#lord raijin

[jaydraw209]

Have sketches for an AU wip.

It's basically a what if the Earthrealm Gods could have Yokai-like appearance.

I was inspired by this post.

[bloody-arty-myths]

After Raijin‘s visit to Earthrealm

*Raiden is comforting Fujin*

Raiden: Stop crying because it’s over. Start smiling because Raijin is someone else‘s problem now. :)

[oliveraiku]

mind full of Zantetsu today

[artistic-kombat-and-mythology]

My beloveds💕

[1-up-chump]

HE IS AND HE'S THE BEST SECOND ONLY TO DEFENDERS OF THE REALM RAIDEN

CONQUEST RAIDEN CAN NOT BE REAL

[xx-psych0-rabbit-xx]

anyways heres some misc jamba cult info from the japanese version of star allies the official translation removed/changed the meaning of i found a couple days back (fan translations can be found here)

-this is implied but misworded in english, the jamba cult worships dark matter rather than be masters of it (this is prob why gooey gets positive nickname privileges from zan on twitter)

-the magic n science ancients old relationship prior to the magic clans ban is explicitly positive in japanese

-english hyness says magic overcame science n reached prosperity, japanese says science n magic could only reach prosperity when together

-for wtv reason, english replaced one of the mentions of the "book of legends" (the book abt void hyness has) w talking abt ambiguous ancient scrolls instead...?

-theres some references to a paradise void will destroy in the japanese screens w that one cult prayer that were cut from english (the second n fourth ones specifically iirc), the sisters guest star screens make references to paradise as well, make of that what you will regarding the religious side of the cult

-most if not all instances of void being called dark lord r used to censor out void being called god/god of destruction in the original version

-pon & cons japanese title (a-un guardian beasts) is a reference to a buddhist concept of beginning n ending, the pause screen states they surrendered to the enemy n thats why theyre doing guard work there, rather than they became cultists off screen between games like one might assume

-japanese hyness uses ~ when talking a lot, while most ppl associate that w a character having a sweet cute voice tone, for him it likely just indicates he tends to drag out the end of words a lot

-fully removed from english, hyness has a complex abt his face, which is why its so well covered

-zans second boss screen in english credits her loyalty to hyness' intoxicating charisma n her sense of duty, while japanese later does canonize she has a strong sense of duty in a different screen, it instead says for the second boss she feels indebted he took her in n is also "enamoured" by his charisma n "admires him from within the heart", quoting the used wording bc i think shes both adorable n so deeply worrisome

-weve all heard the english translation censored zan being heavily implied to have attempted suicide n being saved by hyness after it fails (succeeds?) after shes struck by lightning n nearly dies/gets bought back by him.wtv take on hyness saving the mages you prefer

-zan is never called the eldest of the sisters in the original, just the chief of the trio

-hyness misremembers zans name as zan paruru, a pun on the japanese word for forgotten (wasuraruru), that same pun is used for her boss themes title

-one of zans attacks in japanese is named after the "thunder candies" (type of wagashi) found in kaminarimon, where a statue of the shinto thunder god raijin is found, zans drums used during that same attack r literally based on raijins own drums

-zans first boss screen claims she toys w her enemies through her quick attacks rather than render them helpless like prey.just mentioning bc thats silly n has a slightly new show of her personality that line up w her depiction on the official twitter in a way

-flamberge wasnt taking a break in her second boss fight she was just slacking off n picked a nice star/planet on purpose for that.thats funny of her so its justified

-flamberge calls francisca kiss-chan in japanese, this is the same nickname zan gives her in japanese thats officially translated as franny

-this isnt mentioned in the documents but im bringing it up bc its funny.that part of HIAD where francisca calls flamberge "miss flamberge" was just flamberge-san in jp, -san is just a polite honorific to use that isnt immediately translated to miss/mister, specially if the characters know each other.why did they make it that lmao

-japanese explicitly says too much heat might straight up make francisca melt (english also implies that tbf)

