#embrace your fears

[imlivingmylife]

“We all live on the precipice of fear. But beyond the confines of that fear lies an endless world of possibility, of fulfilment. You just have to embrace it. You've got this.”

Five Blind Dates

[gothotdog]

I can’t tell you how much I crazy I am over this quote it makes me laugh forever 💯

This is Joe’s face when he found out Love found him ><

[trappedinafantasy37]

There are multiple gods in the game that you can directly interact with and they all have ties to the narrative. You can interact with Shar via Shadowheart. You can interact with Mystra via Gale. You can interact with Myrkul via Ketheric when he takes on the avatar form. You can interact with Bhaal via Durge and in the fight with Orin. You can interact with Bane after killing Gortash and using "Speak with Dead" in which the soul you speak to is not Gortash, but Bane himself. I would include Vlaakith in this list but Vlaakith is not a god, she is a lich presenting herself as a god. And, of course, there is the Absolute which doesn't really become a god until it ascends into the Netherbrain (although that is debatable).

But, did you know that Lolth will also interact with you? As far as I am aware, Lolth is the only non-story related god in which you do have interactions with. One of them is only available if you are a Lolth-sworn drow, and the other is only available if you are a Cleric of Lolth (you do not need to be Lolth-sworn for it).

The first instance is in the goblin camp with the spiders in the pit. This does require that you are a Lolth-sworn drow and that you have the ability to speak with animals. When talking to the spiders, you will have the option to present yourself to the spiders as Lolth herself. If you fail the persuasion check, Lolth gets pissed off as she was listening to you and is not happy that you tried to present yourself as her. And she tells the spiders you are an imposter and they attack you. But if you succeed the check, Lolth doesn't do anything and the spiders will think you are Lolth. So, Lolth doesn't really have a problem with you pretending to be her. But if you are going to pretend to be her, you better do it right. If the spiders think you are Lolth, you can ask them about what's going on in the goblin camp and the spiders only talk about one thing. They immediately tell you that there is another drow in the camp who has forgotten her way and that she is forsaken. And, as I said, Lolth is here. She heard the spiders admit this. Lolth does nothing about it.

The second instance is in the Underdark with the Phalar Aluve. When you interact with the sword, you have two different checks, a Strength check and a Religion check. If you do the Strength check, you can just pull it out of the stone and be on your merry way. If you perform the Religion check, the narrator will tell you different things depending on certain conditions. If you are a Lolth-sworn drow and/or a Cleric of Lolth, the narrator will tell you that the religious rite to pull the blade from the stone is blasphemous as it pays honor to the weak. If you are of any other race and/or cleric of any other god, the narrator will tell you that the sword is of Eilistraee and the rite pays honor to the fallen. The religious rite is that you spill a little bit of your blood and the sword will rise out of the stone on its own. If you do this as a Cleric of Lolth (you don't need to be Lolth-sworn) you will feel hundreds of spiders crawl all over you as Lolth is warning you not to do shit like that ever again. Not only did you perform the religious rite of another god, you performed the religious rite of a god she hates. And she is letting you know how much she hated that.

These are the only two instances in the game that I have found in which Lolth interacts with the player but there are plenty of other moments in which Lolth could interact with you, but doesn't (such as with the Phase Spider, the baby spiders in Grymforge, Kar'niss, or the dead spider in the Gauntlet of Shar). Of these two moments where Lolth does interact with you, one of these instances is in the goblin camp, and the other is in the Underdark not too far away from the goblin camp. I don't think it is much of a coincidence that these two interactions occur in close proximity to Minthara. Almost as if Lolth has a reason to be in that area specifically to watch and monitor things, and you just so happened to be there. And the only things that compel her to interact with you is because you pissed her off. But, as long you don't piss her off, she will do nothing and she will say nothing.

When Minthara was being tortured by the Absolute, she prayed to Lolth and begged Lolth to give her the strength to fight her enemies. But Lolth does nothing and Lolth says nothing. In fact, that was the full extent of Lolth's "punishment" for Minthara, nothing. All Lolth did was not answer Minthara's prayers and not show up when Minthara needed her the most. Lolth did not torture Minthara like the Absolute did, Lolth did not turn her into a drider, nor did Lolth eat her. All she did, was nothing. And yes, Lolth is known for abandoning drow and no longer interacting with them. A drow has to do something incredibly awful in order for Lolth to just back away from them entirely. But you cannot convince me that Lolth is going to let one of her Baenre's go so easily. It's not as if Minthara has done anything truly awful either to make Lolth that mad.

