#mta lore

[moderntimeadventure]

is there a modern au fern? also do u have any headcannons for him? :)

Yyyeeeeaaaaasssss ok ok ok :D

So Finn and Fern are twins but they didn't grow up together and didn't actually know the other existed until recently becaaaaauuuse they're identical, so when Martin Mertens did his whole abscond escapade with Finn (and just. left Fern I guess??),, Minerva couldn't actually tell which one Martin had taken and which was left at the house. So she raised him as Finn and never talked about the incident.

Later on when Finn-turned-Fern met real Finn and they were able to piece together their family history and all that, Fern chose his new name.

I also headcanon Fern as non binary, definitely somewhere on the aro/ace spectrum, and also neurodivergent although I'm not sure where exactly he'd fall within that umbrella

[illusidy]

Drawing of Spookems' fashionable bby "Builder"! Also the infamous stealer of wives, so watch out. XD

She is a totally normal builder who was born to build! Yes, even though she holds the hammer upside down. She also likes to sunbathe and /stare/ at the sun! As people are wont to do.

[penultimatefan02]

Pen's Missed Proposal - A Theory

SPOILERS AHEAD!

@chimerapartyhouse wrote an insightful post regarding Pen’s motivations for having the diamond ring he dropped after his defeat at the Starship ruins. Was it Pen’s intention to propose to the builder before leaving with the Duvos army? On its own, it does hint that Pen wanted the builder to join him. Moreso, the hint was strengthened by the event that took place in the mission, “Pen’s Last Words.”

After Pen was taken away, he mailed a goodbye letter to the builder where he directed them to a cave so they could obtain a treasure. For those who did not romance Pen, the cave was essentially a trap with many beasts inside.

The treasure included Gold (5), Diamond (1), and Gols (400). Here is the symbolism:

5 (五 wǔ) sounds like 呜 (wū), which is onomatopoeia for whimpering and crying. Therefore, it is generally considered an unlucky number.

1. Searching took me in several directions, but the closest match found was that its pronunciations in Chinese sounds similar to the phrase 一生一世 (lifetime or forever).

4 (四 sì) sounds like 死 (sǐ; to die). Because of its negative association with death, most people consider this number to be so unlucky that many buildings in China do not even have a “fourth” floor.

Basically, Pen wanted the builder to experience a very unpleasant death.

However, if the builder romanced Pen, it was a different story.

The romance goodbye letter read:

Having some time to think on things here in the maximum-security prison, I do sometimes regret not finding a way to bring you with me. Ah, well. My bad. Anyway, since you were easily one of the top three lovers I've ever known, and the only one I still have the address for, I've decided to offer a symbol of my forgiveness. That’s right, I forgive you. I don't think we can ever be together again, but at the end of the day, you were just doing your lame goodie-two-shoes thing that you do. I should have recruited you as soon as I started to have suspicions. So, I won't hold it against you. In fact, I have one last thing give you. A challenge! Deep in the core of the ruins, I've tucked away one of the most powerful possessions in existence! And it's yours for the taking! All you have to do is get past the waves and waves of ravenous beasts that guard it, but... that should be no problem for you, Skinny. Remember your training. We will not meet again, Pen.

Here, Pen was all over the place. He offered backhanded compliments. Regretted not “recruiting” them. He forgave them for fighting against him. Then, he warned the builder of the beasts waiting at the cave but assured them they would win.

He was really fucked up.

For this post, I’m not going to dissect his psyche (much). My focus is on his offered mission and what it represents to those who romance him.

When entering the cave, my first thought was, when did Pen set this up? It must have been before the first arrest because there would be no time after the invasion. It only made sense that it was after the builder fell from the cliff but before Pen caught Haru. That’s because once Haru was captured the chain of events was set into motion.

That fall from the cliff must have thrown Pen for a loop. After the builder returned Pen said he searched for them relentlessly but couldn’t find them. His personality shifted in that conversation because from then on, he suspected Logan got to the builder due to the cliff’s location.

[The dialogue is from memory as I couldn’t find a screenshot. On the wiki, Pen says the builder crawled back to him, but I think the dialogue was changed. If someone has a screenshot, please share. It’s been a while since I played that part of the game, but I remember the builder had options to respond. such as they hit a tree on the way down.]

