#downfall of assassins creed

[brookefernandes]

Introduction - What is an RPG?

Assassin's Creed is a historical/science fiction genre game franchise which narrative involves historical events and figures. We already know this because at the beginning of every game there is a disclaimer which reads

"Inspired by historical events and characters. This work of fiction was designed, developed and produced by a multicultural team of various religious faiths and beliefs".

This disclaimer was later changed to

"Inspired by historical events and characters, this work of fiction was designed, developed, and produced by a multicultural team of various beliefs, sexual orientations and gender identities."

This is a notable change which will be brought up and explained in a later post.

This is explored as the narrative of the games are essentially someone in the modern day 'reliving' the lives of their ancestors. Even though the modern day protagonist is a playable and important character in the narrative, the main protagonist is the ancestor who's life they're 'reliving'.

Again, this will also be explained in a later post.

The question is whether or not this sort of narrative/concept works after the franchise shifted into RPGs.

So over the next couple of days I will be posting about the different games within assassin's creed (in order of release) and how close/far they are to being an RPG. This includes only the main games and not the spin-offs.

But what IS an RPG?

It is commonly known that RPG stands for 'Role-playing game', obviously. But what are the minimum characteristics needed for a game to be considered one? Answering this is quite challenging as a vast variety of games have RPG elements but are not considered one to the community.

Looking back at the history, Dungeons and Dragons was the first commercially available table top role-playing game, published in 1947, inspired by fantasy novels, history, myth and medievalism (the representation/manipulation of the medieval and the understanding of the history, recreating the ideas of fantasy in the past). There are some popular videogame RPGs inspired by these such as The Witcher games, the Elder Scrolls games and some MMORPGs (massively multiplayer online role-playing games) such as Runescape and World of Warcraft.

You'd have the gamemaster, player-characters and non-player characters. The gamemaster or dungeon master is the storyteller, according to TheEverhearthInn's web article 'A complete guide to dungeons and dragons', they are "responsible for building the world that the players play in, giving the players quests to complete and playing all the non player characters that exist in the world". The Article further explains that there are a set of rules to help give the game some structure and that dice are rolled to determine what outcome of actions are, but there still is a lot of creative freedom as you get to make your own choices and craft your own characters the way you want to.

Because of this creative freedom, it allows experimentation of identity, such as with gender, class, power, race, sexuality, talents ect. That's why originally the communities often associated with DnD were often the misunderstood and those that did not fit in with the norms, it was considered weird and 'nerdy'. Although DnD is more widely popular now, back when the game was originally published there was criticism for it's association with exploring magic and myth, that it was considered to be supportive of devil worship and witchcraft. Even in certain media we can see that DnD used to be for the unpopular and the 'outcasts', such as in Stranger Things, especially in the latest season where the rest of the main protagonists' high school misunderstand their DnD club and believe their were responsible for the catastrophes happening in the town.

Just like other forms of media such as films, games can be a form of escape. People tend to want to escape from reality just for a few hours to avoid the stress from everyday life, the monotony, maybe something they're going through that they don't want to think about and don't know where to put their emotions. Personally, I watch films and play games because of the lack of adventure you can have in reality, due to the need of money to do so and because it can be quite dangerous depending on what you want to do. Films are great at immersing you into a story but games give you the opportunity to interact with that story yourself, especially role-playing games. You're able to simulate things you wouldn't normally be able to do. The consequences are only experienced in that virtual world (unless you bring up the potential game addiction, time consumption, unrealistic expectations but that isn't too much associated with what you do in the game but rather the person's state of mind and how they treat games themselves in general).

So taking all this into account, we can say that something that makes an RPG is it's creative freedom, it's ability to allow you to escape into a world and experience things you wouldn't be able to in real life, such as being in a fantasy world with magic or in a different time period. You can make your own choices that can effect the story and the ending, and you can customise your character how you like.

Now for most videogame RPGs, you can say they still have a gamemaster, but now the AI/coding decides the actions of the NPCs and automate most of the story.

On their site, Techopedia state what they believe are the five basic elements traditional role-playing games share:

The ability to improve your character over the course of the game by increasing his statistics or levels.

A menu-based combat system with several choices of skills, spells, and active powers as well as an active inventory system with wearable equipment such as armour and weapons.

A central quest that runs throughout the game as a storyline and additional (and usually optional) side quests.

The ability to interact with elements of the environment or storyline through additional abilities (e.g. lockpicking, disarming traps, communication skills, etc.)

The existence of certain character classes that define the characteristics, skills, abilities, and spells of a character (e.g. wizard, thief, warrior, etc.)

This roughly sounds about right and so I'll be using these elements and the previous points I've made before to distinguish which assassin's creed games are the furthest and closest to being an RPG. I've played most of these games myself, but some I haven't played at all and some I haven't fully explored after completing the main missions, so I'll try my best in finding other sources and getting help from others to fill in the gaps.

I'll see you in the next post, where we will be starting off with, of course, Assassin's creed 1 :)

Credit and Sources:

[attila-werther]

die

[bunchacrunchcake]

Dave Chapelle wrote the best trans joke I've ever heard. I say this as a trans author. He says for a trans woman (which I am,) no matter how much I augment my genitalia, it will never be a real vagina, even though it might look and feel just like the real thing. Then he says "Impossible pussy!" and slaps his knees. The camera cuts to a woman in the front row visibly upset and crying.

