#hearthbound

[songoftrillium]

HEARTHBOUND IS NOW A BESTSELLER

HOLY SHIT! A friend pointed out to me that Hearthbound is now a bestseller on Storytellers Vault! I never expected it to do so well, and I'm honored it's had such a positive public response.

If you've ever wanted a turnkey solution for confronting the less savory aspects of the Garou Nation in Werewolf: the Apocalypse, look no further!

When you take away the safety, agency, and credibility of a people, abuse them, and push them to the edges of society, it's only natural that they'll turn to each other for support. Hearthbound is an exploration of subculture that I feel will resonate with many of you.

Long ago held beneath the heels of the Garou Nation, Kinfolk have begun helping Crinos-Born defectors seeking to escape their Septs. Raising them in loving homes, these Crinos-Born have grown into a new tribe. They reflect the values and people of the cultures that raised them, proudly bearing the names their families gave them.

Existing as the children of Shantar, the Hearthbound value inventiveness above all else, finding unconventional solutions to deeply complex issues, both in the literal and abstract. Adhering to the Codes and Creeds of renown, they judge those in the Garou Nation who would use their power to abuse those weaker than them.

This module is usable in any edition of Werewolf: the Apocalypse and provides all the patron, tribe, gift, spellwork mechanics, and story seeds needed to work this new tribe into your new or existing tables!

This is Pay What You Want! Any amount you think is fair (including nothing, if that's what you want think it's worth)

[ohnoitstbskyen]

So: for LoL, which storyline is your favorite? And if you were to decide, what direction would you take it?

I mean, my favourite story set in any League of Legends thing by far is Arcane, but I suspect that's not quite what you mean.

Second to that is Ashe and Sejuani, specifically as their relationship is told in the Ashe: Warmother comic. It's a comic about the ways in which their relationships with their mothers shape them into the people they become - both of them consciously rejecting their mothers' legacies, and yet both of them utterly reflective of them.

Like, Ashe's mother Grena is this unflinching visionary, utterly possessed by a dream of ancient legacies, who is at once incredibly powerful and willing to sacrifice any number of lives for her vision, but also vulnerable, flawed and terrified of what her leadership will do both to her tribe and to her daughter.

And you see those qualities emerge in Ashe as she determines to become the protector of the weak in the Freljord, the champion of the Hearthbound and the vulnerable. She inherits Grena's steel-edged will and dedication to a vision of the future, even as she tries over and over again to reject her mother's obsession with ancient glories and mystical names.

Sejuani on the other hand is raised by... well, by a bitter, abusive drunk who sees her as nothing but a signifier of her own regrets and failures, and who projects all her own insecurities and weaknesses onto her child.

And Sejuani grows up both resentfully rejecting all the insecurity and pain her mother has been beating into her, but also inherits her mother's brutality and willingness to see the human beings under her command as disposable objects whose worth is measured in utility.

They are two reflections, two shadows of their mothers, and of the relationship they had to them, sisters by mutual choice and love, who are brought into conflict because their traumas have shaped them in irreconcilably different ways.

It is ENORMOUSLY compelling as a narrative about siblings, and as a framing device for the conflict in the Freljord - especially with Lissandra spooking around in the background as a universal mother-figure for the region, who in turn has her own traumas about being alienated from her sisters in ways that are similar to how Ashe and Sejuani were split apart.

The Freljord sometimes runs the risk of devolving into pop culture viking stereotypes and high fantasy pagan god nonsense (/affectionate, I love Ornn so much), but Ashe and Sejuani and their estrangement, especially as presented in Warmother, brings the thematic core of the region back down to some extremely fundamental questions about how to survive in an abusive environment - whether it be a harsh winter, or a broken family.

Warmother is a fantastic comic, everyone should read it (the art by Nina Vakueva absolutely fucks, and the approach to character design is strong as hell), and it breaks my heart that Riot's management couldn't keep their shit together with Marvel for long enough for it to get any kind of a sequel.

[merrydock]

More mechanical drawings! This time, I designed Lari's ship!

Lari is an astronaut and geologist for Outer Wilds Ventures, launching in the midst of a huge design overhaul for their spaceships. As such, their ship has many unique and novel (at the time, anyway) specifications!

