#how hard can it be to find a couple battle maps and some scenery art

[eldritchqueerture]

i havent DMed anything in a good while and im scouring my resources for one shot purposes now. and im discovering that half of it all is just extremely specific memes

like. thats funny and all, sure, but its Not Helpful!!! >:[

[laughingpinecone]

Yuletide letter!

I am laughingpineapple on AO3 

Likes: worldbuilding, slice of life (doubly so if the event the fic focuses on is made up but canon-specific), missing moments, 5+1 and similar formats, bonding and emotional support/intimacy, physical intimacy, lingering touches, loyalty, casefic, surrealism, magical realism, established relationships, future fic, hurt/comfort or just comfort from the ample canon hurt, throwing characters into non-canon environments, banter, functional relationships between dysfunctional individuals, unexplained mysteries, bittersweet moods, journal/epistolary fic, dreams and memories and identities, outsider POV, UST, exploration of secondary bits of canon, leaning on the uniqueness of the canon setting/mood, found families, characters reuniting after a long and/or harrowing time, friends-to-lovers, road trips, maps, mutual pining, cuddling, wintry moods, the feeling of flannel and other fabrics, ridiculous concepts played straight, sensory details, places being haunted, people being haunted, the mystery of the woods, small hopes in bleak worlds, electricity, places that don’t quite add up, mismatched memories, caves and deep places, distant city lights at night

Any tense, any pov, any rating, plotty, not plotty, IF, canon divergences, non-mundane AUs (space opera! high fantasy! new weird also), deep lore, unrequested characters popping up - please do go wild with the & combos!

Blanket crossover prompt with Untitled Goose Game: set that goose loose anywhere and ruin anyone’s day. Tariq and select Twin Peaks characters who are not Albert (Margaret, Laura...) may hope to tame and befriend the goose; anyone else better get wrecked. Capitalism may also get wrecked while Kentucky Route Zero characters popcorn.gif nearby

DNW: non-canonical rape, non-canonical children, canon retellings, unrequested ships (I listed all the ships I like for each fandom. Outside of those, I’d prefer if other canon characters weren’t shipped, unless they’re like, canon engaged/married)

Dark Souls 1: Solaire of Astora

I’m only familiar with the first game! It’s probably relevant to mention that I think that linking the fire is kind of a dumbass move, Gwyn is a jerk, Kaathe has his own agenda and there’s no winning move in this world, or at least no obvious one. And amidst all this nonsense, Solaire just shines, pure of heart and dumb of ass like the best of ‘em. I love his kindness in this cruelest of worlds and I love the sad edge he’s got even earlier on when he admits to being seen as weird.

I would enjoy a bittersweet ending for him but I realize both of his endings are deeply entrenched in his themes so it’s hard to make him steer clear of either of those. If you can figure out how to make him not link the Flame or survive the ordeal, I’m all ears! I like a sense of purpose being the thing that can stave off hollowing, and I like characters helping other characters finding that sense of purpose within themselves. Focus on scenery always welcome, and if you want to make up a location, that’s great too!

I’d be super happy with a story set during Solaire’s time in Lordran that simply doesn’t mention his endings, anyway. Maybe he’s the one who helps someone else while his own tragedy keeps looming on the horizon. Striking up friendships in the face of a crapsack world! Meeting people through Lordran’s temporal/dimensional fuckery, where it’s possible to cross the path of warriors who have been gone for ages… could Solaire meet either or both Catarina knights (there’s so much great art about sun bro and onion bro but where’s the fic?), or do the grumpy grump&ray of sunshine routine with Logan, or meet Artorias or even Gwyn before he linked the Flame - or himself? What if he met Kaathe?

Ships: none really? Solaire/Chosen Undead but I don’t really like to read about customizable protagonists in fic so I’d rather not get fic featuring the CU. I’m all about the & character combos here.

Ghost Trick: Cabanela, Jowd

I love Cabanela being fierce and dazzling bright and determined and loyal to the very end, dancing to his own rhythm, so sure of himself and of his ideas that he doesn’t even need to prove to anyone that he’s right. Too sure of the wrong idea, once, and everything crashed and burned. And I love Jowd being the immovable object to Cabanela’s unstoppable force, a suicidal trainwreck of guilt with the gallows humor to show for it, and also incredibly smart (both jerks figured out Sissel’s powers better than Sissel did, that’s... something) and athletic and with an unsuspected talent for stealth.

