffocating aura, this nautical cavern intimidated all who dared to approach it. Well, almost all that is apart from Jin-woo. He effortlessly permeates the invisible barrier designed to keep intruders at bay and ventures into his master’s spiritual domain.

Despite being an ancient and powerful king of the sea, Ashborn made the strange decision to emulate a land-like environment in his personal chambers.

As Jin-woo manifests into the realm, his appearance gives way to a form more befitting of a land dweller. His tail separates into two legs, his scales smoothen into skin, and he loses the winged fins on his ears and back. Once finished with this metamorphosis, Jin-woo takes a deep breath. Fresh pine, grass, and flowers perfume the air as he’s greeted by a lush valley. It had been a while since he had visited, and the setting had required him to transform into a human. Interestingly, transfiguration was one of the first skills Ashborn taught him. Speaking of his mentor –

“My disciple, it is good to see you again, though you appear…troubled. Tell me, what ails you so?” A rumbling voice rings across the horizon, signaling Ashborn’s approach; the tenebrous essence of the powerful deity contrasting with the greenery of the land. He appears in front of Jin-woo as a great dark knight. Much like his surroundings, Ashborn’s current visage was nothing but an illusion. Even the bravest of warriors said that his lifelike image invoked sheer terror in their hearts.

Many speculate he possesses a massive stature, at least several leagues in height and breadth alone, with piercing eyes and endless tendrils of dark hair. Others claim he is the son of Poseidon, one of the twelve Olympians, and a God of destruction who presided over the sea. However, Jin-woo never once witnessed this side of his teacher in all the years he’s been under his mentorship. Ashborn certainly exuded dignity, but he still displayed a humble attitude. And without fail, he would always appear in that strange, armored suit whenever he was in Jin-woo’s presence.

“My teacher, I must ask for your help on an urgent matter,” Jin-woo starts, anxiously running his tongue across his bottom lip. “This morning, while I was scavenging, I stumbled across the unmistakable aroma of an unmarked omega. It…it was unlike anything I had ever experienced before. As if I was being beckoned by someone or something. I wanted, no, I needed to heed its call.”

Ashborn listens in silence, his expression indiscernible. Jin-woo continued.

 “When I arrived, I was in front of a monstrosity of a ship – a yacht right by the sandbanks. At first, I assumed that someone had taken an unfortunate siren captive. But when I finally saw her–”

“You recognized she was human. Not only that, but she belongs to the lowest level of the hierarchy, an omega. Speak if I am wrong, my dear pupil.” Jin-woo lowers his head in shame, fringe obscuring his eyes. This action all but confirms it.

“I don’t know what to do or how to proceed, teacher. Everything I’ve learned about these creatures has made me detest them. But I can’t bring myself to hate her. How could this even be possible? We are not even of the same species. She’s my enemy, my prey…. At least, she’s supposed to be.” His voice lowers into a near whisper as he ends his confused rambling.

“And yet you don’t view her that way, do you child?” Ashborn poses a question he already knows the answer to but needs to hear in his pupil’s own words.

“No, I don’t,” Jin-woo replies grimly. “I yearn to know more about her. And not just that. I want to meet her, court her, and make her mine. If she’ll even have me, that is… So please, teacher, tell me if there is any meaning behind what I feel. Am I destined for something that bears no place in reality?”

Ashborn remains uncharacteristically quiet while faced with such a loaded question. All is eerily silent for a few moments, save for the cheerful chirping of the illusionary songbirds. At last, the monarch gazes at Jin-woo and gives him the answer he so desperately desires.

“It is entirely possible Sung Jin-woo, alpha of Jindo island, for I am proof of such a fantastical circumstance. My first and only love was also a human omega. A woman I devoted my entire being to over a millennium ago.”

Jin-woo’s eyes widened in shock at this revelation. His mentor had fallen in love at some point, and it was with a member of the human race? This was unheard of.

“I never knew you had a lover,” Jin-woo murmurs softly. “What was she like? Do you still remember everything about her after so many years?”

“Let me show you, my disciple. It is a tragic tale that words alone cannot properly convey.” With a wave of Ashborn’s hand, their surroundings began to morph and alter. The valley transforms into a spacious, yet quaint medieval village composed of several wooden houses with a bustling marketplace at its center.

When Jin-woo regains his bearings, he notices his mentor has also metamorphosized. A man with a sun kissed complexion, long dark hair, and a beard stands where he once stood. Though visibly unrecognizable, he was unmistakably Ashborn. A crimson cape was clasped to the pristine silver armor he wore. A paladin. Jin-woo recalls. He had some knowledge of the past lives of men through his rare excursions onto the Mainland. While disguised as a human, Jin-woo once traded in his goods for a textbook on history. He was loath to admit just how intriguing he had found it.

Ashborn speaks, his voice no longer resonating within the confines of shadowy steel.

“It was here in this village that I came across her. She was the only daughter of a peasant farmer. A strong-willed, rapscallion of a woman with a wit sharper than any blade. I can remember her beauty, her warmth, and her tenacity as clear and concise as the day we met.” He says with a wistful gaze. The scene then shifts to a woman in a pure white gown. Her eyes remained hidden, but it did nothing to impede upon her loveliness. The woman runs animatedly towards a man who looks identical to Ashborn’s borrowed likeness and leaps into his arms. The man then effortlessly spins her around before bringing her into a kiss. Jin-woo watches on, mesmerized by what was unfolding in front of him.