Lari launched between Chert and Riebeck, at the advent of retro-rockets and the repositioning of the thruster banks to the sides of the ships. While Riebeck's ship was an older model retrofitted with new technologies, Lari's ship was built new, and thus more closely resembles the modern chassis designs of Chert's, Gabbro's, and the Hatchling's ships.

(More details and an unannotated version below the cut)

Lari's ship is built small and sturdy, perfect for a mediocre pilot who rarely has a smooth landing. Lari packs plenty of provisions for their trips to space, typically spending just shy of a month camping in the field, with an extra barrel of sap wine (""water"") to spare in case they get any visits from their fellow Travellers. In addition to all the standard instrumentation, such as the Scout Launcher, Landing Camera, and Signalscope, Lari's ship comes equipped with a small robotic arm that can be used to take samples of rocks in space or in hazardous environments. The ship was built pre-autopilot, but will be updated as soon as the current version passes field tests.

The extension on the back of the ship was added by Tilley (@eruraima's Hearthian), an engineer and Lari's closest friend. The electrical panel was ripped off and added to the bottom of the extension, where everything was hooked back up nice and properly. Despite their efforts to work in secret, the "insignificant" addition was quickly noticed by Slate, who had a few choice words to say about the unvetted modification. The added storage lets Lari stay out in the field for longer and bring back more samples for Hearthbound geologists to study.

[anna-the-undertaker]

Hiii helloooo hiyaaa :3 really loved ur previous short🩷 whaddaya think about this: cottagecore themed MC? What if an MC has that vibe of a grandparent or an old storybook(like brambly hedge), is very caring and chill, likes to bake, enjoys nature and just feels like home

I loved the softness of this. It made me feel all warm inside just to write it.

Hearthbound

When the brothers first meet MC, they’re struck by their unusual presence. The Royals and the Angels are just as captivated by their charm and warm, nurturing personality. Unlike anyone they’ve ever encountered, MC exudes a serene energy that contrasts sharply with the chaos of the Devildom. Their clothes, always cozy and earth-toned, seem to belong more to a peaceful countryside than the underworld. They’re always wearing an apron, usually dusted with flour, and their hands are often busy kneading dough or tending to a small garden of herbs and flowers they’ve somehow managed to cultivate in the House of Lamentation.

Lucifer

Lucifer notices the change in the atmosphere first. The normally tense and foreboding air of the House of Lamentation has softened since MC’s arrival. He finds himself taking deeper breaths, as if trying to absorb the calming aura they bring. At first, he is perplexed by how someone so gentle could survive in the Devildom, but as he watches them bake a loaf of bread or brew a pot of tea, he begins to understand. The warmth of a fresh-baked pie and the comfort of MC’s presence have a way of disarming his stress, and though he doesn’t outwardly show it, he’s grateful. He’ll often find himself lingering in the kitchen, just to watch them move with such care and intention, a rare smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Mammon

Mammon is bewildered by MC’s nurturing ways. He’s used to adrenaline-pumping schemes and risky ventures, but with MC, everything slows down. They treat him with a kindness he’s unaccustomed to, knitting him warm scarves and offering him treats fresh from the oven. Mammon, at first, doesn’t know how to handle this kind of affection, but he quickly becomes addicted to the warmth MC brings. He’ll show up at their door at all hours, complaining about the cold or some imaginary ailment, just to be fussed over and spoiled. And when he smells fresh cookies, he’s the first to dart into the kitchen, hoping for a taste of whatever they’ve baked. There’s a particular chair in the kitchen he’s claimed as his own, and he’ll lounge there, watching them work with a contented grin.

Leviathan

Levi is awkward at first, unsure how to approach someone so different from what he’s used to. But when MC presents him with a hand-knitted blanket, soft and comforting, and bakes a cake decorated with his favorite anime characters, he’s smitten. He starts spending more time out of his room, drawn by the smell of MC’s cooking or the promise of a quiet conversation over tea. MC has a way of drawing him out of his shell, and he finds himself feeling more at ease in their presence than he has with anyone else. They remind him of the gentle characters in his favorite slice-of-life animes, and he treasures every moment they spend together.