I am very interested in various characters finding about the erased timeline, but not getting their memories back, and having to live with being told about what they did but never remembering it. Touch-starved Jowd in the new timeline is a surefire hit (or maybe Cabanela if he’s the one who came back and kept the memories of the old timeline). Touchy-feely Cabanela as kind of his baseline with the people he likes.  All what-ifs welcome:what if they managed an acceptable happy ending but didn’t reset the timeline, what if Alma’s ghost stuck around… I’m also wondering about either of them ending up undead via Temsik shard - how would they take these developments (I’m assuming better than Yomiel did but the bar is admittedly low), did Cabanela do it on purpose for whatever sensible-if-you-are-Cabanela reason, what does it change in their relationship, what are the practical pros and cons of the situation here. UFO adventures with Pigeon Man! Lynne teaming up with either of them against the other! Sissel death-averting action if either/both of them die or just regular cat action! Spy stuff! Daring rescues! My forever prompt of Jowd being the one who gets a chance to prove his loyalty to Cabanela for once. Dancing.

Please no Yomiel. Nothing against the guy I’m just getting an overdose of him through RPing.

Ships: Alma/Cabanela/Jowd and all sides thereof, but when it splits the canon couple I only like it when the missing spouse is dead or otherwise unavailable, hopefully with a reset on the horizon. If you want to go for a Cabanela&Alma or Cabanela/Alma who are strongly motivated by a dead or jailed Jowd, I’m good with him not actively appearing in the fic. Alma/Jowd & Cabanela is excellent in all scenarios. I’m good with explicitly non-romantic takes on Jowd&Cabs but please keep their bond strong, and please no conflicting ship for Cabanela. Lynne/Memry!

Kentucky Route Zero: Any (Lula Chamberlain, Joseph Wheattree, Donald kentuckyroutezero, Weaver Màrquez)

(if enough of us request it, will some Murphy corollary guarantee that Act V will come out between now and reveals just to mess with the Yuletide schedule? If it does, I’ll be playing it immediately and probably add a few thoughts and prompts here for kicks, at the end of this section, after a spoiler warning. Obviously feel free to stick to canon up to Un Pueblo De Nada)

I’m all for exploration of any of the game’s themes and for including any staples from adjacent genres - wanna go full-on American Gothic? Dip into surrealism? Take a leaf from Twin Peaks with tulpa / split narratives to explore the characters’ issues? I can’t think of any specific AUs for the disaster trio + disaster soloist here, but I generally love AUs so if you want to sidestep the inconvenience of an incomplete canon that way, be my guest! Or of course there’s Xanadu at the height of its glory, an infinite what-ifs generator. Was Weaver ever part of it, what was this digital Weaver up to? A Xanadu narrative would be great! A good fit for IF, too? I’d love to hear about any new spot along the Zero or the Echo river, or an expansion of some place that’s only mentioned by Will in HATATE or only gets a few paragraphs of text. Lula getting ideas for a new installation, or an article talking about her work? Donald listening to Static between stations somehow (Donald being constantly high as a kite as per this)? Joseph who went back to the surface finds himself near an entrance to the Zero somewhere? A collection of Weaver-isms? Feel free to bring in anyone else from any part of canon.

Ships: “Flipping through the pages, Conway is able to gather that it's a story about three characters: Joseph, Donald, and Lula. It's something like a tragic love triangle, but much more complex. Some kind of tangled, painfully concave love polygon.” 😬 that one, as a full triad, regrettably since they don’t seem too inclined to get reunited and stay that way. If you can nudge them, good. But I’m very open to non-romantic resolutions as well, going past their messy feelings to find each other as friends after so many years maybe. For Weaver, I’m interested in all her & relationships (seriously. Weaver & Cate. Weaver & EmilyBen&Bob. Weaver & Slow Moe Crow.) but nothing shippy. Conway/Lysette, Junebug/Johnny(/Shannon?).