It's the perfect joke, its long, detailed, has cliff hangers, an edgy set up, and a really creative punch line that delivers social commentary both on trans vaginas and fake meat. It's masterful.

Chapelle says his one trans fan likes his jokes, so it's okay.

He says all oppression is not the same. He says he had to chew out a white women for letting her oppression take precedent over his as a black man in America.

The Black Panthers created the rainbow coalition specifically to guard against these divide and conquer tactics. The rainbow coalition spread to many countries, many races, creeds, religions, and genders. They aremed themselves because they knew the fight would be real, and dangerous. Black power, the Black Panther movement was about global unity and a drastic change in global power structures. Through COINTEL PRO and other efforts, the US Government played a large part in the assassination of leaders, downfall, and ultimate evisceration of the Black Panther Party which are now known as the Crips and Bloods.

They say you stop maturing the year you get famous. Chapelle I'm assuming stopped in his 20s because he seems, as a black person, to have missed the core message of BLM which is that our struggles are united and that if we don't shout BLACK TRANS LIVES MATTER from the rooftops and FREE PALESTINE during religious services, we are complicit in the racist system that Chappelle himself spent an entire hour on Inside the Actors Studio complaining about.

Black trans women are murdered at a higher rate than almost any part of the US population. Trans and queer people all across the globe are systematically murdered. Being trans and queer is illegal and punishable by death or prison in many countries. Women, white and non-white, are often preyed upon and trafficked for sex globally as well.

BLM is a critical part of global history as it allows us to unentangle the deep roots of the prison industrial complex as well as things like redlining, and white capitalism so that we can start the very, very long and arduous process of in some way equalizing the playing field for a group of people that had horrific things done to them for centuries at the hands of powerful leaders.

It is built into BLM that liberation for black people is liberation for all. Not that it comes at the cost of everyone's freedom. It is a revitalization of the Black Panther Party.

Dave did 3 specials about trans people. James Acaster says "Edgy comedians, no one tells them what they can and can't say. They walk on stage, do 10 solid minutes, slagging off transgender people. Straight out the gate, making fun of transgender people. If people get upset about it, they say "Bad luck! That's my job! I'm a stand up comedian! I like to challenge people! If you don't like being challenged! Don't come to my shows! What's the matter guys? Too challenging for ya?!" He rants and repeats that for a little while. And then he says "Oh yeah, you know who's been long overdue a challenge? The trans community. They've had their guard down for too long if you ask me. They'll be checking their privileged on the way home now thanks to you, you brave little cis boy. I used to say the name of that comedian and it made things really awkward. 2019, people still happy to laugh at trans people, not as comfortable laughing at, I've learned, Ricky Gervais."

Dave Chappelle, found his one trans fan (not even friend), and wasn't given, but TOOK our equivalent of the n-word pass from her.

N-word passes are not real. It's a joke you play on dumb white people. Basically you give a white kid "the pass" to see if they're dumb enough to say the n-word in front of other black people. Then you get to sit back and laugh as the entire room goes ballistic on them. "OH MY GOD REBECCA WALKED INTO CHEMISTRY AND SAID WHATS UP MY N****S TO THE WHOLE CLASS!"

One random person does not speak for the whole planet.

I have also heard many well crafted racist black, asian, and latino jokes. I do not tell them. Not because they're not funny. But because they are based off of stereotypes that don't actually represent the vastly diverse group of people in those communities. They also are usually an oppressive person's opinion of someone who is opressed. It is the literal definition of bullying.

Retelling prejudiced jokes actively causes harm to those people. It supports the propaganda surrounding those communities that let police justify extrajudicial murder, and it keeps the people thinking that when a cop shoots a black man for going for his wallet, it was because he was scary, not because the cop was racist.

That's why I don't tell racist jokes, even if they are "really good."

Also, stand up comedy can literally be about ANYTHING. Pete Davidson did a whole bit about deciding whether to fuck his mom. It wasn't funny. But here's the thing, it could have been.

He could have said "Well... I already stuck my head through it."

For every one lifetime trans fan Dave keeps, he loses thousands. We are shouting at you from the rooftops that you are harmful to our community and you are furthering racism, because you are assigning hierarchy to oppression and deciding who is and isn't allowed to be oppressed. Rich, white men are at the top of that power structure.

I laughed out loud when I heard that joke. And then I slowly realized that I couldn't ethically stomach watching Chapelle any more. I didn't even know I was trans then, but just as a human being I couldn't do it. People that lean into hate I just don't let into my circle anymore. Yes even masters of their craft.

[maddiethecanadianassassin]

Assassin’s Creed Theme Songs #23

Song: Shut Down by BLACKPINK (X)

https://open.spotify.com/track/0ARKW62l9uWIDYMZTUmJHF?si=c653ad8d74214703

Dedicated to Jacob & Evie Frye. The violin cords gave me similar vibes to game’s score.

Praying for my downfall, many have tried, baby, catch me in my Lamborghini go, vroom, vroom, vroom, vroom! 

[dzthenerd490]

File: Assassin's Creed - Crystals

SCP: AHM

Code Name: The Crystal Orbs and the Crystal Skulls

Object Class: Thaumiel

Special Containment Procedures: SCP-AHM instances that are within Foundation custody are stored in the level 1 containment armory area within Site-AP on the first floor. They are simply guarded by standard Foundation containment cells of 4x4 meters. There are 4 containment cells for the four instances within Foundation custody, all containment cells are side by side. They are each placed on a podium and can only be accessed by Level 4 Clearance staff members entering Site-AP. Any testing is merely to be used to experiment with their communication properties and the way it can potentially be replicated. 