At that point, Pen’s mission was in hyperdrive, and Logan was breathing down his neck. He only had a brief window to plan on how to “recruit” the builder. It was within that window that Pen bought the ring and set up the cave for the proposal. For Pen, I’d imagine the ravenous beasts were there as a challenge to deem the builder worthy of his hand in marriage. If the builder won, Pen would kneel in the blood, guts, and glory of battle to put a ring on it. The treasure was as follows: Gold (5), Diamond (2), The Protector (1), Gols (600).

Here is the symbolism:

2. According to Chinese numerology, pairs are auspicious. This helps explain why it's common to see 双喜 (shuāngxǐ “double happiness”) on wedding couplets.

(Using separate definitions, 5, 2, and 1 combined may mean something like crying in happiness at being together forever?)

6. Chinese culture views number six as auspicious since it resembles the words for "smooth" and "well-off." It is linked to prosperity, happiness, and good fortune. It is also thought that number six has fascinating meaning when it comes to relationships and love. It's a popular option for romantic occasions like wedding dates because it connotes the idea of a smooth and harmonious relationship.

521. Following the recognition of 520 as a symbol of romance, the number 521 also gradually became associated with love. Lovers in China have now bestowed the number 521 with the meaning "I am willing", and both May 20 and May 21 are celebrated as Online Valentine's Days in China every year.

600 (general meaning, not language specific). In Love and Relationships, 600 is a sign of balance, harmony, and stability. When this number appears to you it can indicate that your relationship is about to enter a new stage of growth. 

Pen surely had a plan to propose.

My headcanon is that when Pen saw the Builder, Logan, and Justice come to interrupt the excavation, he knew that not only was his mission in jeopardy but so was his proposal.

That is why I believe the builder’s involvement was one of the reasons Pen went super feral on Logan. We know that Howlett almost wrecked his mission, but now Logan was trying to wreck everything for him. It’s also why I think he was overly spiteful toward the builder at the jail. In Pen’s eyes, the builder betrayed him by taking Logan’s side.

After Pen had time to stew on it though he forgave the builder but then put all the blame on Logan.

[a-pink-lilypad]

My Time(Line)

I put together a little timeline for the first few years; after some extensive reading and screens from character dialogues and other sources; I may continue it or fix it when Pathea drops more games and lore bombs.

[sweetened-condensed-rage]

Would anyone be interested in a Mage The Ascension community to just like, yap about lore or character concepts or stupid stuff that happens in their game? Idk how big the community for mage is here so 😭

[sandrockers]

it’s been over a year I still think about him everyday

[cxs-workshops]

Supportive 3rd wheelers 👍🏼

[huni-bii]

Here's a little timeline(?) I did of Rosemary a bit ago!! It's kinda hard for me to get into much of her lore on here but the important stuff is that she was born in Sandrock and was raised by Cooper's family when her parents were threatened into leaving her behind.

[sandara-and-coco]

The Ethea archeologist some will recognize 👀

[antiloquist]

because every fandom needs it

Pen: So... who broke it? I'm not mad, I just wanna know.

Burgess: I did, I broke-

Pen: No, no you didn't. Cooper?

Cooper: Don't look at me, Pencil. Look at Hugo.

Hugo: What? I didn't break it.

Cooper: Huh, that's weird. How'd ya even know it was broken?

Hugo: ... because it's sittin' right in from of us, and it's broken.

Cooper: Suspicious.

Hugo: No, it's not.

Yan: If it matters, probably not, but Mi-an was the last one to use it.

Mi-an: Liar! I don't even drink that stuff!

Yan: Oh, really? Then what were you doing by the coffee cart earlier?

Mi-an: I use the little wooden sticks to pin my jerky to the drying rack. Everyone knows that, Yan!

Burgess: Okay, okay, let's not fight. I broke it, let me pay for it, Pen.

Pen: No. Who broke it?!

-beat-

Hugo: Pen? That Andy kid's been awfully quiet.

Andy: Really?!

-everyone starts arguing-

-cut to Pen away from the crowd as the argument gets louder-

Pen: I broke it. It burned my hand so I punched it. I predict ten minutes from now, they'll be at each other's throats with warpaint on their faces and a Yakmel head on a stick.

