#it would make sense in this universe for the magical sword wielding warrior king to be the personification of the land he was defending

[ameliafuckinjones]

What if Arthur Kirkland IS the legendary King Arthur, and he's just that old of a bastard.

[kazeofthemagun]

On Oracle Fabula, Chaos the Primordial, the Architects, Wonderland, and the feud between Soil and Mist - origin of the Weapons

[Headcanon-heavy lore exploration. Something I have been brainstorming for a while now.]

Eons ago,

there thrived an advanced civilization of magitech, its name lost to time. They could create almost anything, ranging from flying castles to spectacular magical weaponry. Its people were long-lived and beautiful; The little lore of them that survived their eventual destruction earning them the alias of "The Architects". Fabula, the Guide, belonged to that race before she died.

What could have destroyed such a powerful empire, you may ask - perhaps the very universe felt threatened, and unleashed a demon upon them to punish them for their hubris, reaching for more than mortals were ever meant to have. Mortals needed to be brought down for such a terrible transgression. The negative emotions of the sinful empire which thought all belonged to it woke the Primordial, who set to reducing their perfectly structured civilization to chaos, earning it that very name. For once outmatched, the Architects turned to Nature and her Espers who had been watching over them since their civilization's birth. It was in a perfect union of Nature, Tech and Magic that their hope to defeat Chaos lay. The finest of their people's minds came together to create the Weapons, the pinnacle of the Order of the universe to stand against encroaching entropy seeking to reduce their world to nothing.

Enter the story of Bahamut - across the franchise known as the King of the Espers, the Eidolord, the First Sire. As a force of Nature, the Earthbound God of Soil who watched over death and rebirth, Bahamut sought balance and harmony above all. He was, to mortals, equally a great ally in times of need and a terrible scourge when balance needed to be tipped to promote the Planet's growth. Bahamut could not be killed, for whenever he died, he would only be reborn, as was the case with all Espers. Sensing Chaos, Bahamut declared war on the demon, his purpose ever the protection of life as a whole. Yet the people were afraid of the dragon that had decimated innumerable souls, viewing him instead as a horrid monster. A plan was made. Bahamut would be slain and sealed inside a weapon for a chosen hero to wield to defeat the demon. That way, he could not be reborn, and his wild and destructive magic and mastery over Summon Spirits could be put to use by a righteous warrior. There was a clan of spirits that Bahamut had no control over, for they governed an opposing energy - Mist Dragons, ruled by the Celestial Mother Tiamat, the sister of Bahamut. Seeing the grave threat of Chaos, Tiamat agreed to be remade as a machine and sealed in a sword to be used to defeat the Dragon Lord and seal him away as well. Together, they could stop Chaos. Bahamut was killed by the first hero of the Maken, and was reforged into a machine creature bound within a gun. After all, even though the Architects could make almost anything, they could not grant life and thus needed the strongest souls to power the strongest machines. Bahamut had no fury at what happened, however, knowing his new body, a union of his power and the superiority of metal over flesh would help him fulfil his purpose. And yet those who took on the Tiamat's power perished, for the power of a God flowing inside them was too much to handle. Similarly, those that wielded Bahamut's Magun met a similar fate, the beast outright rejecting those he deemed too weak and devouring their life force. Trying to create a perfect union between Summon Spirits, men and machines backfired gravely. An attempt was made to improve the design; Souls of wielders were sealed in Maken's jewel and their hearts placed in Magun's chamber in an effort to link them further. Still, the power was too much and the spirits could not be utilized to their full potential. Wielders after wielders died in the war, doing little damage. Chaos took the Architects' world and all was lost. It is then that the stars aligned and the prophets of the people foretold the arrival of two warriors who could link fully to the power sealed inside the Weapons and use it to eradicate Chaos. Via becoming one with the Gods, they would attain their immortality, and via the power of their wills they would succeed where others have failed. As such, the Weapons were cast into the universe, away from Chaos, onto planets where the rightful heirs would one day arise. The slumbering Dragon Lord's Magun was placed on Windaria to be unearthed millions of years later, as was the Celestial Mother's Maken on Misterica. Fabula herself persisted as a spirit Guide in the remnant of her world, the first world Chaos had devoured. It is from that remnant that Wonderland was made, more and more worlds attached as patchwork to the original cradle. Gaudium - Joy - itself is the last flying castle of the Architects' world, preserved by Chaos as a trophy and a lair from where it would rule all. The Wonderland script, similarly, is the language from the first world repurposed for Chaos to use to govern its new domain. This explains why Maken and Magun both have runes in Wonderland script etched upon them, despite Windaria and Misterica never having used the language, disproving the Weapons' origin on either of the planets. They come from Wonderland, or, more accurately, the original world, the world of the Architects.

The prophesised rightful wielders, named by Fabula and her kin the "Unlimited", would be the only people attuned to the Gods' personalities and their opposing energies of Earth and Sky in a way that warranted a perfect fusion between man and machine. For the brutal and merciless Bahamut who governed the Earth, the Windarian Black Wind was the match, his nation worshipping the energy of Soil, and for the lofty and pure guardian that was Tiamat - White Cloud of Misterica, whose people lived attuned to the Sky and breathed their very spirits as Mist.