“I feared her rejection once she knew the truth of my identity,” Ashborn admits. “On the night we first made love, I finally revealed to her my status as ruler of the sea. However, it did not matter. She loved me wholly and unconditionally, regardless of who or what I was. Such was the strength of her resolve.” In the next instance, they return to the same valley from earlier. What differs this time is that the man and woman are there, unacknowledging of Jin-woo and Ashborn’s presence. Lost in their own special world. The woman has a flower crown on her head, and she sits on the grass, holding the man’s head in her lap. Both appear happy and at ease.

“For the first time in my existence, I experienced true contentment. I long to return to those days, but alas, our bliss did not last.”

Ashborn solemnly shuts his eyes as darkness overtakes the sky and rain falls. The man is now shown standing at a grave with an expression of anguish marring his face. The woman is nowhere to be seen, although Jin-woo knows exactly where she’s at.

“A plague was scourging the land and indiscriminately ending the lives of thousands. I tried to protect her with my magic, but it was to no avail. She fell gravely ill despite my best efforts. I discovered shortly thereafter that omegas were more susceptible to sickness than their contemporaries. If I had known beforehand, I would’ve brought her to the sea with me, away from that damned disease. But I was a fool who was willing to love and live with her as a man, not as a king. And as punishment for my hubris, an ailment snuffed out her life.”

At the end of his recollection, Ashborn’s lair returns to its original state. His mentor had also regained his shadowy exterior. The valley appears completely untouched by time, as if it were still one thousand years in the past. That’s why his lair looks like this. Jin-woo thinks as he finally recognizes its significance, It was their personal sanctuary. After a few moments of silence, Ashborn speaks.

“Although our circumstances are similar, you still have the privilege of choice. I cannot turn back time, nor can I change the past, but I am grateful. I experienced unspeakable grief, yes, but I also would have never encountered such love, tenderness, and passion had I not taken a chance on my omega. You, my disciple, still have free rein over your decision. Should you choose to pursue this woman, you have my blessing and irrefutable proof that she is a viable mate for you. If not, you will still receive my unwavering support in your future endeavors. The choice is yours to make.”

Jin-woo’s throat bobs. He feels an incredible sense of guilt at unearthing his master’s secret.

“My teacher, I apologize for prying into your past. I – I did not mean to bring up painful memories for you. I cannot imagine what you have endured. As of right now, I am not sure what it is I want, but I know for a fact I cannot give up on this human. I will need some time to contemplate and sort out my feelings. If you will excuse me.”

Jin-woo bows his head before turning to take his leave. As he approaches the exit, a sudden thought emerges at the forefront of his mind.

“Teacher, there is one more question I must ask. This human, she does not speak with words. She communicates with her hands and gestures. Is this some type of sorcery or spell that she’s casting?”

“It is most likely sign language, a manner of non-verbal communication used by humans who are unable to vocalize or hear. Perhaps she cannot speak, or has a hearing impairment, so she must express herself through other means.” Ashborn answers, curiosity lacing his voice.

Jin-woo feels his heart sinking. A siren’s serenade played a pivotal role in the mating ritual and was performed just prior to consummating an eternal bond. If what Ashborn said is true, then there is a possibility you could be immune to his song. This meant he wouldn't be able to use it on you when the time came…

He grits his teeth as he remembers your smiling face. Try as he might, Jin-woo just could not get you out of his head, nor was he willing to let you escape his grasp. You may not have realized it yet, but you had unknowingly sunk your fangs into him and the seeds of obsession were already beginning to take root. Rather than being discouraged by Ashborn’s observation, he instead finds himself reinvigorated.

“Teacher, disregard everything I said earlier. I now know what it is I must do.”

Ashborn peers into the eyes of his disciple, relieved by the determination that lights them. This was much more like the obstinate young man he knew.

“I choose to seek this omega and stake my claim, no matter what challenges may await the two of us,” Jin-woo proclaims proudly. “I will make her mine, but only if she consents to my proposal. And if not through song, then through other courtship methods. I am strong, stronger than any other alpha in my territory, and I know I can protect her from all who would wish her harm. I won’t let my mate slip through my fingers.”

“But what of maladies and the passage of time? You can fight against gods and monsters until the end of your days, but sickness or her ephemeral lifespan will not spare this young woman. In the end, your time with her shall be fleeting.” Ashborn ruthlessly counters Jin-woo’s declaration of protection.

Jin-woo bites his lip, not expecting this development. However, before he can muster a response, his mentor graces him with an answer.

“I know of one way you can overcome this. There is a recipe for an elixir known as the Holy Water of Life. It is a miraculous potion that can imbue invulnerability to communicable diseases, extend lifespan, and transform the consumer into a siren. I unfortunately did not have knowledge of such a panacea while I was with my love. Of course, I live with the regret of not discovering it sooner, as now I have no such use for it, but this does not mean I will idly stand by and let history repeat itself with my protégé.”