-francisca dislikes "pointless murder", but is fine freezing ppl n keeping them for her collection if she deems them an enemy

-hyness' japanese title can be read as both mage priest n devil priest

-the sisters titles all have a reoccurring use of ice blossom, hellfire n thunder fang respectively, n theyre called the demon generals instead of mage sisters

-HIAD hyness' title fell priest has a reference to fallen angels.i feel thats giving pre corruption hyness too much personality credit but alright

-void is refered to both as devil n angel in different forms titles.this is awesome

-theres a kanji for hope thats associated w the jamba cult throughout the whole game

-the japanese guest star screens for the mages say theyre no longer praying n r seeking a new paradise together, for whatever reason, english completely removes the no longer praying part, completely losing the meaning of the sentence n development the sisters have (interestingly, hyness is mentioned in those n still called their master, n zans description straight up states she wants him to watch her triumph (translated officially as her wanting to make him proud), so its not actually explained if they disbanded the cult or theyre just.some kind of normal religion now? but theyre atleast touching grass now)

todays conclusion is the KSA translators just hate us 👍 check the linked fan translation for more examples of that

[whysosincere]

Leverage - MK11 Self Insert Fiction

Lord Raiden, god of thunder and protector of Earthrealm, has betrayed a fatal weakness; one that the nefarious sorcerer Shang Tsung seeks to capitalize upon. A self-insert fic inspired by Mortal Kombat 11 featuring Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa as Shang Tsung, and Todd Dakins/Richard Epcar as Lord Raiden.

Characters: Lord Raiden (MK11), Shang Tsung (MK11), Female OC/Self-Insert

Chapter 1: Evening in Nara

It is late afternoon in the ancient Japanese capital of Nara when the clouds begin rolling in. There's a distant rumble of thunder, and in a secluded alley, far from the ancient temples of Todai-ji and Nigatsu-do, a lone tourist walks the stone pathways. It is Y/N, and she has just completed meditation among the blooming irises of one of Nara's oldest public gardens. As the first drops of rain begin to dampen her clothes, she quickens her pace, knowing her hotel is still a decent distance away.

Unbothered by the approaching rain, she smiles briefly at the rumbling storm clouds as one might an old friend. The supple curve of her neck and tilt of her jaw from this motion do not go unnoticed. Unbeknownst to Y/N, numerous eyes had been keeping her in their sights since her arrival. She continued on her way, heedless of the danger that had begun brewing in the shadows of the city, and ignorant of the observations of an old acquaintance.

It is said that the crack and roll of thunder is caused by the beating of numerous taiko drums in the heavens; an invocation and performance by the thunder god himself. He held many names: Indra, Zeus, and Taranis were just a few from across the globe. The Japanese had bestowed the titles of Kaminari, Raijin, and during this degenerate age, many had come to know him as Raiden. In truth, this storm was not his performance, but instead the subconscious apprehension of his heart, given form and sound in the roiling clouds that swept over the mountain peaks.

The thunder deity had been watching Y/N from afar, his eyes filled with an intensity that the approaching storm could not match. His eyes flash, and his grimace intensifies as he watches the woman weave around the primitive utility poles and take advantage of the rain-blocking eaves along her path. He knew her from his brief tenure with the American military during Outworld's previous invasion attempt. While he hadn't worked directly with her, her very presence had impressed him. The unmistakable aura of valor and courage that all of his Order of Light shared, had manifested in her. Though to him, this event seemed as recent as one might consider the life of a single stick of burning incense, Raiden knew for a mortal, it must've seemed ages past. This is why he had cautioned his brother so sincerely against involvement with mortal lives – The spark of interest she had kindled had left an indelible mark on his soul, but time had slipped effortlessly away without him realizing.

When it had come to blows, Fujin had rightfully pointed out his hypocrisy – Liu Kang and Kung Lao may as well have been his children the way that he lavished them with attention. That attention stretched time for him, slowing what should have been a moment, into years of training, camaraderie, and perhaps something akin to paternal love – at least that's what Fujin had alleged through a furious gale of blades. Raiden had called him a fool. In truth, he had been fighting with himself – his brother Fujin simply caught in the conflict. For especially now, such a title rightfully belonged to him.