The Last Remnant: David Nassau, Pagus

I’m very interested in post-game exploration, and getting a clearer feeling of any of the cities and assorted places that populate this fascinating world. I like the whole party with their characterization based on battle quotes, red bubble dialogues, and even their unique stat (‘authority’ is a natural fit for David but ‘romance’ tells me something new about Sibal!) Character interaction. Bit of worldbuilding. What’s another festival they celebrate? Do they erect something else instead of the Valeria Heart? Any fun discoveries down in Siebenbur? Where the hell IS Veyriel, anyway, do they go look for it and if so what do they find out? End of an age. Old bonds.

I ache for David who fought so valiantly as a warrior and as a politician only to be slapped in the face with the unexpected loss Emma first and then Rush, right as they were ready to claim their victory and as he would have to start coming to terms with the idea that maybe without the Gae Bolg he wouldn’t die young. At least his Generals are still with him - out of them, all of whom I adore, I picked Pagus because Qsiti are cool. And Pagus in particular is the coolest (”I know that fine qsiti... That large, reticent mouth, the laugh lines around the eyes...“ he’s FINE it’s CANON!). So I’d like to see how David bounces off Pagus in particular, what their bond is like, what he thinks of whatever aspect of Qsiti culture.

Ships: postcanon David/Rush, possibly with an emphasis on Rush’s nature as a remnant? I am also fond of Pagus/Sibal/Maddox, there are more prompts for them in my #letters tag!

Pyre: Volfred Sandalwood, Tariq The Lone Minstrel

Oh the burning found family feelings, the revolutionary passion, the tension between topside social constraints (moreso for liberated exiles, thrust into heroic roles after the revolution) and the kind of freedom allowed by the Downside! I love all the themes, the solemnity, the heart of this game. I’ve been waiting for a character like Tariq all my life, a minstrel who’s otherworldly soft and just a lil bit eldritch. Volfred as well, he just hits my perfect ratio of “noble intentions” to “scheming to a fault”. Like, the percentages in his planner are pointless for gameplay since the ending just depends on the number of Nightwings sent topside at the end - so it’s just there for his characterization, he’s the sort of person who assigns percentages to people, nbd. ...for a good cause! That said, I would die for anyone in that Blackwagon+Dalbert+Celeste, so if you want to write in someone else as well, please do! (otoh if you maybe want to dunk on Brighton or Manley, I don’t like bashing but canon levels of love-to-hate-them would be fun)

Thoughts about finding oneself at the end of an age, as everything crumbles down to form something new. The titan stars. History nerd Volfred, “aye sir, I was there” Tariq. Conversations with Dalbert. Or with Sandra? Any postcanon very welcome with any combination of endings as long as the revolution was peaceful. Please do lean into the xeno headcanons if you enjoy them! Even for gen, I like to read what it’s like to be something other than human and these two are very much not human in different and intriguing ways. Or, Volfred’s zodiac sign is Cancer and Cancer is ruled by the Moon, so there’s that. I also love how they both hold the other in the highest esteem, especially on Tariq’s part since he’s the immortal Herald of the Scribes and Volfred is, all in all, a history teacher, but listen to him and you’d think the roles were inverted. I love my nonviolent canon but could anything happen to either of them that may require a rescue, and/or some good old-fashioned h/c? What’s something that could make Tariq of all people lose it? How’s life 100 years on?

For a funnier mood, picture Volfred trying to figure out how to flirt with Tariq with percentages, planners and all. He could just ask him but no, it’s convoluted plan or bust. Or, conversely, Tariq’s increasingly direct hints that he’s interested, but they’re still ‘increasingly direct’ for Tariq standards, so, not at all, undetectable even by Volfred who can get pretty damningly indirect himself.

Ships: Volfred/Tariq, Volfred/Oralech, some form of Oralech/Volfred/Tariq (more of a Volfred-centric V but I would like to be convinced of the Oralech/Tariq side of things), Celeste/Jodariel, Hedwyn/Fikani and Pamitha/Bertrude.

Twin Peaks: Albert Rosenfield

Case fic but they don’t find out jack shit, someone disappears, David Bowie was there, it’s complicated. Fragmented, shifted, mirrored identities. New Lodge spaces. The risks of staring into the void for too long. Gentle illusions. Transcendence. The moon. Static buzzing. Any title from the s3 ethereal whooshing compilation used as a prompt, actually. Twin Peaks is all about the mystery to me, the awe of mystery and unknowability and the human drive to look beyond and the risks of getting a peek, and about shared consciousness and trauma taking physical form and about the warmth of human connections in an uncaring world. Go wild with the ethereal whooshing!