-he glances back and smirks-

Pen: Good. It was getting a little chummy around here

[florisam]

A portrait of my new builder, Onyx! She's basically an OC now.

While she looks intimidating to most people she crosses, she's actually quite a nice person, just pretty shy. Onyx has a hard time making friends, as more people assume from her face that she's mean-spirited, so she's usually quite lonely. She came to Sandrock with hopes of doing something meaningful and making a difference, though sometimes it's hard for her to be away from home, without the few people she has in her life. Lucky for her, she was warmly welcomed into the city-state, and is slowly feeling more hopeful for her future.

Onyx is a follower of the Church of the Light and donates whenever she has some extra funds. While she can't always agree with the position some of the chapters have on relics, she's certain they should be handled with care to avoid another Age of Darkness.

[nonsensical-guild]

A fully body of Friday, with the flat colours :]

His hair still gives me trouble but for the most part his design is done ! Here's some story / lore for him

Friday, as I've stated before, is a vampire ! His most notable feature are his fangs ! His left fang is just naturally longer than the other, no specific reason why

His eyes are blue with a purple on the bottom, when he's you know, thirsty for blood, his eyes go fully purple. I had something else for the blue but I forgot—

He has prosthetics now ! Before they were gloves but I thought he'd need another element to his character that could be deemed unusual. Just a childhood accident from the sun, he's has prosthetics for a while

He's a natural born vampire, just a pure blood. I like to believe vampires who were biten don't burn in the sun unlike vampires born a vampire, so he's no exception to the burning

Of course, gay and interested in, YOU GUESSED IT, LOGAN !! But it's for the irony of it, this monster hunter and a vampire being in love sounds fun. And I think it would be funny if everyone BUT Logan knew Friday was a vampire until Logan returned to Sandrock

And that's it !! :] for now at least

[gutleech]

Sailing away, beyond the reach of anyone Far beyond the dreams of everyone

High from the heavens I can't see the pain Does anybody care?

[penultimatefan02]

A Wildly Unhinged Theory about Logan and Pen

MAJOR SPOILERS AND SPECULATION

A theory that has been needling at me for a while became a bit more evident after rewatching X-Men Origins: Wolverine, and The Avengers.

In My Time at Sandrock, Pathea pays homage to Wolverine by giving his name, James Howlett, and his alias, Logan, to two of the game's characters. Howlett, a famous monster hunter, was Logan’s father. Logan, in turn, grew up to become a renowned monster hunter in his own right.

However, it was Pen's story that incorporated Wolverine’s history and fighting ability. Pen was experimented on by the military, which made him stronger. That created a triangle between the three characters, where each point represents a characteristic of Wolverine. Except, the triangle was broken because Pen did not have a connection to Howlett or Logan, but what if he did? What if Pen is "Weapon X?"

Was Pen’s role in the Duvos mission purely for country, wealth and fame, or was there a personal motive in play as well? What if Howlett’s death was about much more than his stumbling upon Pen’s Duvos mission?

In Sandrock, Pen was 31 years old, and Logan was 28. That put them three years apart, with Howlett marrying Logan’s mom in ’71. Before Howlett married, did he spend time in Duvos or adjacent to it? Could he have had a relationship with Pen’s mother?

If Pen were a major part of Howlett’s backstory, could that connect the last point of the triangle? It would make sense that Pen knew more than he was letting on during the events in Sandrock. What if he knew of Howlett in a different capacity? What if we witnessed the ramifications of Pen knowing that Howlett was his estranged father?

If we did, was the hatred of Logan because Pen was denied a relationship with Howlett? Did Pen blame Howlett, and in turn Logan, for his circumstances and the experimentation he endured at the hands of Duvos? Could we learn something about Howlett that may alter our perceptions of him and thus Pen’s actions toward him? Nevertheless, it was curious that when Pen talked to the Builder, he only ever mentioned his mother in passing.

Now with all in consideration, what if Pen volunteered for the mission in Sandrock for that reason? It would explain a lot as to why his attack against Logan at the Starship Ruins felt so extremely personal and why Pen so eagerly shared with Logan that he killed Howlett. Pen found joy in Logan’s suffering because it was his restitution.