According to Minthara, she herself has sinned against the Spider Queen, but it's not as if she chose to abandon Lolth, she was forced away and mind controlled into being devoted to another god. But would this make a difference to Lolth? Does it really matter if Minthara was compelled to have faith in another god besides Lolth? It isn't until Minthara is freed and feels the absence of Lolth that she chooses to no longer follow Lolth. Minthara even mentions how turning against Lolth is a big no-no in Menzoberranzan. Minthara herself at one point has hunted down and killed those who turn their backs from Lolth so she knows the same will be done to her if she were to ever return home. In fact, if you are a Lolth-sworn drow or a Cleric of Lolth, you are given unique dialogue options with Minthara to kill her because she is a traitor to Lolth and these options continue to show up until you recruit her into your party and she joins your roster. Despite all of this, Lolth does nothing. Minthara spews anti-Lolth rhetoric left and right, and Lolth does nothing. If you take Minthara to the tabernacle, she will spit on a shrine to Lolth, and Lolth does nothing.

Minthara is also able to walk through the Gauntlet of Shar, which is in the Underdark, and Lolth does nothing. Sure, you could argue that its connection to the Shadowfell and the fact that Shar is there via Shadowheart is enough to keep Lolth away. The lore of DnD does not make it quite clear what the relationship between these two goddesses are. But I am willing to bet that Lolth is smart enough not to step on Shar's toes because Shar would annihilate her. However, there is a small little section of the Gauntlet where it actually does spit you out directly into the Underdark and into Lolth's territory. Minthara can walk right out there just fine, and Lolth does nothing.

But most importantly, Minthara's default ending is her returning to the Underdark with the sole purpose of destroying House Baenre and then killing Lolth. Destroying House Baenre could lead to a chaotic and political disaster in Menzoberranzan, and Lolth does nothing. Minthara quite literally wants to kill Lolth and has intentions to do so after taking House Baenre, and Lolth. Does. Nothing!

If Minthara goes into the Underdark and destroys House Baenre, this will cause chaos and death. And the Baenre's won't be the only ones she has to destroy, but any and all allies of House Baenre in which they do have a lot. And Lolth will feed off of all the death and carnage and chaos that Minthara is about to bring to Menzoberranzan because Lolth loves chaos more than she hates traitors.

Maybe, Lolth has not abandoned her as Minthara thinks she has. Maybe, Lolth has done nothing and said nothing because Minthara has not actually upset her. Maybe, Lolth has done nothing and said nothing because Minthara is already doing everything Lolth wants her to do. And all it took, was making Minthara think that Lolth abandoned her. There was no need for Lolth to answer Minthara's prayers, because Minthara always had the strength to fight her enemies.

[trickstertox]

I have a question! About bugs and arachnids and all them. Sorry to lump them all into one category, but I'd rather not make the same post multiple times.

My question is: Can they learn "tricks?"

By this I mean are they capable of learning, in general, I suppose. Like mice in a maze, magpies with a rock.

Also, what sorts of things have they learned? How do they learn (like watching others or from experience)?

I ask because it's something that really interests me. I know the ability to learn doesn't add or subtract value from a being, it's a curious thought as I know very, very little about beetles, and spiders, and bees, and so on!

Do they just know how to do things because it's all their kind have done since the beginning of them? Do they have to learn or are capable of it?

[thymejot]

Rio has twice now said 'te veo' as she walks away from Agatha.

I see you

See you

I hope no matter how bad things get in the end, when they are broken and bloody, standing across the battlefield from one another.

When they finally lance all that has been festering between them.

Faced all the heartache, the regrets, the laments, the sour ugliness of their grief, the deep and abiding love.

When they have a had a good cathartic fight to the end of all things.

Rios last words will be 'te veo'

With the explicit understanding that they will meet again. That this is never truly over. That I see all of you, all the parts you hide away. I still see you. Because it is not one way.

Agatha has always seen all of Rio as well.

They love each other because of who they are, not in spite of it.

A relationship like theirs is never truly over. They may not be lovers for now, may be opposing forces. But they will always be a part of each other.

They will always see each other as the truest of equals.

They may not have a happy ending, but then they will never truly end. So that is okay as well.

Agatha will never truly die

[uncanny-tranny]

I love you smile lines and worry lines and grey and white hair and wrinkles and purple spiderweb veins and the process of aging and living in a body that is standing the test of times. I love you experiences that make you wiser and stories that make you laugh, and every little process that happens to get to the point where you have so many memories because you have the fortune to be here and be so radiant

[clawsandpaws-creativearchive]

Time for me to make yet another massive multi-turtle art piece! Here is our fun little collab/coloring page for our cross-cabin narrative! Each member who was able to participate will be coloring/editing in their own turtles/aus!

