#oc: wasteland watcher

[alterednoon]

In a place as quiet as this garden, the silence was swept away by soft clicks like the waving of the clouds around the Starlight Desert.

The vet that had been hanging around there long enough to be regarded as a florist, instead of tending to the flowers like she usually does to pass the time, was found holding a rectangular object as she aimed the diamond-rimmed lens towards flowers and the like, and sometimes even the pavilion whilst she moved backwards carefully.

"What are you doing-?"

Wis blinked as she turned around on the heels of her boots, which resulted in her catching her own face staring back at her.

No, wait. That's her twin brother.

Watcher sighed as he crossed his arms, a soft smile playing on his expression at Wis's slightly startled face.

"Is that the camera from this Season?" He eyes the device in her hands, his pose now shifting to a more laid-back position. "I've been hearing about it from the archivists– and well, I guess just about from everyone around me."

"I don't doubt it." A chuckle from his twin sister makes him look back at her. "We have cubes that record memories of our selves, but this is the first we get to have something that allows us to capture others' singular moments in time."

"We only have our memories, and if we choose to, our stories to pass on about those who were around us once. And…" Her grip tightens lightly around the camera. "…even though we have verbal passings, the notes we've written, the illustrations we've drawn, and even memory cubes to store their memories, being able to take pictures is…"

"…is like being able to see them again and again…" As Watcher continued Wis's thoughts, both twins looked to the stars above them. "…and with pictures, it's like getting to introduce them to the people who are with you in the present, even when they're no longer around to make that possible."

"…yeah." Wis breathed in the cold air of the desert, her arms now wrapped around the camera as she pressed it against her chest as if it would subdue the ache in her core. "It's quite greedy, isn't it? To want to keep more of someone who couldn't be here…"

It has been nine Seasons since then, and there have been many things she wished she was able to save during that time.

A good memory, an achievement, a silly and foolish moment…a friend.

"I wanted to have all of their memories, hahaa…" It was such a strained laugh that perfectly matched with the tight smile Wis wore. As much as she didn't want to tear up right there, it was ironic that her makeup features blue raindrops below her eyes.

"They were so cute." Her chest moves heavily as she made a long, deep sigh just before she continued on. "I wished I could show you beyond my stories; how their curiosity would lead them to feel most often in awe, or at times lost and even afraid."

"Their first spirit, their first accessory, their first cape, and even the first time they met their guardian."

"The things that caught their eye and often caused them to let go of my hand, their favorite places to be, and the friends they made."

All of it.

"I wanted all of my memories of them to be something I can hold and show to you all." Wis smiled down at the camera in her hands. "It's a shame that this kind of option wasn't quite available back then."

Her twin watches her for a moment, letting the silence of the garden hover over them as the two of them listen to it…

Until Watcher stretched his arms up as he let out a "well", before crossing it behind his head. "Even when you can't take their pictures from back then, you can always take the pictures of those who are going to be here."

"It's a new Season, and there's going to be a bunch of moths streaming in. I know you've retired, but I'm sure the guides won't mind having a helping hand around."

Wis giggled at the suggestion.

"I'll have to pass, Watcher, and- shouldn't it be you who has to lend a helping hand?" She tilted her head at her twin, and playfully winked at him. "Sir Wasteland Watcher who has only guided a single moth?"

"Hey."

Seeing Watcher take a small bit of offense at her tease got another giggle out of her, and she turns back to the flowers she was aiming at.

"Hm, and besides…" The wistful florist raised up the camera to her eye level. "While I can't take the pictures of the moths I've had the short time to guide, there's also the ones who have been with me since a very long time ago, isn't there?"

"There's you, Ox Wiz, Blue…" Click. "…and, even though it hasn't been that long since I met them, there's also Kiri, Raisin, H.K., Maddie, and that little cutie who likes crabs and you–"

"Can't you just leave that part out-"

​​​​​​​Giggle.

"–so, even when I'm sad that the others would remain as just stars in the night sky for the rest to see whenever they look up, I'm happy you're all here so we could take all the pictures we want together."

"…"

"Me too."

"I'm happy we're all here, with all our friends to fly with us in this kingdom and those twinkling in the sky that watch over us."

[another-heroine]

A Lovely Hand

Last one for the OC Kiss Week. I had so much fun. Even the lack of confidence about my English writing was lifted away.

Last, but not less important, this is about my fav girls in the entire Golarion. Kadira belongs to @spyridonya and Ekaterina is a well known figure around here because I’m obsessed for her lol

Thank you again for coming aboard with me and those mental barbies, Spyri.

CW: Period cramps, a ton of pain, sleeping together, just Katya being Katya

If she lay quietly, nobody would ever notice what was going on. Kadira was sure about it. She said good night to the others and slippered into her bedroll, only letting the pain flow after she was all covered up.

Good gods, how it hurted. And in those wastelands it was impossible to find any kind of herb that could relieve the sensation of her womb attempting to kill her. Kadira tried to extinguish the cramps with a magical trick, but she was so tired and disoriented it was useless.

She pouted. That was it. There was no escape.

Everybody was already asleep, except for the watchers. But she would not bother Lann, nor Ulbrig, about it. Actually, telling any of them surely would be an embarrassing situation at least — the first was too awkward, the latter probably would recommend nonsensical methods.

She had to endure it alone. It was not like the first time she was by herself though.

The woman was so deep in her ache that barely heard muffled steps approaching. A shiver ran down her spine when she finally realized that someone was right behind her. Her tail snapped under the blankets as a reflex. But soon the soft glow coming from the silent person made her nerves relax: it was Ekaterina.

“Sorry,” the aasimar said hushed. “May I sleep with you?”

Kadira felt flustered, and covered her nose like a shy kid. “Sure,” babbled.

She knew the question was really about that: only. Sleep. Ekaterina was not like Daeran, though Kadira noticed he was acting much more respectful towards her lately — in Daeran's way, of course.

The aasimar put her bedroll next to Kadira and at first sat over it. Her hair was already down, and she took off her baubles before finally joining the tiefling that night.

“There,” she giggled, pulling Kadira close. “Not quite as comfortable as we deserve, but better than nothing, right?”

Kadira nodded. Her womb twisted harder than before and she bit her lip. Damn.

The slight movement made Ekaterina frown. “Something wrong?”

Kadira swallowed. She was not Lann nor Ulbrig, thankfully. The sorceress could count on her.

“I'm… I'm sore.” Kadira turned around, slipping her tail under the blankets. “We were so busy lately that I forgot to keep track of my moons…”

Ekaterina's eyes arched. “Oh…”

“I know, it’s bad.” Kadira dropped her gaze, feeling ashamed. It was not her fault and she should not feel that way, but…

“Excuse me, my dear.”

If she was not dealing with that lot of pain, Kadira would be stiff and blush. But she let the druid rummage over the bedroll, reaching for her belly with warm hands.

“Tell me where it hurts.”

“You are on the right spot,” she affirmed.

Katya closed her eyes and concentrated. Her hand became warmer and Kadee felt magic rushing through them. It took a while to work. She took deep breaths, resting her forehead on the woman's shoulder, inhaling her scent.

When the cramps were lifted for now, Kadira finally felt her eyelids heavy. She was relaxed enough to drift to Desna's realm.

“Better?” Ekaterina asked, leaving a kiss among her thick black curls.

Kadira agreed. “Thank you.”

The druid buried her cheek in her lover's hair. “Good night, Kadee.”