I love Albert and he breaks my heart, a pacifist who ends his arc shooting his oldest remaining friend after life sucked all the passion and most of the idealism out of him. Is shooting Diane just to see Cooper come back, get her back and disappear with her again trauma enough to make him split? I’d be interested in reading about it, or any other take on his unwavering loyalty to Gordon which should maybe waver after Gordon’s admission that he’s lied to him for 25 years and the aforementioned unmitigated disaster of an ending. But I’m also very interested in his life apart from the disaster that is Blue Rose and his heartbreaking search for Cooper: did he keep in touch with Harry throughout the years, what did they talk about? Was he ever dragged along for a hike in the woods and did something weird happen there? We know he kept in touch with Diane, what did THEY talk about? Does he go on a journey of his own to find her after the ending? Does Tammy come along, do they see each other as friends other than mentor and protégé? What was Phil like as a co-boss back in the day? Did he get a small victory over Windom at some point (maybe even in the present day, given Kenneth Welsh’s recent wonderful interview where he’s adamant that Windom lives)? Does Laura ever visit him in some ghostly manner? He and Denise look like a great duo for a case and/or office shenanigans. We know from TFD that he’s a big jazz enthusiast, something about that? When does he cave in and just accept some aspects of Coop’s investigative method? Just set him loose on another unsuspecting character and I’ll be happy.

If Coop comes back (and I’d love for Coop to come back), I would like it if he came back on his own thanks to having sorted out his crap. After s3, I am not interested in stories about any other character saving Cooper. Albert’s got his wounds to lick dangit. And he’s got friends who can be by his side! ...I do love his dynamic with Coop so much, though. Sigh. I do miss that bastard. Anyway.

Ships: Albert/Coop/Harry and sides thereof, Tammy/Cynthia, Gordon/Phil, Diane/Constance, Lucy/Andy, Chet/Sam.

Canon-specific DNWs: any singular Dreamer being the ‘source’ of canon, BOB (let alone Judy) being forever defeated in the finale, Judy being an active malevolent presence in the characters’ lives, clear explanations for canonical ambiguities, ‘Odessaverse’ being the reality layer, the Fireman’s House by the Sea being the White Lodge, anything that 4 hours video says is the explanation of Twin Peaks

[yookte]

80 Things to Do in and Around Philly

Lounging on the couch and binging on a series is great, but it won’t be beneficial for you and your partner’s relationship if  that’s the majority of your activity spent together. It can be hard to plan a date whether it’s your first or the 30th. Our mind grabbles with wanting something different from the norm, though quickly succumbing to  dinner and a movie often because it’s easy, and the cost is foreseen. Let’s  face it most of us budget for dates and sometimes they can get costly.  

Truth is, dinner and a movie is barely a step above Netflix and take out at home but we’ll admit it gets you out of the house at least.  The movie theaters now have reclining chairs and all that’s missing is your blanket, it’s almost like being at home. This inlies the issue, going to the movies lacks engagement.  The dinner before or after the movie is generally 45-60 mins, surely not enough time for you and your partner to really enjoy each other’s company other than being in their presence, which is always nice but it truly lacks that one on one time that your relationship thirsts for. 

We created the list below with you in mind.  It’s there for you to mix and match, improvise on our suggestions,  and to come up with new ideas. Let us know how you made out and what we should add to the list. 

Escape to your nearest Escape Room. Test your compatibility and problem solving skills with your partner. 

For the cold months starting in November head down to Penns Landing for winterfest for some spiked hot cocoa, ice skating,  and games. Get the feeling as if you are in a lodge in the Poconos.

And in the summer months visit Spruce Street Harbor. 

Ice Skate at Dillworth Park or these other places. 

Who doesn't love live music? Check out Chris’s Jazz Cafe, Warmdaddy’s, Time, Johnny Brenda's,  World Life Cafe, Union Transfer, TLA, The Fillmore, The Met… to name a few.

Visit Wilmington’s Riverfront.  There are great restaurants aligning the waterfront and you can take their  river cruise.

Drive down to Atlantic City, walk the boardwalk, take in any number of shows and have dinner with an ocean view. While you're there try a hand at BlackJack. 