For now, no one under Level 5 Clearance is allowed to access any of the information hidden within SCP-AHM instances. Any attempt to do so will lead to immediate activation of Protocol "Legacy's Downfall", there will be no exceptions.

In the event of a containment Breach the AFA-3 units populating Site-AP are to stand on guard for SCP-AHM as they do with all other SCPs within the first floor of Site-AP. They are to be armed with Foundation laser rifles and standard Foundation pistols each one loaded with different combinations of anomalous bullets. The purpose of this is to be unpredictable while also able to counter any enemy. 

Description: SCP-AHM instances take on the forms of orbs and skulls made of what looks to be crystal but is actually a synthetic translucent metal known as Translucenite. Translucenite is a metal created by Species of Interest: The ISU to be used as the most advanced form of communication without worry of interruption or even disruption of time. It is believed that this same material is contained inside SCP-ABD instances and other ISU artifacts.

It's possible for one to contact someone in the past with an SCP-AHM instance but only if they were holding another SCP-AHM instance at that time. Essentially SCP-AHM instances are the ultimate communication devices that transcend space and time though the only thing they are used for is communication the possibilities are nearly infinite. 

As is standard for ISU artifacts, SCP-AHM is able to hold vast amounts of information within it as well as bits of the previous user's memories. However, SCP-AHM takes it a step further by being able to contain even more knowledge than any other ISU artifact. In basic terms, the average ISU artifact can be considered a book collection, but SCP-AHM instances are more like seemingly endless libraries. It is for this reason that despite just being labeled Object Class Thaumiel they are placed within Site-AP. Each instance holds vast knowledge of ISU technology and history, they cannot be allowed to fall into the wrong hands.

The SCP-AHM instances were discovered in 2008 after a successful raid on a transport truck from Group of Interest: Abstergo Industries. Upon discovering SCP-AHM's limitless possibilities in communication and knowledge it alerted its allies within the Anomalous Correction and Protection Alliance. The Horizon Initiative then revealed it had more SCP-AHM instances that it had taken form its recent purging of traitors who were spies of the Templars. Afterwards SCP-AHM instances were distributed among the organizations of the ACPA until the Foundation was left with only four. 

SCP-AHM instances are to only be used in communication during dire situations. Until then, the Foundation conducts experiments to replicate and even improve the technology. The hope is that with the technology, the ACPA could finally expand beyond the solar system without worry and quite possibly make contact with [data expunged]. Time and space will no longer be an issue allowing humanity to expand anywhere when the time is right. 

.

SCP: Horror Movie Files Hub

[mani-mooncrow]

BANDBRJOTR : HROÐVITNIR : VANAGANDR

In the Eddas, Fenrir is a monster, a violent beast that breaks free at Ragnarök and kills Odin. An enemy, clearly. But stories can be interpreted and re-invented in many ways, as we see for example in modern media, books, videogames, etc. In Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, for example, Odin is haunted by the vision of a wolf being his downfall, and thus bans all wolves in Valhalla. When Loki brings his son Fenrir into the realm, he has to hide him from Odin and the others. Once discovered, Odin tries to kill the wolf without success, and later tricks him into being bound, thus setting in motion the very pieces that will lead to his downfall. As a queer person, I empathize not only with shapechanger and weirdo Loki, who is never fully accepted, but also with his offspring – monsters outcast from society, othered, vilified. The fear of what you don’t understand. However, as much as they tried to bind Fenrir, to keep him down and quiet, in the end he broke his chains. In my eyes, the story of Fenrir can be interpreted as one of oppression and freedom, and of unapologetically being who you are.

Made this in 2021

[danwhobrowses]

Quick Wrestle Kingdom 18 Thoughts

Spoilers for the PPV just in case

It was a good show, I know I haven't done many highlights as of recent but sometimes the mood doesn't hit, and it doesn't get many views.

The first half was quite meh, I don't like the Ranbo still it remains a 'look at all this talent we don't have anything for' rumble to me, last WK I had hoped Master Wato, SHO and YOH would break out but they have kinda regressed, same with Great O-Khan. Not a single women's match too, you had Mayu Iwatani in the building but you couldn't fit a match for her? TJP's rechristening as the Aswang was kinda cool, the mask is devious looking but not too high on the dog collar, match was fair enough. Tana beating ZSJ felt like the wrong call though, the moment a wrestler comes into backstage power they should absolutely avoid putting a title on themselves it just sets a bad vibe, match ended very abruptly too, thought Tsuji should've gone over Uemera and Kiyomiya/Shota over House of Torture too. Ngl what are we doing with Kiyomiya? He looked like he was gonna get a big Okada feud but then got discarded at the G1, it feels like NJPW going 'we're very superior to NOAH' with his booking, Shota had a cool motorcycle entrance but he is another who could use a push.

Tama vs Shingo was a great match though, really threw out all the old Bullet Club finishers to put Shingo down, great final third. Glad that Hikuleo and ELP got the tag belts too, Bishamon do feel like the tag equivalent of ol' reliable. Speaking of ol' reliables, Hiromu on another Junior Heavyweight title match, love both guys but Despy was the right man to go over, need fresher challengers.

