#might go play some skyrim hm

[weregreatatcrime]

Recently

Furry squad dnd group has started back up after two+ years of being in hiatus, due to my memory problems and cognitive trouble with health bullshit. They've already given me headaches. I'm so proud of them.

I've started playing Dragon Age, Skyrim, Stardew Valley, and Final Fantasy xxiv all in a rotating cycle of hyperfocus

I've begun drafting and writing an *entire series* for Dragon Age Inquisition and Jujutsu Kaisen. The first part is done. I'm waiting for my sigfig to beta and then it'll be posted on a schedule. A SCHEDULE. I HAVEN'T DONE UPDATE SCHEDULES SINCE 2014.

Been sucked briefly back into Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun! and various crossover ideas, including jjk and bnha

Help

I need a tag for all the random bullshit that happens when I'm manic at this point gd

[lanaevyssmoved]

do u have any game recommendations that have character creation? besides bg3 ofc

gonna be real i wouldnt recommend bg3 for a character creation game because you can only use preset faces ...... bro but if you mean it in an oc way......

i would recommend.............

heavily modded skyrim, if you don't wanna do it yourself use wabbajack, some of the modlists on there are designed for graphics or high end systems and have very pretty characters. there's also ones not like that with rougher characters or more vanilla characters. lots of choice! do not get into the community though, this is a warning

following on from that, any elder scrolls game - morrowind is the best and one of my all time favourite games

you can follow on from that with fallout if you like the setting. i recommend fallout 1 and 2 the most as i'm not the hugest fan of bethesdas fallout but that is not a common opinion that be a hot take

heavily modded final fantasy xiv, you can fully mod on the free trial version as far as i know - be warned this is an extremely slippery slope because it has a modding community to rival skyrim and many customisation mods are paid for however there are ways around that. anyway you can get mods from here, here and here as well as the nexus

elden ring, dark souls 3 - the other dark souls but those character creations look like dogshit ass but still fun to make ocs in imo.. demon souls if you own a ps5....... i do not

pillars of eternity, tyranny, while visually quite limiting the character creators are still very neat from a roleplay pov - tyrannys has a lil "post character creation" game you get to play where you make "post game" choices and i uh, used to play that all the time for fun without intent to keep playing.....

a good follow up to that would be dragon age, all three of them but specially origins, i used to play the origins and not continue the rest of the game for fun! now be warned all of these games suck terrible dick in terms of modding because it's awkward and annoying and easily broken! i recently replayed dao and dai and so much of that time was spent troubleshooting...... joyous

have to kind of mention mass effect after? but ur kind of always making the same character..... ive always struggled with mass effect personally. maybe its the setting?

you can also look at starfield since that's got actually a pretty decent cc but i did find it quite limiting. but i've not really played it for more than an hour cuz bg3 exists so i can't say much

back to crpgs, the two pathfinder games! again limiting on the character side but roleplay side very very strong. i've not played wotr but i have mutuals who act like it is gods gift to gaming and i believe them. i really liked the first!

the outer worlds could be a good choice, i really like that games aesthetic but it's another space game and i think we're seeing a pattern that i'm just not that into those. hm. it was bethesda style gaming in space before starfield exists with the personality of fallout, kind of ?

this ones going far out there but crusader kings iii has an insane character creation and my favourite ruler ever was this old witch woman cannibal who slowly but surely turned her whole corner of the globe into a witch worshipping cannibal cult. i miss her

age of wonders 4 has a really cool cc, you can even make dragons with the dlc like Actual dragons.... i have made so many characters in there and gave them their funny little lores.. age of wonders has real cool lore and it is Completely ignored by tumblr afaik and that sucks

encased is a really cool rpg it's another sci-fi-y one.. it isn't as polished as you might expect cuz it's a very ambitious game but a small indie studio but i would say if you enjoy fallout 1 + 2 you will enjoy encased

dragons dogma! you get to make two people in this just like in bg3! i made a lil girl and her big brother and i was so fucking emotional over them that i was crying constantly even when nothing was going on. i played dragons dogma to fucking death on the ps3 and i think its interesting and rich enough to sink ur teeth into

i have to mention greedfall as the owner of the greedfall url.... greedfall is very interesting as its a double A title akin to a dragon age game.. it might make one feel a tad uncomfortable because it comes across as colonialism the rpg but it does get very interesting and it has neat as hell characters and magic and big monsters who fuck hard

wasteland 3! kinda again has the fallout type of vibe it is violent and full of dark themes and twisted themes but its also extremely comical its true black humour at times and you get to make two characters again and you can even make TWO MORE CHARACTERS so i had a bunch of custom characters.. u can get really wild in the cc as well and builds are SUPER fun....... v good game

spellforce 3!!!!! i love this game, the cc is again like another crpg one but spellforce 3 has very deep lore spanning many games .. its not typical crpg in that its also like a strategy war game too but i think it does the mixture very well and i LOVEEEEEEEE the lore!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

uh i forgot to mention divinity original sin 1/2 because .. bg3 should lead you right there but uh. play them both! the first is so good in coop i feel cuz of the natural banter between the protagonists. if you don't have friend the second is very good single player just. be warned i don't think it has good endings but the ride is worth it!! and divinity lore fucks hard. i also recommend divinity dragon commander because its so much fun

can i say stardew valley? mayhaps sun haven too? if ur crazy like me you can turn these into prime oc generators. also mods

oh, monster hunter world and by extension wild hearts. monster hunter world lets you make a cat and while ur character themselves doesn't get to do much story wise i did get very obsessed with my character and wanting them fight cool monsters. wild hearts is similar though your character does feel a bit more special- be warned this game is known for running like ass on most systems, its pretty good for me but be warned all the same

TEEHEES.... KENSHI!!!!!!!!!!!! i was holding back on mentioning kenshi but i can't. you can make a whole fucked up lil squad if u want. u got weird alien races. u got a billion fucking mods. u can have ur buddies limps removed and give them robot ones. u can make an army of weirdos. bro i got so invested in my kenshi squad i was writing FANFIC. i was dreaming of them. i was unable to sleep about them. i miss them so fucking much dude!! kenshi doesnt really have a story beyond what u make it. that shit is a SANDBOX.. and i love it so much. everyone should play kenshi. its kinda like rimworld if u want a comparison. i think its Perfect. the best game to exist ever (lie) its so wonderful....... man........its also broken as shit cuz its the most ambitious game to exist ever and it was made by 1 dude so

oh if u like anime games i have to mention code vein (souls like) and god eater (monster hunter like ?) they have very good ccs and i know people super into the lore and stuff. i only played code vein and i liked it a lot honestly

uhhh i mentioned 1 mmo so i should probably mention guild wars 2, the cc is very good, the whole games end game is about fashion and looking amazing. the lore is also super duper neat! i haven't played it for a long time now but i did play it on launch and i had a blast for a few years

if you like d&d i would recommend solasta! it has a very good cc i think honestly and it feels the most like this is d&d in a video game out of every game i've ever played, and it translates the system very and faithfully (as opposed to say bg3 who changed things for game reasons). solasta is also best with friends because its so in that vibe of this is a silly lil d&d party. its much fun

lol i got the block text limit popup

kotor 1 and 2, it might be hard to get into the lore and characters if you're not into star wars but i found it pretty ok to as not a huge star wars fan. i also think they deserve to be played despite that as well because they are fantastic rpgs and some of the best bioware ever made

vampire the masquerade bloodlines!!! i am not a vampire fan really, a small one, but this game captivated me.... very easy to get into making a character i feel and ur given enough to make characters that align different ways easily. the combat did not age well..... but the story and roleplay absolutely did

ok.. im gonna stop here.. but i will say give games like icewind dale and arcanum a chance.. look at old as hell crpgs and try them. this includes bg1+2 which i still need to play myself but will be soon! they are classics because their stories are fantastic, and shouldn't be missed out on!!!!!

[quicksilverdrabbles]

A Monster in Chains, A Healer in Pain

Courier: Oh, hey there! I've got a notice for you!

Merlyn: Have you? Let's see it, then. What's it for?

Courier: Some shifty man. Said to give this letter to anyone who might be seeking a monster for a bodyguard.

Merlyn: Whyyyyy on earth do I look like I fit that bill?

Courier: *looking at her party behind her* ... Just a hunch.

Merlyn: Right. Well. *digs into her purse and gives him 50 septims* Y'know, you should really stop accepting deliveries from suspicious people, who knows how it could go.

Courier: Duly noted. Have a nice day, ma'am.

Lucien: A monster? How intriguing.

Inigo: What does the letter say?

Merlyn: Let's see. *ahem* 'For Sale: One monster for any adventurer's needs. Can serve as a carrier, a warrior, a healer, or...'

Kaidan: Merlyn?

Merlyn: '... Or as a punching bag, to let put the day's frustrations.' ... Who the hell wrote this?

Caryalind: Whoever they are, they certainly lack the required eloquence to make a good sale.

Merlyn: But even so, this is.. What sort of 'monster' are they talking about anyway? It couldn't be a troll if it can heal... 'If interested, please make your way to the location indicated at the bottom of this letter. The recipient of this letter is sworn to secrecy upon reading and, if we happen to hear of our operations being leaked, will be punished severely. Price to be negotiated upon arrival.' Egh.. That's unnerving.

Kaidan: What do you think? A black market operation?

Merlyn: Something like that.. It doesn't feel like a regular monster they're talking about.

Xelzaz: No, typical monsters cannot act as healers. Unless they've somehow taught Spriggans to use Healing Hands, or something along those lines. There's something odd about this.

Merlyn: Hm. I say we check it out. Play the part of a buyer in order to get information, then shut it down if need be.

Lucien: You're the boss, boss. We're right behind you.

~

Lucien: What do you mean we can't go with her?!

Slaver: If she's the one buying the product, it needs to only be her to see it. You all can wait out here until the purchase is complete.

Kaidan: That's bullshit! I'm going in there!

Merlyn: Kaidan, stay here with the others.

Kaidan: What?!

Merlyn: I'll only be a moment. Shouldn't take too long.

Kaidan: ... Fine.

Slaver: Ha. You've got your guards well trained already. I must admit I'm surprised. *leads Merlyn inside the cave and shuts the door behind them, locking the others out*

Merlyn: *playing along as a cruel master* I have experience with difficult types.

Slaver: A good skill to have, with this one. He's a recent capture, so he's not very well tamed. Been very eager to meet a new master, though.

Merlyn: Shall we hurry this along? I'd hate for my men to get antsy.

Slaver: Of course, right this way, miss.

Merlyn: *eyeing several guards they pass as they move through the cave* Quite heavy security for one monster.

Slaver: Ah, you know how it is. Can't have the Jarl getting on our asses if they find out about this little operation. We like to keep things under wraps around here. Besides, it can be quite hard to subdue such a beast, as I'm sure you know well enough by now.

Merlyn: Well enough, yes. I apologize for asking so late, but the notice didn't exactly specify what sort of monster you were selling, and I'd like to know what I'm dealing with before I negotiate a.. price.

Slaver: Ha, smart woman. Allow me to introduce you to our monster. Only one of the fiercest beasts in all of Skyrim, hell, probably even all of Tamriel. Wild and barbaric, and especially vicious, but this one seems to have a soft spot for healing. I present to you... *stops in front of a hollowed out cell in the rock, with a figure huddled amongst the growing ferns*

Merlyn: ... An Orc.

Slaver: That's right! Such terrifying beasts, but they can be exceptionally loyal if properly trained. I'm sure for a.. beauty such as yourself, that would hardly be an issue.

Merlyn: 'Train'? *steps away from the cage, eyes wide with shock* Monster- Orsimers are not monsters-! They are an intelligent race! What on earth makes you think you could just sell one?!

Slaver: The same way the Dark Elves would sell Khajiit and Argonians in Morrowind to the Great Houses, I'd assume.

Merlyn: This is not an age of slavery anymore! Nobody deserves this!

Slaver: ... Are you saying you refuse this offer? Even with your own slaves outside? The Khajiit, the Argonians, that big brute and those elves?

Merlyn: They're my friends! My family! I've never once seen them as things for me to control!

Slaver: Hm. That's quite a shame. *draws his sword, pointing it at her* I'm afraid we're going to have to kill you now, pretty miss. You and your 'family' waiting for you outside. See, you're not the first to refuse this offer. And every time somebody tries to escape, they threaten to tell the authorities. At this point, we've simply stopped taking chances.

Merlyn: *gasps, looking around rapidly at the men surrounding her now* Shit..

Slaver: Any last words?

Merlyn: ... Maybe. *raises a hand, electricity flowing from her fingers. Some of it rebounds, and burns her own skin* I'm going to save that man. And kill all of you. *her eyes glow as the lightning grows to surround her*

Slaver: Haha! You really think you can kill all of us?!

Merlyn: I think I'll take my chances.

Yaksha: *looks up to investigate the light flooding the cave, crawling away from the lightning enveloping the iron bars* What..?

~

Lucien: ... It's been quite a while, hasn't it? How do you think it's going?

Xelzaz: I don't think she's in grave danger. If she was, Roovi would have found us by now.

Kaidan: I don't like this. It's just another den of snakes.

Caryalind: Perhaps, but Merlyn's always been good at acting. Surely she's playing her part in this well enough that they haven't discovered her intentions yet.

Inigo: *ears perking and twitching, angling in several different directions* ... There is fighting in the cave.

Taliesin: So much for playing a part.

Khash: Let's go!! I wanna make sure Lyn's okay!

Xelzaz: Hold on, now. Inigo, how does it sound?

Inigo: Like she is fighting with lightning. Several people run at her, but fall to the ground seconds later.

Kaidan: With lightning? But Destruction magic hurts her..

Lucien: We should go see what's happening. Is the door still locked?

Taliesin: Obviously. That man locked it as soon as he had Merlyn in his grasp.

Kaidan: Don't say it like that, gods- I'm breaking the fuckin' thing down.

Caryalind: I'm not opposed. Shall we?

Khash: Come on! Lyn is going to kill all of them by the time we get there!

~

Merlyn: *panting, standing in the midst of dozens of dead bodies, magicka completely drained* Shit... *holds her hands to her chest, wincing at the electric burns littering her hands and forearms*

Yaksha: *watching her from behind a plant, frowning nervously*

Merlyn: *sighs* ... Alright. *looks up into the cell* Are you okay? I didn't hurt you, did I?

