#highly recommend this series btw

[julesarago]

Happy Batman Day to all who celebrate this little bitch of a man. 🙏

Sketched this on a friend’s iPad like a year ago when I was reading Batman: The Cult and…never posted it.

[bckalleycat]

so i know theres discourse in the black pill femme community about women avoiding men altogether, going further than just decentering them

and i'm currently (re)reading the Throne of Glass series and i think it's really interesting that the witch clans, mainly the Ironteeth since i think they get mentioned the most, only mate with men for production reasons

like woman chooses man, they mate, woman has bebe and those children are left with men (granted irl this would be a horrible decision but this universe was written by a female so... theres a lack of danger).

but like theres communities of women who are just that... groups of close knit women.

and that got me thinking about abandoned buildings/ghost towns and how if we wanted to make women only communities a reality like we potentially could.

[valeriapryanikova]

game master

[lizzybeeee]

DATV is overly reliant on Supplemental Media - especially if you are a returning player

TL;DR: Supplemental material should not be required reading in order to understand what's going on in the main game -> it's additional material that enhances what we were given. If what we were given is lacking and unable to coherently tell us a story, then the writers and those in charge did not prioritize what was important.

Not a take that's unique to Dragon Age, but one that is very relevant when talking about DATV. I've made a few posts about plot/story points that either make no sense or have been dropped entirely in the lead up from DAI to DATV. Every now and then I get a few comments or messages about how certain points I made were addressed in supplemental material released in the lead up to this games release.

This isn't a call out post, by the way! But it's frustrating, to me, that this games writing is so lacking that my understanding is being inhibited because I can't remember details from a book I read two years ago - not to mention various podcasts, comics, and short stories. My understanding of a video game in a video game series should not be reliant on additional/optional content.

DATV is a weird game in that it is absolutely a 'soft/scorched earth' reboot while also marketing itself as a continuation to what was set up in Inquisition and Trespasser. Personally, I think that if you are up to number 4 in a game series, one with a continuous story-line, it should be expected that new players won't be able to catch up to everything -> it's the game developers job to make the world and story intriguing enough that the new players will go back to previous games in the series and fill in the blanks themselves.

Veilguard, as a sequel, is overly reliant on content that comes from outside the games themselves (including DLC's) if you want to make sense of the world and story. Trespasser left us with an epilogue that set up some plot points for the next game: Solas & the Veil, the Elven Rebellion, and War with the Qun - plot points that have been built up since the time of Origins. But when we get into DATV two of these points have been dropped and resolved, off-screen.

There are more questions, but these are the ones that bothered me the most while playing the game:

What happened to the Agents of Fen'harel/ Elven Rebellion? -> answered in a cursed reddit AMA.

What happened to the Qunari following Trespasser -> addressed in Tevinter Nights, and a codex entry you can pick up (optional).

Why is Skyhold infested with demons? -> mentioned in Tevinter Nights.

How did the Dalish go from worshiping their own pantheon to knowing they are false gods? (specifically those we meet in the Veil Jumpers) -> mentioned in the Missing comic series.

What's up with Nevarra's Royals? -> Tevinter Nights addresses that there is a power struggle in the Pentaghast family and the role of the Mortalitasi in making it worse - though it does not address the whole 'mage puppeting a corpse' issue and all the implications it has.

This is a video game series -> the bulk of the information required for me to understand the story and its relation to previous entries needs to be included in the final game version. I am playing a video game and not attending a uni class - I should not need to have a required reading list in order to understand what the fuck is going on. I should definitely not need to go onto a reddit AMA to understand what happened in-game, either.

What makes this stand out the most is that DAI was very successful in tying in previous games, DLC's, movies, and books! Inquisition did a great job in getting you up to speed on the events of the previous games early on, providing personalization if you played those games, and giving the player the opportunity to inquire into these events.

Hiding away the answers in additional material or a codex entry that may be missed is not good game design or good writing. DAI didn't assume that you had bought and played the Legacy DLC -> it made certain you experienced the conversation with Varric and Hawke if you wanted to proceed in the game. It didn't hide away imperative information in codex entries - it had characters talk about it in scripted scenes and encourage the player to ask more. You would actively need to avoid interacting with characters for you to not experience this information in DAI.

Leliana talks about her role during the Blight, her calling by the Maker, and her relationship with Dorothea/Justinia -> DAO and Leliana's Song DLC.

Cullen talks about his time as a templar at Kinloch & Kirkwall -> DAO and DA2.

Cassandra speaks about her history, investigation into Hawke, and the Seekers -> Dawn of the Seeker movie, DA2, & Asunder novel.

Varric talks about Hawke, Kirkwall, and Corypheous -> DA2 and Legacy DLC.

Cole talks about how he discovered he was a 'demon' - it leads to further conversations about Rhys, Evangeline, and Lord-Seeker Lambert -> Asunder novel.

Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts -> the game literally continues what the Masked Empire novel sets up, the Orlesian Civil War. The game does a decent job of telling us about the players (Celene, Gaspard, Briala etc...) and the reasoning behind the conflict through dialogue, the ability to explore the battlefields, quests, ambient dialogue, etc... The book is not required reading - though it greatly adds to the complexity of the characters, motivations, and political intrigue!

I never once, playing DA2 or DAI, felt penalized or like my experience was lacking because I had not engaged with supplemental material or DLC's. I got into Dragon Age when I was in high school, it wasn't until I graduated and began working after that I had the disposable income available for experiencing the extra material. I cannot say that for DATV - If you have played Inquisition and go into DATV straight from that you will, absolutely, be confused about how we got from A to B.

Which is especially strange to me!? Why is it that new players will be less confused than those that are returning players? It's like the game is actively punishing you for playing and caring about previous games in the series.

Supplemental media is bought because the main product has earned your investment, love, or interest. Not everyone has the income available to buy it with their own money - especially if you live outside the US and have to pay additional shipping costs. Not everyone has the ability to buy or 'obtain' the digital versions either. My understanding of the main story of a video game in a video game series should not require additional monetary investment into other mediums.

The game itself should be enough and DATV is not enough.

[stonesparrow]

You know that moment where Senku digs up Taiju’s statue and he has that moment of sudden overwhelming emotion in his eyes (and then proceeds to get the same eye shine whenever he sees Taiju/Yuzuriha or hears their voices after being separated)?

I’d love to see a fan comic/art of the moment he finds Yuzuriha’s statue in the tree.

[ishido-enjoyer]

Fun fact I learned tonight: before starring together in FX’s Shogun, Takehiro Hira (Ishido) and Tokuma Nishioka (Hiromatsu) were both in the 2017 movie Sekigahara, as Shima Sakon and Maeda Toshiie respectively.

[communistkenobi]

really been enjoying this youtube channel that covers scientific scandals

[sunbroofyharnam]

Peak Fiction

I finished Destiny 2: The Final Shape around 12 hours ago and I still haven't recovered. As someone who started by playing Destiny 1 with my Taken King Collection Edition PS4 and jumped in and out of the series since then, i don't think I could have asked for a better ending to this 10 year Journey.

For those out of the loop, over the past 5 days the FPS video game world basically had its "Endgame" moment. Closing the book on a story that started all the way back in 2014. Its had a very tumultuous time getting here (thats what 3 different publishers including self publishing and many pre-production story reboots will do to you) but it all came together in a beautiful conclusion that in my opinion is the best expansion the series has ever seen by far. IDK I guess stories of loss, grief and purpose just hit me extra hard I suppose. Well anyway now that thats over and done with, how about listening to a classic. Here's Hoping the next years go a bit smoother eh?

[despairs-memorial]

Source [here]

[lcs-library]

Remember this imagine? It’s a fic now.

As the final bell of the day rang, Lucille skipped over to Masumi’s desk.

“Heyyyy, um, do you wanna stop by Veludose on our way home?” She asked with feigned nervousness.

“No.” He deadpanned.

“Brutal!”

“Why would you get a coffee this late?”

“For funsies! They offer decaf if that’s not what you’re into.”

“Don’t care. No.”

“Come on! Not even for your favorite troupe member? Not even because you love me?”

“I don’t love you.” He said with a pointed look.

“Ow!”

Even still, Lu took in a deep breath. There was no way around it, she supposed.

“Sakuya said he picked up a job there and had a shift today, so I figured we could visit him. You know, because why not?” She really didn’t want to admit this, evident by the deep blush on her face.

“…I’ll go.”

“You��ll go for Saku but not for me?” She asked, a little disappointed.

“That’s not what I said.” He replied, breaking eye contact as he slipped on his headphones.

Lucille sighed. It was good enough. She took Masumi’s hand as he absentmindedly flipped through his phone, dragging him to the coffee shop.

When they arrived, they were greeted with a “Welcome in! Oh, hey, you two!”

“Hey Saku!” Lu echoed, waving cheerfully at him. The shop was pretty empty this late in the afternoon, giving them just enough time to talk.

“What are you guys doing here?” He asked, glancing behind Lucille to find a half-asleep Masumi she was now holding by the wrist.

“No reason, just thought it would be nice to stop by.” She said with a smile.

“She came to see you.” Masumi piped up, suddenly wide awake.

Lucille stiffened, the grip on Masumi’s wrist tightening ever so slightly. Sakuya could only giggle.

“Really? I’m so glad! Thanks!”

There it was. That radiant smile. Lu had to turn away just to not be blinded by it.

“…you’re welcome.” she muttered.

By this point, a few customers had joined the line, prompting the trio to actually do what they came for.