The brother vs. brother theme is popular in Marvel comics. Logan and Victor in Origins may have been an inspiration for Logan in Sandrock, with the exception that he did not know the history of his father or of Pen’s familial existence. In Logan's upcoming journey in Evershine, we may learn more about Howlett's past, which could then reveal more about Pen. Howlett’s Hunters is also a homage to Marvel’s Howling Commandos, so they may surely meet up with Pen at some point.

In Sandrock, the fight between Pen and Logan in the Starship Ruins was a homage to another great battle between brothers. Pen played the role of Scar and Logan was Mufasa in the famous Disney cliff scene. Unlike the film, and despite Pen’s attempt to kill Logan, both live to fight another day. Sandrock also had a Beauty and the Beast reference by modeling Pen after Gaston. The homage extended to the overall Sandrock story where the Builder, in the nongendered “Belle” role, learned that sometimes, the guy pretending to be the hero is not, and the one perceived as bad turns out to be good.

Another thing we learned in Sandrock was that Pen’s a false narrator. We could only guess his truths from his lies, which included comments he made during interviews or standing behind bars at the Civil Corp. Everything he said in Sandrock was to cover his true intentions and his purpose for being there. All of it. From his “I’m the protector” to his “I coulda been a contenda” speech was all lies to hide the fact he was a pissed-off brother from another mother.

Where could this story take us? I predict that like Wolverine, Logan could come close to killing Pen. Although, much like when Elsie stopped the fight in front of city hall, she could stop this one. She could be the voice warning Logan that if he killed Pen, he would be just as bad.

[Logan killing a person is not something I want to see happen for the sake of the character. He is better than that and I genuinely believe Pen will not die by his hands.]

Elsie, as the monster whisperer, could help Pen by another means, which may trigger Pen’s inflection point. It could also be where Pen chooses the path to him becoming the Loki to Logan’s Thor. It is quite plausible they could team up to battle against a much bigger mutual enemy.

This is where I think Aadit could play a big role, as he may have been experimented on by Duvos as well. He very well may hold the key to helping Howlett's Hunters undo some of the damage inflicted on both Duvos men. I am very curious to see how his story plays out in Evershine.

If this is in any way the path the story will take, then my earlier theory about Pen may still hold true but I hope it is not the case. I want to see all these men deal with their history and come out the other side better for it.

[a-pink-lilypad]

Starsigns?

So, guess what. We get 18!!! starsigns in the Tumbleweed Standard article. And we only have like... 4 weeks per season!

So hear me out; what if every leap year we get one additional week of summer, and one additional week of winter? For the Summer and Winter solstices. Which normally last for one day but... whatever.

I nominate Phoenix for summer, and Hydra for Winter.

Spring 1 - 7: Sheep Spring 8 - 14: Peacock Spring 15 - 21: Swan Spring 22 - 28: Pigeon

Summer 1 - 7: Lizard Summer 8 - 14: Crab Summer 15 - 21: Lion Summer 22 - 28: Goat

Fall 1 - 7: Swordfish Fall 8 - 14: Shield Fall 15 - 21: Scale Fall 22 - 28: Hunter

Winter 1 - 7: Eagle Winter 8 - 14: Fish Winter 15 - 21: Wolf Winter 22 - 28: Bear

Leap Summer : Phoenix Leap Winter : Hydra

This is what I came up with. Goat is fitting for Logan's date of birth, and Peacock is fitting for Qi because he's a pompous fu-

[nw-of-dark]

Vancouver (By Night)

Demographics

Vancouver's vampire court, led by Prince Siegfried, is composed of 28 Kindred. These vampires come from diverse backgrounds and bloodlines, each with their own unique set of skills and agendas. In addition to the Kindred, Vancouver's supernatural landscape includes a presence of 12 Kuei-Jin, or Eastern vampires, hailing from Hong Kong and Japan. These Kuei-Jin are drawn to Vancouver's vibrant Chinatown, where they have established a significant presence.