Yaksha: ...

Merlyn: I'm going to come in, alright? I saw you were injured. *picks up a key from the dead slaver and unlocks the cell door* ... Unless you don't want me to come in? I can just leave it unlocked and leave if you want.

Yaksha: ... Don't.

Merlyn: Oh shit you can speak- Great! Um- *walks into the cell and kneels down near him* My name is Merlyn. What's yours?

Yaksha: ... My name is Yaksha. Are you.. my new master?

Merlyn: What? No! No no no- T-That was all a lie, I promise! When I got the notice from them I thought it was strange they didn't specify what 'monster' they were selling, so I was acting the part of a buyer to investigate.

Yaksha: So you are not here to buy me?

Merlyn: No, the primary goal was kinda to.. save you.. *trails off, staring at him with a worried frown* You really are injured. *reaches out and gently brushes his cheek, careful to avoid the remnants of his black eye* I have some potions, but we'll need to get you out of here before we can take care of you properly.. I can't even begin to imagine what they did to you.

Yaksha: *leans into the gentle touch unconsciously* ... You are injured too.

Merlyn: Hm? What this? *holds up her burned hand* Nothing a bit of Snowberry salve won't fix when we get outta here, don't worry about me. Hm.. speaking of which, it'll be hard to carry you myself. I just learned the Telekinesis spell, but I doubt I can carry a full grown man yet.

Kaidan: *kicking the door of the lair down* MERLYN!

Merlyn: Ah, there's our solution. Over here, Kai!

Kaidan: Gods above woman, you seriously scare me sometimes. Inigo said you were fighting off all of them at once and- who's that?

Merlyn: *shifts so Yaksha is resting his head on her shoulder, falling unconscious* The 'monster' they were selling. His name is Yaksha.

Xelzaz: They were trying to sell you an Orc?!

Merlyn: Evidently. Help me get him up, we've gotta get back to town before his injuries get infected. I can't imagine laying in the dirt in a disgusting cave like this will be any good for him.

Kaidan: Got it. *lifts Yaksha up, carrying him piggyback with Inigo and Lucien's help* Gods, he's heavy. All muscle.

Merlyn: Poor guy, he's exhausted. I bet-

Yaksha: *grips onto Merlyn's sleeve weakly* Don't.. leave...

Khash: He spoke! Is he awake?

Merlyn: ... *reaches up and takes his hand in hers* No, he's asleep. Let's get out of here.

Kaidan: Aye.

Caryalind: You've hurt yourself, dove. *takes her other hand and examines the burns carefully*

Merlyn: I'll be fine. It was worth it if he'll be okay.

[3xm-draconic]

The Jester and The Courier: a wild wasteland love

Chapter 10: Put it on the Ritz.

“So Cicero where would you like to go first?” Myrtle said as she entered the presidential suite, Cicero was on the couch eating fancy lads and watching old vault-tec cartoons “hm?...oh!” he swallowed his mouthful of cake “Cicero wonders if there is a tailor nearby, he wishes to buy new clothes”, “ah wanting to snazz up your style eh?” she chuckled “alrighty then, there is a place in north freeside we can go to”.

They whent to the elevator, which freaked Cicero out but Myrtle managed to calm him down and took it to the bottom floor, whereupon exiting the elevator Boone and Joshua approached her.

“Myrt we-”, “not now, I’am taking Cicero to get new clothes, I wanna talk to him more about this Skyrim place he’s from…it might be what’s left of canada or even alaska” she said, Boone huffed in annoyance but Joshua calmed him “Myrtle would it be alright if we joined you?” he turned to her, “shoot, sure” she smiled.

Cicero marveled at everything around him, it was nothing like back home, the city flashed with so many colors and lights, there was music in the air, people in glamorous outfits strolled the streets…and all Cicero could think of was how even more lovely it would look splattered in blood!

But he had to play nice…he remembered he had to fool, to trick, if he wanted to not end up again drugged out of his mind by…what were they called again?...raiders?...yes raiders. If he did not want that to happen again, he had to perform the part of an innocent man…or…an innocent jester.

After all who said he couldn’t be The Fool of Hearts?

And besides he missed his jester outfit…these clothes he wore now just…felt wrong…

At the tailor in freeside Cicero met another of those mini giants, learning they were called super mutants, this one was green instead of blue. He was in a rather large frilly shirt and tight fitting pants, he had sewing equipment like needles and pins stuck into a device on his wrist and several rolls of thread on the other. He had large red glasses that sat half-way down his nose and wore a wavy long curly blond-hair wig.

“Hey Monro, how’s business?” Myrtle greeted the giant with a warm hug, “Oh darling it’s just swell, dresses and vests are selling like hotcakes and sales are through the roof!” he chirped happily.

“Sweet, I’am happy your business is doing so well. I got a friend here looking for a custom outfit, do you think you could help him out?”, Monro smiled giddily “ooh! A custom job, oh where is the little guy? I wanna get a read for what kind of outfit will suit him!”

Myrtle stepped back to revile Cicero, “OOH aren’t you just the most cutest little thing! Look at all that red hair and that FACE! Oh darling, I know just the outfit!” Monro immediately took out a tailor’s tape measure from around his waist and started taking Cicero’s measurements.

 As they waited Boone and Joshua turned to each other…

“She’s deliberately ignoring me Josh, she KNOWS I know and wont let me talk to her about about her needing help…and throwing an intervention is just gonna piss her off you know” he whispered, Joshua who was watching Myrtle talk with Cicero nodded to Boone “I know what to do, I’ll get her to talk to you”, Boone sighed “Reverend no offense but just how?-”, Joshua placed a comforting hand on Boone’s shoulder “I think I know what has her so displaced, has what has her turning to vices and negative coping mechanisms, she doesn't need an interrogation by her friends. THAT'S what we've been doing wrong. Boone…she needs to be reminded of what she has”, “and that is?” Boone asked curiously, Joshua smiled “family, friendship and most importantly…faith”.

“So Cicero, what’s Skyrim like?” Myrtle asked as she flipped through a fashion magazine, “Cold, very cold. But the trees and mountains are beautiful and the flowers! Oh and the flowers! The flowers are so pretty. Cicero made sure to always bring some back to his mother” he hummed in nostalgia, “cold hu? Does it snow? I’ve never seen snow, I’ve lived my whole life in the region where Nevada meets California. It would be something to see it snow”, Cicero turned to her “well there is also the cost, huge icebergs float in the distance and the fjords are full of delicious salmon”, “salmon? Your fish aren’t mutated?” she pondered.

“Nope, Skyrim has no radiation, no creatures like that in your Mojave. There are strange creatures like chaurus and giant frost spiders and other things but nothing like what you described to Cicero”, THAT intrigued Myrtle “so…what from your saying…this Skyrim is a paradise?! No radiation, No FEV?, No…Anything weird?”, “oh Cicero never said that, sometimes mammoths fall out of the sky”, “Mammoths?” Myrtle wondered, “big hairy creatures with long noses, very tasty meat if you can cut through their hide, not as tasty as Horker though”.

“Horker? The hell is that?”, “a blubbery creature with three tusks in its mouth that swims the seas and eats fish, very dangerous but delicious” Cicero giggled “OH and then there are DRAGONS!”, “dragons?”, “big scaly flying creatures who can spit fire!”, “...hu…you know what…if I survive Hoover dam I’d like to travel to your Skyrim, it sounds like a neat place”.

“Ok darling, all finished!” Monro chirped, Cicero squealed in delight at his new jester’s outfit.

It was red and black with accents of white and had gold trim. It had heart patterns all over it and stripes! There were puffy sleeves and ruffles and bells! OOH Cicero loved the jingly bells!

He gasped “IT’S PERFECT, JUST WHAT CICERO WANTED!”

Boone just looked at him with confusion, he turned to Myrtle only to see her looking flustered…

“Myrt?”, “...”, “are you sirius…this…this is turning you on?” he looked at her with a mix of confusion and humor, she punched his shoulder, not hard but in a “shut the fuck up” manner.

“I…I have a THING…ok…I don’t know how it started but I have a thing, Boone”, Boone just laughed “you are weird”, she glared at him “OH so the NUMEROUS other times I’ve been weird like when I fucked a robot or when took drugs an fought a bear thats not weird to you, it’s only when you learn I’am a clownfucker thats when you call me weird?!” she quietly hissed, Boone snorted “I don’t mean it in a bad way, you’ve always been weird and I love ya for it. Myrt…this…this just came out of left field for me” he laughed quietly. 

Cicero now feeling much better in an outfit that fit him and his personality twirled and danced as they made their way through freeside, “I’am getting hungry, let’s head down to the Atomic Wrangler” Myrtle said as she checked the date on her pip boy, “why there?” Boone turned to her, “it’s friday, friday’s is Lake Lurk lady-rolls day”, “oh” Boone and Joshua nodded, Cicero eyed her in confusion, “a Lake Lurk lady-roll is a sandwich” Boone turned to him, “sandwich?” Cicero pondered.

“Oh…oh don’t tell me you ain’t ever had a sandwich before?” Myrtle looked at him bewildered, Cicero shook his head, “welp first time for everything” she chuckled.

“Myrtle after lunch there was something I needed to discuss with you”, “Joshua I…”, “Psalm 23:4”, Myrtle stopped and looked into his eyes, she looked fearful…but understanding “...ok..” she nodded “but after lunch…and no talking about anything until we get back to the 38 ok?...I don’t want the others…the others to know”, Joshua nodded.

[autopotion]

14, 18, 25, 30!

14. A song that's sure to hit your nostalgia buttons

Literally how do I pick... I'll go with a deep cut

18. A game location you really like

Man idk how to pick for this one either, there are so many good video game locations... I feel like Grand Chokmah made quite an impression on me when I played Tales of the Abyss a few years ago. I looooovveee the empty eeriness of the City of the Ancients in FFVII, I always go in there expecting random battles but there aren't any. The architecture is really cool too. And all of Cloudbank is rad as hell

25. A game's art style that had to grow on you

Stardew Valley tbh. I have great respect for Eric Barone just doing everything himself, but the menu portraits are a bit... hm. Also Dragon Age Origins is and remains incredibly ugly, everyone is a potato-faced loser and the environments suck ass, but after all these years I'm kinda fond of it.

30. Game you think you'll finish next?

No earthly clue. I'm taking a break from starting new games for a while (I'm having trouble processing new information atm), but I might crack open some oldies yet goodies just for the sake of playing something that isn't mentally taxing. I say that but one of my first thoughts was "Skyrim in French," since that was helping me learn, but tbf Skyrim is muscle memory at this point. Might try to complete the Pyre replay I started near the end of last year, too.

[princepipper]

How many stories do you have lined up? I wouldn't be surprised if you wrote a Skyrim AU story now. 😆

Hm, well, right now I have Cruel Summer and the little comedy collection of Abby asking questions in the works. I made a file for the fic about how Pipper and Gabriel started dating, which I have a separate document of the outline written out. But otherwise I haven't done more than the title page and synopsis for that one yet!

As for fics I would LIKE to write, basically I want to touch on major plot points that occur at different times during Pip and Gabe's relationship. Even if they are written out of order, I will post them on AO3 under a series so they'll be readable in chronological order as well.

Idea-wise, this is the timeline:

- a childhood story that focuses on Pipper moving to Thornville and meeting Gabe. It will mostly be from her POV but will probably touch on Gabe's thoughts a little too!

- a high school story about Pip and Gabe as teens (not sure on the ages just yet). This one will probably have the big fight between them that I keep bringing up...

- the fic about how they started dating, which is set after Gabe graduated high school and Pipper is entering her senior year. I have this one titled as "The Next Step", currently.

- a story about Pip and Gabe moving in together. It will be a little more mundane, but the conflict will focus on the difficulties of big life adjustments, and how they'd get along when being around each other all the time.

- Cruel Summer would be next in the timeline, as Pip and Gabe are barely engaged during it! This is the one that is about a family gathering on Gabe's side with some drama happening involving his mother.

- Next is the wedding fic (yaaaas!) This would also include a flashback to the proposal, or at least more context into it.

- And of course, the pregnancy and birth of Abby would be next. This one would be a little bit of a rollercoaster for what tone and emotions come into play, seeing how it was both a beautiful but stressful situation. I'm looking forward to writing Gabe's inner thoughts and feelings, especially when he holds newborn Abigail in the hospital. (✏️´ ꒳ ` )💭

- It's already written but obviously The Wheel Of Life would be next in line.

- I want to write a story about little Abby going to school or something! Also perhaps a drabble or two about her as a baby bonding with her family, both mom and dad and others as well.

- The collection "Abby Asking The Real Questions" is a bit scattered when it comes to chronological order. Some scenes she is little, others she is a bit older- she's still a child in all of them, never older than 10. But it bounces, and I clarify her approximate age in most.

...that's all I have at the moment!! I'm sure there'll be more. This is an awful lot as it is, and the way my spark comes and goes, these might never all get done. We'll see!