With a flash of light, an ancient scroll appears in front of Jin-woo. It unravels by itself to reveal its contents to him. Jin-woo’s eyes widen as he reads. Is this…?

“Behold. The ingredients for crafting the Holy Water of Life. I bequeath this boon unto you, my disciple. However, heed my warning as the acquisition of these components requires you to conquer all 100 floors of the Demon’s Castle and to defeat its king, Baran. This is a treacherous dungeon that may claim your life if you are unprepared for it, but it can also impart you with unspeakable power should you prevail.”

Jin-woo perks up at this information, his interest now fully piqued. “Tell me, master, where can I find the Demon’s Castle?”

“It hides far away, in the city of Seoul, within an incorporeal dominion. It is a flame-ridden landscape that will require you to assume the form of a human to enter the castle. Knowing all the risks it entails; do you still accept my offer?”

“I do,” Jinwoo confidently states.

“Very well,” Ashborn nods his assent, and a key materializes into Jin-woo’s palm.

“Use this key to open the gate to the Demon’s Castle. I have also implanted it with the coordinates to the dungeon’s location. You need only close your eyes and grasp onto the key to visualize it.”

Following the instructions, Jin-woo sees a map that details the exact distance from his current whereabouts to the metropolitan area of Seoul. It will be a lengthy trip, even with his impressive swimming prowess. He estimates it will take roughly half a day to arrive at his destination. Undeterred, Jin-woo presses onward.

“Teacher, I cannot thank you enough for all your help and guidance over these last few years. I give you my word; I will return alive and well, both with the elixir and Baran’s head. And then I will meet with the omega and court her in earnest.”

He departs without another word, although his promise relays an unspoken farewell between them. After some time passes, Ashborn stares at the vast skies of his domain and muses to himself.

“You have grown so much from when I rescued you from the Cartenon Temple all those years ago, Sung Jin-woo. I could not be prouder of you, my disciple. Till our next encounter.”

12 hours later...

Jin-woo finally emerges from the dark, briny waters that frame Seoul’s coastline.

After leaving Ashborn’s lair, he briefly returned home to pack and prepare for the journey ahead. Both Jin-ah and his mother were worried about his sudden departure, so he did the best he could to assuage their fears by giving them a sanitized version of the truth.

Jin-woo claimed Ashborn had provided him with a list of rare ingredients that were only available for purchase in the human markets at Seoul. He even promised to bring back a box of chocolates as a souvenir, something his mother and little sister had enjoyed during one of his return trips to the surface. He then traveled the full 413-kilometer distance from Jindo-gun to Seoul, stopping only for a few hours to rest and recuperate.

As he approaches land, he assumes the form of a naked human man and walks inland from the sea. However, Jin-woo comes to a halt when he becomes more aware of his current state of nudity. While it didn’t bother him, it would cause a lot of unnecessary trouble if any nosy beachgoers happened upon him and asked questions. It is also…pretty embarrassing to admit that he is…wobbly on these legs. Very much so.

He quickly summons his magical inventory and grabs a simple black t-shirt, boxers, fitted jeans, and athletic sneakers (‘Adidas’, the portly sales attendant had called them). As worthless as he found human decorum to be, Jin-woo needed to remain as inconspicuous as possible while he was in disguise. Once dressed, he strolled into the city. After 45 minutes, he found himself at the designated street junction on the map. Taking a deep breath, he brings forth the key, turns it, and unlocks the gate. 

⚓︎ To be continued...

[katakaluptastrophy]

"I’ve already pretty much revealed that Alecto begins with the descent of Christ into Hades." - Tamsyn Muir

That's right...it's time for more Bible study for fans of weird queer necromancers!

It's currently Holy Week, the week where Western liturgical Christians reenact the events of Jesus' death and resurrection in real time. And today, it's Holy Saturday. So Jesus died on the cross on Good Friday. He rises from the dead on Easter Sunday. But what happened in between? His body lay in the tomb...but his spirit was otherwise preoccupied. Because on Holy Saturday, Jesus went to Hell.

But why would Jesus go to Hell? Because the resurrection was not just about saving the people who came after it - it was a bit more...wibbly wobbly, timey wimey.

To be a bit more specific, he didn't visit Hell Hell. The place Jesus visited isn't Hell in the sense of eternal punishment of the damned, but Hades or Sheol or the Underworld or Limbo - a place for those who were mostly good but lived before Jesus' resurrection had made salvation possible. So before his resurrection, Jesus went to make that salvation retroactive. Particularly, according to tradition, to major figures from the Old Testament, including Adam and Eve.

So Nona the Ninth ended with Harrow walking off into the River in search of theological truth. And Alecto the Ninth apparently begins with Harrow in Hell:

Alecto the Ninth, ACT ONE HARROW IN HELL CHAPTER 1 At a point in the slit she was carving through life, Harrowhark Nonagesimus woke to find herself lost in a dark wound. She had been walking when it had all gone black– any path ahead or behind was blotted out; now she was here.  - Tamsyn Muir reading at TorCon

This is riffing heavily on the beginning of Dante's Inferno:

"In the middle of the journey of our life I came to myself within a dark wood where the straight way was lost." - Dante Alighieri, Inferno

But lots of people go to Hell. What's so special about Harrow going there? Because the traditional name in English for Jesus' chthonic salvation adventures on Holy Saturday is "the Harrowing of Hell." "Harrow" comes from an Old English word meaning to attack or despoil - a very martial way of expressing the idea of Jesus as the victor over sin and death.