Satan

Satan is fascinated by MC’s affinity for nature and the old-world charm they bring to the House. He’s captivated by the way they speak about the plants they’re growing, the herbal remedies they’re concocting, and the stories they tell that seem to come from another time. Satan often finds himself in the garden with them, discussing literature and nature, feeling a rare sense of peace. He admires the way they can make something beautiful out of nothing, turning even the most mundane moments into something special. When they bake, he’s often at their side, assisting with a calm enthusiasm that surprises even him. He feels a deep sense of connection with MC, as if they share an unspoken understanding of the world’s quieter joys.

Asmodeus

Asmo is enchanted by MC’s aesthetic. The softness of their demeanor, the care with which they tend to the house, and the simple beauty they bring to everything they touch—it’s all irresistible to him. He often sits with them as they bake, asking endless questions about the ingredients and marveling at the way they turn simple items into something extraordinary. Asmo loves the way MC makes everything feel cozy and inviting, and he’s constantly asking them to make little treats or craft small gifts that he can share with others. He finds their vibe to be the perfect counterbalance to his own flamboyant energy, and he delights in the way they make the house feel like a true home.

Beelzebub

Beel is immediately drawn to MC’s cooking. The scent of fresh bread or a pie cooling on the windowsill is enough to have him wandering into the kitchen, drawn by the promise of something delicious. MC quickly becomes his favorite person to hang out with, especially when they’re baking. Beel loves to watch them work, the way they move with such patience and care, and he’s always eager to taste-test whatever they’re making. But it’s more than just the food; he feels an undeniable sense of comfort in their presence, as if he’s finally found a place that feels like home. He’s protective of MC in a way that’s almost instinctual, always making sure they’re safe and well, and he never lets anyone disturb them when they’re in the kitchen.

Belphegor

Belphie is initially indifferent, preferring to spend his time napping in his usual spots. But MC’s presence slowly begins to permeate even his dreams. He finds himself seeking out the comfort they provide, often curling up on the couch where they’ve placed one of their handmade blankets. Belphie finds an odd sense of security in MC’s calm demeanor, and he starts to nap in the kitchen or the garden just to be near them. He’s drawn to their warmth and the way they make even the coldest days feel cozy. There’s something about the way MC creates a sense of family and belonging that resonates with him, and he finds himself relaxing in a way he hasn’t in a long time.

Diavolo

Diavolo is immediately fascinated by MC's ability to create an atmosphere of warmth and home in the Devildom. The future Demon King is used to grand events and the formalities of royal life, but MC’s simplicity and genuine kindness are a breath of fresh air for him. He finds himself drawn to the calm and peaceful energy that surrounds them, often seeking them out when he needs a break from his duties. He loves the way MC can make even the grandest castle feel like a cozy home, and he often invites them to the palace just to enjoy their company. He loves hearing about their life and experiences, finding their stories and outlook on life refreshing and grounding. He might even ask them to help him create a more welcoming atmosphere in the palace, valuing their input and enjoying the transformation they bring.

Barbatos

Barbatos is perhaps the most subtly affected by MC’s presence. As someone who takes immense pride in his role and responsibilities, Barbatos is not easily swayed by emotions or attachments. However, MC’s quiet strength and nurturing nature do not go unnoticed by him. He admires their attention to detail, whether it’s in baking a perfect loaf of bread or tending to their small garden. Barbatos often finds himself silently watching as MC works, appreciating the care they put into everything they do. He might even join them in the kitchen from time to time, offering his assistance and sharing in the peacefulness of the moment. Their influence softens his strict demeanor, and he finds a rare sense of calm in their presence, something he hadn’t realized he was missing.

Simeon

Simeon is immediately charmed by MC’s gentle nature and the serene atmosphere they create. As an angel who appreciates beauty and harmony, Simeon finds great joy in MC’s cottagecore lifestyle. He often visits them to share tea and enjoy quiet conversations, finding solace in the simplicity and purity of their company. MC’s love for nature resonates deeply with Simeon, and they often bond over their shared appreciation for the natural world. He might bring them small gifts from the Celestial Realm, like a rare flower or a special blend of tea, wanting to share a piece of his world with them. Simeon feels a deep connection to MC, appreciating the way they bring light and warmth to the Devildom, and he often finds himself inspired to write about them in his stories.