In this way, all of the universe's energies and shapes came together in two warriors, opposed to Chaos who would see all reduced to endless desolation. The pinnacle of Nature - Gods of Earth and Sky, Soil and Mist; The pinnacle of tech and magic  - the Weapons; and finally, the pinnacle of mortal life - prodigies of their kind, worthy to link all that within themselves and challenge Chaos itself. Fabula saw this, and refused to leave the corporeal plane even as all that remained of her was a spirit, determined to see her vision through to the very end and undo the plague her people had unwittingly unleashed. Bound to her world's broken shell, she remains yet, a self-proclaimed Guide of Wonderland and keeper of its secrets. Ever since the patchwork kingdom's advent, she protects travelers from the Outer Worlds in an effort to spite Chaos and prevent more souls from being shackled by the demon. An overseer, an Oracle of the Architects, and a goddess to some, in her peculiar home she still keeps remnants of her people's magitech, and bestows them upon those she deems worthy.

Bonus

Fabula, interestingly enough, in my own language - Polish - meaning the order of the plot. Polish; fabuła - noun, feminine [fabuwa]; Russian, fabula (фабула, [ˈfabʊlə] ) meaning the chronology of the plot where syuzhet (сюжет, [sʲʊˈʐɛt]) means the employment of narrative. The word 'fabula' originates from Latin, meaning story, play, or drama.

[mad-hatter-rici]

Finally one of my eldest OC’s has a new look! Say welcome to Lyna Harker ;D

Name: Lyna Harker

Nicknames: Miss Lyna,  Lady Lyna, auntie, Lynn, Lee, Lyly

Age:43

Occupation: Family: Gray Harker (husband ), Aeron Harker (son), Marlene Harker (daughter), Caleb Harker (son) Idaru (family dog) , Kuura (brother-in-law), Ilves (brother-in-law), Lumi (sister-in-law), Avara (sister-in-law), Reilynn ( godchild), Prince Dijoas and Axel Vermonte (Godchildren), parents

Abilities: Lyna is a great teacher and headmistress. She can easily motivate her students and explain them the topic in a way, which everybody understands. She often is asked for advice by her dear friend Queen Mellina and even tutors her sons Prince Dijoas and Prince Axel herself, (not in a classic way though) to prepare both to be ready to take the throne someday. Being born into a village of Viking like people she was early thought how to wield a sword and bow and arrow, though she dislikes the idea of using those. A lot of people assume that Lyna posses magic powers as it is impossible to fool her, she can see through Illusions and tricks very easily and seems to have a sixth sense at times. Her sixth sense seems to let her see a glimpse of the future, but if it's magic or simply good Intuition is something she will not answer. Lyna has a lot of patience which is very important in her job.

 Weakness: Her will to help and the tendency to take her duties a bit to serious at times causes her to neglect her own health at times. She is often scolded by her husband, friends and children for not taking care of herself. She often doubts herself when it come to her family, wondering if her advices are enough and if there is more she can do, being the dutiful woman she is it's not easy for her to let other people down, especially her own children.

Likes: sewing, knitting, painting, enjoying the nature, spending time with her family, teaching her children, taking walks in the nature, teasing her husband, her children's smile, helping others in need.

Dislikes: unnecessary Violence, her family and friends being in trouble/sad, Reilynn's tendency to zap people with her lightning's, Gray losing his "cool", Aeron's sarcasm at times, Ace's bad boy grumpy attitude, disobeying the school rules and general code of the society

Character:

Her kindred heart is known by everyone in the Kingdom, though her teasing side is something only her husband and children get to see. She has a strong will of justice and equality. As a headmistress she does not like to be the one to punish her students, but if needed be- her punishments are always those of which her students will learn something. She would never hurt or humiliate someone , let alone make a scene if it's about speaking to her students. She is always ready listen to all of her students and their points of view, happily to take their suggestions and ideas. Lyna is known for her great personal wisdom and cherished for that by the royal family. Despite her position as headmistress she is a humble person by nature, living in a house within the city and not inside the castle. Lyna often aids KIng Alexander by speaking for the people in town at royal meetings with the queen, pointing out the struggles and problems of the Kingdom from the citizens point of view. She has a strong sense faith in the people around her and is not afraid to put people in their place if needed to.

But behind her gentle smile, humble nature and wisdom slumbers also the heart of a lioness. Always ready to defend her loved one even if it would be to sacrifice herself

 Background Story:

Lyna was born as the only child to the Village's Blacksmith and his wife (a teacher) far in the north. The village itself is known for its Celtic like religion and lifestyle, strong warriors and excellent spirits (such as beer, mead, schnapps and wine). Lyna and Reilynn's mother had always been very close friends, with a sister like bond, so when Reilynn was born she became her godmother.