Harrow ended NTN realising that she cannot trust John's account of metaphysics. That she needs to discover the reality for herself. The faith of the Nine Houses and John's own styling as god rests on the foundation of the Resurrection - John is the "ransomer of death, scourge of death, vindicator of death", his power is understood to be absolute: "Let the whole of everywhere entrust themselves to him. Let those across the river pledge beyond the tomb to the adept divine."

And yet even that prayer - "let those across the river..." - introduces doubt. Magnus jumps in to silence Abigail when she expresses her heretical belief in the River beyond, and Harrow herself scoffs that "it has been thousands of years since anybody bothered to believe in the River beyond." Abigail believes that John knows nothing about what exists beyond the River. And what about Hell? In HTN, Ulysses the First is described as "languishing in Hell" after his run-in with a Resurrection Beast. John himself describes the stoma as "the mouth to Hell", "a portal to a place I cannot touch - somewhere I don't fully comprehend, where my power and my authority are utterly meaningless."

In the Book of Revelation - the Bible's account of the end of the world - Jesus holds "the keys of death and Hell". John may have resurrected the dead, but he does not comprehend what is beyond it. Both the destination of the good, the River beyond to which the souls of little Isaac and Jean should have traveled lightly after their short and brutal lives, and the Hell that lies beneath the stoma are outside of his power. He is a few keys short of the full divine bunch. He can manipulate death, but he is not really its master.

And so Harrow walks off into the River to look for something or someone she can call god. Harrow, who shares a name with the defeat of death across time and space. Harrow, who is of the unbroken line of Anastasia. Anastasia was kind to Alecto, who like Eve is the mother of all and like Adam walked on the empty earth with god.

In Orthodox icons, the Harrowing of Hell is depicted with Jesus triumphant, leading Adam and Eve by the hand from their tombs. The traditional term for this image is an anastasis, the Greek term for resurrection. Adam and Eve, whose sin broke the intended shape of reality, are restored to wholeness with god.

How will Harrow answer her questions about god? What really is beyond the stoma and what would it mean to conquer it? What does it look like, metaphysically, to restore the world of The Locked Tomb to wholeness, and what will it cost?

[undiscovered-horizon]

A sharp tongue - Shanks x Reader

SUMMARY: Flyting is the art of exchanging poetic insults. Arriving at a port town, Shanks is willing to face the local flyting champion. But when he finally meets you, it's not insults that come to his mind.

WORDCOUNT: ~ 1.3k

a/n: it was either Shanks or Nikolai Lantsov

The tavern appeared somewhat rugged and unkept in the low, yellow light of a few candles. They weren’t enough to make all of the interior visible. While most of the tables and patrons sitting at them seemed to disappear in the darkness, the bar counter was like a light in the tunnel; a lighthouse for all those looking for a drink, a good chat or the entrance to the demimonde.

Aisha, a rather frail woman with an ashy skin tone, was drying glasses and cups, humming an old shanty, when the door to the Blue Dragon tavern swung open. Used to the noise of Marines and pirates alike, the bartender only cocked her eyebrow as she watched the men entering her establishment. As the scourge of the seas usually does, the unfamiliar guests looked rough, although Aisha did make a notice of how politely they carried themselves, no matter how strange that might be.

One of the man, with crimson hair and three scars across his face, sat on the bar stool in front of Aisha. Despite the dark circles around his eyes, the sun damage peppering his skin and dark stubble covering his jaw, the man looked kind. Something about the roundness of his shoulders made him appear smaller, more docile.

“Welcome to Kuri Island, where the Devil bids you farewell,” Aisha announced bitterly. God knows how much she wished to dfind herself anywhere ele but home. “What’re you drinking, lads?”

The pirate captain gave her a smile.

“Give us your best rum and whiskey. We’re kind of celebrating.”

“On it.”

Heavy glass bottles clicked brightly as Aisha set them on the counter. The crewmembers snatched their drinks as soon as they could, taking a short break from their merry conversations to give the bartender a grateful nod. Then, they’d disappear into the darkness of Blue Dragon, their hoarse laughter following them like an echo of yesterday’s joy.

The red-haired man did not move from his spot at the counter and neither did any of his crewmen sit beside him. As she was going about her mundane chores, Aisha kept glancing towards the captain. He stared ahead, lost in thought, and peacefully sipped on the dark rum. Thoughtfulness is rarely a characteristic ascribed to pirates. Nevertheless, there he was - a pirate unlike any other.

The second time Shanks talk to Aisha was on his own volition. She was filleting citruses when he leaned over the bar and spoke in a low voice:

“Who’s that?”

Aisha looked in the direction the red-haired pirate pointed out with a sharp, meaningful nod of his head. Her gaze fell on a character she’s grown quite familiar with. Sitting alone at her table, the silent woman played with an old, silver coin that was no longer used. There was a glass in front of her but it was empty now. Low light of a nearly burnt-out candle played a game of shadows on her face, painting her features once terrifying and once divine.