[druidgroves]

more valeria thoughts

i truly think she could be besties with vex bc i didn’t know much about her before making valeria & theyre similar in a lot of ways & even have facial scarring lmao (at least w/ the mod i have of her). like i think they would fucking hate each other at first just on sight but then after a little while they start being friendly & eventually it gets to a point where if anyone sees them go off on their own to talk in the cistern everyone can automatically assume they’re 1) gossiping about stuff they pick up on going through peoples things in town 2) plotting the take down of someone they both hate or 3) genuinely just chilling with each other bc it’s been a while.

however their first few interactions would be like trying to introduce two feral cats to each other.

i also think she could be good friends with karliah. i hate the idea that she just stays in the twilight sepulcher at the end of the thieves guild quest because she’s spent so long by herself that i don’t think she should be so lonely anymore!! valeria would respect her a lot.

generally valeria is kind of quiet but when she talks she can come off as very intense. she doesnt put a lot of emotion in her voice. but it’s easy to make her laugh, people just don’t really try due to her Vibe.

she finds a stray cat in the ratway during a routine sweep, with two dead skeevers nearby. she slowly befriends it & takes it back to the cistern. brynjolf gives her some shit about it but the facade quickly shatters when the cat rubs it’s head against his hand & immediately begins to take to him more than valeria. valeria is like wtf you stole my cat. bryn just “are you jealous, lass?” & she “>:| no.” (yes)

despite this the cat sleeps between the two of them later on when they’re ✨an item✨. the cat does not ever really get a name other than “Cat” or “Kitty” because neither of them are that imaginative lol

i think valeria would be good at parkour in the “quick escape from a place i just broke into” kind of way. jumping off balconies into the perfect tuck & roll. scaling buildings in riften just to sit on the roof. that kind of thing.

if anyone ever has the audacity to ask outright about the scars on her face she just tells them “a skeever did it” & leaves it at that. i imagine the only person she ever tells is brynjolf, but like, way later into their relationship.

speaking of, their relationship is so dumb. it’s a years long waiting game of who’s going to admit their feelings first &, surprisingly, bryn is the first to break (i imagine he says it when he thinks she’s asleep next to him but SIKE). by this point mercer is dead & valeria is guildmaster so she freaks out a little & disappears on a job on the other side of skyrim for at least a month the next morning because hm! she thinks she might love him too & she doesn’t know how to deal with all of that.

when she comes back bryn does the classic “sorry lass, i’ve got important things to do” as a way to keep the space she put between them by leaving. this pisses her off because when it comes to him she can’t take what she dishes out & then that’s when she realizes Hm. Maybe I’m the Problem.

they do eventually make up & valeria apologizes for disappearing. and then they have lots of makeup sex

overall they try to keep their whole thing on the down low because it wouldn’t do to have any underlings getting too big for their britches & claiming valeria plays favourites. vex knows ofc (she probably helped put together the job valeria disappears on for a month lmao) & probably delvin.

[ener-chi]

TL;DR astral happenings

Soo my remedy definitely kicked my ass lol. Things have settled down, but I felt like I was going through growing-pains at a soul-level. That’s the best way that I can describe it. While it was happening, I found that I couldn’t leave my body - stuck inside. I didn’t mind it, because I knew that I was healing. But after things calmed down and I was able to leave my body, interesting things have been happening. 

Two days ago I was leaving the astral when I felt a tug, a pull, to come back in. At first I fought it, but then decided to come back.

I found myself like on a cliff's edge, on the rock face. In front of me was some kind of being... some kind of forest or tree spirit. It began to sprout and grow, as they usually do, as kind of a representation of their form and power.

They grew, and grew, and grew, and kept growing, and growing, and growing, and growing, and growing, and

It kept going. It wouldn't stop. I felt the energy and power increase as it did. I got defensive, and armored up, then realized that what I was doing was foolish; even if they were malicious, they were clearly beyond the scope of anything I've seen or encountered.

I armored down and then bowed. Then I started asking questions as to what it was, anddd

Stay. Listen.

I plop down in front of this seemingly infinite tree.

Yes. I'm listening.

It gets dark... void space... I feel... power... energy surround me...

I go limp... prone...

Flying through space... the unknown...

What is this...

Listen...

I stop thinking... and just listen... I float through space for a while...

I find myself... floating... in a pool... of water... on my back...

I seem to be like this a lot lately...

It's so... peaceful...

A feel a weight lift off of my chest...

And a light glows within... green... something sprouts out of my chest... I blossom...

A lotus flower...

It glows... simply... yet powerfully...

The vision ends... I find myself back in front of this massive, massive being...

It doesn't communicate normally...

Thank you...

The scene like... ends... but slowly... like they are phasing out... I find myself back in my hallway...

That was interesting. The next day was even more interesting.

I go into the astral… I find myself in the cosmic place… My astral self is buzzing for some reason… I sit for a moment… I let go, and let it do its' thing…I  stand up… then walk into the mist…

I come into this tall, place… it feels like a temple… There is some kind of small shrine in the middle of this place… I approach it, and kneel… strike a match, and light a stick of incense, then pray…

Then… I walk up to the wall, where this is this massive… statue?? I pray in front of it… Then these doors in front of me open, and I walk through…

I come into this place that feels like the cosmic place,,, but it's pure white instead… water on the ground that is very still…

I watch a leaf fall gently to the ground… gently landing on the water, creating a ripple that spreads…

I pick it up… energy/wind picks it up and carries it up, up, and away…

I sit down on the water and meditate…

A drop of water falls from above… it lands on my head… and it falls through me… I feel it penetrate all the way through my energy… it feels good…

A few more drops fall… it feels… energizing…

What is this place…

I'm prompted to stay, so I do… I sit and meditate…

I open my eyes and stand up… I gently walk across…

I see… a figure… female… or feminine… in white robes… they are so calm… and gentle… peace and love radiate from them… I feel like I just want to bury myself in their arms… They open their arms, and I oblige…

As they wrap their arms around me, it feels like… all of my worries fade away… all my pains… stressors… unease… it all just… melts… as I'm wrapped in light…

Mmm…

They break the embrace, and hold my shoulders…

Their face… is… also radiant… I can't really make out any features at all… actually… But… I can tell that they're smiling… They hug me again… then gesture back to where I came…

Hm… okay…

I walk back… I feel them standing behind me…

There are some doors… I go through them…

The light lingers… for a long time…

I ended up going back today.

I went to the astral; at first, I wasn’t sure where I was. All I knew was that I was crying. And I started crying irl. Finally, I came to realize that I was back in that tall temple place, in front of the giant shrine on the wall. I’m still having trouble discerning and describing it... but... it kind of looks like the dragon shrines in Skyrim (since I’ve been playing it recently) except that there is a statue in the middle... very tall... of a figure... I’m not sure who...

Anyways, I was crying in front of this shrine. After a while, I stopped, and then some doors opened, with brilliant white light shining in. I walked through

And I found myself in the White Place again... it was so peaceful... I stepped down and meditated for a bit... felt pulled to sit down... my energy was acting strange while I did... 

I felt a presence... I looked up and there She was again... she held her arms open... I stood up, and fell into her embrace... it felt lovely... I caught a glimpse of her face... it was very fair... brilliant eyes... radiant... it had so much energy and liveliness... she gestured me to follow, and brought me to this pool filled with almost pure milky white water... she had me lay in it... I felt... sleepy... heavy... she told me to rest... I did... everything faded after that...

Sooo yeah!! Suddenly new experiences, but they have a lot of continuity... tbh I’m not sure where it is, or who they are... I’m thinking that the Lady might be a deity of some sort... and the statue... also probably a deity... not sure who, though...

Speaking of deities... right before I had my remedy, I’m pretty sure that I met Njord lol. I was leaving the astral and I felt a tug, so I returned and was immediately sucked under water by this massive wave. 

I felt a large presence in front of me. Suddenly, this massive figure that was partially made of water came before me... he had a giant white beard made of sea foam. 

He haded me two matching small clam/oyster shells...

And then he crashed back into the ground... and for the first time the water disappeared, and I was left in this place alone, with no water...

Also... I went to store the shells, but I had this very distinct impression to keep them on me instead. So I did lol.

Alright, well this post has gone on long enough. But lots has happened! I hope that everyone has a wonderful evening!

Blessings!

[paragonrobits]

a friend asked me to give a shot at doing an entry in this tier list they linked me to, of the video games inducted into the World Video Game Hall of Fame since 2015, and I opted to give it a shot!

My rankings are generally biased towards games I personally enjoy playing, though I will give some commentary on their historic relevance:

S-Rank

Super Mario Bros: The game that repopularized video games in the US, that arguably began the entire platforming video game genre and all its imitators and spin-offs, that spawned a new generation of video games after the Atari Crash in the US, and still a DAMN FUN game in its own right! I simply had to put this at the top ranking. After the disillusionment caused by Atari’s failures, this game brought home consoles back in a big way to the US. 

World of Warcraft: Now, I’m not much for MMORPGs. Nevertheless, I’ve followed the lore and general information in the Warcraft setting for years now, and a couple years back, my brother asked me to play it with him. I had a ton of fun, honestly! Playing a goblin mage, I believe. WoW is notable for being THE MMORPG, and still going strong. Admittedly, nowadays many games do what it does better, and the time when it was dominant as THE single game to play is past, but it was still an enjoyable experience and I really have to like how sincere the game is about its aesthetics and campy vibe. Given that the entire setting is reputedly a reskin of a Warhammer Fantasy Battle video game that went south, it’s cheery and colorful, morally gray tone is... an interesting complication in its history. (Also, HORDE. I STAN THE HORDE VERY HARD.)

The Sims: A bit of history; I did not play this game as enthusiastically as a kid as my sister and mom did. We ALL spammed the hell out of the Rosebud cheat, though; not until recent times did I actually wind up playing the game properly, when the most recent iteration of the series was free for a while. My mom didn’t care to play the game, she just liked building houses. In any case, while my attention drifted from the game now and then, I always am fascinated by the actual gameplay of caring for your simulated humans, and the way you don’t actually control them directly. This sort of hands off experience is actually a bit similar to the ‘dungeon simulator’ genre, and while the game is notorious for enabling cruelty (something I never saw the appeal of!), it’s a surprisingly wholesome experience, and it can’t be understated how unique this gameplay was at the time.

Legend of Zelda: It’s actually rather interesting how different OG Zelda is from modern games. Not just the top down perspective (which DOES pop up, now and then); the game is non-linear and allows you to go to any dungeon at any point, completing the game at your leisure, and the story is extremely barebones compared to what we may be used to. It’s quite a far cry from the linear gameplay of gradually collecting tools and working through plots that the games are known for. Breath of the Wild is, in fact, a return to form rather than an upheaval of the formula. I’ll also admit that I have a lot of affection for the gameplay of this one, as well as Link To The Past.

Donkey Kong: When you’re talking old school, as far as what you might call the modern generation of games goes (which is to say, the games that resurged after the Atari Crash), it’s hard to go wrong with Donkey Kong. It’s certainly notable for being a weird stage in Mario’s character and something that is generally ignored; it’s just strange thinking that at one point he was supposed to be abusive towards a pet ape that went in an innocent, well-meaning rampage! Personally this one kind of breaks a mold for my S-class rankings because while I like this one fine, I don’t like it THAT much; i mostly played it in the DK 64 game, and found it very difficult and that’s stuck with me. Still, I place it here for its momentous position in placing Nintendo on the map, with the influence and revolutionary technologies and gaming mechanics they would introduce, to this very day.