[vault-heck]

Proof of concept reference sheet for my OC, Omen. (thanks tumblr for eating the quality)

Omen, watcher of watchers

Synth

Height: 5'3"

Weight: 120 lbs

Ancestry: Vietnamese/American

Professions: Acadian security, Railroad counterintelligence

Age: Unknown (30+)

Eyes: Dark brown

Hair: Black

Companion: Edgar (raven watcher)

Image: an illustration of Omen, wearing an Institute courser uniform that has seen better days. The bottom panel is shredded and resembles feathers. They wear a gray cloak held in place by a pin with the Railroad's 'ally' insignia, and have two revolutionary swords holstered on their back. Their hair is short with a fringe, and they have several scars across their face.

Perks: sneak, moving target, animal friend, wasteland whisperer, robotics expert, blacksmith, bloody mess, chem resistant

Clothing/general color palette: Dark blue-gray, dark brown, cranberry brown, mauve, olive green

Special equipment: modified Institute enamel helmet - visor lenses provide night vision & retract at the push of a button. Respirator built into the 'beak'

Summary:

Omen's earliest clear memory is of waking in the town of Far Harbor, all but an outcast among the locals. With growing suspicion that they might be a synth, they sought refuge in Acadia. There, Chase took them under her wing for training. Their stealth swordfighting skills now parallel those of the Institute's top coursers.

They have always been talented with robotics and friendly with animals. Their companion is a raven named Edgar, who collects video footage and mimcs an array of human speech patterns.

When Chase went missing, Omen begged DiMA and Faraday to organize a search. DiMA offered Omen a position as head of Acadian security, which they turned down.

Now Omen works with the Railroad in the Commonwealth with a specialty in counterintelligence. They have amassed and manage a murder of watcher crows who have defected from the Institute.

[keykidpilipili]

Would like to hear your kingdom hearts x fate ideas! It sounds so interesting!! 🙏😄

There's mostly the Destiny Trio+Ansem sod as servants for now but I hope you'll find it interesting to read. For general worldbuilding a reminder of fate stuff. The magus world and especially holy grail wars are pretty harsh: inhuman experiments, the necessary murders to preserve the concept of Mystery thus magic and reach the grail. I developped on how their characters could develop in such environments.

Starting with Sora, since as kh3 he canonically died and he touched the hearts of many people, the throne of heroes has no problems summoning a version of him. His starting class is berserker due to his overwhelming kindness and willingness to help others that is nearly impossible to hinder if you're his master. Heartless manifest in any wars he participates thanks to the Keyblade’s existence. Because of his disney and Square acquaintances remembering him as often searching for his friends, his reason for taking part in the Grail war is to find them. However since in life he never really described those friends in depth to others he met, his memory of them grows fuzzier with each summoning.

Without a solid support system, the countless betrayals and endless hurt he is exposed to and is powerless to stop drain him considerably. As a result his wish starts to drift towards being erased from the throne or the destruction of the latter entirely. Down the line he eventually meets a kind master who convinces him to let go of the utopia and memories he cannot reach(the real sora returned and he has no place to return to in the first place). Protecting the glimmers of hope and kindness he comes across, even if it's ephemeral happiness, he found it valuable to be able to go on. For his alts, there is 

Ruler Sora who appears for great emergencies like the universe being threatened and can wield the X-blade(by virtue of kh3) proper. That said he is not the most competent arbiter and will intervene if fighters might involve innocents. 

Alter Ego Sora Alter came out because in a very unfortunate war he got in contact with corrupted grail mud. Unsurprisingly the mad teen decided to shelter All of the World’s Evil(Angra Mainya) inside him since the servant wanted to manifest into the world. Naturally this didn’t end well and his sanity took a Deep Dive with him becoming obsessed with removing the Hurt despite spawning curses and darkness like no tomorrow. This version of Sora has a really high chance of accidentally starting a heartless apocalypse if summoned in a holy grail war. He takes longer to heal from wounds since he is some kind of anti/rage form at all times.

Regarding Riku, in base kh his character arc relied heavily on his being scammed by Ansem and tossing people aside for his ambitions. Apart from a single scene in chain of memories, we don't see him interact with Maleficent after that game and thus we remember mostly Ansem being his antagonist. As a result the two are stuck sharing a spirit origin in the same manner as Sakamoto Ryouma and Oryou. Although Riku could try winning a war to wish for him to be his own heroic spirit with the heartless, he doesn't want to risk the latter reaching Kingdom Hearts if left alone. He would probably have great compatibility with young magi who are in dire need of some life orientation and could use his experience as young teen who got scammed(holy grail wars are too scams as a concept). 

As for his team mate Ansem has no issue cooperating during wars, dying is painful, he is in no hurry to repeat that experience thank you. Plus he’d rather see Riku win than one of those terrible researchers who suck at 4d chess planning and are not subtle about wanting to backstab you. Impressed he was not when the keyblade wielder asked him if he had put his heart into such hapless magi. Sure he’ll try to get his own wish should he and Riku win however temporary truce is key. Together they have way better chances of survival as their different mindsets cover each other’s weaknesses. Being stuck together with your nemesis is terrible but at least you aren’t alone. As of their class I’m inserting them into Foreigner since the base concept of their relationship in kh1 was Riku being influenced by a being from another plane.

Now here comes Kairi! Seeing as post kh3 and melody of memory, she is training however Kingdom Hearts gotta lend some poh power to the throne. The redhead becomes a temporary servant by doing entire wars in her dreams and comes back to her body whenever they end. Info on Sora’s whereabouts are scarce and if she can get anything from a part time job alongside training with Aqua then all the better. Spoiler alert it didn’t go well. Skills were certainly learnt and her light grew strong, even wielding multiple copies of keyblades inspired by her fellow poh. And yet the sight of all these lives sacrificed for some power trips and science infuriated her. The magi in their basements bragging about their experiments to reach the root as the scent of death permanates the very air don’t brag for very long. The more she saw of the magic world, the more she wondered if that humanity would not be better rid of it all together. More than anyone Kairi knows she was lucky to have a happy childhood after losing her home. Even with Xehanort gone and the memory of him defeated, his essence, the stubborn ambition to reach a greater power no matter the cost, remains. For all those lives sacrificed like chess pieces, all those artificial beings treated as mana batteries, this avenger will destroy magic.  Story-wise her heroic spirit form would become its own person after the real Kairi put an end to her tempory contract(which she couldn’t have done if it had been directly with the Counter Force). Gameplay wise aside from her keyblade and regular light magic she can also go into Light/Watcher form which is similar to Antiform but light based. That form is more powerfull but excerbates the light in the hearts around her spawning more watchers, able to aid her but if left alone would attack any life form with stronger darkness than light without caring for the reasons why. It’s also toxic to the environment, the very ground in a wasteland of blank white dust.

[always-anxious-skychild]

So I said yesterday that I adore @brainweird-moth's OC naming using titles instead of names then they just info dump me their thought process which really inspired me to try and create titles for fun. Not as creative as theirs but hey, I made this near midnight hehe.

Lua: Swiftful Watcher - As a wasteland watcher, she is the swiftest, can avoid krills even in mid-flight / Resilient Flight Teacher - After her accident, she retired as a watcher. Not long after, she decided to form a group of mentors to teach moths how to fly before starting their journeys.

Hestia: Lucky Collector - always find rare items such as a four leaf clover, a unique colored sea shell, a nest of baby mantas - you name it.

Echo: Pondering Bard - always thinking of new songs to play with his instruments

Eris: Proud Songstress - and she can back it up with her amazing vocals

Polaris: Hopeful Lantern Bearer - As an Eden guide, they are known to be grumpy and cold yet he always hopes that the moths he guide will the see the light, that he will see them again in open realms alive and happy.