Solomon

Solomon is intrigued by MC’s unique presence in the Devildom. As a human who has seen and experienced much, he’s not easily impressed, but there’s something about MC that fascinates him. Their lifestyle, their nurturing nature, and the way they’ve managed to make even the Devildom feel like home pique his curiosity. Solomon enjoys teasing MC, often challenging their calm demeanor with his playful antics, but he also deeply respects the peace they bring. He might ask them to share their recipes or engage them in discussions about herbal remedies and natural magic, valuing their knowledge and perspective. Solomon finds a certain comfort in MC’s presence, appreciating the balance they bring to the often chaotic world of the Devildom. Their relationship is a mix of playful banter and deep mutual respect, and Solomon finds himself looking forward to their time together.

Luke

Luke is immediately drawn to MC’s warmth and kindness. As the youngest and most innocent of the group, Luke quickly becomes attached to MC, viewing them almost like a parental figure. He loves spending time with them in the kitchen, helping them bake cookies or tend to their garden. Luke feels safe and loved in MC’s presence, and he often seeks them out when he’s feeling homesick or overwhelmed by the Devildom. MC’s nurturing nature brings out Luke’s protective instincts, and he often declares that he’ll keep them safe from any harm, despite his small stature. He’s deeply appreciative of the way MC treats him with such care and gentleness, and he often brings them little gifts or tries to help them with their tasks as a way of showing his gratitude.

In the end, they all come to realize that MC, with their cottagecore charm and nurturing ways, has filled their lives with a sense of warmth and love they hadn’t known they were missing. Each of them, in their own way, becomes attached to the feeling of home that MC brings, and they all find themselves seeking out the comfort of their presence, knowing that with MC around, even the darkest corners of the Devildom feel a little brighter.

[camlannpod]

Me again but these questions are so good - 7, 13, 17, 19? Whichever ones you feel like! Thanks for answering my last ask!

Hehe thank you! Honestly it's lovely that people are still interested in the show!! It's kind of a scary time after a season finale, you worry everyone will just forget about you. So it's extremely charming and kind of you - please send as many asks as you like!

(If you want to send us an audio drama ask, you can do that here!)

7. Tag a show you think would make a great crossover with your own (and maybe make it happen, who knows 👀)

Ooooh this is so haaaard. I mean I don't think we can ever do an official crossover because it'd break the world a bit - but in terms of sheer Vibes: Twelvelms from @hangingslothcentral, @nightshiftpodcast (would Dai fall instantly in love with Seb? Yeah! Probably!), aaand Hearthbound. Two of these shows aren't out rn but still. Trust me.

13. What’s your favourite portion of sound design from the show?

How do I CHOOSE. Perry's fight with the Lantern Man is great - I love how Amber did the swinging of the lantern. And generally that whole sequence in the woods was very much how I imagined it. I also really love the episode 8 finale. And the episode 5 climax. And the bit with the dogs that Cai did for us in episode 4. I'm spoilt for choice - Oli, Cai and @tincanaudio are very good at what they do.

17. What’s something that inspired your show?

The Mabinogion! It's a collection of medieval Welsh stories, the oldest we have. It's fantastic and gorgeous and fascinating and I've been obsessed with it for many many years. If you haven't read it please do! I recommend Sioned Davies' translation. (Also BBC Merlin, but I feel like that must be obvious.)

19. Do you have any playlists/music you listen to while working on production?

DO I.

Ok so I made my writing playlist public for you

But also there's:

The show playlist

The compilation playlist that has show songs + character songs

Dai

Morgan

Perry

Gwen

Gwaine

Generally I listen to music I associate with whichever character I'm focusing on in an episode! And when in doubt I come back to Dai, who's very much the heart of the series.

[kx0e]

Hiii I love all your yuri meals thank you for the food!!!!! Also I was wondering, do you have any other favorite video games beside Persona ?

hi ! no problem ^^

Yeah ! i got into persona pretty recently actually thanks to one of my friends, i was really into genshin/honkai/hsr before (i still play it but more casually now), i'm also a big splatoon and animal crossing fan !

there's also games ive finished i really liked like oneshot, hearthbound (games not finished yet i think), deltarune (same as before), undertale, ddlc

for some reasons i have 300h on pokemon X so yeah i like that game too

[draklorn]

☁️ for a HAPPY childhood memory!