The werewolf population in Vancouver is significant, with approximately 380 individuals residing primarily in the city's suburbs. These Garou, fiercely connected to Gaia and guided by their tribal traditions, have endured decades of servitude under the vampire court. The retrieval of the sacred fetish by the werewolves has united them in their desire for revenge and the reclamation of their ancestral lands.

Vancouver is also home to a population of awakened individuals who possess the ability to manipulate reality through their magical practices. The total population of Awakened individuals is estimated at 132. Among them, 79 belong to the Technocratic Union, a group of mages aligned with a scientific and technologically driven paradigm. These mages often work in secret, collaborating with the vampires in their attempts to summon primal demons and create Fomori.

The remaining 52 mages in Vancouver follow more mystical paths and traditions. They draw power from esoteric knowledge, ancient rituals, and spiritual practices. These diverse mages bring their own unique perspectives and magical abilities to the supernatural tapestry of the city.

Within the hunter population of Vancouver, there are approximately 66 individuals who have taken up the mantle of hunting supernatural creatures. These hunters, driven by a shared mission and a desire to protect humanity, work independently or in cooperative teams to combat the threats posed by supernatural beings. Their primary focus in Vancouver is targeting the formidable and dangerous werewolves.

Government

Siegfried's court of vampires in Vancouver is a unique and secretive underground group that operates independently from the established sects of the Camarilla, Sabbat, and Anarchs. Renowned among vampires for their formidable reputation, Siegfried's court holds a distinct position of power and influence in the supernatural landscape of the city. One of the main reasons for Siegfried's court's notoriety is their past accomplishment of subjugating the Garou, the werewolf clans. They were the first vampires to successfully bring the werewolves under their control, a feat that earned them respect and fear from other vampires. Their success in pacifying the Garou has made the Camarilla, Sabbat, and Anarchs cautious about venturing into Siegfried's territory.

Unlike the established sects, Siegfried's court operates outside the boundaries of the Camarilla, Sabbat, and Anarchs. They have chosen not to align themselves with any specific sect, allowing them to maintain their autonomy and pursue their own interests without the constraints and politics of sect loyalty. This independence grants Siegfried's court the freedom to navigate the complex supernatural web of Vancouver as they see fit. Siegfried, as the leader of the court, holds significant authority and control over his vampire subjects. The absence of a Primogen Council suggests that Siegfried exercises ultimate decision-making power within the court. His dominion over the court allows him to enact swift and decisive actions without the need for consensus or extensive bureaucratic processes. This autonomy grants Siegfried the ability to respond swiftly to threats and capitalize on emerging opportunities.

In the aftermath of the Garou-Kindred covert war, opportunistic vampires from all sects and factions seek to take advantage of the resulting chaos. The absence of a Primogen Council within Siegfried's court adds to the intrigue and uncertainty surrounding their operations. With Siegfried seemingly holding absolute rule over the court, other vampires are left speculating about his motivations and the inner workings of the court.

Factions

The Horsemen of Chaos is a vampire faction in Vancouver, composed of Malkavians, Brujah, and Caitiff. These clans, once banned from the city under Siegfried's rule, have come together in an attempt to overthrow his dominance and establish their own authority. However, internal divisions and conflicting ambitions have led to a fracture within their ranks. The Horsemen of Chaos comprise vampires from the Malkavian, Brujah, and Caitiff clans, drawn together by their shared desire for rebellion against Siegfried's rule. Malkavians, known for their inherent madness and unpredictability, bring a unique perspective and insight to the faction. The Brujah, passionate and rebellious by nature, add their fervor and combat prowess to the cause. The Caitiff, as outcasts and unaffiliated vampires, seek belonging and recognition within this unified faction.

In a bid to restore Camarilla control and influence in Vancouver, the Seattle Camarilla has dispatched a coterie of five vampires to facilitate the rise of a Camarilla Prince in the city. This intervention aims to undermine Siegfried's authority and establish a new order more aligned with Camarilla principles. The coterie acts as an external force seeking to influence the outcome of the power struggle in Vancouver.