Silas: Striving Alchemist - Despite his failures, he continues to strive even when others tell him to just give up and just find a new project. In the future, they'll be known as Excited Alchemist because he always lights up whether the project fails or succeed.

Haruni: Nimble Messenger - everyone in their messenger group as the Messenger title, the adjective is different. Haruni is nimble because he finishes his work quickly, as if he knew shortcuts / Regretful Adventurer - formerly called as Curious Adventurer. As the oldest child of light, he regrets that he found the remains of the kingdom and what causes its downfall. How he wishes he never learnt its secrets.

Camellia: Bashful Lightbringer - she lights up the lanterns in the forest. She, like most forest borns, prefer to be silent than to speak to hear the blessed rain, making her perceived as bashful.

Horizon: Wondering Researcher - always traveling the realms to answer their questions about the nature of sky children and their home / Kindhearted Nightborn - there's a reason why Horizon is well liked despite their difference of nature with the children of light

[thecreaturecodex]

You mention on your Ulgurstasta post that you had an Age of Worms soundtrack when you ran the AP in High School. Any other tracks for other encounters/areas?

I actually still have the whole playlist put together! I'll stash it under a cut in the interest of saving space, but some highlights:

The Hellboy soundtrack by Marco Beltrami was sort of the backbone of the piece. The Main Theme was what I used as the main theme for the campaign as a whole, and the themes used for the Nazis in that movie were the cues for the Ebon Triad.

The Full Metal Alchemist soundtrack was also a major role (the original 2004 anime, not Brotherhood). The Homunculus theme was used as Lashonna's theme, in many variations.

Lots of Nobou Uematsu, particularly FFVI and FFVII. I used OC Remix versions of many of those tracks for fights.

The Hall of Harsh Reflections, appropriately, used music from The Thing by Ennio Morricone

Balabar Smenk's theme was the Jabba the Hutt music from Return of the Jedi

The music used for the Kyuss Knights was Spiders and Vinegaroons by Queens of the Stone Age (who were formed from a band named Kyuss)

Musically, Alhaster was Russia. Lots of Russian folk songs for its characters.

The Library of Last Resort was themed around Philip Glass music

Every time they found an artifact, I used The Ecstasy of Gold from the soundtrack to The Good, The Bad and the Ugly

Kyuss himself got One Winged Angel for his fight music, so I gave the JENOVA theme to the Harbinger of Worms, who created him.

The full list (all six discs worth, including bonus tracks!) is below the cut.