The air was crisp with cold, and the sky glowed with the false promise of a sun in it's periwinkle shade where it showed through the grey clouds. Devan inhaled nasally, still not used to the funny sound their new nose shape made after their recent, big tumble. The fur hood shaped to their round face needed to be brushed again, stray strands ticking their cheeks as a mitten palm attempted to get them out of the way. After appreciating the flat landscape blanketed in fog, they return their gaze to the riverbed beneath them. The muddy bank had the current gently lap against it, and further up, the end of their tool drew distinct lines. Hard at work on a latest addition, the young one only pauses when they hear approaching footsteps through the mud and stone.

The man carried a barrel in one hand and a fishing pole over a shoulder, more skin exposed to the elements than a hearthbound could ever dream of doing and living to tell how cold it was. He stops short of where the mud-scribbles began, and gave the child centered in the encircling drawings they had enclosed themself in, a smile.

"Keir! Look at my drawings!" The child calls out, arms extended and waving the man down even as he had already placed the bucket down, fish tails peeking over its lip and twitching now and then. He gestures to one of the scribbles nearer to him. "Very nice, Devan. Is that one you?"

"Yes!" The end of their pole points at the small figure, a crooked line across it's face mimicking the way their nose now bent. Soon, it is pointing to the other, scribbled formations one after another. "And here's you, and Momma, and Karver, and- oh, I gave you lots of fish so you'll catch a lot for everyone!"

"For luck? Thank you, Devan." The man gives each portrait a moment of his time, his smile growing as the child nods excitedly at his deduction. He always understood their drawings and stories and games. That was why he was their favourite Oathfather - though they would never say such a thing aloud. They loved all of their family. With carefully placed steps to both not disturb any drawings or land on any awkward rocks, Keir closed the distance between the two until he could place a hand on the child's hood. "But you know, if I had another pair of hands helping me fish, I know we could catch even more together. And I'm sure that spear would catch fish just as well as it draws." Devan's beam up to him slowly morphs into a pout, knowing well that there had been a task they had put off. But they also knew that Keir wouldn't nag or punish them. Maybe next time, if they did all their hunting quickly, he would even play with them.

Clutching the spear in a hug, the child takes a moment to think as dark eyes turn about. And when they settle of Keir's warm expression, it isn't long until they are matching it. "… Can you show me how to throw, again?"

-

The muddy riverbank crunches underfoot from both rock and ice. They watch for where the frozen crust over the slow river was thinnest, so their long strides would carry them over it in a few steps. A distant memory whispers in their mind; another time, but a similar feeling beneath their boots. There is a face, and names, but nothing they can recall fully. Just the sense of warmth, and safety, and love.

Devan pauses, attempting to grasp its details tighter before a heavy snort behind them pulls the Draklorn back to the present, Summer's Bane urging them on so the pair could make it over the stream before more of the ice cracked. A wispy smile is given to the steed before they march onward. And soon the mud is replaced completely with the uncomfortable feeling of snow filling the space between loose rocks with every step.

Catching some fish while in the area wasn't a bad idea.

childhood memories

[songoftrillium]

Well, well, well, if it isn’t the consequences of my actions before me. 

I am delighted to announce that Dead Mountain's release, initially slated for Halloween 2023, has been delayed!!! 

Wait, what?

This post is enormous, but please take the time to read it. Likes don’t increase visibility to others! Please reblog this to spread the word! 

When I started this project, my stance on Werewolf: the Apocalypse underwent a series of evolutions between then and now. In short, Dead Mountain, a chronicle meant to simultaneously provide a game module and queer inclusivity at gaming tables, has grown beyond its original design and size and into something much bigger and bolder than what I initially set out to do. It has become a more significant task than one person can accomplish alone. Of course, I could delay Dead Mountain's release a few months to get it completed, and I will still be releasing it standalone eventually.  I could also put it out, but what would come out would fall short of presenting Werewolf in a way I feel does the game justice.

In many ways, nothing changes; it just happens later. In its current form, however, Werewolf: the Apocalypse doesn’t provide a game that fully supports the scale and inclusivity this chronicle demands. The project rapidly ballooned the chronicle into something more resembling a corebook; while fun to imagine, it is more than I initially set out to accomplish. The volume of literature needing redrafts and the need for this to be a single chronicle alone are at odds with each other, and more than one person can write independently.

I plan to reapproach this in a way that has the team excited, and I think this will excite you, too. See the rest below the cut.