Loved Mox donning some Red Hood gear, but then Ospreay went Assassin's Creed and Smackdown Six Rey Mysterio with his entrance. Finlay winning was rather obvious though, not only because he was the only non-AEW wrestler but the whole agreement to gang up on him was narratively designed try and to put him over. The match was quite good, infamous BC interference marred it a little but can't lie Coughlin sat in the broken table was amusing, and the title looks pretty, I'll miss the US/UK red strap but returning to some IC-esque roots isn't the worst thing. Nic Nemeth getting a little scrap with Finlay looks promising too.

Okada's coat was pretty awesome, good to see them do a match unmarred by injuries but of course Okada went over, I think the next Forbidden Door or Wrestledream could be the Rubber Match. Ironic that much like Revolution last year, Bryan embracing the YES! chants led to his downfall - I don't think that was accidental - but of course it was a really good match. And finally, I loved me some SANADA when he was his Cold Skull, but 'Regular Looking Guy' SANADA, that ain't it, that ain't the gimmick. It was high time he was felled and Naito is a fitting guy to do it. Match was still good, but EVIL challenging is the wrong guy though stop trying to make EVIL happen again.

[alkibiadessuperfan]

Just realised how similar the Iphigenia story is to Odyssey’s plot. You see both stories have someone’s daughter getting sacrificed and it can’t be prevented … but the difference is there’s no cult or baby brother with Iphigenia or so I think at least …. Correct me if I’m wrong I’m not familiar with that legend (I only know about the horse)

What do you think? Do you think it’s similar to each other the storyline? I think Ubisoft might have been inspired by the myth when creating and making Odyssey.

Oh my- you started smth here. Excuse me because my thoughts are all mixed up but I‘ve been thinking about motives of the Iliad in Kassandra‘s Story. (Disclaimer: this talks about Assassins Creed Odyssey not THE Odyssey when I refer to Odyssey except I state it‘s THE Odyssey by Homer)

So. I will have to write a whole seperate post on Kassandra and her name being shared with Kassandra of Troy/Cassandra of Troy. Because I have many thoughts on it.

For the sacrifice of a child motive I somewhat agree. Nikolaos was told to sacrifice a child and lost both in the process, leading to the family falling apart. AC Odyssey is difficult to compare because especially with the family storyline it depends on how you play the game and which of the possible endings you get but you do have the chance to play a game in which cycles of violence lead to another and it results in tragedy of Kassandra loosing everyone, which can be somewhat compared to the House of Atreus (Agamemnon‘s family) and the violence and murder in the family leading their downfall. Interesting is also that Clytemnestra and Helen are from Sparta so it can be that the writers of AC Odyssey wanted to give the possibility to tell that kind of story.

In many moments AC Odyssey refers to myths especially the Odyssey by Homer and in many dialogue options Kassandra states that she has no interest partaking in some grand myth, scheme or plot but has no choice due to her family being woven into everything going on in the greek world in the time period.

There is probably many references to the Iliad in AC Odyssey and the sacrifice of children and Kassandra possibly being „an Iphigenia that survived instead of dying as a sacrifice“ might be one of them. Alexios too of course.

Still from the top of my head I‘d say that AC Odyssey references way more directly to THE Odyssey, making Kassandra wander like Odysseus (poor Odessa didnt get the chance Kassandra did lol), making Kassandra wander tge greek world specifically to save her family/fix her "home".

[maximuswolf]

Are we at a turning point in the gaming industry?

Are we at a turning point in the gaming industry? I’m posting this to start a discussion and see what everyone else thinks. There have been so many things happening recently (over the past year). Sony has been trying to get its hands on any live service game they can. Concord flopped so hard, with a 100% revenue loss. Black Ops 6 sold well but has mixed reviews due to SBMM, terrible map designs, and a disappointing Zombies mode. Ubisoft has flopped with almost all of their games, like Skull and Bones and Star Wars Outlaws, and they're heading for a downfall depending on the release of the new Assassin’s Creed. EA gave selective game journalists early access to Dragon Age: The Veilguard for review, excluding the ones who had given any criticism, just to avoid negative reviews. And yet, Dragon Age still flopped.There has just been so much loss in revenue and absolutely no success for big game studios. It’s about time they experience what it’s like to waste money, just like many of us have on there garbage games. Please feel free to add anything to this rant/discussion. Submitted November 14, 2024 at 07:41PM by SuddenConversation21 https://ift.tt/Zg9el1H via /r/gaming

[dhruvanand07]

The Downfall of Ubisoft: What Went Wrong for the Gaming Giant?

Once a dominant player in the gaming industry, Ubisoft has recently faced a troubling downturn. Known for iconic franchises like Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six, the French developer and publisher built a reputation for expansive open-world games and engaging stories. But today, the company is grappling with declining sales, internal controversies, and mixed reviews on recent titles. Here’s a look at what went wrong.

1. Formula Fatigue and Lack of Innovation

Ubisoft’s reliance on a formulaic approach to open-world games has become one of its biggest weaknesses. While fans once celebrated Ubisoft’s signature style—large maps filled with collectibles and repetitive side quests—the novelty has worn off. Recent titles like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Far Cry 6 have faced criticism for feeling overly similar to their predecessors, leading to "open-world fatigue" among players who crave fresh experiences.