When she turned sixteen she went to Valencia in order to become a great teacher. During her time in the university she also happened to meet the young Queen Mellina, the two became friends, sharing the same interest and simply enjoying each other's companies a deep bond of trust formed between the young two young women. When the royal twins were born she was announced as their godmother as well, it was during that time that she also met the Gladiator Ace and the head healer Zeyna (who would later become Ace's wife). She somehow managed to befriend the brutish and grumpy Gladiator and tried her best to help Zeyna in freeing him from his Gladiator duty.

She eventually graduated as the best of her year and accepted to be a teacher in Valencia, as she had felt this was the place she had to be and was accepted for being herself. One a wintery night while she was accompanying Ace (who was now freed from his Gladiator punishment), she saw a man sleeping in the snow. Fearing that he was already  subcooled she asked Ace to reheat him. Not noticing a wicked grin on his face as he did exactly so. It ended with a small brawl between the subcooled man and Ace. As it turned out this man was a Frost child named Gray (back then he was not the head of Royal Guard ) who had joined the royal guards just recently.  She was quite fascinated by him. reading as many books as she could about frost children and trying to find ways to help Gray with his "heat issue". Gray kept on saying that she was an annoyance and they started to spend a lot time together. They both started to share stories from their villages and lifes and supported each other. They fell in love and married with their children Aeron, Marlene and Caleb following over the years.

Lyna was recently promoted as headmistress and has taken on an apprentice named Sara. A young woman who she found badly wounded near her home and nursed back to health.

Fun Facts:

- Her crystal necklace was a gift from Gray, the three crystals symbolize thier children. Green= Aeron, Blue= Marlene and Purple= Caleb

- Her owl necklace was a parting gift from her parents, the owl is Lyna's spirit animal

- her favorite drink tea

- she get's all giggly and silly when drunk

- she is one of the few that can put ace in his place

- She often teases her husband and likes to play with his hair

- she kept from all her children their baby blankets

- She often is seen running around town trying to get her eldest son out of trouble

  Gray, Alexander, Axel and Dijoas (c) @lumilasi

[littlesneak-blog]

Keldor and the Masters of the Universe

so @kxldor ’s post got me wondering, if Keldor had never rebelled against the Elders, where would that leave everyone? This is all I’ve thought of so far, but if anyone else can think of more feel free to add

So first off, the Defenders wouldn’t be a thing. Unless I’m mistaken, the Defenders (the five man band of Man-at-arms, Mekaneck, Ram-man, Stratos, and Randor) banded together mainly to protect the Elders from Keldor and his warriors. If Keldor never rebelled against the Elders, then this team just wouldn’t happen. I think Mekaneck and Ram-man still get their injuries and bionic replacements by Duncan, so they’d be friends with Duncan on the basis of needing to go to him for adjustments and the like, but they aren’t close to Stratos or Randor. Duncan sees Stratos as a king and nothing else, while Mekaneck and Ram-man rarely see Stratos or speak to him; he’s just too far above their rank. Though Stratos and Randor respect each other their primary interactions are diplomatic. Duncan is still the Man-at-arms, but he’s not Randor’s advisor. Keldor fills that role.

Speaking of which, Duncan wouldn’t be Randor’s best friend. They might not even be friends at all, definitely not on first-name basis. The way I see it, the time that Randor got closest to Duncan was when Keldor split off to rebel. A little while later, during the Great Unrest, Fisto “deserts.” So both Duncan and Randor are missing their brothers, and they relate to each other and their relationship strengthens to where Duncan is Randor’s closest friend, right next to Marlena. But because Keldor never left, Randor wouldn’t grow as close to Duncan as he does in the original timeline. Likewise, I think Duncan would have mended fences a little with Fisto because he doesn’t have Randor. They’re still not friends, but they keep in touch.

Because Randor and Duncan aren’t friends, this means Adam and Teela didn’t grow up together. She’s Captain of the Guard, and he’s the Crown Prince. They know each other, sure, but their positions keep them apart, and they’re not always being grouped together by their parents. They’re pretty formal together. That’s pretty interesting, seeing as their destinies are very closely related. When Duncan takes Adam to Castle Grayskull and Adam becomes He-man, Adam would start talking to Teela a lot more because he would run into her more often, and he starts to enjoy being around her. Meanwhile, Teela develops a crush on the mysterious warrior He-man around the same time the crown prince starts hanging out with her father for some reason.

With Orko, we have two options. One, this timeline change of Keldor never rebelling somehow leads to Adam never ending up in the tar swamp, so Orko never looses his wand but also never saves Adam’s life and never becomes court jester. He probably wanders the land, constantly looking for a way home, looting ancient libraries, helping people where he can. The heroic warriors in this continuity have probably bumped into him several times. If Orko’s ‘fated’ to loose his wand (which makes sense, he really tips the scales too much towards the good guys if he doesn’t), he probably does so helping He-man & co. fight off some bad guy, and that’s when they take him in. Alternatively, if Orko does loose his wand saving Adam, then he becomes Keldor’s apprentice. Because Orko’s unable to return to Trolla, he’s pretty much lost everything. Being Keldor’s apprentice would create a sense of belonging that he doesn’t have in the OG timeline, so I think he would cling to that as much as he can. He wears purple and makes a lot of friendship bracelets. Too many. Keldor wears one but Orko wears about twenty. Keldor is known to get /very/ annoyed with those who speak ill of his apprentice.