Age of Worms OST

Disc 1

1. Main Title – Hellboy Main Title (Marco Beltrami)

2. Sasha –Time’s Scar (Yasunori Mitsuda)

3. Trinton – Gilderoy Lockhart (John Williams)

4. The Whispering Cairn – Winds of Neo-Tokyo (Genioh Yamashirogumi)

5. Vincent – Nonki (Michiru Ooshima)

6. Dinner with Balabar Smenk – Jabba the Hutt (John Williams)

7. Filge the Necromancer – In the Theatre (Philip Glass and the Kronos Quartet)

8. Relics of a Lost Time – El Amor Brujo (Manuel de Falla)

9. Battle with the Wind Warriors – Battle with the Four Fiends (Nobou Uematsu and the Black Mages)

10. Into Dourstone Mine – Overture of Destiny (Michiru Ooshima)

11. Three Faces of Evil 1: The Temple of Theldrick – Evil-Doers (Marco Beltrami)

12. Three Faces of Evil 2: Maze of the Faceless One – Soul Sucker (Marco Beltrami)

13. Three Faces of Evil 3: The Eyes of Grallak Kur – Alley Fight (Marco Beltrami)

14. Diana – Dark Eyes (Moondog)

15. Escape from Dourstone Mine and The Thing from the Pool – Juurin (Michiru Ooshima)

16. Allustan – Avenue (Michiru Ooshima)

17. Clyde – Mystic Mysidia (Nobou Uematsu)

18. An Encounter at Blackwall Keep – Opening/Bombing Run (Nobou Uematsu)

19. Damon – Greed (Michiru Ooshima)

20. Into the Lizard’s Lair – River Cruise (Danny Elfman)

21. Battle with the Turtle Rider – High Above Chaos (Nobou Uematsu, remixed by OverCoat)

22. The Shaman’s Sad Tale – Land Governed by Beasts (Nobou Uematsu, remixed by OverCoat)

23. The Dragon’s Egg – Brett’s Demise (Jerry Goldsmith)

24. Blessings of the Shaman – River Cruise 2 (Danny Elfman)

25. Another Encounter at Blackwall Keep – Element’s (Yoko Kanno)

26. Those Who Have Fallen – Sad Resolution (Michiru Ooshima)

27. End Title – End Credits (Nicholas Pavkovic)

28. Bonus Track – Worms (The Pogues)

Disc 2

1. An Ominous Beginning – Beyond the Wasteland (Nobou Uematsu)

2. The Prophet – The Fall of Neo-Kuja (Nobou Uematsu)

3. Meeting Dr. Thanatos – Revelation of Fire (Claado Shou)

4. The Crooked House – Music TCC (Michael Hoenig)

5. Doppelganger Chase – Spider Dib (Kevin Manthei)

6. Mimics! – Contamination (Ennio Morricone)

7. The Hall of Harsh Reflections – Eternity (Ennio Morricone)

8. Cathar – Rider’s March (Russian folksong, performed by the Red Army Choir)

9. Zyrxog the Illithid / The Death of Damon – Mutation (Geinoh Yamashirogumi)

10. Kysom – Heavenly Spirit (Michiru Ooshima)

11. Puli – The Dragon’s Eye (Jeremy Soule)

12. Battle with the Kenku – Russian Sailor’s Dance (Reinhold Gliere)

13. Filge Unveils His Undead Army – Carriage Without a Driver (Philip Glass)

14. The Weavers – Shelob’s Lair (Howard Shore)

15. The Painter’s Madness – The Belgian Circus Episode (John Morris)

16. Maskarovka! / The Champion’s Dinner – The Kitchen, The Orgy (Basil Poledouris)

17. The Champion’s Games – Wheel of Fortune (Hans Zimmer)

18. The Shrine of Kyuss – Dog’s Attack (Jerry Goldsmith)

19. Zahol, the Cleric – Davy Jones (Hans Zimmer)

20. The Final Battle – Algiers, November 1, 1954 (Ennio Morricone)

21. The Apostle of Kyuss – The Kraken (Hans Zimmer)

22. Victory! – L’Arena (Ennio Morricone)

Disc 3

1. The Dragon Ilthane – Riddle of Steel, Riders of Doom (Basil Poledouris)

2. Falth – Jungle Dance (Max Steiner)

3. Cosgrak the Lewd – Castle Damcyan (Nobou Uematsu)

4. A Gathering of Winds – The Promised Land (Nobou Uematsu)

5. Riverof Blood – The Decisive Battle (Nobou Uematsu)

6. Rescuing Allustan – Illusory World (Nobou Uematsu)

7. Moreto – Space Station of the Ancients (Nobou Uematsu, remixed by Mazedude)

8. Battle with the Ten Thousand Year Old Demon – Fire Cross (Nobou Uematsu, remixed by Luiza)

9. Gifts of the Wind Dukes – The Ecstasy of Gold (Ennio Morricone)

10. Return to Diamond Lake– Death Rides a Horse (Ennio Morricone)

11. Ambushed by Devils – Pandemonium (Hector Berlioz)

12. Magepoint – Misha (Yoko Kanno)

13. Tenser Manzorian – Averro Reinhold (Yoko Kanno)

14. The Spire of Long Shadows – Seven Notes in Black (Vince Tempera)

15. A Dragon took the Spire! – Minas Morgul (Howard Shore)

16. Fallen Angels – Anakin’s Dark Deeds (John Williams)

17. Visions of the Past – Summer Overture (Clint Mansell)

18. Serai Keeneye – Saber Dance (Gayane)

19. Knights and Swords of Kyuss – Spiders and Vinegaroons (Queens of the Stone Age and Kyuss)

20. Ascension Interrupted – Monolith (Immediate Music)

21. The Harbinger of Worms – JENOVA for Classical Piano (Nobou Uematsu, arranged by Eric Barker)

22. Battle with the Harbinger – Piano Quartet Boss Battle Medley (Nobou Uematsu, arranged by Reu)

23. The Final Vision – Father’s Funeral (Marco Beltrami)

Disc 4

1. Heroes – Space Marines’ Theme (artist unknown)

2. Journey to Alhaster – Song of the Plains (Red Army Chorus)

3. Ilthane’s Brood – Godzilla Comes to Tokyo Bay(Akira Ifukube)

4. The Acidwraith – Ghidorah’s Theme (Akira Ifukube)

5. The Deluxury – Theology, Civilization (Basil Poledouris)

6. Adalbert Childermass – Castaniets (Yoko Kanno)

7. Blessed Angels of Hextor – Yuukoku (Michiru Ooshima)

8. The Ebon Overgod – Aw, Crap (Marco Beltrami)

9. Twenty Years of Joy – Song of the Volga Boatman (Leningrad Cowboys)

10. Macabre Feast – Smoldering Corpse Bar (Mark Morgan)

11. A Dance of the Dead – Butou (Michiru Ooshima)

12. The Prince of Redhand – The Infernal Dance of King Kaschei (Igor Stravinsky)

13. Lashonna – Homonculus (Michiru Ooshima)

14. Disciples of Darkness – Grievous Speaks to Lord Sidious (John Williams)

15. The Library of Last Resort – Facades (Philip Glass)

16. The Wild Watchers – Koyaanisqatsi (Philip Glass)

17. Trials – November 25: Morning (Philip Glass)

18. Battlewith Curwen – Black History (Yoko Kanno)

19. Heroes of Time – Symphony 8, Movement 1 (Philip Glass)

Disc 5

1. Battle with Warduke – Position X (Yoko Kanno)

2. Lashonna’s Tragic Tale – Meimyaku (Michiru Ooshima)

3. Kings of the Rift – King Kong (James Howard)

4. A Flight of Dragons – Ride of the Valkyries (Wagner)

5. Gazzilfek, the Ominous Fabler – Cefca (Nobou Uematsu)

6. Citadel of Weeping Dragons – Last Blank Spot on the Map (James Howard)

7. Dragotha’s Phylactery/ Brazzemal the Burning – Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II Opening (Akira Ifukube)

8. When Three Spirits Become One – The Bad Color (James Howard)

9. Into the Wormcrawl Fissure – Circle of Hell (Brian Tyler and Klaus Badlet)

10. The Mighty Undone – Those We Don’t Speak Of (James Howard)

11. Thesselar, the Lich – October is Eternal (Of Montreal)

12. Zulshyn, the Angel – Dancing Calcobrena (Nobou Uematsu)

13. Cults of the Wormgod – Fithos Lusec Wecos Vinosec (Nobou Uematsu)

14. Kyuss’ Divine Blood – Full Tense (Clint Mansell)

15. Dragotha’s Revelation – Secrets of Shizuma Drive (Masamichi Amano)

16. Battle with Dragotha the Dracolich – I Don’t Think Now is the Best Time (Hans Zimmer)

17. A Treasure Unseen in this Age – Ecstacy of Gold (Ennio Morricone, performed by Yo-Yo Ma)

18. The Age of Worms Has Begun – Blasphemy 2.0 (Immediate Music)

Disc 6

1. Tenser’s Desperate Plan – Sign (Nobou Uematsu)

2. Saviors – Church Windows: Saint Michael (Respighi)

3. Alhaster in Ruins – Tragedy Occurs Again (Masamichi Amano)

4. The Traitor’s Graves Rise – Black Water (Nobou Uematsu)

5. Filge Betrayed – Dr. Van Helsing and Dracula (Philip Glass)

6. Riggby the Patriarch – Forward to Time Past (John Williams)

7. Lashonna’s Sanctum – Kaichou (Michiru Ooshima)

8. Vampire Attack – Shingun (Michiru Ooshima)

9. Accountant of Mephistopheles – All Hell Breaks Loose (Immediate Music)

10. Broodfiends – Tadarida (Hans Zimmer and James Howard)

11. Lashonna Triumphant – Keiji (Michiru Ooshima)

12. Battle with Lashonna – Symphonie Fantastique: Dreams of a Witches’ Sabbath (Hector Berlioz)

13. Ascending the Spire – Divinity I (Nobou Uematsu)

14. Kyuss – Advent One Winged Angel (Nobou Uematsu)

15. The Wormgod Defeated – Divinity II (Nobou Uematsu)

16. The New Prince of Redhand – Guardian of the Motherland (Michiru Ooshima)

17. A Happy Ending – B. P. R. D. Suite (Marco Beltrami)

18. Bonus Track 1 – Icarus (Jason Webley)

19. Bonus Track 2 – Swelling Itching Brain (DEVO)

20. Bonus Track 3 – Dance While the Sky Crashes Down (Jason Webley)

21. Bonus Track 4 – Dragon Attack (Queen)

[alterednoon]

A student and their master decide to go out for a meal outside their settlements. Nothing wrong with a nice change of scenery and food, but it appears that whatever happened to their master seemed to follow him even to a time of restful enjoyment.

"Are you alright?"

Watcher perked up slightly at the concerned chirp of his student, who saw him stare into the bowl of soup for a little too long.

"I know you said you don't mind eating something spicy, but if you want, we can-"

"It's fine."

They had agreed beforehand that they would take one side of the meal, having wanting to try tasting something different from their usual diet, but Watcher wasn't expecting for the dish to be a... twin set.

"I'm just tired." His forehead creases behind the bird mask, as longing and nostalgia throbs in his chest the longer he looks at the pair of bright red cape flutters in the wind and pale yellow shines closely behind the smile of a moth soup. "That's all."

"Are you sure?" Still, H.K., his student, is relentless, and that wistful feeling grows upon looking up to see a skid smile at him whose face looks exactly like his, with beautiful feathers in her flower-shaped hair, seated on the opposite side of the table.

"Watcher?" But the reality is that his twin is not here, and the skid sitting before him doesn't have feathers in their hair nor is it styled to resemble a flower.

Instead it's just that kid from the music shop, whom he had taken under his wing, with a bob cut that proudly wears the Hall's blue hairclip, as their face slowly becomes worried by the second-

Watcher acted swiftly.

"I really am fine, H.K." He scoffed, ignoring the glowing squint thrown his way as he picked up a smaller bowl to serve himself the spicy shrimp soup. "Watch me; it can't be as bad as having your arm shattered off by krill."

Without even waiting for his student's reaction, Watcher proceeded to tilt his mask up in order to drink the red soup in one-go from his bowl-

Only to almost spit it back out as he begins to cough; his mask immediately falling back down to cover his whole face.

His student hastily gave him a cup of water, before ordering for a jug of manta milk at the realization that he's going to need something more effective with how his throat still feels like it just drank condensed black water.