2. Repeated Delays and Development Struggles

Several highly anticipated Ubisoft titles, such as Skull & Bones and Beyond Good & Evil 2, have been delayed multiple times, frustrating fans and dampening excitement. Development issues, along with struggles to manage projects effectively, have led to a string of lackluster releases, contributing to the perception that Ubisoft is struggling to keep up with industry standards.

3. Internal Scandals and Leadership Issues

In recent years, Ubisoft has faced allegations of workplace misconduct, harassment, and toxic leadership, with numerous executives stepping down amid controversy. These issues have tarnished the company’s reputation, impacting morale and raising questions about the company's culture and values. Efforts to rebuild trust and improve workplace culture are ongoing, but the damage to Ubisoft’s public image is still evident.

4. Failed Experimentation with New Monetization Models

Ubisoft’s attempt to dive into NFTs with Quartz met with backlash from fans, who viewed the move as a cash grab in a market increasingly wary of microtransactions and pay-to-win models. The company’s ongoing emphasis on monetization in games has alienated its core fan base, who feel that gameplay quality is often sacrificed for revenue.

5. Inconsistent Quality of Releases

In recent years, Ubisoft’s output has varied widely in quality, with some games launching full of bugs and unpolished gameplay mechanics. Titles like Ghost Recon Breakpoint were met with harsh criticism, while Hyperscape, Ubisoft’s attempt at a battle royale, failed to compete with industry leaders and was ultimately shut down. These missteps have led players to lose confidence in Ubisoft’s ability to deliver consistent, high-quality games.

Can Ubisoft Recover?

Ubisoft still has a dedicated fan base, and successful games in beloved franchises can always bring them back to the top. However, to truly turn things around, the company will need to reinvent its approach, prioritize quality over quantity, and address internal issues that continue to hinder progress. Without these changes, Ubisoft risks losing its place among the industry’s top gaming companies for good

[irunevenus]

Atlantis: The Lost Civilization That Captivated Imagination

The legend of Atlantis, a mythical island said to have sunk into the ocean, has fascinated explorers, historians, and dreamers for centuries. First mentioned by the ancient Greek philosopher Plato in his dialogues Timaeus and Critias, Atlantis is portrayed as a powerful and advanced civilization that ultimately fell victim to its own hubris. The story has sparked countless theories, investigations, and adaptations in popular culture, making Atlantis one of the most enduring myths in human history.

The Origins of the Atlantis Myth

Plato wrote about Atlantis around 360 BCE, claiming that it was a real place located beyond the "Pillars of Hercules," which we now know as the Strait of Gibraltar. According to his account, Atlantis was a large island, larger than Asia Minor and Libya combined, characterized by advanced architecture, rich resources, and a powerful navy. Its inhabitants were said to be descendants of the god Poseidon, who had received the island as a gift.

Plato’s story describes how the Atlanteans initially lived in harmony with the gods and enjoyed great prosperity. However, over time, they became greedy and corrupt, leading to their downfall. In a fit of rage, the gods supposedly punished Atlantis by causing it to sink into the sea, forever lost to history.

Theories and Speculations

While many historians consider Atlantis a mere allegory for Plato’s philosophical teachings on morality and governance, numerous theories have emerged regarding its possible existence. These theories range from the plausible to the fantastical:

Location Theories: Some researchers have proposed various locations for Atlantis, including the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and even Antarctica. The island of Santorini (formerly Thera), which suffered a massive volcanic eruption around 1600 BCE, has been suggested as a possible inspiration due to its advanced Minoan civilization and sudden destruction.

Geological Explanations: Certain natural disasters, such as tsunamis or earthquakes, could explain the sudden disappearance of a civilization. The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and the destruction of Pompeii by Mount Vesuvius have led some to draw parallels with the Atlantis story, suggesting that similar events could have befallen a real civilization.

Cultural Influence: Some scholars argue that Atlantis is a symbolic reflection of the ideals and values of ancient Greece, serving as a cautionary tale about the consequences of moral decline. This view emphasizes the allegorical nature of the story rather than its historical accuracy.

Atlantis in Popular Culture

The allure of Atlantis has transcended its philosophical roots, becoming a staple of popular culture. It has inspired countless books, films, and television shows. Works like Jules Verne’s "A Journey to the Center of the Earth", Disney's animated film "Atlantis: The Lost Empire," and the video game series "Assassin's Creed" have all drawn on the myth, presenting their interpretations of this enigmatic civilization.

Additionally, Atlantis has become a focal point for conspiracy theories and pseudoarchaeology. Some claim to have found evidence of advanced technology or ancient extraterrestrial influence in connection with Atlantis, despite a lack of credible scientific support.

The Enduring Fascination

The myth of Atlantis resonates with humanity’s quest for understanding and exploration. It taps into deep-seated themes of loss, ambition, and the fragility of civilization. The notion that a highly advanced society could vanish without a trace serves as both a warning and a source of intrigue.

Modern-day explorers and researchers continue to investigate the legend, driven by a mix of curiosity and skepticism. Underwater archaeology and advancements in technology have allowed scientists to explore ancient shipwrecks and submerged structures, reigniting the quest for Atlantis in the 21st century.

Conclusion

While the existence of Atlantis remains unproven and may ultimately be a fictional construct, its story continues to captivate minds and inspire creativity across cultures and generations. The tale serves as a reminder of the complexities of human civilization, the lessons of history, and our perpetual yearning to uncover the mysteries of our past.