“A flyter,” Aisha answered. Shanks nodded, clearly pondering something. “Best goddamn one in this part of the waters. They call her Snaketongue. I’ll let you guess why. If you’re feeling up for it, you can try to challenge her.”

Shanks looked at the bartender with a confident but curious grin.

“Wish me luck.”

Aisha chuckled.

“Luck won’t help,” she warned him.

The pirate captain took his glass and bottle of rum only to set them down in front of the mysterious woman. She looked up at him with a quietioningly raised eyebrow but Shanks only sat comfortably in his chair. An adventurous glink in his eye and she knew exactly why he had approached her.

“Out flyt will test your speed and wit,” she began while leaning forward, “reveal a shameful lack of grit.”

Shanks picked up the bottle of rum.

“Whether I win or lose this flyt,” he spoke as he poured himself a glass of alcohol, “your company is much delight.”

He winked at her but she only scoffed.

“If delight is what you seek in a flyt, I’m afraid you’ve found yourself in plight.” The woman leaned on her forearms, her fingers intertwined. The small flame of the candle warmed her face but also have her something of a reverse halo - a cloud of darkness crowned her face. “A man must be out of mind, to approach a snake expecting it not to bite. If you’re a pirate without grit, be honest and admit.”

The red-haired pirate did not let himself be left behind. He also leaned forward, a curious shadow prancing across his handome, rugged face as the struggling flame danced between them. The tension between the strangers almost putting it out.

“Why should my forte be grit, if I can’t charm a woman with it?” Shanks asked before taking a long sip of his rum.

“Perhaps you can’t speak rough because your spirit isn’t tough. Or maybe you’re not man enough?”

Shanks let out a raspy laugh.

“Oh, I am a man, no doubt,” he assured with amusement. “Find your proof among this crowd.” In a casual manner, he pointed over his shoulder towards his scattered, jolly crew. “I am the best pirate around.”

“And yet you’re less harmful than a trout. Looking like a wet dog with a pout.” The woman tilted her head, a dangerous glint appeared in her darkened eyes. Something wicked sprouted in her mind. “The ladies in town seem to be in drought. I don’t suppose you know anything about?”

But Shanks didn’t seem to take much offence in your insult at his prowess. His lips curved into a sly smirk.

“As true as your words might be, I fail to see disgust when you look at me. Your pretty eyes are shining bright. You’re starting to like me, am I right?” he asked with raised eyebrows. It seemed that he already knew the answer and just wanted to rub it in, gloat in his triumphant trick.

The woman pursed her lips and nodded slowly.

“Your words are sweet, I’ll give you that,” she said with a sigh. “It’s starting to amuse me, our little chat. Although I’m still waiting for an insult to be spat.”

“Sharp words are not on my mind when your charm made me blind.” His toothy grin is glistening in the low candlelight. “A more enamouring woman I doubt I will find. So, would you be so kind and agree to be dined?”

She bit her lower lip to stop herself from laughing out loud. Although she shook her head with disapproval, she was undoubtedly amused with his antics.

“How could such an offer be declined?” she asked. “I’m not sure if you’re terrible at flyting or great.” It was both strange and wonderful to hear her speak naturally. “Despite your avid refusal to actually partake in flyting.”

It seemed she really did want Shanks to be at least a little rude. Having said that, she was still debating whether she should think his refusal tedious or alluring.

“Usually I buy a lady a drink before getting mean with her.”

“Does it work for you?”

“Without fail.”

A moment of intimate yet tense silence falls between them; a quietness reserved for pondering and weighing chances. Should she or should she not?

The woman takes Shank’s bottle of rum and pours some into her glass.

“And so I succumb to a charming pirate and his rum. Who knows, maybe he’ll get to make me…” she cut her sentence short and cleared her throat. “Nevermind.”

But he did mind. God only knows how much he did mind.

[mithrasisgay]

Me? Creating an incredibly niche roleplay guild? Noooo...

Introducing Prince Amethyn of Divinity's Reach, my character for said new roleplay guild that I completely absolutely totally did not just create. This Guild will focus on intrigue, politics, and of course, Vampirism! Open Court roles currently: Sheriff 0/1 Harpy 0/1 Scourge 0/1 Keepers of Elysium 0/3 (one for each bar in DR) Primogen 0/13 (one for each Clan!) Kindred 0/unlimited

This Guild runs on EU, and if interest is decent, I'll make a discord server to RP on as well.

[sufferu]

I find it interesting how the cast is treating Rem for what she did to Subaru, but what about about Otto and Garfiel? How are they being treated by the cast for what they did?

Otto is the one person in the Emilia Camp who legitimately gets a pass, because everyone ultimately agrees — with the combined factors of Subaru openly declaring that the White Whale chasing them both down was definitely after him, specifically, of them being aware that Otto was getting driven insane due to being exposed to the literal voice of the White Whale due to his Divine Protection, and of them realizing that Otto almost certainly sent Frufoo back to go and help Subaru once he came to his senses — that Otto literally did, at worst, what any reasonable person would do in that situation. (And honestly, he probably did a whole lot better than that…) Wilhelm has some very messy feelings about this still, due to Otto’s actions immediately preceding him having to watch Subaru crawl away crying for help from the scourge of the past 14 years of his life (aka. the single most traumatizing thing that this man, specifically, could have been forced to witness), but even he is largely aware that he’s not being fair. —Otto himself probably isn’t anywhere near this forgiving, noteworthy.