Spicy shrimp soup and vegetable soup

Keep reading

[ghostredding]

Darksiders (Soul OC) - Ruby (Green)

Current status: one of the colored souls/Immortal/ Survivor/embodiment of disgust (emotion)

Occupation: has the power of earth/nature /can create a shield/grow deadly plants

Weakness: anything that smells really bad that Ruby (Green) can't stand or see, hence why she doesn't like traveling alot because of the dead corpses and rancid smells on earth and can't focus on her powers.

Age: middle-age of the colored souls (17)

Gender: Female

Weapons: large jaded dagger w/chain (will draw in the future)

Outfit from left to right: first one, wasteland outfit, second outfit, main outfit

Agitated form:

When Ruby (green) gets agitated and can't focus or stand the smell that so strong she'll turn to the nature monster that has a toxic mist that would kill anything that's alive or breathes while in the process bringing a sweet aroma in the air to make it smell like spring flowers. Either that's a good thing or a bad thing, or both.

Ruby's (Green) Immortal stone shard:

History: after the end war Ruby (Green) woke up in the middle of a grass field on the streets and was left on earth wandering endlessly until she came to heaven where the last humans and makers were at, that is where she met ulthane and Jones with his niece who looks very similar to Ruby (Yellow).

After a couple years has past Ruby (Green) left heaven to form her own home after some practice with her growing skills she was able to form a tree house away from danger of wandering demons on the streets.

That's when she saw the horsemen Fury coming down near where she was at and wanted to greet her, but didn't turn well when she got caught in the fray of corrupted angels.. or so they were angels

After beating the corrupted angels she heard small but firm clapping from pieces of armor being clank together, and Ruby (Green) turn around to see Fury herself along with her watcher.

After alot of greetings and explaining to Fury about how she did it and was she really is, Fury saw some good potential in her, hence creating a team together and slowly after that a family-bond.

Art of Ruby (Green) belongs to me

Darksiders belongs to THQnordic

Props to @proxis-shattered-expectations for the reference to create the character sheets with my characters.

[lil-loucifer]

a l l t h e o c q u e s t i o n s

S p a r k s  w h y

Send me a number and I’ll tell you about:

1: The most recent OC I’ve made

Fuck uhh probably these two characters I made up based on one of those datapoint-only stories in Horizon: Zero Dawn (one of the few times I felt spurred to write a fanfic this year lmao)

2: An early OC I remember making

Would you believe me if I said I made a Naruto OC

His name was like “Rei” or something and he had a sword and specialized in illusion-type jutsu (I never really learned any of the technical terms)

3: An OC I’ve never used for anything

All of them?????

I never really “write” any of my projects lmao

But uhhh, one that I have literally done nothing for is Jasper Morris, he’s kinda… something??? Not really sure at the moment, but he hunts monster-thingies in San Francisco

4: An OC whose story I’ve got all planned (or even written)

Those two OCs from the first question, their story was already written in the game, I’d just have to take liberties with the details

5: An OC I love

Dante Seraphim (That’s not really his surname). He’s this guy who was brought up to join a secret society of soldiers dedicated to serving Heaven and fighting demons and shit, but due to some “ancient prophecy bullshit” and his boyfriend’s machinations, he winds up getting exiled from that faction and hunted down by his former friends (it’s very action movie-like)

6: An OC I love to hate 

Arthur Morgenstern, the father of one of my favorite OCs. He’s generally a piece of shit. 

7: An OC I love… reluctantly

Daniel, the guy Dante from Question #5 dated. He tried to spur a rebellion within the faction he and Dante served, but due to some lore bullshit regarding Dante, Daniel was left blameless and Dante was exiled in his stead.

8: Two or more OCs who are connected (and how)

Faith, Wolfgang and Enoch are the three Branwen Children, a kind of Moirae that are borne of the eldest God of Death. Together, they oversee the death of gods, ensuring that all immortal deities meet their end when they should. 

Faith is in charge of overseeing the fates of all the gods in the world. She makes sure they all complete their stories; their reigns and their downfalls. 

Wolfgang is, begrudgingly, Faith’s assistant. The immortal world is a vast place, one that one soul couldn’t ever watch over alone. So, he handles surveillance, making sure that every deity plays their part, and nothing more. 

And when the gods try to rebel, when they grow too self-absorbed in their own “brilliance” they believe they should never die? They send in Enoch, the Reaper. Enoch is the most active of the Three Children, and the only one of them who has actually killed gods. Her role is to slay any deity that chooses not to die, which, admittedly, doesn’t happen often. Enoch is also the most rebellious of the Three Children, being the youngest. She actively lives in the mortal world, choosing to live amongst the puny mortals whose watchers she is sworn to slay. Enoch was actually the first sibling to give herself a name, for her convenience in the mortal world.

Given their elusive positions, the Branwens are more or less omnipresent in my fictional worlds, and are a prominent (albeit rarely-mentioned) part of a larger shared universe I’ve been writing. 

9: An OC I made to fit into another universe

Wayland Smith

10: A universe I made to fit my OCs

For the guy I’m gonna talking about in question #13, I made a post-apocalyptic setting that is set maybe 50-100 years after a world-ending nuclear war. 

11: An OC based off part of myself

I kinda-sorta have an OC that’s basically Sitcom!Me with exaggerated traits, like his catch phrase or whatever is just “I can give about three fucks about anything at any given time” and he’s hella apathetic but he actually cares a lot and he’s just too tired and has weird ways to show it

12: An OC based off part of someone I met

Aurelio Morgenstern’s appearance is lowkey based off an old friend of mine. 

13: An OC inspired by something completely unexpected

Okay so get this:

I have an OC who’s part of a lost order dedicated to maintaining peace in an apocalyptic wasteland--through fear. To cultivate that kind of fear, this order would style themselves after Death; the Grim Reaper, specifically. They wore all black and wielded scythes, as well as commanding a fierce arsenal of magic and custom firearms.

But I didn’t think of that shit at the time. You know what I thought up? The aesthetic. Black clothes and a wide-brimmed hat for keeping out the sun. 

Especially the hat.

You wanna know WHY THE HAT?

Because I was waiting in line outside the DMV on a bright, sunny-ass day, and I started daydreaming with the thought “Wow, I could really do with a cowboy hat.” 

14: The roughest backstory I’ve given an OC

There was this character I made, and he’s a bi, trans man who grew up in a really homophobic/transphobic house with an abusive.... everyone, really. He didn’t do anything about it until about a year after graduating high school, when he moved in with a family friend who was actually a decent person. 

15: The least painful backstory I’ve given an OC

My Hogwarts Mystery character was raised by a loving pair of parents who started to keep him on a tighter leash after his brother, Jacob, went missing. 

16: The most difficult OC for me to write (and why!)

All of them?????

I can’t write????????

17: The easiest OC for me to write (and why!)

Lua the Crow, purely because everything they do is more or less whatever affectionate thing I have on mind.

18: The OC I’d most like to fight

Lua because they’d go easy on me

19: The OC I’d most like to befriend

Francis Pendleton, because he’s a really chill dude who’d probably be a great father figure or something

20: The OC I’d probably have a crush on

Uhh this superhero OC I made up, her hero name is “Morningstar.” She just kinda has that kind of personality, I guess??

21: The OC most likely to end up in a wacky [freeze frame][record scratch] “you’re probably wondering how I got here” scenario

A currently-unnamed demon hunter OC who lives in San Francisco, and that moment is how he wound up dating Possibly Satan. 