About He-man, Keldor would be constantly getting closer to finding out Adam’s secret. Keldor strikes me as someone very observant, and he’d pick up that something strange was going on once Adam started running away from battles. Furthermore, he’d be interested in this “He-man” who appeared out of nowhere. Keldor already knows that Grayskull is a powerful place, and is familiar with the Sorceress’s existence (although he has never personally met her). He also knows that He-man is tied to Grayskull in some way, and he also knows that Man-at-arms knows much more than he is letting on, though what exactly Keldor can’t say. If Orko finds out, add that his apprentice who never shuts up is successfully keeping something from him and Keldor is more than ready to play detective and try to put together all the pieces of the puzzle.

Now for the Evil warriors. Keldor never brings them together as a group, obviously.

Evil-Lyn, just known as Lyn in this timeline, would be Guardian of the Ram Stone, possibly taking the place of her father the Faceless One. When she met Keldor in the series, I feel like she was in an experimental stage in her life and was trying to find her purpose. If she had never met Keldor, she might have eventually returned to Zalesia. I when she returned, the Faceless One would decide to “fade away” and give her control over the temple. Which means, assuming she got the Havoc Staff from her father and gave it to Keldor, or that Keldor stole it from the temple, she might wield the Havoc Staff. Seeing as she lives in a giant ram temple and has a ram staff and guards the Ram Stone, she has ram-themed clothes too. I’m thinking a cool helmet with horns that come down around her face, and ram-themed gauntlets. Because she’s not cursed like the Faceless One, she’s able to leave the temple, but she mostly keeps to herself and her magic books. She’s constantly improving and gaining more power, and she is a very formidable opponent in battle. Because Evil-lyn is the best, of course she and Keldor have to work together for some reason and she becomes like his right-hand man and they’re an awesome team and I love them, okay?

Beastman, idk. He terrorizes villagers or something. Without Skeletor funding his endless menagerie of pets or using Beastman’s talents to raise endless armies of creatures from distant lands, I don’t think he’d be able to amass too much power. He’s dangerous, but he doesn’t have any grand schemes for destruction or anything.

Mer-man is living the dream. He’s king of the ocean and does not have to serve Skeletor. His hobbies are opposing Randor’s rule. Relations between Mer-man and Randor’s kingdoms are tense at best, outright war at worst.

Tri-clops is interesting…He’s kind of the “noble” bad guy, so I don’t think it’s far fetched to assume he might end up fighting alongside He-man and Keldor. You get the sense that he doesn’t have a passion for getting power and working for Skeletor, but that it’s a job to him, like he’s been bound by his word to serve Skeletor or something. The same might happen to Keldor, where Keldor saves his life and he pledges fealty to Keldor and becomes his bodyguard. Keldor doesn’t treat Tri-clops as a servant and instead he becomes one of his closest friends. Tri-clops and Teela also work close together and get along well, almost like an brother-sister relationship. If he gets his cyborg eyes it’s because Man-at-arms builds something for him, but it’s also cool if he’s blind and just so good with sword-fighting he doesn’t need eyes. He and Keldor develop feelings for each other, and everyone ships it long before they kiss.

Trap-jaw is leader of a thriving gang in Eternos. Maybe he has Clawful employed. Because he never lost his arm and jaw under the employment of Keldor, he’s known as Kronis. He’s started building new weapons to terrorize citizens and keep the guards on their toes.

[nimboss]

you post a lot of frogs from shows and games but what character would you identify with? it don't have to be a frog necessarily

Hmm, alright. Other characters that I find interesting and identify with (be it from videogames or other medium) are the following:

Adelbert Steiner (Final Fantasy IX)

Brave and with strong senses of duty, loyalty and honor. He’s one of the few characters in FFIX that changes the most throughout the adventure. Can be very funny at times, but his personality is very inspiring and leads to some awesome character development later on. Having to choose between loyalty to his kingdom or fighting for his own wishes, he’s a man of many contrasts and interesting turns of character. Also, I like his design quite a lot.

Squall Leonheart (Final Fantasy VIII)

Cold, aloof and uncaring on the outside, but a raging storm of doubt in the inside. He’s a very human character in a setting full of technological marvels and magic wonders all around. Can come off as a very typical JRPG character, but I guess that was done on purpose to accentuate his internal struggle. His design is incredible.

Tidus (Final Fantasy X)

Full of energy and confidence, I think people get him wrong sometimes. His initial struggle in the story makes him very relatable to the player, as both walk together discovering the world of Spira, one mistake at a time. I like his design and his energetic personality. He sticks out among the cast of the same game simply because he’s, initially, like a kid among adults, and you can watch him slowly grow to be like them by learning the teachings and customs of Spira, but, at the same time, he also leaves some of his own teachings and views inside everyone else hearts.