As work on Dead Mountain progressed and drew closer to completion, the things I needed to include to make it happen in a way that did its subject matter justice grew beyond its original scope. The more aspects of inclusivity, culture, and story that turned up missing from the newest edition out of the occasional paragraph, the more I came to realize that if I wanted Werewolf: the Apocalypse to represent what good I see in it, I needed to also make the game itself presented in a fundamentally different way than it has before. 

I have a challenge to World of Darkness writers: 

New players should only have to read for no longer than an hour to start coming up with character concepts. 

Every Werewolf corebook put to print is falling short of that goal. It would be unjust to force players to wade through the old literature to explore all the game has to offer, and I think y’all deserve better. The tribes they read about should focus less on everything wrong with them out of the starting gates and provide players and storytellers with something worth fighting for and motivates them to action.

Over the past few weeks, we have realized that the things we need to include to do justice to the subject matter of Dead Mountain have grown beyond the project's original scope. We want to ensure the game is inclusive, culturally representative, and accessible to new players. Given the available core literature released with the latest edition lacking coherent structuring, our writing has had to balloon beyond a typical RPG supplement size to provide a functional game representative of, and relevant to, queer culture. Therefore, we have decided to delay the game's release by one year to Halloween 2024. This extra time will allow us to create a game that meets our high standards and provides an enriching experience for all players, and make Werewolf: the Apocalypse a more accessible game, particularly regarding accessibility to new players and storytellers. 

My goal is simple: Nobody new to the World of Darkness and Werewolf with an 8th-grade reading comprehension level should do more than an hour’s reading (10,000 words) to comprehend Werewolf: the Apocalypse well enough to start thinking up character concepts. New players shouldn’t have to wade into problematic legacy literature to get the specifics of Garou society or to seek cultural representation. Storytellers should have guidelines on creating chronicles with their players and interlinking them with stories. 

A series of players guides and storyteller handbooks intended to streamline the flow of information to the reader, sorted by Garou ranks, both in terms of gaming power levels and depth of information relevant to Garou of that rank. New players want to know how to make new characters. Storytellers wish to know the kinds of NPCs appropriate to characters of that power and how to run games. This is not a corebook but a series of reference guides intended to keep the depth of the world we all love in the legacy game in an easily navigated format while only revealing the most pertinent information for a given Garou’s rank and a ready-to-go adventure to pair with that game ranking. With each successive release, more information about the world of the Garou, Garou society, their enemies, and the complexity of available storytelling tools will also evolve to grow the game in tandem with players and storytellers.

Book 1: Cliath — Contains enough information for new players and storytellers to get started, focusing on character generation, Rites of Passage, and culture.

Book 2: Fostern — Expanded Garou powers for the ‘citizenry and society (and not-so-nice things that happen in the background that they keep hidden from the cubs and cliath) of the Garou. 

Books 3: Adren — Explodes into an anthology of Tribebooks with expanded powers and tribal customs and detailed septs, camps, and factions vital for any Adren fighting for Gaia.

Book 4: Athro — exploration of spirit and history. The secrets that bind society and a more lucid view of what elders in the Garou Nation face, with expanded Garou stats covering both rank 4 and 5.

Book 5: Elder — The Storytellers guide, focusing on world-building and running one's own chronicles in the World of Darkness.This puts all prior ST info in one place with a master index and any extra systems errata needed.

Our small team consists of seasoned storytellers, writers, and werewolf academics working on making Werewolf more accessible to new players. We’ve been researching, playing, or running inclusive Werewolf tables for over 60 years combined, and are self-taught experts in everything Werewolf. Everyone on this project deeply loves the game and sees its inherent value and well-meaning beneath its 90s liberal veneer. Many of us have spent decades perfecting our craft and knowledge of this game, and we want the rest of you to see the Werewolf that we see in the pages.

We are using By Night Studios' edition of Mind’s Eye Theater: Werewolf as a baseline reference for this project. Much work has already been done to bring inclusivity to the game and encourage character investment in the world, and translating that to the tabletop will be a more inclusive baseline to utilize than any other corebook. We will continue the metaplot of Werewolf: the Apocalypse, with a handful of changes to tribes and factions of Garou. Due to the MET systems translations needing to be done, we still have our work cut out for us and plenty of writing to do. This game will be shifting the formatting to prioritize ease of identifying information pertinent to players versus storytellers while prioritizing keeping culture, mechanics, or cross-edition compatibility as best we can with updated sensibilities.