The sight of her brought him back to that tumultuous argument. His heart ached at the memory, and his hands of flesh and bone tightened into fists. Originally created for the purpose of participating in Mortal Kombat, he had not intended this human body of his to remain for as long as it had. This body of his was simply a tool, he had lied. One that he would discard as soon as its usefulness had expired. That is what he had told himself lifetimes ago… Now this heart of his beat faster as he observed the scene below, his eyes never leaving Y/N's graceful form as she moved through the city.

One other gaze observed these motions with equal intensity, but unlike the distracted attentions of Lord Raiden, this stalking creature was fully aware that his quarry was under careful scrutiny. If he acted without proper caution, the game would be up before it had even begun.

The sorcerer Shang Tsung was never without his contingencies. Never found lacking in ways to slip the grasps of fate. And now as he enjoyed an extended reprieve from the beckoning of his master Shao Kahn, and the incessant meddling of Earthrealm's champion Liu Kang, he had detected an amusing inflection in the humors of the skies. One that, should he apply proper leverage to, might remove the most vexing of obstacles from his plans. Lord Raiden had fallen victim to his own hubris: He was in love.

[supermeiko]

I'm pissed that this farmer Raiden's clothes have lining! The hurdles for cosplaying are too high, and most importantly, my farmer Raiden costume doesn't have lining yet. By the way, aren't you curious about the pattern of this lining? It has a complicated pattern and looks like a Japanese pattern. I extracted the images by data mining as usual.

It's unclear, but it's a Japanese painting. And it is strange that it is used even though it is not repeated. Although I am Japanese, I only understand a small part of Japanese history. However, just last year, Japan's national broadcaster broadcast ``The 13 Lords of the Shogun,'' so I understood what scene this painting was depicting. After reading some of the kanji, I managed to discover this!

Kuniyoshi's work: Minamoto no Yoritomo's memorial service to the Great Buddha

Despite Raiden's Japanese name, he probably has mostly Chinese elements. However, the fact that he used Japan as a lining gives the impression that he wanted to have Japanese roots.

As for why I chose this ukiyo-e rather than the ukiyo-e of Raijin or Katsushika Hokusai, I think it was probably a poor choice by NRS. It's because I can't really feel any elements of Yoritomo in Raiden.

[crepes-suzette-373]

Garuda, Judge, Germa 66, The Divine

@sangerie Perfect timing that you bring up Garuda in your reply, because I remembered a while ago that I didn't check what Judge's current belt looks like when I made that other post and I was just about to make a new post about my findings.

---

I messed up and completely forgot to check when I made that other post. That was just more of an idle thought, though, not something I really wanted to analyse or make theories out of. This one is the (conspiracy) theory/analysis post.

Artistically this is big enough difference that I cannot chalk it off as "simplification/wonky artwork because of image size":

Plus, the "simpler" shape from the MADS flashbacks would be drawn long after the WCI arc. So this has to be a purposeful change on sensei's part.

What was it beforehand and why the change? What is the newer shape supposed to be?

So anyway, that realisation prompted me to look into Karura (the Japanese interpretation of Garuda) because I thought the current belt shape looks like the helmet Judge is wearing, which in turn vaguely reminds me of headdresses in Buddhist gods' statuary.

I think there could be connection between the two in terms of design:

Like, his hair could look reminiscent of the Karura's "fire halo".

The Karura in Japan is a being who is heavily associated with flames (which happens to also look like number 6 spirals in the statue, very interestingly). Some Buddhist teaching even say the Karura either manifests itself as flames, or lends its flames in support to other deities.

Karura's "fire halo" behind Fudou Myou'ou:

This I find to be even more curious, because in the first place Garuda is divine being, and Garuda's "holy flame" is something that purifies evil. Judge seems to be awful in every way, so why give him a nickname that's based on a holy being? Is this just irony, or is this a hint that there's something weird going on that has yet to be revealed? (something in their ancient history?)