As we search for answers, Atlantis stands as a symbol of humanity’s enduring desire to explore the unknown and to learn from the successes and failures of those who came before us.

[zooterchet]

The ATF File (Dropped to "Null")

Deathguy: SNES CIA Cadet Civilization 1.

Nil: MSN Chat, MSN Services ISP.

Damn-Yankee: Quake, Quakeworld, Quake 2, Battlezone, Armageddon MUD, Halo LAN.

Qua'lor: SW1 MUSH, Elendor, SW2 MUSH.

Howie: BWTF MUSH, BW2 MUSH, Beast Wars Mars MUSH, BW:TMet MUSH.

Seatcushion: Fetish.Com, Bondage.Com, Alt.Com, FetLife.Com.

Mini-Peebo: M3, MotM MUCK, M3:DP.

Quint: Tapestries, Buffy and Angel, Heroes Dreams, SPR MUCK, LeJardin, MUCK, Armageddon MUD.

Graye: Furry MUCK, Shangrila MUX.

Ghul: Shangrila MUX.

Betty: SPR MUCK.

Gianna: Tapestries.

Petula: Shangrila MUX.

al-Saffah: Halo 1 LAN, Halo 2 LAN.

Chet: M3, Videoland MUSH, Heroes Dreams, United Heroes, MCM, MotM MUCK.

Mundo: Shangrila MUX.

Trogg: Shangrila MUX.

Halloween: Shangrila MUX.

Booker: Shangrila MUX.

Cracker Jack: MotM MUCK.

Apoc: Reddit.

Riddler120: Reddit.

Cheater120: Northeaston Savings Bank, Able2Know.

Zooterchet: Tumblr.

First year projection ("freshman"): 15 years old.  Political science, CIA, Bush administration.

Fourth year projection ("freshman"): 19 years old.  Counter espionage, MI-6, anti-FRG.

Contingency of axis: Matthew Lennox gaining dominance over online mate, Allison Haimes.

2001: Hook, Jewel, Furry MUCK and Taps, Cilicia, Furry MUCK.

2003: Parlay, prevention of shooting at Hopkinton Highschool.  Option choice, Heston or Yeltsin.

2004: SIgn-up, CIA Prosecutor's agent, marijuana dealer; recommended, to Matthew Lennox.

2005: Switch. Appraised of beef poisoning in notice, given Abilify; helicopter rotary g-spin, removed.  Combat infantry, able.  Drop, RGIS, on Yeltsin.  Numbers perfect, Taunton Behavioral Ward MI-6, FBI Freedom of Information, UMass-Amherst Campus AFROTC, CIA unit.  Yeltsin, running MI-6, as German.  Heston, removed to Bush, safe.

2006: Snitch.  Hell's Angels and Freemasons of Canada, dropped through AIM.  Identifier, John Washburne, Marvel Comics.  Double play, Wiesel and Stan Lee.  Divorce, Carrie Carr and Anthony Parziale, Wiesel.  Back bend, Stan Lee, writer's contract, long play.  Plant, Michael Charlebois, Scarecrow's father, FOX.  Tie, Marvel Comics and Holocaust History Museum.

2008: Scoop, ATF contract, through Salib Law.  Appointed, Joshua Moen; "Toad", as doctor, slipped.  Twist and pull, Ivan Tomasic in CIA, through father, AF NRO.  Haze for unit, granted.  Agent, placed.  Midnight's Children, played to insider, Jessica "Maus" Bailey.  Cake, for Jew, placed in Queen's care.  Charles, pulled, as Adolf Hitler.  Jewish Gold, removed from firm.  Fort Knox and Bank of England, separated.  Strangle, George W. Bush.

2011: Snitch, MI-6.  Pulled out, returned to community.

Casino Royale: 

007: DEA Sanctioned Kills: Carlin Sarkesian, Alan Laverdiere the First.

Felix Leiter: Reagan's Lipitor Medication; Bromide, for a heavy mense.

Le Chiffre: Boris Yeltsin, taken through a bank heist on the Bank of England.

Quantum of Solace:

007: DEA Sanctioned Kills: Luke Stetson, Calvin Williams.

Felix Leiter: Print of "The Last Witch Hunter", Kaulder, "The Nolan Trilogy", Scarecrow, Joker, and Bane, "Wolfram and Hart", Israeli intelligence services.

Mister White: Elie Wiesel, taken through Johnny Cochrane's law, downfalls of Hunter S. Thompson, OJ Simpson, and Osama Bin Laden.

Skyfall:

007: DEA Sanctioned Kills: Richard Coughlin, Jenna Williamson.

Felix Leiter: Print of "Assassin's Creed", basic combat tactical theory of modern US Army, given to USMC; non-hegemon source of hierarchy logic, battlefield.

Raoul Silva: Stan Lee, major writer, scened as pornography actor, in "Batman" print of pornography; recovery of nursing sector, through cop spouses, Frank Miller ruled away in "Sin City" and "Sin City 2", "That Yellow Bastard" as cop's posture.  Film films interdicted, by United States Fraternal Order of Police.

SPECTRE:

007: DEA Sanctioned Kills: John Washburne, Gwenn Pratt.