Two main candidates vie for the position of Prince in Vancouver. Stalest Coursain, a 7th generation Ventrue, masquerades as Siegfried's second-in-command or Seneschal. Through this position, she seeks to manipulate the other clans into supporting her claim as the rightful ruler. On the other hand, Necross, a powerful and ancient 5th generation Malkavian methuselah, poses as a Nosferatu spymaster working for Siegfried. Necross uses his clandestine influence to smuggle Camarilla vampires into Vancouver secretly, garnering support for his own claim to the throne.

As the power struggle intensifies, divisions within the Horsemen of Chaos become apparent. The covert aid from the Vancouver Nosferatu, manipulated by Necross, creates a rift within the faction. Some members support Necross's bid for power, viewing his ancient bloodline and cunning as assets. Others side with Stalest, drawn to her persuasive leadership and ability to maneuver among the other clans. The fracture within the Horsemen of Chaos threatens their united front against Siegfried. Internal conflicts and conflicting loyalties sow discord and create an unpredictable dynamic within the faction. As the power struggle unfolds, alliances shift, and the outcome remains uncertain. The fractured Horsemen of Chaos must find a way to reconcile their differences and present a united front if they are to have any chance of toppling Siegfried's rule and shaping the future of Vancouver's vampire politics.

The Special Projects Division (SPD) is a clandestine faction operating within the Technocratic Union, specifically within the Syndicate. On the surface, the SPD presents itself as a Research & Development program for the Syndicate, focusing on innovative technologies, economic strategies, and corporate advancements. However, hidden from the public eye, the SPD engages in sinister activities, collaborating with Pentex, a powerful and corrupt mega-corporation. In a shocking turn, the SPD has forged a secret alliance with Pentex, a multinational corporation known for its unscrupulous practices and connections to various dark supernatural entities. This unholy alliance spans across multiple nefarious factions, including vampires, Wyrm-tainted werewolves called Black Spiral Dancers, Wyrm-aligned mages known as Nephandi, and demon-worshipping Infernalists.

Points of Interest

The Great Caern of Vancouver stands as a powerful testament to the cooperative efforts of the Garou tribes, specifically the Wendigo, Uktena, and Croatan, and their Theurges. Constructed in the year 1350, this sacred site has served as a focal point for Garou spirituality and strength throughout the centuries. Throughout the centuries, the Great Caern of Vancouver has served as a focal point for the Garou in the region. It became a gathering place where tribes set aside their differences to work towards a common goal: protecting the land and upholding the sacred duty bestowed upon them by their totem spirits. The caern's creation brought together the wisdom, rituals, and spirits of the Wendigo, Uktena, and Croatan tribes, fostering a bond that transcended tribal boundaries.

In 1912, a physical structure known as Lumberman's Arch was built within the Great Caern. While it initially caused concern among some Garou, who feared the encroachment of human presence on the sacred site, others saw it as an opportunity to blend with the modern world and establish a bridge between the spiritual and physical realms. However, as the Covenant was ratified, solidifying the subjugation of the Garou, the presence of Lumberman's Arch became a symbol of their submission and loss of power.

In recent times, the sacred fetish, a powerful artifact revered by the Garou, has been retrieved from the vampires by the werewolves. Its return to the site of the Great Caern has brought about great rejoicing among the Garou. The reunion of the fetish with the caern renews the spiritual connection between the Garou and their totem spirits. They feel the surge of energy and strength flowing through the land, inspiring them to prepare for an imminent war against the vampires who have long oppressed them.

The Isle of Hisses, a remote island located near Vancouver, serves as a holy site and sanctuary for a group of mages known as the Verbenae. These mages derive their magical traditions from ancient paganism and have a deep affinity for magic of the Life arcanum. While other mages may classify it as a Chantry or the Technocrats dismiss it as a Superstitionist Construct, the Verbenae revere the island and its mystical significance. The Isle of Hisses holds immense importance for the Verbenae. It is a place where they can connect with the natural forces of the earth, tapping into its spiritual energies and communing with the spirits that reside there. The island is a sanctuary where Verbenae mages can practice their unique traditions, perform rituals, and deepen their understanding.

One of the notable features of the Isle of Hisses is the presence of Canadian geese, which seasonally nest on the island. The Verbenae refer to the island by this name due to the distinctive sound of the geese hissing. Interestingly, despite the potential for aggression from the geese during nesting season, the Verbenae do not receive any hostility from them.