The Hero/Descendant of Roto (Dragon Quest I)

Very different from other heroes from modern JRPGS. Unlike those, the hero doesn’t have a huge party of friends and acquaintances ready to help him on his quest, but instead, he goes alone on his journey to rescue the princes from the evil Dragon Lord. I like the fact that he’s a sort of magic knight, because he’s proficient with both combat and magic spells, being able to send formidable fire, lightning and healing spells, and wielding the most powerful weapon in the series: The Sword of Roto. He’s a powerful one man army and i would be glad to play another game with a similar protagonist like him.

Crocodine (Dragon Quest: Dai no Daibouken)

Not only he looks imposing and powerful as hell, he’s one of the most interesting characters in the anime/manga series. He starts as the commander of the Beast Forces of the Demon King’s Army and goes to become the first villain Dai and his friends have to face. He later changes sides when he discovers the true power, compassion and loyalty of human beings compared to beats and monsters and decides that his strength and skills are better invested in aiding the humans he deemed worthy of his abilities. His development as a character consist on him understand his worth as a warrior, a guardian and as a living being, and wondering was his place in a world that deems him a monstrosity that should be feared and destroyed. He’s a longtime favorite of mine. A lot of the things I draw, write and get inspiration from comes from this characters and Dai no Daibouken in general.

Pop (Dragon Quest: Dai no Daibouken)

A cowardly mage that grew to become one of the most powerful wizards in Dai no Dabouken. He starts the adventure as a scummy and coward mage that had no qualms in leaving behind friends or people in need to save himself and do whatever was needed to get a job done, no matter how immoral it was. He later grows to become a very brave, loyal and powerful wizard, ready to jump to the frontlines and always willing to risk his life for the well being of others. He’s the character that demonstrates Crocodine that, even if humans can be weak and filled with fear, they can stand up to their foes, stick to their friends and risk everything to save those in need, no matter who those persons might be. He is also the reason Crocodine switched sides with them. Both have a good friendship based on mutual respect and admiration. Another longtime favorite of mine.

Wander (Shadow of the Colossus)

A warrior that fights giants, what’s not to like?. He’s just a character that I respect a lot, because everything he does in Shadow of the Colossus was so his loved one could come back to life. Not caring if he’s just chasing a legend, and not caring if he has to topple walking, breathing mountains to the ground to attain his goal. With only a sword, a bow and a good steed on his arsenal, he’s an incredibly brave, agile and skilled warrior at heart.

Komamura Sajin (Bleach)

Another character with a strong sense of justice, duty and loyalty. He’s the captain of the 7th division of the Gotei 13, a group of shinigami that protect the afterlife in the Bleach universe. He starts out as a very mysterious character, wearing a helmet that covered his head, speaking very little and not entering conflict unless necessary. He used the helmet due to his fear of rejection of others for being a beast among men, and shame because his transformation was deemed a curse by his family. I like him because of his design, his calm but passionate personality and because he has one of the coolest bankai in the series.

Heart (Omae Umasou da na)

A tyrannosaurus rex that was found by a female Maiasaura and raised alongside his step brother Light and a herd of herbivores. As he grows up, he starts to shun herbs because they are nasty to him and instead craves something with more flavor, but he’s not sure what that is. He later finds out meat is delicious and that is the only thing that truly satisfies his predator hunger, and decides to run away from home. He then lives alone until adulthood, away from everyone and training his weak body to be on par with other tyrannosaurus on the open plains. Unlike most Disneyfied stories out there, where a character like Heart would overcome his nature and become an herbivore tyrannosaurus, Heart’s struggle lies in the fact that he can’t fight his own nature and what it is, and he escapes from his family before his predator instincts make him kill them to sate his hunger. His voice, personality, simple design and movie itself are all fantastic.

These are some of the non frog characters that I like the most. There’s tons more that I admire and like, but I’ll save those characters for another post.

[mdwatchestv]

Dirk Gently 2x01: Have You Noticed an Acceleration of Strangeness in Your Life?

It was over a year ago now that I started this blog project, and what better milestone to commemorate that achievement than season 2 of Dirk Gently! This is my first season two! To prepare for this momentous post, and to also attempt to remember what happened on season 1, I went back and read all my Dirk season one posts. What a journey we all went on together that first season, from letting Samuel Barnett into our hearts, to falling in with kitten only to lose it in the woods. If you want to relive any of that (and see some truly excellent gifs) click here. I also think my writing has come a long way since then, has it? Right? Hasn't it? You know what, maybe don't answer that.

But this post isn't a desperate plea for validation (well I mean it IS sort of) it's a post about DIRK GENTLY'S HOLISTIC DETECTIVE AGENCY SEASON TWO! Season one of this show turned out to be genuinely clever and charming to boot. It managed to balance a tricky plot-line (involving murder, time-travel, and soul-swapping) with sincerely emotional storytelling, all while juggling a cast of endless colorful characters and without sacrificing its sense of fun. That was a lot, but this show is a lot. And it's sustained successful execution of all those elements is what made last season sing. But that was then, this is now. We have a new story, new characters, and possibly new dimensions to deal with. Whether this show will be able to continue its deft balancing act remains to be seen.