Stay tuned for another post this afternoon to learn more about our first upcoming book in the series!

[fictionfrequency1]

Audio Drama Sunday - 27 April

Hi there! I forgot to post last week’s Audio Drama Sunday, so I merged the two posts together. In the past two weeks I’ve hung out with loved ones, enjoyed the majesty of nature and accidentally fell knee-deep into water. I hope you’ve had at least as much fun as that.

@224bbaker’s Fawx and Stallion: This is maybe the most uplifting season finale I’ve heard from any podcast. I loved McMurphy’s arrival in The Case of the Efficacious Earworm, I was delighted when Fawx and Stallion all solved the mystery, the ending to Holmes’ letter was perfect and Hampton finally got a speech right in front of the press. “I do hope he knows he was loved, too… By the ones that mattered.” 🔎

Malevolent — Part 52 “The Wager: This was a very good season finale. I heard the line about seeing stars out of context and very hopefully believed it would be a good thing — buuut it wasn’t. The sound effects were peak, as usual, and it was dark and devastating, as usual. Hearing Kayne was both fun and horrifying (as always), and John and Arthur’s friendship is getting me through the screaming and tragedy. (The interview I did with Harlan Guthrie about Malevolent and season six is here) 👁️

@straylungs’ Hearthbound — Episode 1, 2 and 3: Hearthbound is such a good show and I can’t wait for the episodes to release in June! I was given the first three episodes in exchange for an honest review by the creator, Jo, and it’s lovely (review available here). It’s a indie musical, it’s a queer retelling of The Odyssey, and it’s a post-apocalypse with farms, dogs and kind strangers. The first three episodes are so easy to relax to, but there’s one or two unnerving moments that suggest spookier things are to come in future episodes🕯️

The Adventure Zone: Amnesty — Episode 1: I finally started it! I know it’s less popular than TAZ Balance, but this first episode was so cool. It’s giving very Gravity Falls vibes, and I love Ned’s shop (“museum”) full of cryptid junk. Duck’s line about campers NOT starting bonfires in natural parks and only Sometimes shooting rangers is hilarious and Aubrey’s job as a fake stage magician is such a great choice for a fantasy setting, especially when her fire trick gets a whole lot bigger than she expected it to 🌲

[warmothered]

hc + what if? (ashe wasn't destined to become warmother and was a commoner)

@freljordi

» — >  ⌜ OOC PROMPTS & ASKS⌟ , always accepting

— @freljordi

that's hard to answer because nothing ashe got happened easily or because she was at the right place at the right time. it might be destiny, but it could just as easily be strength and resilience and determination.

if you look at her journey, yes, her mother was the avarosan's warmother and everyone expected her to be next — but ashe lost that. she was left with nothing and no one; she had no people to lead. when she starts what we currently see as the avarosan tribe, she's essentially nothing but an iceborn willing to defend the hearthbound and try the impossible with helping them survive the ice sea. the girl had a bow and a dream and that was it aksdnfajksfn

ashe became warmother because she made that path for herself — not even because of ambition but because she was so set on doing what she thought was right. it would have been easier to follow sejuani, and she wouldn't have been unhappy to do so in different circumstances. but the way it was, she saw innocent people sentenced to death and decided she had to protect them. she chose to take action. you can see that as destiny or not, but it's definitely not just that she was meant to be warmother. she wouldn't if not by her choices to take action.

to try and give an answer to that is still hard in that it depends on how things happen? if it's about her not becoming warmother, does she still leave sej but fails in her attempt to survive the ice sea with her new tribe? then i think she'd stay surviving alone until eventually dying. does she stay with sejuani's tribe? then she'd likely become her battlesister, maybe something close to a second in command. but if it's like 'what if she wasn't born as grena's daughter and was never meant to be warmother' then... that's an entirely different character. it's so vastly different i wouldn't even know where to start, because it wouldn't be this ashe anymore.

idsufhaiduhf sorry if it isn't a satisfactory answer, it was the best i could do

[mygamereview]

From DOTA (2003) to League of Legends (2009): the Original Items Collection (Part 2)

Radiance (DOTA) vs Sunfire Cap (LoL)

Radiance is an item that inflicts 40 damage per second to nearby enemies. Sunfire Aegis in its earliest versions also inflicted roughly 40 damage per second to nearby enemies.