Also, about the "69" in the skull's eyes. Even Sanji's Stealth Black/Osoba Mask belt has that "69" element, even if it's in the little wings on the sides and not the skull's eyes. Is that symbol so important that it needs to be everywhere? (to sangerie, if you see this: Niji's belt still has that 69, even much later in the cover story, it just sometimes look wonky in the art because it's too small)

That symbol is known in Japan as "two tomoe" (considered different from yin yang by the Japanese). A tomoe is that comma like shape, and the Germa one is specifically the "right curling" one, because there are versions of it that goes the opposite direction.

A tomoe is also a divine symbol, so it's very frequently seen as the "crest" of shrines. Funnily enough the origin of the tomoe symbol is actually water, but I'm not sure if sensei would go out of his way to research that. If he was using this as a purposeful symbol I feel like he's using it more in the generic divine/shrine related usage.

It's a symbol you see in the drums used by the the Raijin (god of thunder), which also was the design inspiration for Enel.

Interesting thunder/lightning connection there. It's 3, though, and not 2, so I'm not sure if this means anything.

You see that exact symbol with just two in Wano, though it's turned 90 degrees anticlockwise:

I have wondered multiple times if the Vinsmokes have connection to Wano in their past. Even literally just a few hours ago I made a post mentioning the same thing. I always worry that I'm making too deep of a reach, but every now and then I still wonder.

It also has historical connection in Japan, since a two tomoe design is a common samurai crest. I highly doubt it's related to this, but that exact "69" shaped crest is the crest strongly associated with the 47 Ronin.

The interesting thing about the 47 Ronin is that even though they're typically celebrated as heroes who defeated an evil lord even to this day, by historical accounts the 47 ronin were actually the ones in the wrong and the guy they had revenge on wasn't a tyrant or corrupt official. Still, I don't think this has any relevance.

I mean, there's nothing about Germa that suggests that "they seem evil, but actually they're secretly good".

I will admit there is a part of me that is developing a suspicion that there could be a random twist where Germa's whole point was "their motivation/end goal is not bad, but their methods is what's really absolutely disgusting" for various reasons. As in, what if their desire to conquer the North Blue is not just for greed or power, but for a bigger goal beyond it, and this "bigger goal" might not be entirely bad.

I doubt it, because so far everything that we've been shown is just nasty. I'm just automatically suspicious because the World Government labelled them evil, and I don't trust WG.

It could just be something like "they're so evil, that even demons are disgusted", though.

[gasha40k]

Recently I’ve been trying to focus on getting through my incomprehensibly massive amount of unpainted models, so here’s another quick little painting update.

Missile launcher bro thinks he’s part of the team meanwhile it’s a completely illegal model

Our first little squad of Berzerkers is coming into shape! I’ve got a bit more painting to do before this squad is done, but everyone’s got their trim, at the very least. Most of them also have red, which, when combined with the brass trim and the black primer, technically counts as battle-ready, since it is 3 different colors. Does this mean I can put them on the tabletop and play with them? Not without feeling ashamed of myself for never painting, no!

Brother Kardon the Eternal, veteran of the Long War, possibly over 10,000 years old. So old and presumably powerful that he could easily be a Chaos Lord if he wanted to, but is so dedicated to killing at all times that he can’t be fucked to actually lead anything

Wally is one of my better minis, I think. He’s a tame but distinct kitbash and a fun way to pay homage to the ugly ass past of the World Eaters. He’s also one of the better painted models that I own. This, I think, is for two reasons: I changed how I use washes, and I started thinning my paints more.