We open season two in the fantasy land of "Wendimoor" (had to look that up). Your classic forest-based magical realm that is host to warriors wielding scissor-swords, and handsome rogues. Regular. This land is home to Panto Trost (had to look that up) aka ole pink hair, and his paramour Silas Dengdamor (ditto) who seems to be some sort of authority figure, perhaps a king? A duke? A lord? If the show gave this information I was not paying close enough attention to discern it. Anyway the land is in trouble and Silas charges his boo Panto with finding Dirk Gently in order to save the day. Already there are questions. Is this a parallel universe? A dream? Another dimension? Just some really enthusiastic LARP-ers? Who knows.

Moving on we pick up with Dirk (and god help me, I missed him), who at the end of last season was captured by the Blackwing project guys, now headed by Friedkin after the death of his predecessor. Friedkin is convinced that Dirk's psychic ability is literal rather than holistic, and forces him to perform a series of tests which Dirk spends his days failing. Also at Blackwing is hapless Ken, who Friedkin is sure must possess some sort of powers due to his longtime survival at the side of Bart (apparently still on the loose). With Ken in his taxi cab prison, is RAPUNZEL THE CORGI! Safe and sound, as adorable as ever. Also of note at Blackwing is an old guy in a coma who was Dirk's assistant pre-coma. Feels like a lot of expositional foreshadowing here. Maybe for a flashback? I hope so, I am particularly keen on flashbacks. During these scenes Friedkin also lets drop that there are a number of other Blackwing subjects who remain on the lamb, including a shapeshifter. This is a foreshadowing.

Last season I always thought Dustin Milligan didn't have to enough to do as Friedkin, but now that the character seems to be taking center stage, I feel like they have given him too much. If Friedkin is going to be the Big Bad this scene, I'm already over it. Dirk Gently is filled with over-the-top characters, but they are all grounded with an emotional center. Yes Bart is a psychotic killer, but she is also a lifelong loner experiencing her first foray into friendship. I don't have to tell you why you love Bart, you know already in your heart. But Friedkin has yet to develop a sympathetic, or at least understandable, core and I'm finding the aggressive stupidity act boring. The show has set a high bar for character, and for a season already introducing a bevy of new ones, this one is falling short.

And let's talk about these new characters. The Blackwing plotline is but one thread of a very complex episode one tapestry. Elsewhere we are introduced to Suzie (Amanda Walsh), an unhappily married and mothered woman with a limp who works as a receptionist at a quarry (?) or construction (?) facility (?). Unclear. Her world is rocked, as so many of our worlds have been, when John Hannah rolls up into her life as a wizard/crook/hitman/lounge singer. Hannah murders her boss, and then leaves poor Suzie to be dealt with by his gang/compatriots/clean up crew. This classic bad-guy gang unsuccessfully attempt to cast a spell on Suz, with what is decidedly a magic wand and spell book. Things look bad for our new friend Amanda Walsh as the goons decide to eschew magic in favor of reliable guns and bullets. But luckily holistic assassin Bart roles in on a bicycle and wave of blood to kill everyone. Yay! Bart uncharacteristically spares Suzie, hoping to make a new friend to replace Ken, but then spirals out as she wars with her unfamiliar desire to be merciful and seek companionship. (How did Ken and Bart get separated? Why isn't she trying to save him? Questions). Frightened, Suzie casts the same spell the thugs tried to set on her, but to greater effect. Bart vanishes. Suzie is now a witch. I dream of this day of transformation and discovery in my own life. Where did Bart go? Perhaps to scissor-sword land? We'll see.

We also have MORE new characters including Tyler Labine's easy-going sheriff who seems like he wandered out of Fargo to be with us, and his high functioning alcoholic deputy. All the finest supporting cast Canada has to offer, and we haven't even been introduced to Alan Tudyk yet. This is a lot of new characters ya'll, and I haven't even finished my check-in with the ogs. 

Hannah Marks now has a pretty punk rock undercut plus even heavier black eye make up. I'm into it. She's hanging with the only free member of the Rowdy 3, plotting to get the gang back together. Do your thing girl, and shut up math. 

Finally I saved the adventures of Todd and Farah for last, because their story seems to be the emotional plot trunk of this mighty oak of an episode. After the events of last season Todd has essentially lost everything, his job, his health, his relationship with his sister, and now the purpose given to him through his relationship with Dirk. Now he and the ever-loyal Farah are on an increasingly desperate mission to try and rescue Dirk (as well as Todd's sense of self-worth). Whether on faith or by sheer necessity, Todd is convinced that everything really is connected and that the universe will provide. And hey he did find an abandoned mansion, a wet wall, and a car in a tree, so I'd venture to say he may be on to something.