Garfiel is a lot more uncomfortable, but he has one advantage that Rem does not: he remembers being an actively antagonistic force in Subaru’s life. And everyone else remembers this, too. This might seem like it should make it worse for him, but it actually means that everyone has largely brought up and settled these underlying issues properly already, and so rehashing them is — uncomfortable, but not nearly as nasty a surprise as watching Rem actively torture Subaru onscreen for several hours. But of course, it differs from person to person. Some members of the audience brush it off as a settled matter, others are a little less forgiving, still others are resolute in their opinion that this is One More Person who can never be allowed near Subaru again, and that’s kinda just how it goes.

(It is also important to note that the quality of their relationships with Subaru AFTER their respective incidents are very influential here. Garfiel and Otto both became honest and genuine friends looking out for Subaru’s well-being in honest and genuine ways. Rem, meanwhile, pulled shit like repeatedly sneaking into his room to watch him sleep, enabling almost every one of his bad behaviors, and monologuing about how she wanted to take his gibbering, shock-stricken form and kidnap him far away from everyone else so that she could have him all to herself forever. This is a very important factor in how these characters are received.)

[roserysttrpggarden]

The Accursed Playtest 1

Hi there~! I hope these...Interesting times have treated you well, if you want some reprive from the horrors of life, I come bearing you all a gift. My second custom class for Dungeons and Dragons 5th-edition. The Accursed! An individual who became cursed, and has since learned to control it, turning it into a source of power. If you've ever wanted to play frankenstein's monster, a werewolf, or something like the lich king then this is the class for you.

Playing an Accursed

As previously mentioned, the accursed is a half caster similar to your rangers and paladins, focusing on debuffing and other control effects, unlike all other casters, the accursed uses constitution as its spellcasting ability, for your power now derives itself from your now cursed vitality.

Hex Points: Rather than using spell slots, the accursed gains a tiny pool of points, known as hex points to cast their spells, as well as use other accursed abilities. Similar to ki points or the warlocks spell slots, your hex points are recovered upon completing a short or long rest, allowing you to quickly regain your powers on the fly.

Overchannel: Overchannel is a type of stance the accursed can enter as a bonus action, unleashing their afflictions full power, this could take form as a bestial transformation, or a storm of raw arcane energy. While you overchannel your curse you can spent hit dice, rather than hex points when using your accursed abilities, as well as gaining additional benefits determined by your subclass. However, this power comes at a price, for the entire time your cursed is overchanneled, you suffer from a penality.

Accursed Adaptations: As the accursed gains levels, it gains adaptations, ways its curses evolves to be even more debilitating, these are essentially the accurseds eldritch invocation. However, I tried to design these much more as additional abilities the accursed can use, rather than just passive effects they get, though there are absolutely adaptations that are more passive. Some of my favorite adaptations include Evil eye, which lets you see hostile creatures under the effects of your spells as if you had blindsight. Scourge strike, which lets you spend hex points to deal additional necrotic damage on a weapon attack or unarmed strike (Essentially the accursed version of divine smite). And Manifested affliction allows you to summon a ghostly representation of your curse to aid you in battle.

Subclasses

The accursed document features 8 subclasses for your accursed subclass to choose from, while I won't go into great detail for each, I will list what each one does.

The Curse of The Beast is a lycanthrope subclass that turns an accursed into a ravenous beast, unleashing flurries of strikes against their foes.

The Curse of The Immolated is a blaster subclass focused on dealing as much fire damage as possible, burning enemies to a crisp

The Curse of The Immortal turns the accursed into a healer, bestowing them plenty of temporary hit points.

The Curse of Rebirth is a necrotic tank that empowers itself with temp HP, gaining benefits while it has said temp HP.

The Curse of The Sickened is a potent debuff that slowly chips away at its opponents health with powerful poisons and diseases

The Curse of The Parasite is a flexible striker that uses its variety of mutations to adapt to any combat scenario.

The Curse of Misfortune is your archetypal accursed that debuffs foes and bends fate to its will.

And lastly, The Curse of The Warrior is your archetypal gish that turns the accursed into a potent weapon wielder (Especially if you pick up the more martial oriented adaptions)

Design Goals

The overall goal of the accursed was to create a unique caster that played with the idea of "power at a price" while you wield explosive debuff and control potential (As well as other roles depending on your subclass) you also suffer from severe debuffs and lack much in the way of resistances through the accursed itself. This created an interesting "power budget" when designing the class as I felt like I could get away with bolder abilities due to those debuffs being there. It was also interesting to design for since, to quote someone who's intelligence score is higher than my own (That I don't remember the name of as of writing) 5th-edition is not a system of downsides, the only feature I can think of that debuffs you off is frenzy on the berserker barbarian, and even then that got patched out with the new PHB, so it feels rather interesting to design a class that's build around downsides (Even if you do have a way to get around it temporarily) I also wanted to create an experimental caster for the simple fact that casters arn't my favorite to design for. They're fun to play absolutely! But designing for them feels a little tedious since spellcasting inevitably takes up so much of the classes power budget, not to mention that there's a good chance you'll have to write new spells to fit a specific class theme, and that I don't want to just make a slightly altered paladin or wizard. Here's hoping I succeeded at the later.