Both cabins thought it'd be fun to plan a friendly game of capture the flag! Unfortunately it didn't take long for the planning session to break out into chaos! ( Cabins 14 & 15 ) @tmnt-fandom-family-reunion ~ Cadoo 🐾 All included campers will be tagged under the cut:

🔥 Cabin 15: GGTH! Don: @clawsandpaws-creativearchive Sparky!AU Smokey: @belleyellsaboutturtles Move Along! Mikey Raph: @justalittleobsessed 🛸 Cabin 14: HEM Mikey Raph (and Nibbles): @languajix ICE Donnie: @leilanising GoTP Mika & Spirit: @wandering-ghost The Second Shot: @twignotstick True Colors: @v-albion Covert Au Mikhail: @chessman-protocol Fear's Embrace Marco & Donnie: @karonkar

[positivelypresent]

Endings are also beginnings. 🪿

[throughpatchesofviolet]

All my prints are now up!! Very happy with how my walls look ~

[jeanpatrice]

Our best successes often come after our greatest disappointments.

Henry Ward Beecher

[cloudburst-ink]

🌈 Free the gays from weird heteronormative top/bottom discourse 2k24!!! 🖤 (And by extension, the dom/sub associations that go with it!! Which are also a completely separate though sometimes overlapping concept!!!)

Write your violent angry murder blorbo getting railed!! Make that sweet shy angel baby a top! Make them both verse and throw the concept out altogether because it’s inherently a bit silly to start with!! ✨ And your personality in the rest of your life often has nothing to do with your bedroom preferences anyway! ✨

Or don’t! Do whatever you want because it’s fanfiction! 🥰✨ Write them with whatever dynamics or lack thereof that you want—that’s the point! And no one can tell you what is and isn’t okay to write in your own fics!! 🎊 They're fictional characters, have fun!!!!!

Happy new year fellow fandom gays!!! Go wild!

[cinnamonjeane]

I love you grey hairs. I love you crows feet. I love you laugh lines. I love you receding hairlines. I love you age spots. I love you eye bags. I love you natural aging!!!

[leapdayowo]

Finally came up with a design for Taqqiq (the cat alien in upper right box) that I’m happy with so now I can post this :3 The image I used for Yildiz (lower right box) is a doodle that I think really captures the essence of them and the vibes I’m going for with her character (it’s hard to explain, but she’s supposed to draw power from the Unknown, which has warped her body to change depending on who is perceiving her)

Pronouns for the four:

Ishara (top left)- he/they/(she? Maybe she)

Taqqiq(top right)- he/it

Saanvi(bottom left)- she/they

Yildiz(bottom right)- any pronouns (for now? Pronoun preference may become part of their character growth by choosing an identity rather than let others make assumptions and choose for them. Yildiz has a lot of identity issues your Honor)

[dimsilver]

do y’all ever think about how badly hozier needs to read till we have faces

[harmonyhealinghub]

The Courage to Be Disliked: Embracing Authenticity

Shaina Tranquilino

February 16, 2024

In a world that often values conformity and seeks approval, it takes immense courage to be disliked. We are constantly bombarded with societal expectations, social media pressures, and the fear of being judged by others. However, embracing the courage to be disliked can be liberating, empowering us to live life on our own terms and foster genuine connections with those who appreciate our authentic selves.

1. The Illusion of Social Approval:

Society conditions us to seek validation from others as a measure of success or happiness. This constant pursuit of acceptance can lead to compromising our true identities, dreams, and desires. The courage to be disliked requires acknowledging that not everyone will like us or agree with our choices – and that's perfectly okay.

2. Self-Acceptance and Inner Freedom:

When we embrace the courage to be disliked, we cultivate self-acceptance. Instead of seeking external validation, we learn to validate ourselves based on our own values, beliefs, and passions. This newfound inner freedom allows us to pursue what genuinely fulfills us without being confined by societal norms or the fear of judgment.

3. Authenticity Breeds Connection:

When we have the courage to be disliked, we attract people who value authenticity rather than superficiality. By staying true to ourselves, we create meaningful connections with individuals who accept us for who we are, flaws and all. Genuine relationships are built upon mutual understanding, respect, and acceptance – traits that flourish when authenticity is embraced.

4. Growth through Criticism:

The courage to be disliked doesn't mean disregarding constructive criticism altogether; it means having the resilience to differentiate between valuable feedback and baseless negativity aimed at discouraging us from being true to ourselves. Constructive criticism helps us grow personally and professionally while allowing us to maintain our authentic identity.

5. Inspiring Others:

By embodying the courage to be disliked, we become a source of inspiration for others who may be struggling to break free from societal expectations. Our authenticity can encourage them to embrace their true selves, ultimately creating a ripple effect that promotes individuality and diversity in society.

The courage to be disliked is the key that unlocks the door to a life lived authentically. It liberates us from the shackles of seeking approval, empowers us to embrace our uniqueness, and fosters genuine connections with like-minded individuals. When we have the audacity to stay true to ourselves, we inspire others to do the same, fostering an environment where everyone can thrive as their authentic selves. So let go of the fear of being disliked and step into a life filled with freedom, growth, and fulfillment.