Felix Leiter: Print of "Gotham", COINTELPRO dossier on MI-6 Bellevue, Irish Resistance to German print houses; revealed to British, as German and Israeli complicity.

Ernst Stavro Blofeld: Priests as revealed as spies, for Kingdom of Italy; cake, wine, and architecture, the three points of a heterosexual child; having refused Catechism, as having admitted to homosexual; rapist, pedophile, homeless, and in different combinations, the lackluster of the Synagogue, the rackets.

No Time to Die:

007: DEA Sanctioned Kills: Christine Warren, Michael Fargnoli.

Felix Leiter: Arranged method of "John Wick", "The Matrix" and "John Wick" arranged to provoke Wachowskis as "bastards", illicit cooperation in underground bondage parlors, intended for "Crime Council" of Connacht, Ireland, the five government membership of proper assassins; CIA, IDF, MI-6, ExSec, and MSS, through major scandal.

Safin Lucypher: Shutdown of "Saint's Row" and related publication studios, as against FBI, Rockstar Games; "all crime is now gay", users of the GTA 3 camera as having admitted the deaths of police officers through theft from "Arkham Asylum" writers, out of DC Comics, the CIA. 

[abrahamvanhelsings]

For the Ask Game:

who is/are your comfort character(s)?

lighter or matches?

15. are you a parent? (all answers qualify)

31. what type of music keeps you grounded?

37. someone in your life, other than a relative, you’ve known for 10+ years?

1. who is/are your comfort character(s)? by now it's safe to say edward little is here to stay forever <3 but to pick someone else, dimitri from fire emblem three houses! my comfort characters tend to be intensely loyal/dutiful and/or have a strong sense of justice, often in such a way that it is one of their greatest strengths, but also something that could (and in the media they're from, often does) lead to their downfall. generally more serious and reserved characters as well - naturally, characters that are easy for me to project onto and are attractive to me bc of shared traits/values.

2. lighter or matches? MATCHES

15. are you a parent? (all answers qualify) not in any sense whatsoever

31. what type of music keeps you grounded? oof difficult question... some video game music calms me, helps me sleep, makes it easier to focus (i have a playlist of assassin's creed music specifically for this purpose) BUT music i can sing along with can make me feel better when im feeling guilty or anxious or lonely, and this can really be any type of music i know the lyrics to. and shout-out to tchaikovsky's nutcracker for being the thing i always turn to when i have a deadline and am stressed af and i need to turn on the focus brain to churn out a piece of writing within some impossible time span. lmao.

37. someone in your life, other than a relative, you’ve known for 10+ years? my parents' neighbour, he'd babysit my sister and i when we were small and my parents have dinner with him (and his gf now) every once in a while + go to events with them so i know him pretty well!

[bakumatsu-assassin]

Personal Head Cannons - Okamoto Tadakuni

"Stay your blade from the flesh of the innocent.."

This maxim stands as the foundational principle of the Assassin's Creed. The primary aim of the Assassins was to establish harmony in all matters. The Assassins maintained the belief that the elimination of corrupt figures through political assassinations would usher in peace and authentic security for the common folk. However, the act of slaying the innocent and noncombatant bystanders, whose demise serves no purpose, could breed conflict and disharmony, further tarnishing the reputation of the Assassin Order.

However, the intricacies are far from straightforward...

Within the ranks of those who cast doubt upon the creed, a notable figure emerged – Okamoto Tadakuni, a former Assassin who had chosen to abandon his previous affiliation. He gained prominence for his straightforward nature, fearless demeanor, and spontaneous inclinations in shedding light on what he deemed to be instances of hypocrisy among his fellow Assassins. Frequently, he drew comparisons to the tale of Al Mualim, highlighting the way in which the Creed was manipulated as a surreptitious tool for shaping beliefs and asserting control.

Across the substantial duration of the Bakumatsu Period, the Assassins were engaged in eliminating Imperial Restorationists. A considerable portion of this movement received backing and support from the Japanese Templars. This prompts the question: is it justifiable to end a life based solely on affiliation with the opposing side? It can be argued that within the ranks of the Templars, there are individuals of noble intent, alongside those who simply seek the best interests of Japan as it strides towards modernization.

As time progressed, Okamoto's skepticism regarding the honesty of his fellow Assassins persisted, causing him to question whether their deeds truly aligned with the optimal path for Japan's future.

Shortly prior to the onset of the Boshin War, Okamoto Tadakuni and a substantial number of fellow Assassins found themselves united by a common pro-nationalistic sentiment, which ultimately led them to break away from the Brotherhood en masse. In a collective decision, numerous other branches that had once been aligned with the Assassins also shifted their loyalty to the Templar movement. Their concerted efforts culminated in the downfall of the Tokugawa Shogunate and the reinstatement of the Emperor's authority, effectively marking the conclusion of the era dominated by the samurai.

[letstalkassassinscreed]

The Ming Storm By Yan Leishang

The Ming storm is an amazing story that follows the legendary assassin Shoa Jun, but the book's greatest downfall is its place in continuity which I feel can be debated as the sequel is a new story and the major theme of this book is also alluded to in Valhalla. But before I get into the review I will be adding a spoiler warning, as I will be discussing a lot of the major themes present.

The biggest question I had going into this book was why is it not canon? And the best way to explain that is a quote by my good friend Michael

"Assassin's Creed The Ming Storm tells an alternative version of the AC China game, using Kung-Fu, philosophy, and mysticism to provide a deeper look at the Chinese Assassin in a story written for an Eastern audience."