That's all you need to know about the accursed before testing the class out for yourself, the document also comes with several new spells, most of which were written for the accursed itself, as well as a 2024 rules conversion guide for those wanting to play the class with the updated PHB. I hope you enjoy the accursed, leave feedback and possibly play the class in your own games.

Have fun and make sure to play some D&D

Link to the PDF here

[astralfandoms]

So no one asked, but I drew a bunch of hedgehogs because @forestdragonart and I were brainstorming all the hedgehogs that appear in 9 Years, and now it's time to do some explainations

If you're not interested, don't click through.

But if you are, keep reading :>

So, with that over with...

*cracks knuckles*

Let's go!

First Row is Sonic, Werehog, Executable, Malachite, and Sonny. The reason why I'm listing all of them as a group is because they are a system, with Sonic being the host! Werehog showed up during the events of Unleashed (obviously), Executable had been around for awhile but was taken out of dormancy during the events of Forces, Malachite was formed during the events of Colors, and Sonny was formed during the events of Generations!

Now onto all of the sonic-adjacent characters (aka the other hedgehogs)!

Lord Xenophanes, also known as Lord X, is a demigod of eclipses, raised to divinity by Dark Gaia, and he is involved in my reshuffling/rewrite of Frontiers, alongside...

Fatal Error, also known just as Error or Malware, is a demigod of mistakes and programming, created completely by accident by a god OC named The Creator of Mechanics (who I need to draw a reference for). It vanished a few decades back, only to suddenly reappear alongside Lord X for unknown reasons.

Fleetway, sometimes just known as Lord of Shapes, is a god of the Body and Mind as well as Shapeshifters. He, similarly to Lord Xenophanes, Fatal Error, Curse, Mephiles, Zip, and Majin, chose a hedgehog-esque form due to the associations with Sonic, someone is seen as trustworthy and good. He, however, is morally dubious at best, and uses his forms to mess with mortals.

Uncle Chuck is essentially Sonic's father in everything but name, having raised Sonic by himself after his parents passed. You may notice that I still have versions of them listed don't worry I'll get to that. Just know that Clutch is surprisingly well connected, knowing a lot of different kinds of people from his young adult years.

Shadow needs no introduction, but I have lore about Black Arms that I might eventually talk about but also might not because explaining how I am not a fan of alien storylines is a whole ass can of worms that I don't feel like introducing. All you gotta know is that he is not an alien, but instead has like. Nightmare Creature blood in him.

Manic is a whole ass motherfucker in this AU. He's not related to Sonic or Sonia, but is instead a young adult who never was in a foster home for more than a year, if that. He currently works at the White Resort, specifically as Clutch's right hand man.

Curse is someone who prayed so hard to Lord X that he was blessed with immortality and now lives as his eternal attendant. However, he hasn't been seen in awhile, due to shenanigans that went down.

Mephiles is the god of warfare who has beef with Ignis (the revamped versions of Iblis) due to the structured manner of warfare clashing inherently with Ignis's domain of chaos. The fires (pun intended) were only flamed with the Duke of Soleanna's inference but were managed to be calmed by Solaris's interference in the form of Elise and Jet.

Zip is the demigod of insanity who is known for her manic mannerisms and chaotic following of Fleetway's orders. It normally stays out of the limelight and prefers just following Fleetway around like a lost puppy.

Shard, also known as Metal Sonic 2.0, is an extremely advanced Metal Sonic who advanced so far that he has far exceeded his original programming and has become his own being. Is a devout follower of Eggman, but there are seeds of doubt planted in his head due to his counterpart...

Quicksilver, also known as Metal Silver, is a scrapped Metal Silver who was left to rot on Scrapnik Isle after it wasn't a successful copy. He is a people pleaser and follows Mercury around, caring probably too much about he and everyone else views him.

Scourge, as I have previously talked a bit about, is one of three Avatars who ended up helping with the Forces situation, with all three of them being prototyped experiments of attempting to get the Phantom Ruby to fuse with him, with his side effect being the purple colored stripes on him.

Sonia, as mentioned in Manic's section, is not related to Sonic or Manic, and is instead from a very rich family where she's Daddy's little princess. But, instead of being very bratty, she's extremely air-headed and gullible, not understanding a lot of class-based things. Every winter, she goes to stay at her practical uncle, Clutch's, resort, but no one seems to bother her, despite some shady figures following her...

Hydraulic, also known as Metal Sonic 1.0, is a bit of an outdated model compared to Shard, but realized that Eggman Enterprises was just...not where it wanted to be, so it ended up turning itself in, before being broken out by a certain platypus in a thought out revenge plan.

Majin, also known as Time Eater, is god of...well, do I need to say? It is usually very calm, very level headed, very slow to anger...but even it has its limits. And one platypus with a god complex is really trying his patience.

Alina is...technically not the original Alina, but instead a robotic counterpart made as an attempt to try to "revive" her without actual necromancy. And who was the one who made her? She doesn't remember much, but she remembers it being a man with a kindly face wearing green overalls...