Pokemon Red/Blue: Hoo boy. HOO BOY it is honestly something of an oversight that I didn't immediately shove this beauty straight to the front of the S-line because good god I love this game. It's been years and years, long since I was but a whee Johnny playing a strange new game for the first time just because there was a cool turtle creature on the cover (because I was super into turtles back then), and I still love this game. Even with the improvements made to the formula since then (getting rid of HMs, the fixes and new types introduced since) there's still something lovable about this game, even as something as basic as the official artwork that just tugs my heartstrings. This game is highly notable for being an RPG that popularized the monster collecting/befriending gameplay (so far as I know), and as an autistic person, i really appreciate knowing the whole thing grew out of an autistic man's bug collection hobby from when he was a child. Pokemon is an absolute juggernaut of a media influence, and THIS is where it all began. It's first stage evolution, you might say. And not like a Magikarp or anything. This one's more like one of the starters... appropriately enough. Final Fantasy 7: This is probably a bit of a controversial take, but FF7 was not actually one of my favorite Final Fantasy entries back in the day. I never played much more of it than the beginning missions, as my cousin owned the machine in question, and I moved out before i could play it much. Final Fantasy 3 (in the US; it's more generally referred to as 6 now) was my favorite for a long, long time, and that game pioneered many of the traits that would be associated with 7: the epic story, the complex ensemble cast, though 7 really expanded on that basic idea, and previous games were hardly shabby in that regard. 9 is my favorite of the pre-10 era, with its extreme shake ups to the mechanics of the game. No; what makes 7 stand out is that it was a shift towards making Final Fantasy a constantly shifting, unique franchise where every entry was its own thing; it introduced 3D graphics with a fun and cartoony style mixed with a story that wouldn't be out of place in a cyberpunk story, and heralds Squaresoft (as it was called at the time) splitting off from Nintendo, with its censorship policies, and doing its own thing with Sony, with a great deal more freedom to write as they pleased. The party design also stands out, which each character having their own unique function in the party while the Materia concept allows a degree of modular skills to be installed, customizing them in ways that, in my opinion, the best entries in the franchise (on a gameplay level) would revisit. Colossal Cave Adventure: I'll be honest; I never played this game, and I don't believe it's particularly familiar to me at all. However, I chose it for this vaunted spot in S-rank because games of this nature, of text-based prompt and responses, are some of the most interesting things imaginable! Games like AI Dungeon are similar in some respects, and its impressive to think just how dang old this game is, and yet it managed to pull off basically being it's own DM. It has an interesting history; created by a man who worked on the precursor to the Internet, the game was made to connect with his daughter and was inspired by recent entries into Dungeons And Dragons, and later expanded upon by other programmers. It's notable that while Zork is the sort of game that would probably involve more immediate recognition (I actually mistook it for Zork at first, from the screenshot), this game was the first of its kind, and that always deserve some recognition. Minecraft: I absolutely LOVE Minecraft, and it's rightfully one of the most popular games, if not THE most popular game, of the last couple of decades, and it's interesting to think just how unconventional it is; the game is, effectively, a LEGO simulator, and as someone who honestly always wanted tons of LEGO sets as a kid but could never afford them consistently, there's something genuinely very appealing about Minecraft's basic set up. It's open approach and lack of a goal, just gameplay mechanics that encourage you to build and do as you please, makes for a very relaxing and unusual mentality not often seen in games until this point; it doesn't even have a storyline, it simply gives you a world to play around in. Of note, Minecraft's entry seems to have relevance towards video games becoming a cultural touchstone; Minecraft's visual aesthetic leans towards both blocky LEGOs and retro graphics, and certainly proves that games don't need to strive for hyper realistic graphics to be appealing. ----- A RANK Doom: I genuinely like Doom, a lot! I still have memories of replaying this game frequently, long before Doom 2016 and Eternal were glimmers; it's just genuinely very fun to play. That said, I feel that there's other games that are a bit more historically notable and while i like this game, not quite as much as other entries. But it cant be understated that this was THE first person shooter, and more to the point, was fundamental towards game design as we know it. Of note, it pioneered the idea of a game engine, which has had tremendous impact down the road in terms of making a flexible baseline system that latergames were programmed around. Additionally, the first three episodes being free, with the additional ones being purchased as part of the full game, this was, I think, the first demonstration of a demo. Back then, we called this shareware; a game which was free but had full features locked off, but otherwise you could play it however much you wanted. There's a REASON Doom winds up on more systems than Skyrim! Ultimately, while it's not one of my favorite games, it's impact on the business of gaming and the functions of game design cannot be overstated. Pac-Man: This game, is THE game that made video games a phenomenon and its worth thinking about that and how video games as a modern institituion can be drawn, however broadly, from Pac-Man's commercial success. I should note that while I've played this game extensively, it's not something I'm particularly good at; there's a LOT going on here and its a bit much for me to handle. That's probably a strength; there's a reason people had to fake their accomplishments and falsified high scores. It's worth noting that Pac-Man is a unique thing in that it has been rereleased many times over, and every generation has found it enjoyable and fun, unlike other games that set trends only to be lost out in the end. (Goldeneye, for instance!) The Oregon Trail: Like many other people I assume, I first played this game as something available on school computers. Purportedly made as an educational game to teach students about history, this game may be notable for, among other things, being an entry point towards the idea of resource management in video games (as well as being hellishly difficult, by the standards then, but that DOES illustrate a point, does it not?). It's also the oldest, most continuously available game ever made, even now being ported to smartphones, or so I hear! It seems to be a very early example of edutainment games, and a genuinely great one at that. It probably helps that a selling point is that it doesn't really mince around with its subject matter; anyone who's played this game knows that total party kill is the default assumption, as it was in life. Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat: I place these two together as I feel that they form a duo of sorts, and defined fighting games of my childhood and modern gaming experience; name a fighting game, from Injustice to something as deliberately different as Smash Bros, and it has SOME relation to these games, even if its in terms of doing something completely different. These games set a mold for fighting games! Among other things, both games feature iconic characters as a selling point, and to this day fighting games make their mark based on how signature their characters are. Mortal Kombat is of course an incredibly violent game (though very tame, by modern standards), and its fatalities and depicitons of violence sparked thought and arguments on what video games ought to be allowed to depict, for better or for worse. It's not implausible to suggest that the overly strict restrictions on what video games could depict go back to Mortal Kombat's fatalities, specifically (since there's far worse games predating it, though too graphically primitive to be obvious). Street Fighter, conversely, strikes me as having more characterization and depth, especially as far as fighting systems go; I find it hard to be interested in many fighting games now, if they don't offer as much depth as the likes of Street Fighter 2. Street Fighter stands out for innovating multiplayer play, initially in the arcade, and its not implausible to say that the likes of Smash Bros is a descendant of sorts of the specific mentality Street Fighter brought to the table. Consider also that it is STILL a mainstay in the remaining arcades and cabinets in service today! Tomb Raider: This is a game i legit liked back in the day, and there's some part of me that's sad that the platforming, puzzle solving and focus on exploration has not really made it back into the modern Tomb Raider series, last I checked. There's probably something interesting in that Lara Croft represents a bit of an intermediate period between platforming mascots and modern Edgy Protagonists; you know the ones. Balding white dudes with vague dad vibes, but this is not a slight on Lara; she definitely has a ton of personality, even just at a cover glance. This game had a strong focus on exploration, and that's honestly something I really like. Super Mario Kart: I'm going to be controversial here; complaints about the Blue Shell are kinda overrated. It's not that different from, say, a red shell hitting you from behind when you're close to the finish line. But, jokes and old 90s memes aside, this game has some interesting status in that it started the idea of making spin-off games in dramatically different contexts; Crash Team Racing and Sonic Drift, for example, are listened as similar games. On a franchise level, this began the trend of Mario becoming a truly flexible character who could do pretty much whatever was required of him, not just the original platforming games, and its possible his imitators never quite learned the same lesson. Though one wonders what Miyamoto might have thought if he'd known how many thinkpieces he would spawn with 'why does mario go-karting with Bowser when they're enemies?'. For my part, I favor the idea that the other games are in-universe fictions they're actors on and this is their actual dynamic, or that Mario is a relaxed dude who doesn't mind playing kart games with his foe. (I mean, he's not Ridley. Bowser's easy enough to get along with.) Animal Crossing: Again, I have to emphasize that I've never actually played this game, at least on a consistent basis (and by that, I mean I MIGHT have played it on the Gamecube, once, in the early 2000s), and have to speak from what I've seen of what it sparked. And I really do like the way it really codified the sub-genre of relaxed, open-ended games where the player is free to do as they like, without much stress or fear, which is something I think more games could stand to do. On my personal list of features that my ideal video game would have, Animal Crossing would definitely offer a few ideas. I am reminded of farming simulators, such as Harvest Moon or Stardew Valley; while they are different beasts entirely, there's a familiar sense of non-combat relaxation that's pleasant to see. Spacewar!: This machine is GODDAMN old, and like an old fogey predating modern humans, it deserves our respect. It's so old, it predates Pong. Supposedly created as part of predictative Cold War models, with an emphasis on emulating sci fi dogfights, producing a game that soon proved popular, for over a decade remainign the most popular game on computer systems, and a clumsy foray into arcade gaming (that didn't pan out, unfortunately) led to the creation of Pong by its creator, which is another story all its own! And Pong is directly responsible for the idea of the video game itself; this game launched the entire video game industry as we understand it! No small feat, indeed. ----

B RANKED Sonic The Hedgehog: I must state that I DO like this game, though not as much as later entires like Sonic 3 and Knuckles, or the Sonic Adventure series; the fast paced action seems a bit hobbled by the traps and need to be careful of surroundings, which would seem to run counter towards the whole idea of GOTTA GO FAST, y'know? But the game presents an interesting viewpoint on the nature of mascot gaming; created specifically, so it is said, as a rival to Mario, Sonic was designed as a mascot with attitude, and inspired a host of imitators; he's probably the only one to escape the 90s more or less intact, and this may have something to say about his flexibility, star power, and also the fact that he's a pretty mild character, all things considered. This game certainly has its place in gaming history, giving an important place in the console wars of yesteryear. Believe me, I was a kid in the 90s, Sonic was a HUGE deal. Space Invaders: This game is noted to have catapulted games into prominence by making them household, something outside of arcades, and it shows! An interesting detail of note is that supposedly, the Space Invaders were meant to all move at high speed, but this was either too hard to play against, or too costly on the processor; it was found that by making them speed up as they were defeated, it created an interesting set of challenge. You have to appreciate game history like that. In general, its success prompted Japanese companies to join the market, which would eventually produce what I imagine was a thriving, competitive market that would eventually get us Nintendo and it's own gamechangers down the road. Grant Theft Auto 3: I'm going to be honest with you. I don't much care for this sort of game. The Saints Row series, with its fundamental wackiness, is the kind of game I really DO like if I'm going for something like this, and GTA sort of leaning towards the 'cruel for fun and profit' gameplay is really unappealing for me. However, I'd be remiss if I didn't address this game, and what seems to come up is two things: the game's sheer freedom in its open world (which certainly pushed the bar for games of that nature, and has made it a byword for gamers screwing around in a game just to see what ridiculous things they could or couldn't do) and the infamous reputation from the mature aspects of the game. Personally, I'm not much for this game's take on maturity (if I wanted to discuss a game of that nature, I'd suggest, say, Spec Ops: The Line) but I really do appreciate what this game and its series did for the open world genre, and the sheer possibilities presented for letting you do what you wanted. King's Quest: I've never played this game, but I am a HUGE fan of the point and click genre (also known generally as the adventure game genre) that it spawned; without this game, there's no Monkey Island, no Sam and Max, no The Dig or Full Throttle, or Gabriel Knight. This game was similar to previous text-based games, with a text parser to input commands, but with the distinction of a graphical interface to move their character around, which would be the seed of later games such as the SCUMM engine of Monkey Island and other Lucasarts games (which, to me, ARE Adventure Gaming). The puzzles, comedic sensibilities, and interface innovations originated with this game, and codified those later adventure games i love so much. Starcraft: This is another one those list of 'games I should have already played by now'. I'm not much of an RTS person, barring forays with games such as Impossible Creatures, Warhammer 40k: Dawn of War, and more strange entries such as Brutal Legend, and I contend that the combat aspects of 4X games like Civilization DO count on some level; the specifics of troop movement and unit strengths/weaknesses are a bit beyond me, when you get to more complex stuff. Starcraft, reading between the lines, really introduced the idea of multiplayer culture especially for RTS, pioneered the Battle(dot)net system (which I mostly recall from Diablo, if I'm being honest!) as well as the idea of relative strengths and powers for individual factions so that they became characters in their own right. It's still a very popular online game, and that says SOMETHING. Also, I tend to use zerg rushes, so I would probably play Zerg. Probably. (There is much speculation on whether or not, like Warcraft being a failed Warhammer Fantasy game, if the same holds true for Starcraft and Warhammer 40k. I lean on the side of 'probably not'; the differences are too notable. The Zerg and Tyranids have some similarties, but that's probably because they're based on the same broad hive mind evil insect aggressor trope, and they have enough differences from there to be very distinct from one another. It's not like how OG Warcraft's orcs were very obviously warhammer orcs with less football hooliganism.) Bejeweled: This is a firm case of a game that I don't play, but I really have to respect its influence on gaming as a whole. Apparently it started as a match three-type game with a simplistic formula that proved wildly popular (perhaps making a point that simpler can be more effective, in game mechanics), with a truly explosive record of downloads; over 500 million, it seems. Thus its fair to say that this game set the precedent for casual games, which have become THE market. Regardless of your feelings on that genre, this one was a real game changer. (Pun intended, absolutely.) ----

C RANK Pong: "By most measures of popular impact, Pong launched the video game industry." This line alone saws it all, I think. It wasn't the first video game, but it was one of the more early ones, and its the one that really made video games and consoles successful, gaining widespread attention from the mainstream audience, as well as getting Atari recognition (for better or for worse, but perhaps that was just a development of being on top, so to speak; maye the console wars at least kept the big three honest). It also started the arcade revolution of games, and this humble game is essentially responsible for the entire state of video games as a concept, as we know it today. Halo: No disrespect to Halo, but it's just a game series I've never quite been able to get into. Those games are very hit and miss for me; games like Call of Duty, Battlefield, Gears of War and everything like that are just... hard for me to get into. It takes something specific like Borderlands or the Besthesda Fallout series, or something else, for me to get hooked, and Halo just doesn't do it for me! Nevertheless, I would be QUITE remiss if I simply dismissed it, and there's reasons for it to be inducted into the hall of fame barely three years into the hall of fame making inductees. Firstly, it was Microsoft's big entry into the console wars, and it must be said this was a MASSIVE upset and a completely unprecedented shift in the assumptions of the console wars back then; NO ONE expected microsoft to actually do this, let alone redefine gaming out of Sony and Nintendo's favor like that. At the time, PCs dominated FPS games, and Halo showed that consoles could do it just fine. It must also be said that it has a very intricate and complex system of lore, backstory and material that was quite distinctive for a new setting back in the day, and while I've seen people object to it's gameplay, I suspect that its with the benefit of hindsight; Halo offered an extremely unusual degree of freedom in achieving the goals set out for you. (Cortana also didn't deserve getting her name slapped onto that search assistant that eats up all your RAM.) Where In The World Is Carmen San Diego: Surprisignly enough, based on the article, this game was NOT an adaptation, but the source material of this character. This is where the fancy, mystery lady in the red coat started! Evidently this game was originally an edutainment game with a cops and robbers theme, and inspired by Colossal Cave Adventure from higher up on the list, and one must appreciate the effort that went into it. This one is ranked low, mostly because it didn't seem TOO notable to me. Honestly I'm surprised this is where Carmen Sandiego started. (And that she doesn't get enough credit as an iconic theatrical villain who won't go a step too far, but that's another rant.) -

D LIST

Here we are. The D LIST. The bottom of the sorting pile; the lowest of them all, the... well, the ones that I honestly don't necessarily dislike, but couldn't place higher for reasons of notability, personal interest, or perceived impact on the history of gaming. John Madden Football: Sports games, as a whole, really do NOT do it for me. I don't like real like sports at ALL (with, as a kid, a brief interest in boxing and that was just because they had gloves like Knuckles from Sonic the Hedgehog) so its hard for me to say that I find the history of this one all that compelling. Even so, there's some interesting elements in how this game was a sequel to a previous failed attempt, with a bold new attempt at a more arcade-style action game with a more dramatic take on the players, who would in turn be rated in different skill sets. The Madden series is STILL going so... it worked out pretty well, I'd say. (FUCKIN EA WAS BEHIND THIS ONE??? wow, EA is older than I thought.) Microsoft Flight Simulator: It's honestly a bit painful sorting this one so low, since I had many happy times as a wee Johnny playing this game back in the old days. I mean the OLD, old days. This was like, the days when Usenet was the preferred way for people to talk online. (Not me, though. I didn't talk to people, then. I was even less social than I am now, which is saying something!) All the same, I suppose that it was important to not crowd too many entries in a specific folder, and statistically, something had to keep getting knocked down, and in the end, I couldn't honestly say I still enjoyed this one enough to place it higher. Still, credit must be given where it is due; this game stands out for being an early foray into simulator gaming, showing a realistic depiction of actual flight. It has apparently been updated and rereleased many times since, which is impressive! Tetris: I like puzzles. So it might be surprising to hear this seminal game ranked so low; firstly, I like different KINDS of puzzles (like weird ones where you have to fling your sense of logic to the moon and back, or make use of gaming mechanics) and honestly this game is kind of stressful for me. You gotta keep an eye on a lot of different things flying around all at once, and constantly move things around, and that kind of attention and quick thinking does NOT come easily to me. All the same, I really have to admire how it was born from it's creator's pleasure in solving mathematical puzzles about sorting shapes into boxes, in a manner strangely remniscient of Satoshi's bug collecting that became Pokemon. Certainly the game's simplicity has proven a universally appealing thing, and may say something about the value of keeping it simple. Microsoft Solitaire: This game apparently became pay-to-get some time ago in recent computer generations, and let me tell, you, it was genuinely depressing to find that out. I remember younger decades, from the 90s and on, when this game was a regular and free feature in Windows computers fir MANY years. You got a computer, this game was on here. I was a kid, and i remember watching my mom play this game and makign the cards go WHOOP WHOPP all over the place and marveling, because I couldn't ever do the same thing. (A related note: I am terrible at this game. Go figure!) Of note, this game was massively widespread, and just EVERYWHERE, and I think everyone who ever played a computer back in those days instantly remembers it in some way. It was just... ubiquitous. Centipede: Oh, ol' Centipede. I don't mean to be mean to you. But between the likes of Pokemon and Super Mario Bros, even the arcade Donkey Kong, someone had to keep dropping down the leaderboard that is this tierlist, and unfortunately, there were other games that felt higher up than you. All the same, you're a very good game, and honestly, I like you more than some other games ranked higher for reasons of relevance to gaming history. Certainly more than anything else in D-listing. The colorful and appealing palette is noteworthy. That trackball controller! Amazing! (More games should use trackballs. They're fun and easy to use.) At the very least, Order of the Stick did a joke with you once, and that's better than anything I can do for you. All the same, you're a cool game.