Firstly, I finally ditched the fucking Nuln Oil. The new formula is garbage and doesn’t look good on anything except for metal. Deeply disappointing! But being left with no go-to wash left me wanting, so I’ve made the switch to Agrax Earthshade. Agrax Earthshade is magic. With almost every one of my models, I’ve been finishing their base colors and then promptly slathering them in mildly thinned Agrax Earthshade. Once it dries and stains the mini, I take a small amount of the base color and fill in the broader surfaces, brightening them and cleaning up messier spots where the wash had dried. This makes the recesses a lot darker while maintaining the cleaner look on the armor panels, and that contrast generates a very serviceable illusion of depth without having to bother with highlights.

You can also experience a glow up like this, all you need is a cape, trust me

Color-wise, I tried to paint Kardon as close as close possible to the original Wally model. For example, his Mark of Khorne belt buckle (that’s cute) is brass and his belt is red, just like the old model. His backpack is mostly red, with the… wing-connector thingies being brass. And while it’s hard to see in the reference image, Wally’s right kneepad has a silver Mark of Khorne on it. Kardon noticeably lacks kneepads, having a MK6 torso and legs. To maintain that cool little splash of silver, I moved it onto the Khornate emblem that Kardon uses to pin his cloak to his shoulders. Most of that shit is meaningless, I just felt like talking about my decisions because I thought they were cool if I’m real.

The Raijin’s targets rarely foresee the Interceptor’s attacks as it stalks its prey from low orbit before diving from the highest heavens to strike. Once its locked in, it moves so swiftly that quarry aware enough to catch a glimpse of the plane see nothing more than a few red falling stars before they’re annihilated.

Anyways, enough about Kardon and his friends. Here’s an update on my Interceptor. This thing has taken so much goddamn paint and, frankly, doesn’t look super great, but once I’m done brightening and highlighting the panels, I think it’ll look great. I think the golden guns are really good and funny, because that’s so unnecessary, they’re fucking aircraft guns. It feels very 40k, like, of course they’d make their plane guns golden. I’m really satisfied with the Raijin, as well, and I wish aircraft were better so I could actually use it.

As a closing thought, I’d love to, one day, do a big ass 4000pts game with a full aircraft layer transpiring. Multiple gunships and Interceptors dogfighting, occasionally dipping from the chaos in the sky to raze the surface with earthshaking strafing runs. Would be cool.

[muses-and-odd-fashion]

The pantheon of Wool and Cottons world tend to be exceptionally curvy for some reason

Raijin, god of thunder and storms, she has a stupid big rack and not too shabby down south with a wee bit of chub

Nimue, goddess of swordplay and water, has so much goddamn ass, her throne could fit well over 50 average sized people

Sylvain, god of nature and lord of the seasons, is gigantic, musclebound and like 7 feet tall

(Blame Neom for my newfound interest in hyper ass)

[bloody-arty-myths]

Finally something after quite a time

Please ignore the mistakes I tried to draw the outfits from memory and a friend’s help

[kitkatt0430]

📓🤐

📓The Plot of a WiP I haven't (and probably won't) write.

So the plot that became The City on the HIll was original intended to be part of a series mainly about the Master that in theory I still like the idea of, but I'm probably never going to actually write. Though certain parts I've already recycled and will continue to slowly do so for continuing the verse for The City on the Hill.

The idea for the Master was that instead of hiding at the end of the universe where the Doctor, Martha, and Jack find him as Yana... he instead went a different route and hid on a world with a massive temporal paradox going on. Unintentionally becoming an essential cog in the paradox, as it were, but that just made it that much better a hiding spot because the Time Lords couldn't risk pulling him out if they found him there.

So the Master turns himself into a human child and stumbles out into history on a little planet called Centra. He's taken in to an orphanage, struggles to get along with the other children, and fixates on a kid names Squall in a similar manner to his fixation on the Doctor. This kid the Master has become? Seifer Almasy, the future Sorceress Knight to one of the most dangerous Sorceresses in the history of Centra - who tried to create Time Compression which is similar to what Rassilon was trying to achieve when the Doctor stole the Moment to prevent Time's destruction/the ascendance of the Time Lords.