22: An OC who acts as an antagonist

Samuel Eldest, a cult leader (or something) who clashes with Aurelio Morgenstern when he brings a new, demonic force into Aurelio’s territory. 

23: An OC who acts as a hero

My mcfucking superhero OCs???

24: An OC who acts as a supporting character

Adelina, Enoch Branwen’s very mortal girlfriend. 

25: An OC I’ve changed a LOT

Dante Seraphim

Lemme tell you he’s been through a lot of changes--started off as personified Death’s son, one who was hella 2000′s goth and was literally called “Lucifer Crescent,” THEN he became part of an angel/demon war and was renamed “Dante,” but he and several other kids took on the names of dead Angels to carry on an ancient tradition of passing on their power, and NOW he’s part of that second story, but heavily revised in that it’s no longer in a fantasy world and they now wage a shadow war across a low fantasy environment. 

26: An OC that I’m still working on

That Reaper guy from question #13

27: Someone else’s OC that I really admire

A friend’s self-insert OC named “Belle the Reaper” and the audacity they have to ship this character with their goddess of time. 

28: A common trait or pattern in my OCs

Sarcastic Angsty White Bois™

29: Something that I haven’t really explored with any of my OCs

Real social issues because I don’t know shit and will most likely get something fucked up

30: [make your own OC-related question and send it to me!]

??????????

[alterednoon]

It was quiet, and calm. At long last, the twins have reunited under the last shard.

[synthtics]

100 OC Questions: #1-25

Under the cut for long post.

1. How do they present themselves to others?

Hawkins has gone from a submissive and compliant Synth in the Institute to a more free soul in the Railroad.  He doesn’t like to present himself as a threat unless he has to in order to protect himself.  When traveling or making a run, he adapts this air of someone to not mess with. 

2. Do they like animals?

Hawkins is very animal friendly as long as the animal itself is friendly.  Outside of the Institute there are many wild creatures that don’t lend him many opportunities to be animal friendly, however if they don’t pose a threat, he won’t bother them.  He does enjoy the cats that are littered through the Commonwealth.  He very much adores Dogmeat.

3. How do they dress?

He prefers a more lax wardrobe.  Jeans, comfortable shirts and plaid / flannel shirts over top.  He wears boots.  You could say it’s almost farmer-like, or compare it to a modern-day construction worker.  He wears leather bound armor when needed.

4. How many languages do they know?

Currently, English is his only language.

5. How big is their family?

The only “biological” family he has is Father, by DNA only.  He has no real parents.  One could say every Synth the Institute created could be considered a relative, again through Father’s DNA.  However, he doesn’t consider any of the Institute to be family.  His family is the Railroad.

6. What is their purpose in the story?

If Hawkins were actually plugged into the gaming franchise, he would very much be an off side character.  You might interact with him in a Railroad quest.  His purpose is to help Synths escape to safehouses or other waypoints safely.

7. Do they know how to fight?

He’s no trained professional but he can hold his own.  His fighting skills grow over the years in the Wasteland.

8. What is their back story?

Listed here.

TLDR; An escaped Synth from the Institute that joins the Railroad to help other fellow Synths earn freedom safely.

9. Why is their name, their name?

R2-49 was simply a random serial number I grabbed for him.  Hawkins was a name I picked because it could easily be considered both a Railroad codename, and someone’s last name.  He picked it because he liked the sound of it.  He didn’t want to just go with ‘Hawk’ because he’s not a watcher of any sort, but he does have that sort of urge to watch over and guide other Synths.  And to protect them.

10. Do they have any nick names?

People do call him Hawk, sometimes. In the Institute, his serial number was shortened to just R2 at times.

11. Do they have a romantic interest?

None specifically.

12. How do they cope with struggles?

For a long time he had to keep most of his struggles to himself.  He couldn’t trust that the Institute wouldn’t try to recall him the second he shows any sign of struggle.  He has a hard time letting it show now, still, despite knowing the consequences are far lesser.  He has a tendency to redirect his energy from his own struggles into being useful in other ways.  He does get determined at times, stubborn about being able to handle what he’s struggling with.

13. Do they have anyone they can lean on?

He’s grown rather close to his found friend, Wolfe, as well as a few members of the Railroad.  It takes him time to feel comfortable doing so.

14. How do they react to someone dying?

It’s something he hates to see, but he knows in this world it’s something that he’s going to see often.  It’s something that he’s going to have to cause more than he’d like to, as well.  But it’s a necessary evil to have to deal with in order to survive and protect innocent people.  

For people he knows, for members of the Railroad, it hurts.  He takes his moments to grieve.  But he puts forth his best effort to make sure their deaths aren’t in vain.  For people such as Raiders or Coursers, it’s something that he’s almost become desensitized to.  Again, it’s not something he likes to do, but he doesn’t feel any loss towards them.

15. Can you name 5 personality traits they have?

Determined, thoughtful, stubborn, selfless, and caring.  Just to name five.

16. How did they become a character?

Head said what if you did this?  I said ok let’s do this.

17. Do they get along with others?

Yes.  He wants as little conflict as possible but knows when to make it clear that he wants nothing to do with you.

18. What flaws do they have?

He’s stubborn to a point that it can be a flaw.  Maybe not in his ideals, but with his determination when he wants something done.  

Another flaw that he’s been working on is caring too much about people he doesn’t know.  It’s screwed him over in the past but he’s learned to not go out of his way to outlandish ends to help someone who will probably just screw him over.  

Don’t get me wrong, these aren’t his only two flaws.  There’s more in there but I’ve yet to dig them out.

19. How do they influence the story?

20. What do they look like?

Before he left the Institute I would describe his facial features as very soft.  A light brown head of hair, bright brown eyes.  After he gets his facial reconstruction, he’s a little bit rough on the edges.  6’2”, a fit build.  Darker brown hair and eyes.  He’s grown in somewhat of a beard.  Skeet Ulrich is his faceclaim.

21. What are their hobbies?

He doesn’t have a whole lot of time for hobbies to fit into his lifestyle.  Sometimes he just carves at old tree branches or pieces of wood with his knife when he’s bored.  He’s not an artist but he sometimes gets general shapes of things carved into them.   He does like finding pre-war items that are still in decent condition and trying to see how they work, what they’re made of, etc.  

22. Do they like children?

He hasn’t been around many children.  His duties in the Institute didn’t lead him to living areas where the children would be around often.  Although he doesn’t have much experience with them, he finds kids quite fascinating.  They’re entertaining, adorable tiny little things.  He shows them kindness.

23. How do they react to being around wild animals?

He’s cautious.  Wild animals in the Wasteland are dangerous, so he doesn’t approach them.

24. If they were given the task to prank someone, who would it be, what would they do, and would the prank work?

If Hawkins were told to prank someone, it would probably be Deacon.  His way of pranking him would likely be similar to how Deacon works; setting up a lie that would lead him to believing something ridiculous and either have to act a certain way around him or avoid certain things around the Synth.  Maybe make something up about the Institute, or him specifically.  Would it work?  Who knows.  

25. Do they have any survival skills?

Absolutely.  Maybe not so much after first escaping the Institute, but time out in the Wasteland and as a Railroad agent sure did teach him a lot.