[afni-fics]

Elder Scrolls DC - A Reluctant Dragonborn - Chapter 15: Not of This World (Part 2)

Elder Scrolls DC - A Reluctant Dragonborn - Chapter 15: Not of This World (Part 2) by C_R_Scott Chapters: 15/? Fandom: Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Red Robin (Comics), DCU (Comics) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence Characters: Tim Drake, Lucien Flavius Additional Tags: Crossover, Crossovers & Fandom Fusions, Skyrim/DCU crossover, Reluctant Dovahkiin | Dragonborn, Not Beta Read, Alternate Universe - Skyrim Fusion, Modded Skyrim, Skyrim Spoilers, Tim Drake is Dragonborn | Dovahkiin, Batfamily-centric (DCU), Tim Drake-centric

Previous Chapter | Masterlist | Next Chapter

Summary:

More information is revealed between Tim and Lucien as they rest for the night after escaping Bleak Falls Barrow.

-------------------------

Tim had been feeling uneasy since he asked Lucien if he had a copy of a world map. While listening to the scholar's story and history, he became curious about this land called Cyrodiil. From what he could gather, it was somewhere beyond Skyrim, but the further Lucien went into his stories, the more frustrated he became.

Having no frame of reference for any of the locations was bothering him.

Knowing so little in general about this world he was trapped in made him feel extremely uneasy.

So... He asked, "Do you have a map of the world?"

The map Lucien spread out across that stone floor was a functional work of art. As Tim studied the map of Tamriel, a part of him was awed that someone had created such a beautiful detailed thing by hand with just pen and ink on parchment. He felt similarly about the parchment map of Skyrim he had sitting folded neatly in his own bag.

It was beautiful.

But it wasn't a map of any country on Earth. 

A part of Tim had been harboring a small hope that perhaps he was dealing with some sort of Multiverse-shenanigans. Perhaps he was on an alternate Earth where sword and sorcery were king instead of science and technology? Or maybe there was time travel high jinks in play? This world was clearly set on some sort of medieval timeline. Magic and dragons loomed large in old legends in Europe, so perhaps there was a kernel of truth to the fairy tales?

But as Tim studied the map, trying to find any familiar shape among the coastlines, lakes, and mountain ranges, he felt his heart sink.

His face must have been reflecting the encroaching despair that had been chasing him ever since Helgen as Lucien's voice disturbed the silence. "Does nothing on that map look familiar to you?" Then, a bit later, Lucien asked "Then... Where on Nirn do you come from, if not from Tamriel?"

In that moment, Tim decided to take a chance. He looked at Lucien and asked, genuinely, "Nirn? Is that another continent, or is that the name of the entire world?"

As Lucien stared at him in disbelieve, jaw working to form a response but no words escaping him, Tim felt a wave of regret wash over him. He chuckled humorlessly and shook his head. "Shit. Shouldn't have opened my big mouth. You probably think I'm crazy or stupid."

Finally Lucien found his voice. "No. Of course not!"

Tim gave him a deadpan, "don't try and bullshit me" stare.

Lucien sighed. "Well... Perhaps a touch of madness is on the table as a possibility, but certainly not stupidity! The expression of your intelligence in the Barrows was quite indisputable." The scholar took a measured breath and tee-peed his fingers in front of his face, tapping his lips with the apex of his joined fingertips. "Honestly, I was leaning more heavily towards some type of memory loss triggered by the trauma you experienced at Helgen." He looked at Tim over his fingertips.

Tim smiled wearily. "That might make a nice plausible cover-story later on, if anyone asks about my past," he mused. 

"But that's not it..."

"No. That's not it." Tim looked over Lucien appraisingly, trying to mentally gauge how much he should and shouldn't tell the scholar. Then he got an idea. He pulled out his own journal as well as a quill and a bottle of ink. Then he set to work carefully sketching the basic forms of all the known continents of his Earth from memory. Once the shapes of the large land masses were set, he added more details, such as borders between major countries and the locations of major cities along with their names. Lucien watched him work with great curiosity. 

Once he was done, Tim took a steadying breath before he offered Lucien the drawing. "This is a map of the continents of the place I come from," he admitted solemnly. Tim pointed to the dot on the North American continent he had labeled "Gotham City". "And this city is my home." He looked to Lucien. "In your studies, have you ever seen any land masses or maps that are similar to any of these places?"

Carefully, Lucien took the journal and held it a little closer to the light from the campfire. As he studied the rough drawing, his brow furrowed and absent-mindedly he stroked his mustache and goatee as his expression became more thoughtful and inward. After a few quiet moments, the scholar shook his head slight. "I'm sorry. I have studied a fair number of historic maps over the years, but I've never seen any that resemble the land masses displayed here." Lucien set the open journal down next to his own map of Tamriel, so he could look at both at the same time, arms crossed across his chest as he still let his eyes wander from one map to the other.

The silence between the two of them was agonizing to Tim. He could feel a coil of anxiety tightening in his chest, though he tried to keep it suppressed and his expression neutral. "What are you thinking Lucien?" He finally worked up the nerve to ask.

Lucien closed his eyes. "I... don't know yet," he admitted. "I don't have enough information." He finally looked up at Tim. "If you are comfortable with it, can I ask you a few questions?"

Tim nodded, even as he drew his cloak a little closer around himself, as if he was cold even despite the roaring fire in front of him, looking more guarded than forthcoming.

Lucien pulled out his own journal and flipped to a clean page. Then he began to voice a few questions, keeping them with a simple yes/no format. 

"I'm going to give you a list of names. Let me know if any of them are familiar to you. Yes or no answers will suffice."

Tim nodded. 

"Azura?" 

"No."

"Boethia?" 

"No."

"Clavicus Vile?" '

Tim tilted his head. "I know the word 'vile".

Lucien paused in his notes. "But as the name of a being?" 

Tim shook his head.

"Hm... " Lucien murmured thoughtfully. He went down the rest of the list of Tamriel's known Daedric Princes.

Hermaeus Mora. 

Hircine. 

Malacath.

Mehrunes Dagon. 

Mephala.

Meridia. 

Molag Bal. 

Namira. 

Nocturnal. 

Peryite. 

Sanguine. 

Sheogorath. 

Varemina.

To each name, aside from recognizing "nocturnal" and "sanguine" as common words, but not necessarily proper nouns, Tim responded in the negative. He clearly had no knowledge of the Daedra Lords of Oblivion. 

Lucien then moved on. He offered Tim another list of names. It was going to be shorter this time, just the list of the Eight Divines.

"Let's start off with Akatosh--"

"Akatosh..." Tim echoed as memory shards darted through his mind. 

                  ... an ancient temple?                                           ... "A-ka-tosh?"                                                             ..."Dude?! You can read that?"                                                ... "Detective?! What are you--"                                 "DOVAHKIIN!!!"...                                             ... "MEYZ NU YSMIR, DOVAHSEBROM!...                                                                                  ..."ROB!"...                                                                            ... "TIM!!!"                                                                                     ... FALLING!!!..

"Timothy?! Timothy can you hear me?!"

Tim felt hands on his shoulders, shaking him... Until he realized he was the one trembling, and Lucien's hands were trying to hold him steady. Lucien's eyes were wide with concern.

"Lucien?" 

The scholar breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness. You went catatonic the moment I mentioned Akatosh. Are you alright?"

Tim buried his face in his hands. The shaking was settling, but not completely gone. "I... don't know," he admitted. "That name... it's familiar, but my memories." He groaned as he felt the spike of a migraine building behind his eyes the harder he tried to remember. "I can't sort them out. Like they've been ripped to pieces. Hurts..."

Lucien pressed a hand to Tim's forehead and noticed he seemed to be far warmer than normal. He frowned. "Here now. I think that's enough for tonight. You are still injured and you need to rest." He helped to lay out Tim's bedroll, despite the weak protests from the younger man. "We'll start off in the morning to Whiterun and as soon as we finish dropping off that Dragonstone with the Jarl's wizard, you're going straight to the temple for proper healing. I think your luck's run out regarding that burn not becoming infected."

Tim tried to protest, but he felt so physically, mentally, and emotionally wrung out. Gingerly, he laid himself down and drew his cloak around himself to stay warm. "Lucien?" 

"Yes?" Lucien had taken a length of linen wrap from Tim's bag and soaked it with water from the rain still falling outside their shelter. He knelt beside Tim and placed the cool compress on his forehead.

"Do you think I'm crazy?"

The scholar gave him a reassuring smile. "I think... I don't believe you're crazy, but I do think you have experienced something that neither of us can quite explain. Don't worry... Once we've completed your task and once you are healed, I will help you find your truth."

That seemed to reassure Tim enough that he finally relaxed to a point where he could let exhaustion drag him under into unconsciousness.

***

Once Lucien was assured that Timothy was fast asleep, he went back to the maps on the ground, and also to both their journals. After a quick glance to make sure his companion was still resting, Lucien picked up Tim's journal and flipped back to the start of the book and read over the few earlier entries that existed. His brow furrowed at some of the contents he read.

"January 23, 20XX... 24 hour days? Is he's on a different measure of time?"

"Gotham... That's name of his home city, but where is that from? His map of his world is so strange? Could it be a land from a plane of Oblivion? But which one, and how? Could it be there's an active Oblivion Gate somewhere in Skyrim? Terrifying thought...."

"Also... Is it possible he is from Nirn, but crossed paths with a Daedric Lord and just didn't realize it? Sheogorath's touch perhaps? But those who are touched by the mad god are usually completely manic or violently insane. Timothy, by comparison, seems quite in control of his mental faculties, if a bit confused at most."

"Medieval? What does that word mean?"

"Oy... no wonder he bristled at the mention of the Imperial Legion... Better be careful when we make our way back to Solitude. He might react poorly if we're approached by anyone that looks like a soldier."

"Clearly no understanding of potions or magic. Maybe they don't exist where he comes from? Hm... Seems the same way regarding Septims as well. Likely different monetary units in his homeland."

After reading the only four entries in the book, Lucien felt marginally guilty about reading Tim's private thoughts, but now he had a little bit more information about his travelling companion.

Too bad he ended up with more questions than answers.

"Who is this young man, and where is his homeland located?"

"How did he get to Skyrim, and for what reason was he brought?"

"Why did he react so unusually to the mention of Akatosh?"

"Is it possible a Divine or a Daedric Lord is involved somehow?"

"How can we get him home?"

Timothy Drake-Wayne was certainly an intriguing puzzle he really, really wanted to solve.

-------------------------

Warning: This is being pantsed more than plotted, and this is not beta read. We'll see where this journey takes us. Mostly I'm just doing this for my own amusement.

Note1: If you have any questions about the playthrough and Tim's feelings/experiences that aren't described in the chapters, please ask me in the comments. I'll do my best to answer your questions as best I can.

Note2: Dragon Tongue Translations: - DOVAHKIIN - Dragonborn - MEYZ NU YSMIR, DOVAHSEBROM - Come now Ysmir, Dragon of the North ***** So ends the evening of rest before making their way back to Whiterun.

#elder scrolls dc#fanfiction#tim drake#skyrim fanfiction#batfam fanfic#red robin#batfam#crossover#lucien flavius#wip#afewnovelideas

[if-the-crown-fits-translate-it]

Discord pt 50

[Date: 25/02, 6.59 PM - 25/02, 07.51 PM GMT]

[‘Puppet’ from the Ib OST is playing in the VC.]

fetch: “:)”

Prince: “Oh! Crown said this was a good song! He says it reminds him of being a kid again! Don't you guys think so?

:)”

fetch: “YOU RE R I GHT PR INCE ! TH IS JS A VE R Y G OOD S ONG .” [You’re right Prince! This is a very good song.]

Prince: “I like it! It makes me feel all happy inside :)”

fetch: “TH OUG H ITS A L ITT LE F AST ER TH AN WH AT I U SUALL Y L IS TE N TO . N IG HT COR E HA AHA AHA .” [Though it’s a little faster than what I usually listen to. Nightcore haahaaha.]

Prince: “It is a little fast, but it's very nice :D”

Prince: “It makes me kinda sleepy :) How about you, fetch? :)”

fetch: “I GU ESS A L I TT LE HA HAA . B UT I GOT PL ENTY OF SL EE P LAS T N IGH T!” [I guess a little hahaa. But I got plenty of sleep last night!]

IM SO ENE ER GIZED AND R E ADY FO R THE D A Y” [I’m so energized and ready for the day]

donti: “Isn’t too much sleep a little bad for someone?”