Ultimecia - this evil sorceress - fails, Seifer is aquitted of his crimes due to the mental manipulations he suffered as her knight/representative in the present, and he moves on with his life with his two best friends - Fujin and Raijin. After Raijin leaves their little mercenary group to become a chef - Seifer and Fu happy that he's pursuing his dreams even if it takes him away from them - and Quistis Trepe, one of Seifer's fellow orphanage kids, joins them having quit SeeD. She fought against Seifer during the Sorceress war and isn't big on explaining why she quit, but Seifer never really thought being SeeD suited her so he doesn't push. And when Quistis and Fujin fall in love, he has a few new guesses about what drove her away. But he's grown up since they were teens and mostly does not make an ass of himself towards Quistis and they finally wind up friends.

And then come the Cybermen. No one is quite sure where they came from or how, but they're discovered when a scientific expedition to the Moon goes wrong and the newly reactivated Cybermen transport down to the planet. Esthar hires Seifer, Fujin, and Quistis to take a preliminary look at whatever these Cyber things are before it can be decided if the military can handle it or they need to hire more elite SeeD to go in and destroy the menace. And it turns to tragedy because the Cybermen get their hands on Quistis and convert her. Seifer barely gets out with Fujin and they report back that the Cybermen need to be wiped out, but they're worried not even SeeD will be enough.

Meanwhile, over at Balamb Garden - home of the best of the best amongst the SeeD mercenaries, led by Squall Leonhart, knight and Husband to Sorceress Rinoa Heartilly - a blue box appears with a man clinging to the side. A man who drops dead at first, but then seems to come back to life all on his own...

Basically it's an FF8/Doctor Who crossover. I do still really like the plot for this one but I can never seem to muster the energy to actually write it. I think the tragedy with Quistis plays into it, since I do like her character very much but I didn't want her traveling with the Master and Fujin when Seifer regains his memories/Time Lord self and runs off in his TARDIS at the end. I intended for Fujin to eventually wind up with someone else as her second love. I considered Jenny, River, and a few others over time... but since I never wrote any of the fics, save for carving out the Ianto-is-a-time-lord plot... who Fujin's next love interest would be never quite got finalized.

🤐Unpublished dialog

So in the fic above, I do have some written for it. Not much, but I had some fun little details, like Seifer had given Fujin a broken watch when they first met. His only connection to his dead family and he gave it to her when Fujin became like a sister to him. And similar to the kid who could hear the remnants of the Doctor in the fob watch when the Doctor became human, Fujin could hear the Master in there sometimes. So she was aware of who Seifer was/used to be and hid it at the Master's insistence, for their safety.

But with the arrival of the Cybermen - the Master telling her what they are - she worries that whether it's safe or not she may need to open the watch. To her, the Master and Seifer are the same person, so opening the watch won't change who Seifer is. It will simply let him be his complete self. And she isn't exactly wrong about that either, as the Master devotes a lot of time after waking to helping Fujin find the Cyberman who was once Quistis Trepe and giving Fujin a chance to say goodbye before the last of what made Quistis... well, Quistis, is subsumed entirely by the Cyberman programming.

“Cybermen...” Seifer whispered, his eyes distant. It was if he was trying to recall something just beyond his mind's reach... something hidden within the fob watch. “What did you say?” Quistis asked. “They're called Cybermen,” Seifer said, his voice stronger. “I've heard of them before, but I can't remember where.” “I remember hearing about them too,” Fujin said and then lied with a single name. “Ultimecia.” The Sorceress from the future – the bitch who'd twisted Seifer up so badly that he'd gone mad under the pressure of her control – had never mentioned the Cybermen. But Seifer's memories of those months were cloudy at best. He'd believe her. Fujin felt guilt curl in her chest as he nodded.

[dailycharacteroption]

Faith Singer (Bard Archetype)

(art by Renato Prezioso on Artstation)

 While every faith has its worshippers celebrate in different ways, music is perhaps one of the most universal expressions. After all, if a species is capable of deriving joy from sound, they will likely find ways to incorporate it into other things that bring them joy.