[lucienfairfucked]

oc masterpost

{ last edited: 23 September 2019 }

THEDOSIANS [DRAGON AGE]

Anansi Surana | Elven Chasind/Rivaini | Hero of Ferelden, First Enchanter of the Fereldan Circle, “Herald of Andraste” (1/2)

Annis ar Kattrin o Frosthold | Avvar | Retainer of the Inquisition

Ashala-aqun | Qunari (Elven Fereldan/Seheron) | Lady Inquisitor

Briar Heart | Vashoth | Grey Warden(?), Protector of the Amaranthine Enclave

Candide Caron | Orlesian | Grey Warden

Cassius | Tevinter Altus | Magister

Ciarán O’Shaughnessy | Fereldan | Templar, military advisor to the Inquisition

Daniel | Dalish Elf | scion of Shartan, retainer of the Hawk Estate, martyr

Dion Mahariel | Dalish Elf | viddathari

Elijah Hawk-child | Chasind/Marcher | Champion of Kirkwall, Lord Protector of Kirkwall

Hiberna Skaara | Frostback Elf | retainer of the Inquisition

Jethro | Elven Ander | former slave, Liberator of Tevinter

Kasaanda | Vashoth | “Herald of Andraste” (2/2)

Mahnon Lavellan | Elven Antivan | Lord Inquisitor

Sula Tabris | Elven Fereldan | wild woman of the forest

Talan | Vashoth | oracle; Arital of the Vashoth

Yngvar Cadash | Surface Dwarf | Merchants Guild member, Carta member

Zaarilek | Dragon? | ...Razikale

Zhané | Rivaini | mage lookin to raise hell

Zimir Trevelyan | Marcher | hot aristocrat that’s gonna cause the Inquisition some hassles. I’m workin on it

SHEPARDS / RYDERS [MASS EFFECT]

Adrian Shepard | Earthborn | Renegade Vanguard

Ana-Dimitri Shepard | Spacer | Spectre, Reaper Heir-Apparent

Jericho Ryder | Pathfinder

London Shepard | Colonist | Paragon Adept

TAMRIANS [ELDER SCROLLS]

Azha Sendu | Redguard | Second Era rogue who becomes something more

Celebor | Snow Elf | necromancer, lich lord

Draumir | Bosmer | stoned elf

Idrissa | Redguard | spy, Stormcloak, eventual High King of Skyrim

Llovyn Arendur | Dunmer | Archmage, Listener

Nadali Arendur | Dunmer | disgraced Telvanni, Nerevarine

Nadir | Redguard | Champion of Cyrodiil, Speaker of the DB, eventual Prince of Madness

Naianil | Maormer | sea boi

Red Drustan | Redguard | thief, assassin, Llovyn’s bestie

Thorin Bloodraven | Nord | hunter, widower, Daedric pawn, really unlucky bloke

Thrandir | Altmer | loremaster, Devoted Cleric of Hermaeus Mora

Valkyr Blood-Skald | Skaal | Shouter, barbarian, proud father of 7 werewolf pups

Verys Arendur | Dunmer | Azha’s companion, father of the Nerevarine and the Last Dragonborn, real strange dude

EORZEANS [FFXIV]

Dayir | Au Ra | mysterious companion to the WoL

Ishan | Elezen | a most un-heroic and hedonistic Warrior of Light

ERDANS [FABLE]

Adam Byrne | Alban | Hero of Bowerstone, first King of Albion

Alia | Samarkin | first Queen of Albion

Dusk | Alban | Hero of Oakvale

Ethan Byrne | Alban | Hero of Southcliff

Nuala Byrne | Alban/Samarkin | Hero of Brightwall

Severine Stark | Alban | self-made aristocrat, Patron to the Arts & Sciences in Albion, CFO of Stark & Faraday Industries

Shaun | Alban/Auroran | machinist, caretaker, inventor, eventual Lord Protector of New Albion 

Shuvan | Auroran | spirit warrior (and unwitting kingmaker)

Tristan Arrow-Singer | Alban...? | Gunslinger, lorekeeper, mysterious wanderer

EORANS [PILLARS OF ETERNITY]

Gandr | ??? | Invoker of Rymrgand, Watcher (not THE Watcher), Hound of Keahi

Keahi | Island Aumaua | THE Watcher, Hound of Eothas, Heir of Eothas

SAINTS [SAINTS ROW]

Alexander Mann | Saintsguard | bodyguard, brewmaster, don’t call him “Thor” (or, do)

Claudio V Invictus | Boss | Saint of Saints, head of Saintscorp, leader of the Sinners Cabal

Shango Snake-Eye | Saintsguard | Saint of Samedi, druglord, silent killer

WASTELANDERS [FALLOUT]

Gabriel | Lone Wanderer

Gideon | Courier Six, Wild Card

Noah Kingfisher | Sole Survivor, General of the Minutemen, Gunslinger

Zora Kingfisher | war veteran, Noah’s wife

AZEROTHANS [WORLD OF WARCRAFT]

Ananduil | Blood Elf | demon hunter, soul-twin of Venanduil

Venanduil | Night Elf | druid, favoured of Cenarius, soul-twin of Ananduil

OTHER

Ayin | Hunter (Bloodborne) | Great One in training

[hermanwatts]

Science Fiction and Fantasy New Releases: 27 June, 2020

Crafter’s dungeons, post-apocalyptic water worlds, MMO blacksmiths, and even a three-headed ogre appear in this week’s science fiction and fantasy new releases.

Aquaria Falling (Aquaria #1) – Finn Gray

Centuries ago, the Memnon War devastated Aquaria. The defeated Memnons fled the Aquarian system in search of a new home. Or did they?

Blamed for the death of his sister, Rory Waring escapes the farm by enlisting in the Aquarian Imperial Marines, but life as a marine recruit is not what he expected. The ranks are divided, with rumors of secret traitors among their number. Who can he trust when his life is on the line?

As granddaughter of the emperor, Lina Navarre has not had a difficult life. Her sole responsibility is keeping her twin sister far from trouble and out of the news vids until an act of terrorism changes her life forever. Suddenly, Lina finds herself in the enemy’s crosshairs. But which side is her sister on?

Commander Dominic Graves can hardly remember the last time he led Dragonfly into combat. Now his days are spent reviewing reports and his brilliant but erratic ace pilot, Serena “Sabre” Sabrakami, out of the brig. But when mutiny breaks out across the fleet, both will find their lives on the line, and the fate of Aquaria in their hands.

The Memnons have returned and Aquaria is falling!

The Bar at the Edge of the Sea (The Watchers #2) – Tom Abrahams

A world underwater. A missing weapon. A fight for redemption.

Zeke Watson has his first mission as a Watcher: a quest to find a kidnapped child who knows the location of a missing weapon. In the wrong hands, the weapon will upset the balance of good and evil across the known universe.

He seeks the child. The weapon. And redemption.

But can he find any of that in a flooded post-apocalyptic world filled with ruthless pirates—where his skills behind the wheel are useless and his newfound power is as unsteady as a skiff on choppy seas?

The Black Knight (The Excalibur Knights Saga #2) – Luke Mitchell

He came. He saw. He stole the freakin’ Merlin.

In the wake of the troglodan attack on Earth, fledgling Knight Nate Arturi and his unruly crew venture into Alliance space in pursuit of the mysterious Black Knight. The mission couldn’t be more simple. Find the Black Knight, recover the Beacon, and save the Merlin.

But simple isn’t always easy, and the title of Excalibur Knight isn’t what it once was.

Arriving in Alliance space, Nate and fellow Knight Iveera quickly find themselves caught in a deadly web of political ambition with ooperian assassins haunting their every step and no one to trust but each other and their rag tag crew.

The clock is ticking. An ancient evil stands on the brink of awakening. But to complete their mission, they’ll have to go renegade and forfeit everything.

Can two rogue Knights stop the rising tides of galactic war?

The Crafter’s Darkness (Dungeon Crafting #4) – Jonathan Brooks

A time of great darkness is approaching, but will Sandra and her dungeon survive?