Prince: “I don't think so :) It's nice to sleep. You don't have to think about all the things that might be stressing you out :)”

fetch: “I AG REE PR INC E . SL EE P IS NNI CE B UT D OGS CA NT S LE EP ALL D A Y ! THAT S A CAT TH ING TO DO L OL” [I agree, Prince. Sleep is nice but dogs can’t sleep all day! That’s a cat thing to do lol]

[‘No One in Sight’ from the Ib OST starts playing on loop]

fetch: “N OT AS G OOD AS THE LA ST ONE B UT S TILL A BOP” [Not as good as the last one but still a bop]

Prince: “Oh! This one is nice, too! Relaxing, like you’re outside listening to the breeze~”

Prince: “I can put on the other one again! :D”

[fetch: “ HM . TH ANF YOU PR INCE BU T I LIKE VA RIE TY SOM E TIME S :)” [Hm. Thank you, Prince, but I like variety sometimes]]

Prince: “Oh, ok :)”

fetch: “IM H APP Y TO SEE C R OWN ANS W E RIN G T H IN GS! YO U M UST BE H APPY T O O” [I’m happy to see Crown answering things! You must be happy too]

[donti: How had your day been so far Prince, while you’re here? This music really gets me in a convering mood.]

Prince: “It's been great! everything is fine :)“

fetch: “TH AT S GOO D :D” [That’s good :D]

[donti: Thats nice to know! How’s everyone in the court doing?”]

Prince: “Everyone is doing well :D i miss Knight, though... He hasn't been around in a while.”

fetch: “AW SADGE D: I H OPE Y OU F IND Y OUR KN IG HT BUD D Y SOON !” [Aw Sadge D: I hope you find your Knight buddy soon!]

[donti: Oh no! did something happen? Do you know where he is?

Prince: “No... He just... Went away one day... Crown said he'll find him for us and bring him home again, though, so it's ok! :)“

fetch: “AW HA HA HA H OW N ICE OF. H IM :) :) :)” [Aw hahaha how nice of. him]

[‘BGM008′ from the Ib OST starts playing]

[Povas: “Where did you last see knight?”]

Prince: “Um...Here, I think :)”

fetch: “O H G OOD SON G [Oh good song]

TH IS MAK ES THE FUN NY PIA NO T INK Y NOIS E” [This makes the funny piano tinky noise]

Prince: “I like the tinky noise too! :D”

Povas: “Why is it giving me a sense of dread?”

fetch: “I DK WHA T YOU M EAN BY D R EAD :/ ? IT S OUND S F INE TO M E !” [Idk what you mean by dread :/? It sounds fine to me!]

Prince: “Yeah! I think it's lovely! :)”

Povas: “It might just be me”

fetch: “PR OBAB LY Y OU LOL :D” [Probably you lol :D]

[donti: “Hm, change of music aside, whatcha been up to?”]

Prince: “Not much has been happening :) I just like to listen to music here. You can't be sad if there's nothing to make you upset, you know? :)”

[fetch [responding to donti]: “WH O ME ? OR PR INC E ?” [Who, me? Or Prince?]

donti: “Either or! I care about both of you :D”

fetch: “OH IM D OI NG GR E AT :D APP A RE NT LY M I SS E D D INN E R LA S T N IGHT SO M ONA (G OOD GO OD F RIEND MO NA) L EFT OUT A BR EA KF AS T FOR M E TO M UN CH WHI LE SHE WE NT TO W O RK” [Oh I’m doing great :D Apparently missed dinner last night so Mona (good good friend Mona) left out a breakfast for me to munch while she went to work]

[fetch: “HAV E BEEN VE RY TH IRST Y SO D RINK ING W AT ER” [Have been very thirsty so drinking water]]

Prince: “That's good! Drink plenty of water and eat plenty of food and get plenty of sleep! Crown would want you at your best :D”

fetch: “Y E AH :) TO AST WITH RO SE PET AL J AM M M  AND GO OD C E R EAL” [Yeah :) toast with rose petal jammm and good cereal]

[‘The Little Doll's Dream’ from the Ib OST starts playing]

fetch: “OO OO O GUITAR R R [ooooo guitarrr]

I LI KE GU IT AR” [I like guitar]

[donti: Prince, you have a very wide range of music in here! Where did you find so many songs?”]

Prince: “Oh, i just like to listen to a lot of things! These songs are from a game called Ib! You should play it :)“

[fetch: “IT I S A VER Y F UN G AME ! GARRY IS MY F AVOR I TE CH AR ACTER” [It is a very fun game! Garry is my favorite character]]

Prince: “Garry is my favorite, too! he's so nice! :D”

Bea (she/her): “I've heard of that game before. What's it about?”

[fetch: “A G IRL GO ES TO AN A RT ME USE UM AND THE N SHI T GE TS F UCKED LOL PAI NTINS COM E TO L IFE N S H JT” [A girl goes to an art museum and then shit gets fucked lol]]

Prince: “I guess... But i'd describe it a little differently...”

[”Inquiry” from the Ib OST starts playing]

fetch: “I M EAN AIN T THAT WH AT HAP PENS LOL” [I mean ain’t that what happens lol]

Prince: “A girl named Ib goes to an art exhibit and ends up in finding herself inside a painting! She meets a nice man named Garry and they have to make their way out together! There's lots of different endings and lots of puzzles! :)”

fetch: “MY DE S C RI PT ION W AS BE T TER LOL” [My description was better lol]

donti: “Oh! So its not a horror game?”

Prince: “It can be a little scary sometimes, but it's not terrible :)”

fetch: “ANYW AY NIC E B OPS IM GONNA GO EA T THE R ES T OF THE ROSE PETAL JAM :) Y UM BY E G UYS DONT FOR GET TO AS K CR OW N TH IN GS” [Anyway nice bops I’m gonna go eat the rest of the Rose Petal Jam :) Yum bye guys don’t forget to ask Crown things]

[donti: Alright! What other games do you play?]

Prince: “Lots of games! I like Skyrim, Overwatch, Undertale and Minecraft the most, though! :D”

[donti: “thats awesome! I like Minecraft too! I also play Pokemon and some rhythm games :D”]

Prince: “Ooh, what's your favorite Pokemon? i like Mimikyu and Ditto the most! :)”

donti: “Gengar and Joltik! the Mareep line is also pretty cool!”

Prince: “Oh, I have to get going! Crown's asking to see me :)

Bye bye! :D”

[silvanils]

Give me a character!! Vilkas, Ulfric, Alistair, and Solas (I tried to think of some you don't have paired with any of your OCs 😂)

GIVE ME A CHARACTER; and I’ll break their ass down:

Vilkas was the hardest one to do this for, LOL! I hope you enjoy my thoughts on these guys, though~

I also made the decision to not include the “unpopular opinions” part simply because I don’t pay enough attention to fandom as a whole to know what counts as “popular” vs. “unpopular.”

Vilkas:

How I feel about this character: He’s smart, definitely one of the main strategists of the current set of Companions. He loves his brother more than anything and it shows in a lot of small ways. I wish they had more moments together. I also find it a bit amusing, since Aril romances Farkas, that the first official Companions quest involves having to prove your worth by fighting Vilkas.

All the people I ship romantically with this character: I am actually drawing a blank here. Aril honed in on Farkas SO HARD, Vilkas has always just been ‘the other brother.” Hm... I think his romance partner would need to be someone who can put up with his jabs, someone that doesn’t back down, someone witty... but also sweet. I think Vilkas likes sweet, kind gestures in private. Aril is a bit too public about his sweetness and affections for Vilkas. LOL. I realize I avoided the question, though. Maybe one of the other companions, like Ria?

My non-romantic OTP for this character: Vilkas and Farkas, of course! They stick together, no matter what. He also (eventually) opens up to Aril and they get along really well, too.

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon: Mostly just that he had a MORE prominent role. He, Farkas, and Aela should’ve been the “Nightingales” of the Companions, except each of them has different views on the Beast Blood. (I think Vilkas would be the first to want to follow Kodlak’s example, because he’s always questioned the wisdom of using such power. Farkas is neutral about it - happy either way, but he’ll take whatever path his brother does. And Aela won’t budge from her choice to keep it.) 

Ulfric:

How I feel about this character: I’ve always thought he was interesting, some of his lines really hit me. There’s a tired, melancholic air around him that I relate to, and... I think he’s caught up in a web he never wanted to be part of. “I fight so that all the fighting I've already done hasn't been for nothing.” Ow.

All the people I ship romantically with this character: ALL? In that case, I’ll admit, Casien’s way up there at this point. I also ship him and Legate Rikke to some degree, I feel like they had SOME kind of history and it MIGHT have been romantic. I don’t think Ulfric falls in love often or easily. (Probably on the grey-asexual spectrum somewhere.)

My non-romantic OTP for this character: Galmar, of course! Possibly Ralof, too. They’re all good friends.

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon: Mm... so this kind of falls under stuff I wish were in Skyrim in general, but I wish more stuff about how elves and other races are being treated would come up, especially if you are PLAYING as someone who isn’t a Nord. He should’ve at least had some kind of comment if the Dragonborn who shows up at his door is an elf or Imperial or anything ELSE unexpected.

Alistair:

How I feel about this character: He’s... so... good. I adore him. He’s smart and clever, looks for the bright side, and tries to make everyone else feel better even when he probably needs someone to give him a pep talk, too.

All the people I ship romantically with this character: Lyanna Cousland, Zevran, Leliana, Morrigan... I also think Dirk Tabris had a one-sided crush on him. I really love Alistair/Warden in general, though. ^-^ (The Leliana and Morrigan ships are a bit conditional, and Zevran... I think is a crush on Alistair’s part, but Zevran knows and teases him because of it. Alistair maybe doesn’t realize it’s a crush until later and he’s like “Oh. I see. Okay. That makes more sense, now.”)

My non-romantic OTP for this character: Duncan came to mind first, but... I might actually say Zevran, even though I also listed him in the previous area. They make for an odd pair of friends, but they complement each other well. I also actually adore how much Teagan cares for him and vice-versa. (At least, from what we see of them together in DA2.)

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon: He deserves to know the truth about his mom. Tangentially related, I really REALLY wish King Alistair had a bigger role in Inquisition... and he should have been able to interact with Morrigan and Kieran, too, especially if Kieran’s his child. It just seems strange to have put all that in there and then do NOTHING with it.

Solas:

How I feel about this character: I didn’t expect to like him, but I do. I know I use the word “interesting” a lot but Solas REALLY IS. I’ve always been fascinated by ageless/immortal characters, and myths, and characters that long for a past they can’t go back to...

All the people I ship romantically with this character: Passion, Felassan, Varlas, Ash Lavellan (one-sided, more of a crush)... I like him with Lavellans in general, but I do wish there were more fics and art featuring male Lavellans.

My non-romantic OTP for this character: A non-romanced Inquisitor, I suppose? It seems like out of ALL his friends in the Inquisition, it is the Inquisitor alone that can say “I won’t give up on you” whether they’re together or not. Ash is definitely such an Inquisitor.

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon: I wish the conversation about vallaslin happened with EVERY Lavellan Inquisitor, regardless of romance or gender, and every Lavellan was given the choice of keeping them or letting Solas take them. It seems like a really important bit of info to ONLY give to a romanced Lavellan.

[vosh-rakh]

a window, open and closed

chapter 2 

(chapter 1)

cw: implied nsfw, nothing explicit

note: i don’t even know what the state of tense is in this, and i don’t care at this point lol

- - - - -

“...So.”

Hla-eix had already rolled over away from Daabush, her eyes contemplating the window. “So...what?”

“You said we would talk.”

Dammit, he remembered. She closes her eyes. “Did I?”

A hand grabs her shoulder and rolls her onto her back, but she keeps her head turned away from him. “No,” Daabush says. “Not again. You agreed to this. Stop trying to run away.”

“It’s all I’m good for. Running away.” She bites the inside of her lip, wishing she hadn’t said anything.

Daabush reaches over her, his rough hand gentle on her chin, pulling her around to face him. He’s so intense, the way he stares at her - into her. She always tries to avoid eye contact, but if she ever finds it, that intensity holds her completely still. No more running away. 

He caresses her cheek, his thumb running over the thin, delicate scales there. “I just want to get to know you, Eix.”

“Sorry,” she says, her eyes managing to step aside for just a moment to breathe. “I don’t know what to tell you. Where to start.”

Daabush purses his lips around his tusks. “Fine,” he says. “Okay. I’ll start, then. I grew up in a stronghold, out east, in the Velothi. What about you?”

“Uh.” This was going to be hard to explain. She always hates having to. But maybe if she can just get it over with… “I grew up in two places. Some in Morrowind, some in Black Marsh. Few years with my moms near the border. About ten years in Morrowind. Few years after the Red Year, I got taken in by the An-Xileel. Then -”

Daabush stretches his thumb over to cover her lips. “Sorry, hold on,” he says. “The Red Year?”

She bites his thumb. “I told you I was old.”

“Ow! Okay.” He props himself up on one elbow. “Also, what’s the An-Xileel?”

“Uh. Government of Black Marsh?”

“Is that common knowledge?”

“It’s not a secret.”

“I’ve only ever lived in Skyrim.”

“I guess you wouldn’t know then.”

“Anyways. Why’d they take you in?”

“Well. My mother was a dunmer. Ashlander. Mabrigash, to be specific. Like a witch, I guess. I lived with her and her coven for a long time.” Hla-eix looks up at the ceiling. She’s always thought about these things. She just needed a push - and some trust - but once she got going, she had plenty to say. “But the An-Xileel pushed north after the Red Year, to take back lands stolen by the dunmer long ago. We lived in those lands. So they killed the mabrigash except for me.”

“Oh. I’m sorry.”

“It was a long time ago.”

“Yeah, but…okay. They didn’t kill you? Why?”

Here’s the hard part, the one she’d been avoiding. “Well. You know what I look like. I had two mothers, an argonian and a dunmer. They found a way to have a child of their own with magic. When the soldiers found me, they thought I was … a cruel experiment of witches, I guess. Another awful thing the elves had done to our people.”

“Why didn’t you tell them?”

“Couldn’t. I don’t know why. But I didn’t speak for a couple years after that. So I just let them assume what they wanted.”

“Okay. So -”

Hla-eix covers his mouth with her hand. “Nope. Your turn again.”

He swats her arm away. “Ugh. Fine.”

“Why’d you leave the stronghold?”

“Well. Hm. You know the Great Houses of Morrowind, yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, there was a wave of Hlaalu emigrants almost ten years ago. Bunch of folks nobody wanted no more, on account of being so close to the Empire. Got especially bad after the Red Year.”