I said finally too soon, there is one more major plot thing that happened this episode. Per Friedkins (and this blogs) earlier foreshadowing, the escaped Blackwing shapeshifter does in fact make herself known. Her journey through the secret base as a piece of paper, race car, and bubble was my favorite part of the episode. That kind of knowing whimsy, when the show is able to achieve it, is what makes it so uniquely enjoyable. Anyway this frighteningly-eyeballed lass charges Dirk to "Find the boy" before disappearing them both.

The first episode set up a lot, like a lot a lot. There are at least three distinct driving 'quests': pink-hair's search for Dirk, Todd and Farah's search for Dirk, and Dirk's search for "the boy". There are a number of intersecting secondary plots (including, you guessed it, more searching), as well as a healthy peppering of fresh faces. Dirk Gently proved in the past that it is more than capable of handling unwieldy plot while servicing multiple complex characters, but I can't help feeling wary after this first outing. At this point in the series I don't need to be impressed with bells and whistles, the first season generated enough interest in the core cast of characters an episode that simply serviced them would have been satisfying enough as an opener. 

But there were episodes last season that seemed to throw out more  ideas than seemed wise, only to carefully and thoroughly pick through them in later episodes. I remain cautiously optimistic, and look forward to corgis, witches, and (dare I dream?) for another kitten. 

And of course:

CORGI WATCH:

Doing a-okay. All things considered.

XO MD

P.S. That teaser for the season gave kind of A LOT away, don't you think?

[swipestream]

New Release Roundup, 24 November 2018: Fantasy and Adventure

Samurai struggle with honor in civil war, dragons soar over nuclear wastelands, and Louis L’Amour, Andre Norton, and David Drake return in this roundup of the newest releases in fantasy and adventure fiction.

Blade of Retribution (Blood Samurai #3) – Lynn Francis 

An emperor’s wraith from the grave that would see the fall of a dynasty and the rise of the samurai.

At great cost to his soul and sanity, Riku believes he has the demon Sutoku under control. With the aid of the witch Takiyasha hime the demon Sutoku is no longer a separate presence but a part of Riku – a part that demands the blood of those he seeks his vengeance upon.

The war that had been brewing has been in stalemate and a supernatural famine is tearing apart the land. Before it reaches it’s breaking point the Taira move against the Minamoto and the Minamoto will be ready.

For they have also made a pack for power and as betrayal after betrayal comes, the dark forces that threaten to consume the land grow stronger and stronger.

Will Riku be able to overcome his past and stop both his and his country’s descent into madness?

Cirsova: Heroic Fantasy and Science Fiction #10 – edited by Cirsova Publishing

Cirsova Magazine is for readers who want exciting tales of daring heroes up against impossible odds in exotic settings. It’s also for authors of adventure SFF.

Novelette

Crying in the Salt House, by B. Morris Allen

Short Stories

Jeopardy Off Jupiter IV, by Spencer E. Hart

The Best Workout, by Frederick Gero Heimbach

A Song in Deepest Darkness, by Jason Ray Carney

Amsel the Immortal, by Lauren Goff

An Interrupted Scandal, by Misha Burnett

The Sword of the Mongoose, by Jim Breyfogle

When Gods Fall in Fire, by Brian K. Lowe

Poetry

My Name is John Carter (Part 7), by James Hutchings

Dragon Mage – Andre Norton and Jean Rabe

Shy realizes that she is lucky to be taken in by her grandparents after her father dies–but life above an antique store in Slade’s Corners, Wisconsin is not exactly the place a teenage girl wants to be.

One day while going through boxes of her father’s boyhood stuff, she comes upon a rare old set of dragon puzzles … all of which are missing pieces. Her grandmother recalls the fantastic tales Shy’s father would tell about his travels to lands of dragons and adventure. She always thought that these fantasies were inspired by the puzzles Shy has found.

Shy realizes that by mixing and matching the different sets she can complete a single dragon puzzle that combines all of the others. Upon doing so she is whisked away to ancient Babylon where she must continue the duties of her father’s legacy as a servant to the dragon and a savior of the world.

  Iron Garland (Harbinger #3) – Jeff Wheeler 

For three years, Sera Fitzempress has been a pawn in a gilded prison—the floating manor of Pavenham Sky. Disgraced and exiled from society, she has been isolated from the downtrodden she’s determined to liberate. But although Sera may seem subservient on the outside, the stubborn princess has only become emboldened.

Now in charge of her family’s estate, Cettie Pratt has grown into an independent young woman, although she continues to be tested by the high society of the clouds. Advancing in the magic of the Mysteries, Cettie is also a useful tool of defense during turbulent times. However, as more of Cettie’s mysterious past comes to light, her greatest challenge may be a reckless stranger with a dark secret.

The fog of war is drawing in, and with it comes a startling new enemy who may unravel secrets that both women would prefer stay hidden. But their secrets may be the only way to stop the coming darkness…

The Minstrel and the Mercenary – David Scoles 

For Dafydd ap Gwilym, Welsh poet and minstrel, a life composing poems of chivalry and courtly love while enjoying the patronage of the Black Prince of Wales felt like the dream of every poor second son – until he found himself caught up in the siege of Caen and needed to be rescued by the dangerous Radu the Black, a hardened mercenary of Transylvania.