I see you!  Laser Tag anyone? 

Ever think about zipping through the trees like spider man? Tap into your spidey senses. Try Zip-lining in Philly or Bucks County.

Jump, Jump, Jump around at your nearest sky zone!

Have you ever pretended that your Pink or a trapeze artist in the circus?  Well you can fly gracefully through the sky with a little help. Here’s one we found for you Trapeze.

Learn more about science and stuff.  Visit The Franklin Institute,  and while you’re there think about taking in a planetarium show or a movie at their Omniverse Theater.

Have you ever been fascinated watching planes take off? Take in a front row seat, and watch as they land via Fort Mifflin Rd and Hog Island Rd near PHL.  Pack some snacks but be careful NOT to park your cars at the fences. 

Visit Haddonfield NJ, it’s close to Philly and they have a ton of shops and restaurants.

Walk across the Benjamin Franklin Bridge from Philly to Camden or Vice Versa and grab a bite to eat nearby at a local spot. 

Join a mixologist class just make sure you do this on a full stomach! 

Take a walk or bike ride along the Schuylkill River Trail. Pack a lunch and eat at one of the park benches or head up to the cafe by BoatHouse Row or inside the Art Museum(admission fee).  There is one light fare restaurant where you don’t need to pay museum general admission to eat at if you’d like to stay along the trail. 

If your biking or walking through East Falls stop at the Trolley Car diner or In Riva along Kelly Drive and from there head over to Sherman Mills to check out their hidden business gems in a unique industrial space. 

Philly has Free Streets from March to October on the weekend. You are free to ride your bike without vehicular interference along MLK drive. 

Attend a Mediation class with your boo.  Relax, relate, release..... “Google Mediation Near Me".

Try out a new BYOB and don’t forget to bring a great wine.

Visit a Main St in a nearing town, West Chester, Doylestown, Haddonfield, Princeton, etc..... Main St. are always great and historic!  

Get your history on by visiting the Constitution Center and Independence Mall.

Visit The Eastern State Penitentiary .  Once the largest and most expensive public structure ever erected in the United State which opened in 1829. A bit spooky. Enjoy! 

 Visit Phoenixville, an old industrial town turned chic is roughly 40 mins from Philly for a perfect day trip. Take a stroll on Bridge and Main St. 

 Good at golf? It doesn’t matter, we aren't either! Try your hand at virtual golf.  

 So virtual golf not your thing?  What about miniature golf? Or is any golf just not your thing?

 Who doesn’t love an Arcade!? Bring out your inner child enthusiast.  Some ideas are The Barcade or Dave and Busters.  

Bowl! There are a ton of hip bowling alleys in Philly you can find. Try out Harp & Crow for a more intimate setting, perfect for a date night. 

Like to sing? Hit up a Karaoke spot at a local neighborhood bar or head to Chinatown where there are plenty to choose from no matter the night. 

Take in a show at the Kimmell Center , Walnut St Theatre, or any of these theatres. 

For a change of pace try out  Valley Green Inn.  It’s is  a wonderful dining experience nestled in Fairmount Park. 

 Want to get out some aggression, all while having fun?  Try your hand at Axe throwing. 

Dinner and a view from high up?  Four Seasons, R2L, XIX, and Skygarten are some ideas.  

Fancy art? Explore  The Pennsylvania Art Institute, The Barnes  or The Art Museum.  The Art Museum is pay what you wish on Wednesday  and every First Sunday.  

Why not be a Philadelphia tourist for the day? Look into Free Tours by Foot. 

Take a boat ride on the river. Find the right cruise here.

Show’em what ya workin with or your date! Do you like to dance? Try these spots.  

Can’t dance? Take a dance class together and learn or better your skills in Salsa , Hip-Hop or whatever your flavor.

Visit the Philadelphia Zoo. If you could be any wild animal, what would it be?

Venture over to the Adventure Aquarium and visit the penguins and sharks!

Take a Mural Arts self guided tour or guided, whatever your preference.  

Let’s get creative and design your own Art Exhibition Tour  all around the city. Include local universities and colleges like Drexel University, The Art Institute, University of the Arts and Moore College of Art and Design for more exhibition tour ideas. 

So this is a little different, but wouldn’t it be great if you were able to save your dates life in a godforbid life altering event?? The Red Cross offers CPR classes. You can find other first aid classes online and possibly Groupon.  In one day you can become certified. 