“Wait. You said you were born in a stronghold.”

“I did. Hold your tongue for a minute. I’m not Hlaalu.” His eyes glaze with thought for a moment. “Well. I might actually be, technically. That’s...well, who gives a shit.” He shakes his head and looks back at Hla-eix. “Where was I? Before you rudely butted in.”

“Hlaalu emigrants.”

“Oh. Well, they passed through the Velothi near our stronghold on their way to Skyrim. We let them camp nearby, gave them some supplies. Hlaalu’s always been the House that hated us least. There was…” He pauses, bites his lip. “...a person who, uh. Became important to me. But before I could get...their...name, the caravan left.”

“Daa.” Hla-eix playfully bonks him on the head. “My parents were both women. You don’t have to play the pronoun game.”

He sighs, and she notices that some tension leaves his body. He closes his eyes. “Okay. So … Well, I decided to leave the stronghold to follow them, so I could talk to him again.”

“You didn’t mind leaving your kin behind to follow this Hlaalu mer?”

Daabush’s eyes shoot open. “That’s...Actually. It’s your turn. Why’d you leave Black Marsh?” 

“...Occupational reasons.”

“A trader? Adventurer? Mercenary?”

“...Sure.”

Daabush furrows his brows pointedly but doesn’t push it. “But you didn’t mind leaving your kin behind to follow your occupation.”

Hla-eix cocks an eyebrow. “So your elf crush was just a job to you?”

“That’s…!” He stiffens his posture and raises his voice. “That’s not what I mean and you know it. I was just … ugh.”

“I was forty-four when I left for the first time since arriving,” Hla-eix says. “To me, that’s nothing. But to orcs I’m sure that age is meaningful. What I’m saying is that it wasn’t easy to leave.” She wiggles and fiddles with her fingers idly. “I’m sure you can imagine … what it was like for me. To be among normal-looking argonians. To constantly have to prove yourself worthy. That you’re one of them. That you’re loyal to them, and not the dark elves.”

“...Yeah. I get it.”

She snaps out of her anxious spell and sits up straight, crossing her legs. “Tell me more about the Hlaalu boy.” 

Daabush gently runs his fingers along Hla-eix’s exposed and heavily scaled back. “...His name was Sevren. Member of the Dren family, he said.” Hla-eix raises a confused eyebrow. “As in, Vedam Dren.” She pulls back a corner of her mouth and shakes her head. “Was the Duke of Ebonheart. Whatever. Important guy.”

“...So what happened? Did you talk to him? Were you...involved?”

Daabush’s eyes close shut, then open again, but they were in a different place and time. “Yes. We were in love. He left his family to be with me.” He shakes his head back and forth slightly. “Not easy, two men, orc and elf, in Skyrim, you know. He was used to city life. But it wasn’t really an option. We joined a band of poachers in Eastmarch. They didn’t mind, long as we pulled our weight and didn’t get nobody caught. They were skeptical about Sev at first. But we managed. It was cold, but there was warmth there, with Sev, and the others. Like family.”

He shakes his head more forcibly to clear it and sits up, matching Hla-eix’s posture. “What about you? What’s your history with love like?” 

She looks away towards the window. “...I lied.”

“What?”

“I, uh. You’re my first.”

Daabush places a firm hand on her thigh. “...No. Doesn’t make sense. You’re too experienced. You’ve had others.”

She stands and walks towards the window. “No. When you’re like me, you have to pay them. And only if they’re desperate.” She opens it and leans into the biting cold.

Hla-eix doesn’t hear anything except for the heavy silence of Solitude late at night. It is a quiet hour, even the loud drunkards fled to bed. No early morning exercises clanging metal at the castle; no music wafting from the college; no weeping at the cemetery; no prayers at the temple. There is the faint whisper of winter wind, the delicate sound of snow shifting, the crisp crackling of street torches, and the cacophony of thoughts roaring in her head.

Then there is a massive warmth pressed against her back, wrapping around her. “Then I’m not your first,” Daabush says, slowly turning her to face him.

First she sees his chest, heavily scarred grey-green flesh built like a bear. Then she looks up into his eyes, this time without being forced by them. “You’re the first that mattered.”

He pulls her into a deep kiss, their first real kiss despite all their rutting, and his first in years. In his arms, she is warm despite the cold outside.

When they finally pull away from each other, he reaches over to close the window. Hla-eix buries her face in his chest, listening to his heavy heartbeat, entranced. But he hesitates, and distantly she registers the sound of a door slamming open downstairs. 

“Shit.”

[cruddyborderlandstheories]

Maya?? Maya!!

also Athenas lmao

finally i am free to work on this

boy i sure hope we don’t get more info soon *squints at Amara’s character trailer just around the corner*

tl;dr: athenas. wow. uhhh temple areas with the weird vault-shaped statue things might be a teleportation hub or something like a Stargate cuz, uh… they’re probably not Vaults. i mean. given what we know maybe they are Vaults but not like vaults with important stuff inside, just teleportation vaults. you know what im trying to say? i mean it’s not like the eridians had any spaceships we’ve seen. but they had to get around somehow. 

also it’s possible the big temple area we see is on Athenas, is in that giant fucking pyramid in the background that i completely and totally did not notice for the longest time. 

i also discuss Maya and her thoughtlock skill (if she gets her powers taken away from her) and if she’s gonna die or not. because she’s got the Cloud Kill legendary (’oh noo she ded’), an apprentice (let’s be real, the cliches aren’t looking great), and she seems to working beside rampagers in that giant temple area (also another reason i think it’s on athenas) and tbh i didn’t see her tattoos in either of those shots (but that could be cuz she’s so smoll). so that’s cool. 

oh also the order of the impending storm was probably pretty respectable back in the day, since they can track sirens (maya’s assassin in son of crawmerax), and maybe that’s how maya figured out ava was gonna be a siren even tho she hasn’t manifested her powers yet. and Maya’s probably unearthing all this buried Siren/Vault knowledge and bringing the Academic District back into power while also protecting the Order from Maliwan. who’s still v sus.

wow we have a lot to go over

so to start, im taking a wild guess and saying the temple is on Athenas. why? because we really haven’t gotten a lot of looks at either of those areas too much (compared to promethea and eden-6) and the architecture lines up to me. 

also i, an idiot, was all like ‘mannnn Athenas is super mountainy, that’s wild. love it’ and neglected to realize there’s literally a giant fucking pyramid in the background of a lot of shots

on the right

behind the tower

to the right of ava

on the left

so i feel really dumb right now for not noticing this sooner and writing it off as a mountain. It's literally the fuckin Vault symbol like. ~triangles~. i played skyrim i should know what mountains look like when they’re not 1 polygon

either way, if that’s not at least part of the temple, it’s definitely important. somehow.

but let’s talk about the temple. the parts we know.

let’s try to look out the windows of this wild place

see cause this looks like inside a mountain

so my first instinct was eden-6 because we see a volcano on there

i mean im under the assumption this is eden-6???

bc all the plants match up

… maybe there’s more than one temple?

oh god i don’t wanna separate these by temple that’s going to be IMPOSSIBLE

but yeah i guess it’s possible there’s one on Eden-6 and one on Athenas… dear god…

but yeah my first instinct for that was ‘inside a volcano’

possible mountain on the left there

very rocky all around. im assuming this is underground or smth?

it feels like we’re underground

so maybe it’s a thing where it just keeps going further down. iunno.

it’s hard to place exactly where this is going to be because of the whole ‘underground’ thing

the part that’s throwing me off the most is this

because this looks like Pandora bc of Elpis and the rocks

and it looks like we’re walking outside a temple with the same friggen tiles on the floor, which means it is possible that this is The Temple, but you think we’d know about a giant-ass temple just on pandora. especially with the big dig site

but then we see a super similar dig site (supposedly on promethea). so what the HELL

im almost inclined to believe this is some sort of Eridian teleportation system. i know, i know, we have Sanctuary-III so it’s pointless. but… will we always have Sanc-III throughout the story? yada yada orange/gray -> blue/yellow/red markings. you get the dealio by now.

to

when taken by the cult or smth.

idk it’s possible we won’t have sanc-III for the entire game (just like normal sanctuary in bl2, in that we’ll get it back eventually (or ill kill someone for taking my room decorations)) and then we’ll have to use this wicked eridian tech to move between planets with these gateways. sort of like a stargate…

this thing is a stargate. I’ll call back to this in a hot second.

what kinda shit am i tripping on? i don’t really know. but given how it seems like these temples could be on ANY of the planets we see, im trying to figure out wtf the connection could be.

and give me this: we have never actually seen an eridian spacecraft, but we know they’ve traveled across the galaxy, putting vaults on different places. how in the fuck could they have done that if, you know, they didn’t have spaceships to travel through… space? 

well we know they have the power of teleportation down pat. i mean down so hard they were able to create a ‘teleportation gland’ that allowed a giant vault monster to teleport at will. (now im wondering if lilith has one… hm.) 

this blue thing (which… is the same color as siren stuff. okay. im sorry. i won’t get off topic this time. but it’s stewing in my gray matter)

and given that we know all the (okay, we only know for certain some) vaults open up into this other dimension (space place), would it be so hard to believe that they’re created links between planets using this dimension? i just… something isn’t right here and this seems like the most logical solution. 

take a look at Eleseer. look at all those holograms of labeled planets. of galaxies and stars in the distance. it’s possible eleseer is like the Hub for this teleportation system (explaining why it’s always open) and explaining why it’s got all those weird planet holograms sitting around. could also explain why Moon = Key.

These aren’t Vaults, they wouldn’t show up on the Vault Map- explaining why we never saw this one on Pandora- these are like… gateways or something, iunno. name pending until sept. 13th i guess.

so why tf am i going off about this on a post about maya and athenas?

because i think athenas has a gateway in it too

yeah you should recognize that thing in the background!

that’s this place!!! from the behind closed doors demo!!

and it still

doesn’t look like a vault to me

it’s intact (also it looks like stairs…). all the Vaults we’ve seen are 100% not intact. they’re all chunky and in pieces (we’re gonna ignore eleseer and uhhhh all that business right now, but even thinking about how the sentinel tried to emulate a vault by spawning it in chunks and THEN assembling it)

chunky

im just saying there has to be a reason these vault-like shapes are intact. they’re either just statues/monuments or they have a purpose.

so why tf am i convinced they have a purpose?

bc we’ve seen one light up

taken straight from the void itself (seriously it’s like a gradient back there. which is weird.)

so there’s gotta be a reason it does this right? and if it’s not a Vault, because it’s on Pandora and the Crimson Raiders would have seen it on the Vault Map, then what the fuck is it?

welllllllll i just don’t know. but my best guess right now is some sort of teleportation system to travel between planets. if there are ‘temples’ on every planet then it would make sense that there is some way for eridians to travel btwn them. 

personally i think there’s one on eden-6 (maybe in that volcano area??) and one on Athenas (cause we really haven’t seen a lot of athenas yet and… i dunno i just have a feeling). and there’s apparently one on Pandora (given we see it with elpis in the background) and possibly one on Promethea. i don’t know what that instagram video was trying to imply. i don’t wanna think too hard about it right now my brain hurts enough already as it is.

but uhhh i was gonna talk more about athenas than this

i promise this is gonna lead into maya

the academic district, with a Vault symbol on the door, to boot.

so this place is really interesting to me for a lot of reasons.

1. that vault symbol on the door

2. they’re flying flags with the vault symbol on it

3. giant pyramid in the back

it’s staggeringly huge

4. they have siren tattoos on the building in the back there. specifically, amara’s tattoos

yeah. maybe this is Partali? a smaller area on Athenas, like Meridian is a city on Promethea, and this is Amara’s way of tagging her presence/an area under her protection as the Tiger

more shots of Athenas from the amd horizons e3 stream

it’s a very pretty planet

so if anything, this is the place we’re going to go to learn about Sirens.

and i don’t know how much the Order of the Impending Storm actually KNOWS about Sirens, because all we know about them from maya’s backstory is that they were assholes and using maya to keep the people scared and giving them money

also that they knew how to track sirens

that’s probably important…

“Maya, you’ll like this next dude. He’s a Siren tracker named Mordo Sophis, Father of Brother Stephen Sophis, that dude you ganked back on Athenas. And boy, oh boy, is he just itching for vengeance.”

who isn’t, mr. mordo, sir? get in line

anyway apparently the Order knows how to track Sirens. Which could explain how Maya has a Siren apprentice when Ava uhhh apparently hasn’t manifested her powers (or tattoos) yet. might also explain how they got their hands on Maya when she was a baby. cuz yeah… i got the feeling they stole her and killed her parents… just a feeling.

y’know if tannis didn’t kill that siren tracker dude maybe she could’ve learned something from him first. that could’ve been interesting.

anyway, idk. maybe at one point the Order was respectable and, like, didn’t force people into giving them money by using sirens as a scare tactic. 

it looks like they have/had an academic district (which im sure maya is helping cultivate) focused on Sirens/Vaults.

and there’s a lot of importance on books this game

seriously

apparently

there’s

a

lot.

but let’s get back to this in a minute, because i do wanna talk about the name of the Order.

it’s full name is the Order of the Impending Storm.

I know while writing bl2 they probably didn’t know that they were gonna be building towards a war in tps, but it’s still interesting that they decided to bring them back into play now. because they 100% could have just left them as a background monastery that Maya came from and have maya refuse to return/start her own organization. but they made her specifically return there.

so does their name have significance now? i’d be willing to bet a yes. I mean, war is coming. Impending Storm sounds like it’d be a pretty fitting name for an organization that knew this. Especially because according to Maya’s cosplay guide, they worshipped her like a God (seriously lol are all Sirens worshipped as minor deities? most people know Sirens are Sirens right? like just people with magic powers..? hmmm)

And if Maya returned to learn more about Sirens, then isn’t it implied that the Order did, in fact, know more about Sirens than Maya did? hell, maybe even Tannis…

especially if the temple or eridian ruins are nearby. Say… In this giant pyramid…

so this doesn’t fit in with the aesthetic of Athenas at all. it’s almost like those are caution colors on the bottom strip there. warning you to not go inside. i don’t know if this was built by the eridians or by whoever is on Athenas to keep whatever’s inside… inside (cough Rampagers cough)

either way that pyramid is FUCKING HUGE

seriously, just compared to the academic district, it’s insanely big (that is the BASE in the background)

also guess who just realized this would be a hilarious joke by gearbox

to have pyramids built by ancient aliens. oh, you.

also, side note, there’s a crew challenge for moxxi in the academic district

i just have no idea how we’re getting up there…

oh but the Order. yeah i get the feeling they know A LOT about Sirens/Eridians. maybe even what’s about to go down. but maybe a majority of that was lost in the archives when some corrupts assholes came into power. and now Maya returned and is slowly but surely unarchiving everything we need to know about Sirens.

perhapith this book has some Siren-y knowledge within it? from someone who went into the temple on Athenas and… never came back out.

and I would bet Maya is waging war against Maliwan at the same time as she’s uncovering all this buried info (protecting the Order) because Maliwan is trying to get this info as well. 