Mercury, also known as Metal Shadow, is a failed Metal Shadow who, like Quicksilver, was abandoned on Scrapnik for not being a successful clone of Shadow. It is very quiet and brooding, rarely talking unless its services are needed. He both is annoyed and finds a sense of comfort in Quicksilver.

Amy is an extremely cheerful and optimistic girl who has an awful case of faceblindness and is part of the reason that this whole chart was even made. She's very energetic and helpful, but to the point where she'll stretch herself thin in an attempt to make everyone happy, even at the expense of her own.

Silver is, to put it bluntly, an extremely sad and depressed young man who for the longest time was plagued with visions he didn't understand and that no one was willing to explain to him. Hailing from the Lunar Kingdom, he has a deep (unwilling) connection to Mephiles, and is seen as both his prophet and priest, even if he never wanted to be that in the first place.

And, finally, we have Jules who, similarly to Alina, is just an attempt to "revive" him by building a robotic counterpart. And, similarly, Jules doesn't remember much about who created him, only having vague memories of hushed words and the glint of blue glasses.

And that's all of them!!

Wow, that took...way too long to actually type out, but if you made it this far, please comment what you think! I love hearing other people's vibes and opinions for these characters :>

Now, if you excuse me, I need to get to tagging all these bitches.

[valtsv]

can we know more about your fantroll's relationship to her purpleblood friend *bats eyelashes* she's so cool

i can only speak for myself, since terack isn't my oc, but augury and terack's relationship is incredibly bad for both of them. on augury's side, it's a convenient excuse not to face up to the frightening possibility of change; to bury her head in the sand and tell herself there's nothing that she can do but go along with the way things are and bear witness. on terack's, it's a way to repress any guilt she might feel for his actions, by having a passive enabler to confide in and mold in his own image. it's a parasitic arrangement, with both parties upholding it mostly out of a sense of responsibility and an inability to imagine how anything could ever be different, which has led to a great deal of bottled up resentment and self-loathing that's starting to widen the cracks in their already fragile bond. after entering the game, the plan was to have terack force augury to god tier by killing her, leading to augury finally realising that this "friendship" isn't worth the sacrifices she's made to maintain it, and using terack's betrayal as a turning point for her goals and priorities. this results in a feud developing between the two, with augury convinced that, in order to protect everyone else from her, and fulfil her responsibility as his former best friend, she needs to be the one to put terack down (which i realise is very scourge sisters, but whatever lol). obviously this doesn't work out the way she thinks it will, because her god tier ability to divine the most fortuitous path is blinded by betrayal and years of repressed bitterness finally welling up to the surface (which is thematically appropriate, since terack's classpect is thief of mind).

[travelers-of-the-multiverse]

@diffxrentwxrlds continued from x

Reyna was not sure why this guy was so aggressive, but she stayed on the defensive for now, blocking and parrying every attack so far. She's waiting for a good chance to go on the offensive. She didn't seem like she was all that winded from the onslaught anyway, more so confused.

"What kind of threat is that anyway? You don't know where I'm from, but you'll send me there in a closed casket? Like, are you serious? I'm more baffled by how you think that would work rather than intimidated by it." She admits. She's heard way better threats, and most of them would often come as racist insults.

[peaches2217]

Okay, so the fussy toddler that is my brain doesn’t WANT to be tucked in. It worked for a bit, and I can see it being especially helpful when my thoughts aren’t so nonstop, so I call that a win! I’ll revisit that method later today I think.

Right now I’m gonna try a new(ish) tactic: if my intrusive thoughts won’t shut up, then I’ll at least start trying to counter them. Not necessarily with affirmations, but with calls to action. Namely:

“I’m unapproachable, and most people thusly view me as self-absorbed and standoffish.” -> “So how do we fix that?”

“I have nothing in the way of skills, talents, or justifications for wasting oxygen.” -> “So how do we fix that?”

“You are a divine mistake and a scourge upon the earth, and everyone would benefit infinitely from your absence.” -> “Well I’m here anyway, so if just being here makes me really that detestable, how do we fix that?”

It feels a little more doable during more intense episodes of self-loathing — I’m not loading on halfhearted untruths about my worth or anything of the sort, but I’m also not letting myself spiral aimlessly. Right now, I’m a horrible person with no redeeming qualities. For now, I’ll ask myself how I can change that. And eventually, either this episode will end and I’ll be able to assess myself with proper logic, or if I really AM useless and evil, I’ll have made a step or two towards Not Being That Way.

In theory. We’ll see how this goes!

[isawken]

me, bereft: i am being haunted by the ghost of a god my father had slain before i even had a name. it lacks corporeal form, making it a more terrifying scourge than if it were simply an entity i could place. no, instead, its terrible omnipresence desaturates all around me, leeching all color and light and thought my meager mind can conjure, and though i may wake each day with some reserve of resolve i know it cannot last me forever. does anyone have a carrd i could read with helpful links to resources that may aid me?

15 year old autistic transmasc who just started microdosing battery acid after he read a pretty good poem about the divine of the machine: yea i got u bro www.howtoslaughterthedivine.carrd.co