With this being an alternative story to chronicles China, you will find some similarities in events, as the story does follow Shao Jun's return to China after fleeing to europe, and being taught by Ezio Auditorie, and her mission to take down the 8 tigers which are essentially the templars of the story. But that's where the similarities stop as the story's main central theme is about the tigers getting the precursor box that Ezio entrusted on Shao Jun, and using it to create Yuxia. Know Yuxia are essentially demons or zombies something that would seem far fetched and outside assassin's creed if it wasn't for the isu factory the story uses in the final chapters, and Odyssey and Valhalla both allude to isu creating zombies or hybrids. So it's a unique idea that does deserve a place in continuity as it'll help uncover the myth vial of the forgotten saga in valhalla.

Away from the story and theme there is something else that shines in this book, something that is usually reserved for the games, and that's the history description. A lot of the time in the story the pace slows down to explain some backstory to the history or events that are vital, and this is something we normally only see in database entries. Most assassin creed novels write as if they were there in that time period and use world building to flesh it out. Which is a great detail but there's something more captivating about the story slowing down to fully explain events and history. And alongside the historical immersion I was fully engrossed in the authors description of kung-fu and how it was integrated Into the combat, most assassin's creed combat is very much sword and shield and stealth, so it's good to read about a new style of combat and one that feels accurate for the character.

With the added depth of philosophy that challenges how we see assassins and templars this story is one that I would highly recommend for all fans but it's also a book that I wish ubisoft would make canon as there's a lot of philosophy and themes in this book that should be fully explored in new ways.

[dzthenerd490]

File: Assassin's Creed - Crescent Amulet

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Warning! The following is to only be seen by administrators and O5 council members. If you are not of Level 5 Clearance, you will be exterminated by order of the O5 council!

SCANNING

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CHECKING RANK DATA OF VIEWER

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RANK OF VIEWER CONFIRMED

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NO SIGNS OF TAMPERING DETECTED

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WELCOME TO THE FAMILY

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VIEWING OF SCP-AGS APPROVED

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SCP#: AGS

Code Name: The Crescent Amulet

Object Class: Anticipi

Special Containment Procedures: SCP-AGS is to be sent to Site-AP and locked within the Level 4 Emergency Armory. The armory locked behind advanced and experimental containment locks and security measures to ensure no one without the passcode identification can pass through. The armory is to only be opened when a worst-case K Class Apocolyptic Scenario event occurs. As such anyone who accesses SCP-AGS when no such event has occurred or without the proper clearance, they are to be targeted with Protocol Legacy's Downfall, there will be no exceptions.

Description: SCP-AGS is a crescent shaped amulet made by Species of Interest: The ISU. the amulet has the same anomalous ability as most ISU technology does which is to control the minds of everyone except those with [data expunged] status. However, SCP-AGS is a specialized item belonging to the ISU, so it is in possession of several other anomalous abilities. 

Such anomalous abilities include: 

- Necromancy - SCP-AGS allows the user to heal all wounds even fatal wounds to bring even the dead back to life. However, if someone has been dead for 72 hours or longer than the body will be possessed by energy of the SCP-AGS and not the original soul. These undead corpses will obey the user of SCP-AGS until they are destroyed. The user is able to summon at least [data expunged] of these undead corpses though possibly more. 

- Illusion projection - SCP-AGS can project illusions into the mind of anyone who is able to be under the influence of mind control. Such illusions can affect all five of the senses quite easily and without restrictions. Though the limit is that only five people at a time can be subjected to these illusions and it must be the same illusion for all of them. 

- Holographic projection - SCP-AGS can project 3D holograms of anything the user desires weather it be data, recordings caught form SCP-AGS's memory of previous users, or anything else from the current SCP-AGS user's memory or even their imagination. 

- Accelerate learning - The wearer of SCP-AGS is able to process information at an accelerated pace and can retail all memories of what they learned while wearing SCP-AGS. SCP-AGS essentially turns the user's brain into a computer able to not only think fast but able to make their own calculations and think up simulated experiments like a computer can with the same if not more effective accuracy. They'll be able to remember, learn, and think with perfect speed, clarity, and efficiently. 

- Immunity to Stalking - SCP-AGS prevents anyone, and anything form watching them from far distances. This includes usage of telescope or similar tool, satellite cameras, magic, thaumaturgic rituals, metaphysical means, recordings, use of anomalous senses, thaumaturgic technology, para technology, and other anomalous means. All attempts either lead to malfunction, pain in the viewer's eyes, and/or the complete erase of memories of viewing in the first place. 

SCP-AGS was discovered in 2020 after it was retrieved in the mission when Mobile Task Force Athena-1 "Assassin's Creed" came into conflict with Group of Interest: The Valravn Corporation over a shipment of anomalous items owned by Group of Interest: Abstergo Industries. Thankfully Captain Alexia and her team managed to take the entirety of the shipment including SCP-AGS with minimal casualties. Surprising since they had to fight against both Groups of Interest at the time. Please see Action Report: Assassins vs Vikings for details. 

Because SCP-AGS was deemed dangerous a majority of the Foundation agreed it should be locked away in Site-AP until such time as it is needed like an K Class Apocalyptic Scenario. 

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SCP: Horror Movie Files Hub