Now, I have no doubt that plenty of players have had their clerics or other divine casters take ranks in a perform before to illustrate their devotion through song, what happens when someone with bardic training turns their talents towards expressing their faith?

Whether they are part of a formal choir, a musician for services, a bard that found purpose through faith, or part of a culture where faith and music are blended, these faith singers, though not always vocalists, do put their musical talents towards expressing various hymns, shanties, and folk tales associated with their faith. Though they are not divine casters, they are blessed with a measure of divine favor as well.

This archetype was brought to us courtesy of Healer’s Handbook, but it doesn’t necessarily grant any sort of healing ability, only some powers associated with clerics. As such, it’s quite versatile for character concepts and the many religions that fill the Lost Omens setting, as well as any other setting you come up with.

 Naturally, as individuals blessed with divine power, these bards must align with their deity or faith’s beliefs at least somewhat. What they get in return for this is the ability to tap into the spells of one domain, starting with the least powerful, but mastering the first five such spells by the ends of their career. However, their ability tap into this wellspring is limited, allowing them to cast these spells only once each.

While supremely simple as an archetype, the versatility of domain (and subdomain) choices means you’ll have a lot to think about when coming up with your character. You lose out on versatile performance, but the bard is already a highly skilled class to begin with, and depending on what domain you choose, you may yet have plenty of versatile utility anyway.

 The sheer number of domains and faiths in the core setting along means that not only do you have to consider what domain to pick, but also how their choice of deity colors not just which domain they have and how it is interpreted, but also their music. Consider one with the air domain whose drums emulate the rumble of thunder before calling down bolts of lightning Raijin-style, or perhaps one who sings of the virtues of scalykind through deep bass kulning, or maybe even one who conjures an otherworldly pipe organ to fill the air with sound.

  The festival of the Mountains’s Crown, in which the sun passes directly over the summit of Mount Ishaan, is a sacred time for the vanara that dwell in the mountain city of Bakyana. Many performances will be held, particularly renditions of The Mountain God’s Coronation, an opera based on the state religion’s most important fable.

 Most prayers to the Huntress are meant to be silent, reflecting the stillness of their goddess, but the catfolk of Moro have one prayer that is sung aloud, one for the praise of the warrior who has slain an unnatural monster… or died trying. The song has many variants based on the danger and death toll of the creature in question, as well as whether the hunt succeeded, and the priest-singers who devote themselves to master it have to be able to perform every version.

 The current lord of Ogfleur recently converted to the faith of the Iron Keeper, and suddenly rival faiths in the city are facing a slew of sanctions against them, particularly followers of the Muse, with numerous “noise complaints” being the primary factor, despite their faithful being a beloved part of the city.

[desiderium-eden]

Notable Ixva

Sorem:

The last of the old divinity. Goddess of Spring, Beauty, and Art. Mother of the Ixva. Not all there due to eons of tearing away pieces of herself to keep the babies alive. Though severely weakened, she is still very powerful. Keeping something of a reality-bending ability through her painting. Like if you go to the ruins of the "divine palace", there are places in the landscape that look like someone scribbled them out with ink or paint.

Ozul:

God of Conspiracy. Lord of secrets, intrigue, and the machinations discussed in the shadows. Ozul not only feeds on the powers who've long lost their names but also those who seek protection in the dark from prying eyes. Every whisper, every scheme, every mystery fuels him. And in a godless place like Ishbaran? He is thriving.

Feyrah:

Like Ningal, she is a goddess of social media. But whereas Nikka embodies the benefits and positives, Faye represents the dangers of it. Cyberbullying, invasion of privacy, and of course the very real dangers of people when hidden behind anonymity. A popular online model and personality that feeds off of likes, obsession, and also the occasional stalker lured into her web.

Elio:

God of Celebrity. An idol/budding actor heralded as the "modern-day Apollo". Bit ironic because he killed and consumed Apollo's power, or at least half of it. Kept alive on fame and adoration, a form of worship in its own right. Though it's not enough. And he wants the rest of what he's "owed".