Philly is all about our Sports!  Take in a game watching the Eagles, Phillies, Flyers, Sixers, Philadelphia Union or Philadelphia Soul play. 

In the Spring it’s about enjoying the scenery.  In the Summer it’s nice to get your feet wet in the fountains.  The Fall is about the many unique festivals, pop up shops, and activities, and in the Winter it’s all about the ice skating rink at Dillworth park. 

Once the tallest building in Philly, but still a favorite One Liberty Observation Deck . Observe the city and all its glory.   

Sketch out your own Brewery Pub Crawl.  Philadelphia is now home to a ton of local breweries. Have fun mapping out your tour! 

Explore our past and gain some light into the future at The Academy of Natural Sciences or The Penn Museum. 

Cigars or Hookah anyone? Ashton Cigar Bar , Smoke , Fishtown Hookah and The Hubble Bubble Lounge Hookah are popular choices.  

Go shopping at a local farmers market, go home and cook a lovely meal together. 

And if you can’t cook or want to learn new techniques take a cooking class together. 

Sip, sip,  we’ve got wineries in the area. In Delaware , West Chester, Montgomery, and Bucks counties as well in New Jersey. Book a tour at one!  

Visit a neighborhood that you haven’t been to or for awhile and grab lunch or dinner, and walk around to take in the sites. Chestnut Hill, University City, Fitler Square, Rittenhouse, Bella Vista, Olde City, Northern Liberties, Manayunk, East Falls,  East Passyunk, the list goes on. 

Visit the Navy Yard from 6am -8pm dine or take a walk along the river or chill out in one of their parks.  

Visit City Hall  atop William Penn once the tallest building in Philadelphia. 

Not everyone can appreciate a beautiful garden; however Long Wood Gardens is sure to impress even the naysayers. 

Cheese Steak anyone!? Hit up some new spots and have your own taste test, take notes, tell your friends who had the best steak out of your food venture that day:).  This works for Tacos as well! 

Everyone seems to fall in love with New Hope, PA, destined for a great date night or day.  

Painting with a twist is not just for parties, go with a date and sip and paint!

Eat your way through Chinatown and step into its many shops. 

Jump, Jump, Jump around at your nearest Sky Zone.

 Spend a day at the pool, indoor or outdoor and take a dip in the Jacuzzi.  If you don’t have access to one book a hotel room. For last minute deals check out hoteltonight.com or bid on Priceline.com.  

 Explore the Japanese House and Garden  located in Fairmount Park from March to October.

Battle it out at paintball! 

For live  dance performances here are some options  Philadelphia Dance , The Performance Garage,  Anne Berger Center , Wilma Theater, and the  Philadelphia Ballet.

Learn about black heritage at The African American Museum. 

Race Go Karts and get competitive with your date. 

Just feel like chillin? Get a couples massage and  top it off with a mani and pedi. 

Game Night! Choose games specific to couples to learn more about your partner, in a creative way. If you wanted to go out and play board games instead,  Philly’s got them! 

Learn about Jewish heritage at The National Museum of American Jewish History.  

Visit Reading Terminal, depending on when you go it’ll be incredibly busy. Rule of thumb is to find out what you want by visiting their site first due to their heavy crowds.  You and your date will want something different, decide, split up and meet in the middle at the dining area. This will cut time and avoid cold food. 

So you’ve had a fantastic dinner and you want a place to go for dessert?  A La Mouse in Chinatown is our favorite but here is a list of others.

Explore your tasting palette and try a Vietnamese, African, Jamaican, Dominican, or Puerto Rican restaurant, anything outside your norm. Go eat! 

Do you love stand up comedy? Take in a comedy show. 

Take a tennis lesson together, there is one near you!

Have you ever wanted to shoot a gun? Do you know how and want to show off your skills to your date? Go to a local shooting range. 

First Fridays in Olde City Philadelphia is a long standing tradition which showcase  Art Exhibitions in local Galleries and Shops, open to everyone from 5pm to 9pm.

Musical talent?  Have you ever wanted to learn the drums or play guitar? Who hasn’t? Philly has got group classes for that!

Like to climb things? Philly’s got it! Visit the largest climbing wall in Philly.

Happy Dating!