Forced into an unlikely partnership by the King of England, Gwilym and Radu must solve a murder while hunting down a band of killers led by a mercenary known only as the Nachzehrer, but there is more to this murder than Gwilym suspects…

The fate of Europe is the balance as Radu and Gwilym race to uncover a conspiracy, but can a minstrel and a mercenary find a way to trust one another even as the past comes back to haunt them both?

No Traveller Returns (Louis L’Amour’s Lost Treasures #2) – Louis L’Amour and Beau L’Amour

As the shadows of World War II gather, the SS Lichenfield is westbound across the Pacific carrying eighty thousand barrels of highly explosive naphtha. The cargo alone makes the journey perilous, with the entire crew aware that one careless moment could lead to disaster.

But yet another sort of peril haunts the Lichenfield. Even beyond their day-to-day existence, the lives of the crew are mysteriously intertwined. Though each has his own history, dreams and jealousies, longing and rage, all are connected by a deadly web of chance and circumstance.

Some are desperately fleeing the past; others chase an unknown destiny. A few are driven by the desire for adventure, while their shipmates cling to the Lichenfield as their only true home. In their hearts, these men, as well as the women and children they have left behind, carry the seeds of salvation or destruction. And all of them—kind or cruel, strong or broken—are bound to the fate of the vessel that carries them toward an ever-darkening horizon.

Radioactive Evolution – Richard Hummel

How far would you go to change humanity’s fate?

Jared Cartwright has spent the last two years delving into the twisted, scarred wastelands of an earth ravaged by nuclear war. The rich and powerful have taken to the oceans and skies on floating utopias, escaping destruction and leaving the rest of humanity to fend off the mutated creatures that roam the earth.

To face his new reality, Jared must become an apex predator if he hopes to survive. He must evolve beyond human limitations to confront those that left mankind to die.

Jared’s quest takes a new turn when he discovers dragons are real.

Red Skies (The Valens Legacy #11) – Jan Stryvant

With the President on his side and the failure of the Vestibulum’s last-ditch attempt to stop him, it seems that Sean’s goal is almost complete. Until, that is, the First moves up Sean’s timetable to deal with Canada and Mexico. Also it seems that a group in Congress is starting to push back against the President’s executive order, but no one really seems to know why. Or even who’s behind it.

Canada proves to be full of unexpected surprises, but when events start heating up in Washington D.C., Sean is forced to switch gears and reassess his priorities. Things are not always what they seem, of course, and things that didn’t make sense before start to take on an ominous meaning as Sean begins to learn about the real enemy that he is facing.

And he’ll be facing them much sooner than anyone suspected.

The Spark (Time of Heroes #1) – David Drake

In the time of the Ancients the universe was united—but that was so far in the past that not even memory remains, only the broken artifacts that a few Makers can reshape into their original uses. What survives is shattered into enclaves—some tiny, some ruined, some wild.

Into the gaps between settlements, and onto the Road that connects all human reality and the reality that is not human and may never have been human, have crept monsters. Some creatures are men, twisted into inhuman evil; some of them are alien to Mankind—and there are things which are hostile to all life, things which will raven and kill until they are stopped.

A Leader has arisen, welding the scattered human settlements together in peace and safety and smashing the enemies of order with an iron fist. In his capital, Dun Add, the Leader provides law and justice. In the universe beyond, his Champions advance—and enforce—the return of civilization.

Pal, a youth from the sticks, has come to Dun Add to become a Champion. Pal is a bit of a Maker, and in his rural home he’s been able to think of himself as a warrior because he can wield the weapons of the Ancient civilization. Pal has no idea of what he’s really getting into in Dun Add. On the other hand, the Leader and Dun Add have no real idea of what might be inside this hayseed with high hopes.

Web of Eyes (Buried Goddess Saga #1) – Rhett C. Bruno and Jaime Castle 

The kingdom’s only hope against evil is a rotten thief.

Self-proclaimed “World’s Greatest Thief”, Whitney Fierstown, has yet to find a trinket or treasure he couldn’t steal. He nearly pulls off the heist of the century by snatching the Glass Crown off the dying king’s head until rotten luck throws him into the path of Torsten Unger, a steadfast knight determined to save his vulnerable kingdom.

Torsten offers this ultimatum: rot and die in a dank cell or join him on a dangerous expedition and put his skills to good use. The Queen’s treasonous brother has cursed the Crown Prince by taking a piece of his soul and hiding it in the haunted Webbed Woods. Only a master thief can steal it back.

Rebellion building in the south. Madness seated upon the throne. Famine and death spreading throughout the land. The kingdom is in peril.

If this unlikely pair is to thwart their devious target, save the prince, and survive the horrifying monster lurking in the darkness, they must first put aside their differences…or die trying.

New Release Roundup, 24 November 2018: Fantasy and Adventure published first on https://medium.com/@ReloadedPCGames