Seriously, anyone else notice Maliwan is SPREADING?? They’re not just on Promethea. they’re on Eden-6. They’re on Athenas. They’re even fuckin on Pandora in some trailers (although I would not trust any trailer with roses at this point. something’s really fucky. I will make a seperate post about that i think, once we get Amara’s and Fl4k’s trailers). I’m really suspicious that Maliwan has either joined the cult, or they’re going to become the main villains. which, y’know, given corporations are the big bad in borderlands always… that seems about right.

I wouldn’t even be surprised if Maya/the Order knows something about the Children of the Vault. Given that one pic of her holding a book with the CoV symbol on it.

that she seems to be passing on to Ava

I dunno. I don’t think Children of the Vault is a name that the cultists/Calypsos just HAPPENED to come up with. And I still don’t think that the broadcast easter egg is from the Calypsos. it doesn’t make sense. I know I went over this in-depth in the Promethea post but god damn it im going to do it again because i feel so strongly about this.

i feel like the cult stumbled upon this name and decided to adopt it as their own. or tried revive an old cult with the same name. and if they didn’t, why in the hell does the message say ‘Do Not Open the Vaults’? How do the twins know about Tannis by name?

i mean, okay, granted we don’t know exactly how she fixed the Vault Map and it could be that the twins know how she did it. Because I still haven’t been able to place that one shot of them walking outside the Recruitment Center 

this one

and we know tannis fixes (??) the Vault Map in the recruitment center, so, maybe they saw it happen or there’s some sort of record in the vault map? that shows her fixing it and when they get to Promethea they send out that message?

i meannn she seems pretty surprised it’s functioning, herself.

so maybe they come while/after tannis fixes the key/map to get it back and Lilith like alright everyone let’s book it to Ellie’s garage with the Map. she’ll help us get to Sanc-III.

and in that they see that she’s able to fix it (possibly with weird Siren/Destroyer/Slag/pickurpoison powers) and that’s how they know Tannis is not what she seems.

and maybe the twins just don’t want their cultists opening the vaults because they want to be the ones to open it.

Sure

BUT that’s boring sauce to theorize about because it’s all just there. I’m still partial to the idea that Children of the Vault is actually referring to Sirens tho. It would explain why Maya has a book with the symbol for the CoV on it and is offering it to Ava. Because why would Ava need a book about the Calypsos? who would WRITE a book about the Calypsos?? and make it look THAT old? like… c’mon.

At the very least, it’s an old name for a cult that got revived by the Calypso twins.

At the most, it’s the name for Sirens.

Or it’s the symbol for the Order of the Impending Storm, back when they were respectable. tho you think we’d see maya wearing the symbol somewhere in bl2, so maybe not. unless she took it off her clothes because they had her try to kill unarmed civilians.

I mean, why is the cult’s symbol the Vault symbol upside down, anyway? We know that the symbol for the Vaults in Eridian is the upside-down V in a circle, because Tannis tells us so in bl1. So why would a cult of people who believe the Vaults to be their birthright go around slapping what is essentially the opposite symbol everywhere?

i personally wouldn’t be surprised if that’s the symbol for Siren or something, given how closely intertwined they both seem to be to that alternate dimension.

regardless. let’s keep going

so let’s talk about Maya’s fate in BL3. Is she gonna die? is she not gonna die? i dunno. let’s discuss.

i personally would not be surprised if she does, but i’d be a little disappointed regardless. if any Siren is gonna die… Lilith is going to finish her character arc this game. not that I want her to die, but still. I get that they gotta keep the Siren cycle going.

sooo one big point in the ‘maya dies’ category:

“Oh noo she ded” i mean. that’s just mean, gearbox. 

of course we don’t know if that’s talking specifically about Maya, could be talking about Tyreen, or a miniboss, or something. but i do think it’s interesting that it’s on maya’s legendary. plus uhhh given we had a death out of Roland in BL2, and in TPS 2 of those VHs died as well, I think it’s a given at least one BL2 VH isn’t gonna live to see the end of 3. as much as that actually physically pains me to type. 

And… to tip the scales further to Maya, Zer0 has crew challenges, which probably means they won’t be biting the dust anytime soon, unless you wanna completely ruin doing all the crew challenges by beating the game before doing the assassination quests. which doesn’t seem like something they’re keen on doing, if Roland giving out side quests had anything to say about it. Of course there’s always the argument that someone will take over Zer0′s crew challenges if they die, but… who would? Rhys? maybe. i get the feeling he might be too busy with Atlas though. Lorelei..? … i don’t know her well enough to make a statement on that.

taken from K6′s awesome legendary loot vid

Back to the legendary. we know it’s hers based off the name ‘Cloud Kill’, which is one of her best skills (after the buff lol). It’s a corrosive only Maliwan smg (as far as i can tell. it doesn’t look like there’s the option to swap elements. so it’s cool to know uniques might throw out their manufacturer’s alternate firing modes). i’m gonna take a guess and say it mimics cloud kill by spawning a cloud on top of enemies that are shot with it. that could clean out an entire room in seconds, especially on Amara with Phasegrasp.

anyway i got more

so Ava is Maya’s apprentice, hmmmm?

well i dunno about you guys but whenever a character gets an apprentice/kid/whatever, it’s not good news for the character. and given that borderlands definitely doesn’t need children to keep the premise fresh, I’m a bit worried for Maya.

Ava must be important to the main story, or they could’ve taken her out or put Gaige in. The devs themselves said they only wanted to bring in characters that they knew had significant importance to the plot and so that characters wouldn’t feel shoehorned in.

so there’s a few ways things can go down with Ava, using apprentice stereotypes:

1) She takes over after Maya dies/has her powers stolen/is brainwashed and helps us bring Maya back by proving herself using the stuff she learned from Maya (or, the stuff she taught herself that Maya said wasn’t important)

1b) she inherits Maya’s powers and Maya trains her in the way of Phaselock

possibly maya handing over her class mod or smth

2) she’s evil and the cult is using her to get info and secretly hates maya or whatever

Given Ava is like… 12… I wanna believe she’s not evil. of course we don’t actually know if she’s 12 cause apparently the Siren lore got messed up knowing Angel had her powers manifest at 5. but that’s not canon until mentioned in-game, so fuck it: let’s believe Ava is 12 and not evil and is just Maya’s kickass Siren apprentice.

The apprentice Maya was able to find because the Order knew how to track Sirens/determine if someone is going to exhibit Siren powers.

yes, let’s go with that.

So… what’s gonna happen to Maya, then?

I personally believe she’s going to have her powers stolen and used against her. One major part of her powers is that she’s able to ‘Thoughtlock’, which basically brainwashes an enemy to fight for her.

That sounds like it would be insanely powerful in the hands of the Calypso twins, especially since Maya has gotten more powerful since bl2, and tbh I can’t see them wanting to pass it up. Of course it could also be story-breaking, but let’s say they can only have one person ever Thoughtlock-ed at a time and suddenly it’s a lot less troublesome.

so this scene makes me do a big thonk

(also, another reason im thinking this temple area is on Athenas is bc Maya’s there! plus there are triangles everywhere. Triangles… pyramids… iunno. just spitballing)

also idk if this is just cause she’s super teeny-tiny buuuut

im worried i can’t see maya’s tattoos

she’s also entirely focused on the player instead of… oh, idk, the giant rampager right next to her

and idk it looks almost like she’s holding a gun and aiming it at us?

which hey, i wouldn’t jump to conclusions right away because she does have a skill that allows her to heal allies by shooting them

but also… if she doesn’t have her siren powers, then that’d just be like… regular shooting, wouldn’t it? and if she DOES have her Siren powers, why in the hell is she not using them on the giant monster right next to her???

we see her again in the background of this shot

again… tattoos not 100% clear.

she also seems to be taking radiation damage from the rampager! which is good. but also she doesn’t seem to care that much about it.

we can also see her gun here

sorry it was kinda being obscured by the youtube progress bar

but uhhh it’s not looking good.

boy i really hope Maya doesn’t die

we also know it was hinted that Krieg might be making a return! from his voice actor’s twitter:

tho, he also soon made a tweet after that was all like “this doesn’t confirm nor deny that krieg is returning” which, yeah i get that.

either way, if Krieg is coming back, it’d be interesting to see what goes down with him, especially if Maya dies. or even if Maya’s ‘just’ in trouble, I could see him going absolutely apeshit.

maybe krieg will sacrifice himself to save maya, somehow. maybe he’s have a moment of pure lucidity and save her. maybe she’ll die and he’ll lose his mind and become a boss battle. maybe she’ll save him and they’ll live happily ever after ;w; who knows~

maybe ava will have heard about Krieg through Maya and will go to get him to try and help save her. that’d be really interesting to see- krieg smashing through a wall with Ava riding on his shoulder lol

anyway, holy shit im exhausted. i gotta wrap this up because it’s like 1am and i’ve been working on this post for like… 3 days straight now. ech.

if maya does die, it would be interesting to see is Ava inherits her powers after we kill the Calypsos. like, would the powers try to go back to their original host? would they see she’s dead and just find another Siren to give the powers to? i wonder if maya dying/being about to die would be enough of a traumatic experience for ava to unlock her siren powers.

ohh it’d be cool if Ava unlocked her siren powers and used them to save Maya from the cult/brainwashing/whatves

alright. im tired lmao

good night.

[hyperionwitch]

Does Tev realize that the Empire has Blackmail on her? Because the first two quests sound like a set up. In one of the missions has you illegally smuggle a Dwemer artifact. The second mission has you desecrated the tomb of Llevule Andrano a beloved Archcanon of Vivec. Meaning if Tev were to get involved Anti-Imperial politics they could use this to Blackmail her into silence and make her wanted by Morrowind and the rest of Tamriel.

Wow, this is an interesting one, thank you for the ask!  Quick side note, I, uh, didn’t play ESO so I didn’t know they bothered giving Llevule Andrano a backstory, so that was a trip to research.As a quick disclaimer before I answer, I don’t personally think they’re setting up the protag!  It’s a cool idea, but not my headcanon.  But ideas are fun to play around with, soooo…long-winded hypotheticals begin!

Just from the get-go, Tev honestly doesn’t really want anything to do with politics–she frankly wants nothing to do with the Blades, but that’s not anti-Empire sentiment so much as it’s just…”I can’t believe I got basically forced into this job” sentiment.  Though I figure she and Caius kinda ended up with an understanding on that one–I stan for Caius I’m gonna be honest.

(fig. a, Tev and Caius having an understanding)

At the time when said potential blackmail would be relevant (late 3rd era, I’m assuming), she has no beef with the Empire.  They’re around.  It’s none of her business.  Morrowind hasn’t changed all that much with their interference, at least in her lifetime (other than tangentially?? having something to do with the opening of Vvardenfell, but I’m not sure she’s like…personally invested in that situation apart from maybe being confused when she gets sent there).  She’s not about to stick her nose in where it’s not needed.  The only time she MIGHT get involved would be in, like, the Skyrim era (again, doubt she would since it’s still not her business, but at least they’re sort of doing things then).  And honestly?  I cannot imagine any of that blackmail would matter 200 years later (if it even survived the Great War, lol).  So, hypothetically, she’s more or less in the clear any way you slice it.The exception, I guess, would be if the Empire ACTIVELY moved against her early on for some reason.  I suppose it’s possible that, like Caius suggests, factions start moving once the emperor is in poor health, so she would potentially not have any backup from the people who very literally put her on this quest in the first place (and who assigned her to do those very things they have as blackmail).  Slightly different scenario, but hey, that covers the not being a set up thing rather neatly, doesn’t it?

I imagine if that situation came to be (specifically making her hated by Morrowind and the rest of Tamriel), she’d just disappear earlier.  Head off to Akavir with Dren for a while, travel around until it’s unlikely anyone would be concerned, then come on back and live the kind of lying-low life she wanted to begin with.  Tamriel doesn’t exactly stay static–between the Oblivion Crisis and eventually the Great War, I don’t know that the Nerevarine is going to be high on anyone’s priority list.  Assuming people remembered what she looked like.  Or, as mentioned, they even still had the blackmail to begin with.(fig. b, Tev and Dren “incognito”)

Hm, actually that illustration works for Tev and Dren in Skyrim era in the normal canon too.  Neat!

Tev/Dren Masterpost

[pinkpuffballdude]

8, 11, 15?

8. what musical artists have you most felt connected to over your lifetime?Hm! I think. over the course of my Entire Life I’d say They Might Be Giants? just due to how much impact they’ve had on like, the entirety of my music tastes, and how long I’ve liked them

11. describe your ideal day.I wake up whenever the heck I wake up, before noon. I get up slowly, go eat some breakfast, sit down at the computer, draw for a couple hours, maybe finish some of the projects I wanna do, play some skyrim. Just. Lazy day.

15. five most influential books over your lifetime.hoooo, uh, I think, Small Gods, definitely. On The Shoulder’s Of Titans, for being the first time I cried from happiness. Kiln People, for being one of the Three (3) books I read on loop for a couple years there, and being the… most? of the three? if nothing else it gave me a base point for why/how you’d have a universal income. The Return of Sherlock Holmes for being my first Sherlock Holmes book (a bad one to start with but w/e). And Good Omens, I think. For just. Being that good.

send me a number!