Eaglehorn (DOTA) vs Recurve Bow (LoL)

Eaglehorn confers 25 points of agility / attack speed to DOTA heroes. The recurve bow more or less does the same thing. With a single primary stat modifier, they're both unremarkable, but very similar.

Shiva's Guard (DOTA) vs Frozen Heart (LoL)

Their key functions are identical; they both offset physical damage, boost mana of user, and penalize nearby enemy units by slowing their attacks by 15-20%. Frozen Heart has accumulated additional attributes over the years, but retains the principle functions of Shiva's Guard. Shiva's Guard hails back to the days of WC III; so it is more or less the father of Frozen Heart.

The artwork for Shiva's Guard was lifted from the Warcraft III game. It served as an icon for a principle upgrade for the night elves.

Circlet of Nobility (DOTA) vs Crown of the Shattered (LoL)

Circlet gives a general boost to stats. Crown more or less does the same thing, at significantly higher values. Neither directly confers to attack stats, but serve to confer basic stat boosts to users. Their artwork is proximate, modelled on the same concept: a headband with a green gem front and center.

Lothar's Edge (DOTA) vs Hearthbound Axe

Lother's Edge is one of the few axes in DOTA that confers both attack damage, attack speed, and a special ability that increase move speed by 20%. Hearthbound Axe also confers attack damage, attack speed, and a "unique" attribute that increases move speed by 20. Their stat modifiers vary by value, but functionally are the same.

Note: WC III images are the property of Microsoft / Blizzard. WC III images employed in DOTA game are the property of Microsoft / Blizzard.

Backstory: DOTA is a WC III mod that got away from Blizzard, generating or inspiring future MOBA games. In response: Blizzard made it generally impossible for Blizzard users to "own" any custom game they create using Blizzard game tools. This makes sense: Blizzard is a business and generally does not support its competitors present or future. LoL is an unintended side-effect of Blizzard's free game editing tools. So, Blizzard indirectly created a competitor that consistently competes with their games in terms of user registrations and micro-sales.

"Gaming has no plagiarism like League of Legends." - Eugene Beatty

[miniaturethingdestiny-blog]

So assuming you intend on setting the scenario you laid out in WtE (Which I assume from the tag) then it would be kinda impossible in the default timeframe the game is set in, which is around the late 80's to early 90's. So he's either not born in the first place or he's just another crinos pup under the care of a Hearthbound coven. Not to mention that his purpose is kinda redundant after King Albecht's sacrifice to cancel the Apocalypse.

Though a game about the Hearthbound caring for the future garou Messiah is a good premise in it's own right. Or maybe you Move the playable time frame to say the 2020 where King Albecht's not so much cancel the Apocalypse rather delay it. Ultimately it's you're story to tell.

Werewolf the apocalypse hot take

Since the perfect crinos born garou would be in their 20s and appear to be in their 30s based on crinos born aging and the book they were born in being published in 1999 I have been thinking about how they would be as a full grown garou. I have come to the conclusion that a Gaian perfect crinos born should be a ronin running from his destiny while experiencing doubt and uncertainty in his purpose all Jesus as a (wolf)man style. Let him be encountered by the PCs as a mystery ally who helps out but is cagey about who they are before they wander on to their next adventure. Maybe have the PCs build a friendship with this mystery garou before the dramatic reveal that this tormented ronin is the perfect crinos born in whatever moment works best. Really play on that imagery of a savior who fears that they are actually a destroyer. Like don’t go so far as to have a secret BSD in the Caren put 30 silver bullets in him as an act of betrayal but then again a good ST could make that imagery work…

[anyaboz]

See how I animated this scene for Hearthbound, a new queer audio drama.

48 hours left of the Kickstarter! We are so close! Please give if you can to make this project happen!

[nuggetloock]

[thesoundofmadness]

@therealjacksepticeye Binder forgot to do his laundry

[sharkrad08222222]

path of the ronin huh?

a hard path, but a good one. you might want those though

fuck the garou

I hate all fera tbf but the garou are the worst