Tatsuya:

Unlike the previous 3, Tatsu is more like the rest of the kids. Never reaching godhood status. Total douche. Made Genya's growing up, along with a lot of others, an absolute hell. Has survived by victimizing and cannibalizing his siblings. I wish for him a truly painful death.

Genya:

Like Tatsu, Genya isn't a god. Though he did consume Raijin and his powers. Has also been infected by the Xari during an altercation with a cult, which has permanently altered his body but luckily, he was able to stop it before it turned him gross or affected his mind. Has no intention of becoming a god or consuming more power.

[voidintheforce]

The Bottomless Pit - Interlude

“García Escudero, is it?”

“Señor. Thank you for coming all the way from Germany. The way international flights are fucked these past weeks - how’d you manage?” The Mexican fisherman’s figure fidgeted nervously in the dim light.

“I have my ways. So, the asset you mentioned?”

“Aah-ah. Here, señor. Joder, it’s a brave new world. These waters are dead ever since that bomb dropped-” The man murmured as he led the small, cloaked company deeper and deeper into the bowels of a warehouse. Through the last door... and here it is. Golden scales dulled by untold days of decay, red eyes hazy and unseeing but still retaining some semblance of that evil glimmer.

The man extended a gloved hand, and placed it right on the snout of a dead Devil.

“Señor? Are you taking...”

“I sense... a pulse. Something yet lingers... Fascinating. Just as we theorized, head is the seat of the soul. The dominant one, no less.”

“Ehm. We don’t ask for much, but for the trouble both Monarch and the Government will give us...” The man hesitantly purposed, but the latter part of his sentence was drown in a pained gurgle. He floated a feet above the ground, eyes bulging in fear as an invisible iron grip seized his neck, and clamped down. This is a crime Victivus did not enjoy committing, but a loose end is a loose end.

“Your part of the deal exceeds all expectations, my friend. You have met your unfortunate demise when your ship sunk in the storm near Isla de Mara. Your family will be provided shelter and relocated to Monarch-approved inland safezone. Your name will be written in glory after we remake this world.”

...

“Kuso. Who the hell are you again?” Ren Serizawa had been drowning himself in a Tokyo bar when the man approached. “I have many names. Director Heinz Schmitt of Monarch Germany branch, Walter Simmons of Apex Cybernatics, Lord Victivus... whatever that title serves nowadays. Which one do you prefer?” Victivus calmly dodged a glass cup thrown his way by the young man; it caught itself mid-air, before settling on the table once more.

“I’m not some conjurer of cheap tricks, you see.” Victivus put a hand on the younger man’s shoulder as Ren’s face blushed a furious red, the alcohol taking its toll but still not hiding his surprise.

“But what the heck can you do? We are bugs, insignificant bugs compared to them! We either fucking revere them as deities like my old man, or be destroyed... They are GODS. What are we in front of gods?”

Ren’s frame was wrecked by another sob he thought he hid well. Victivus knew, despite all their differences, Ren loved his father dearly. He sought to live up to Ishiro, yet the old man’s entire life have been consumed by his one fascination... Godzilla.

“And what are gods... in front of non-believers?” Victivus whispered as Ren lifted his face, brows contorted in sorrow. “Your father was a martyr, and a good man. That his action ultimately saved humanity is worth my sincerest salutation. Alas, he was misguided no less.” Ren slammed his fist on the table, wine spilling out from the impact. The young man will snap out of it, that Victivus was certain. He was a Serizawa. And the Serizawas have always been determined and sturdy souls.

When Ren found himself painfully somber the next day, a message was on his encrypted cellphone. How’d anyone bypass his firewalls? Frowning, he opened the message. “Kazakhstan, Aral Sea, Rebirth Island. Specimen Zero, Project Raijin. Put your talent to good use. D.V.”

I saw an angel coming down from heaven. He had the key to the bottomless pit and a large chain in his hand. The angel seized the dragon, that old snake who is the devil and Satan, and tied him up for a thousand years...

[Source: twitter @MrgSenor]