After a small debacle over Lu forgetting her wallet and bothering Masumi to pay, the two sat down in a cozy corner flanked by a few windows. Lu awkwardly wrung her hands, unsure about how to tackle the conversation she wanted to have as Masumi stared out over the city streets, his fingers drumming on the table.

“Masumi?”

He snapped out of his daze, glaring at her.

“What?”

Yikes. He could be scary when he wanted to be.

“Can I… tell you about something?” She asked anxiously.

“Yeah, sure.” He took off his headlines. Thank God, he actually did care about her.

“It’s about Sakuya.”

“What about him?”

“I,” oh, this was much more difficult than she thought. Lucille sucked in a breath, bracing herself. “I think I’m in love with him.”

“You think?” Masumi cocked his head ever so slightly.

“Lu, Masumi! Your order’s ready!” Sakuya called, glancing around the cafe for them.

“Speak of the devil.” Masumi said, standing up with Lu to retrieve their drinks.

The two thanked him(Lucille more energetically than Masumi), and went back to their seats.

Looking down, Masumi couldn’t help but notice an extra item. A slice of chocolate cake. He frowned at Lu, hoping she wasn’t draining his wallet, to which she only grinned.

“Saku said it was on the house. You wanna share?”

Masumi stared at the cake like it was poison for a moment before shaking his head.

“‘s fine. You can have it.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

“Yay!” She cheered, digging in.

“But about Sakuya…”

Lucille froze. Right. She finished her bite of cake with a hard swallow.

“Mm… so, I think it’s love, but I can’t be sure, y’know? Like, yeah, I like seeing him smile, and his hair is fluffy and nice to play with, and he gives good hugs, and he’s a really good person, and-“

“Sounds like love to me.” Masumi interrupted.

“Right? But does that really constitute love? What if it’s just admiration? Or, uh, what’s it called? A squish?” Lu rambled, flailing her hands about.

“You’ve been friends for months. That doesn’t count as one.” He responded, taking a long sip of his espresso.

“But I wanna be so much closer to him, are you sure that’s not just platonic?”

“Positive.”

Lucille stared into the abyss of her latte, her expression sinking. It couldn’t be, could it? She just wanted to know him better, to watch him act more. To keep him in her arms. To spend evenings by his side in a comfortable silence. There’s no way…

After a few moments of silence, she finally spoke.

“I’ll think about it.” She said softly, taking a sip of her drink.

“By the way, do you think we can’t see that stupid grin you have when you look at him?” Masumi inquired cooly.

Lu almost choked.

“Don’t!”

“Don’t what?” For the first time, Masumi smiled, a sly smirk adorning his features.

“Just don’t.” She pouted, taking a proper sip.

“Sure.”

[dudeyuri]

The tension in this scene in EP4 is so insane. Pat can feel it, clearly, but can he even fathom it? He can barely even speak. Neither can Pran. Poor Ink is really doing her best, lmao. But god. They're both so stricken, together in a public place with Ink—the girl Pat has a lowkey crush on, the girl Pran's crush has a crush on. Pran deliberately positioned next to Ink, across from Pat. Pran's eyes. The melancholic music. The way Pat's instinct is always to take care of Pran regardless of the tension, regardless of who else is across from him.

[onewhoturns]

every time I watch a cari can read or crow caller video I get this major desire to have someone break down one of my stories the way they do, and then I remember I’m shit at finishing things and don’t have any (appropriate) finished pieces people could read anyway, but ughhh I crave that sort of recap and reaction to my stuff

[iidsch]

im watching a video analysis on the hnk anime ep 3 and the person on it said that Phos is fulfilling his work to make a natural history encyclopedia by learning about the world (and in this episode about the snail that ends up being ventricosus) and that made me realize that the theme of "learning about the world" has been a constant in the series but in the later chapters it took the form of "uncovering the truth" and that the encyclopedia was not only the spark that got phos into this mess but also a sign of what the series was going to turn into

[kohakhearts]

yeah im thinking about the full version of 1・2・3 again yeah its making my brain a little mushy about The Characters

[cementcornfield]

https://youtu.be/_dJi1ijSerQ?si=zN9RkHAFA9eL-tYU

I’ve watched this video an unhealthy amount of times 😅 But there’s so many cute moments! Also Ja’Marr is so adorable with his dog!!!

Yesssssss after the mic'd up videos, the overtime SZN videos were the first pieces of ja'marr-centered content i watched. so much gold in these.

i love ja'marr and his little pup 🥺. some ja'marr's dog related facts:

he got her when he was lonely during covid

sometimes she appears on his webcam during streams because she wants to play with him (and he always talks so softly to her 😭)

her name is Sweetie and on the I Am Athlete podcast he did, they asked him if he'd ever date Saweetie (the rapper) and he said something like "no, but that's the dog's name, that's cute"

[songofwizardry]

not to be a one-note person or one of those "man this reminds me of a book I read" people but so many times recently I have thought, "I need you to read the word for world is forest by ursula k le guin and then we can have this conversation again"