After being responsible for destroying multiple Dungeon Cores, the consequences of which she has yet to see but knows will be coming, Sandra and her friends must obtain help from the leadership of the nearby lands. The problem will soon become bigger than she can contain, and only by them all working together will everyone survive the dangers represented by the nearby dungeons.

On top of that, Sandra also has to develop a plan to combat the ever-expanding territories of the local dungeons and protect the people still living in her Area of Influence. It is a difficult and complicated problem to solve, but with the aid of some new friends she begins to get a handle on the situation.

Unknown to Sandra and everyone else, however, someone wronged by the craft-loving Dungeon Core has designs of their own that will throw the wastelands into chaos. Those dangers, coupled with some personal issues of Sandra’s own, could usher in a period of darkness that the world hasn’t seen in centuries…

Danger Close (Drop Trooper #3) – Rick Partlow

All Cam Alvarez has known is war.

For three years, he’s fought the marauding alien Tahni on one God-forsaken planet after another, leading a squad of armored Drop Troopers.

But the war is about to change.

Cam is an officer now, fresh out of OCS and taking charge of his old platoon, and things have reached a tipping point. Instead of fighting a desperate holding action against the enemy, the Commonwealth is finally ready to take back the human colonies the Tahni seized early in the war. To free the people the enemy have kept as human shields.

However, victory comes at a price. Both for the hostage colonists and the Marines who fight to free them. When innocent lives are at stake, every shot fired is danger close…

Og-Grim-Dog: The Three-Headed Ogre (Me Three #1) – Jamie Edmundson

We are Og-Grim-Dog!

We have been loved and reviled! We have been the Hero of the Hour, the Darkest Villain, and everything in between! We have saved this world and travelled to worlds beyond it!

You think you can distil the life of Og-Grim-Dog into some words on a page?

When a stranger visits their inn, the regulars are in for a surprise. Did their Landlord really come here from Gal’azu—the dangerous, edgier province to the east? Could it be that his stories, so fanciful and fantastical, were episodes from his previous life?

When their Landlord is persuaded to have his life story recorded for posterity, the surprises come thick and fast. Just like his regulars, you too can learn how a three-headed ogre came to be a hero. Unlike them, you don’t stand to be killed if it all goes wrong…

Reckoning (Universe in Flames #13) – Christian Kallias

The race to stop the spectres has begun. 

Chase and the Alliance assemble the largest fleet in history to prevent the Spectres from invading their dimension.

Meanwhile, in the unknown regions, a team assembles to travel through the newly discovered Atlantian portal system to find new technologies and dwindling resources like pentalium.

As Asrak’Vor and Ashra’Lur unite to inflict a deadly blow to the heart of the Alliance, Chase and his family are thrown into the eye of the storm.

Can Chase and his allies repel an interdimensional invasion that threatens all life in the galaxy? And at what cost?

True Smithing – Jared Mandani

Angus Bjornson only ever wanted to do one thing: to continue crafting exquisite weapons and pieces of armor for his loyal customers. Unfortunately, after one accident too many that leaves the old blacksmith completely disabled, it would seem he has no other choice but to hang up his hammer.

However, that would be underestimating the stubbornness of the self-made man. Fearing he’s not going to stop until he ends up dead in his forge, Angus’ children offer him a virtual rig that connects to Imperium Games’ many universes.

After choosing a fantasy-based world called Alterwelt, Angus—now known as Hephaestus—quickly learns that he can make use of his lifetime of experience by disabling the Auto function and playing on Manual. His skills allow him to create unique items that beat everything sold on the market. But Hephaestus has a long way to go before he can afford his own in-game forge. Moreover, he only ever learned to work with steel while here he has access to metals as strange and exotic as azuraneum, veridium, orichalcum…

Still, that might be the least of his problems. After he’s made a few sales and starts to get some recognition, Hephaestus realizes that there’s a reason the market is oversaturated with crappy items. As it turns out, a greedy guild enforces a monopoly on the crafting and they’re ready to do anything to keep anyone—lest of all a lone blacksmith—from digging into their profits…

Science Fiction and Fantasy New Releases: 27 June, 2020 published first on https://sixchexus.weebly.com/

[alterednoon]

"The weather looks nice :D"

The weather:

[alterednoon]

With campfires crackling and castles built atop the sand near the pier, it appears that summer has rolled around for the second time since the twins first fell a year ago.

It has been getting a little warm lately. A bit windy, too, but as it was still in the middle of the current Season, Watcher didn't think too much of the changes in the air. It was just the mountain beyond acting up as usual.

Oh, how wrong was he.

It was warm when he woke up very early in the night just before dawn broke through the mist of Hidden Forest, the air carrying a noticeable coziness to it that he couldn't help remembering the first time they stepped out of the night of the desert and into the sunlight.

Again, the wasteland's watcher didn't think much of it. It's not his first rodeo to be subject by the occasional longing for a time that he cannot return to, and so he alighted from his hammock and went about his lightless morning like any other day.

Then a knock on the door sounds from the ground floor, causing his gaze to tilt towards below.

"Come in!" He yells out, going back to grabbing his mask from his bedside atop his perch.

H.K. peeks through the crack of the door after nudging it open, the lights of their eyes pouring out of the 'smile' mask and moving upwards to their master.

"Good morning, Watcher!"

"Morning." The older skid clad in yellow drops down in his birdly glory, before staring at the mask his student currently wears.

"Feelin' confident today, huh?"

"You could say that!" H.K. chirped, now fully opening the door.

"The weather is quite nice today, after all!"

"It's still dark out, though." Watcher deadpans with a smile in his voice. "Dawn has yet to arrive."

"True!" Then it was H.K.'s turn to stare, having just realized what kind of fit Watcher is wearing.

"Shouldn't you take a vacation? You've been working your arms off since this season started."

"A vacation does sound nice," he mumbled, "but I can't. Kids have been losing a lot of winglight since the change, and as much as possible, I'd like to be of help as much as I can until everything gets settled down."

"I still think you should take a break."

The bird-masked skid stared back. "H.K."

"What?" H.K. puts their hands on their hips. "I don't think I've ever seen you completely chill back and relax, aside from when you saw that pretty cape and the occasional stop at the graveyard's bonfire. But even then you just shoot up the moment you hear someone getting krilled-"

"H.K."

"And!" The Performance moth crossed their arms with a stubborn huff. "You lost about ten winglights a couple weeks ago! During a shard cleanup! That's the first time I've seen you get hit, and you always been fast on your feet!"

"You need a vacation, Watcher. You can't keep this up." Their hands loosen from their hold around each other and fall limply at their sides. "You do know that, right?"

"You always seem to know a lot."

"..." He stares at the skid younger than him for a moment, lips pressed thinly in contemplation before he dragged out a long sigh. "Alright. I'll take a vacation."

"Yes!" H.K. pumped a fist up in cheer. "For while this Days event is on-going, yeah?"

Before he could even fly up and change into his new cape (now that he's not going to his post in the wasteland), Watcher froze.

"I heard from the others that this was called..." H.K. tapped the tips of their hand against their chin as they recalled. "..Summer? Isn't that around when you were born-?"

"Watcher?" H.K. tilts their head at the still figure of their master. "Are you-?"

"Yeah, I'm listening." He says with a flippant wave of his hand as he continued to his closet.

"Dear Megabird, it's been a year already??"

"Mhm!" H.K. chirps in affirmation, failing to notice the way Watcher covered up his shock under a disbelieving 'mask'. "Which is why I set up a little something for you near Grandma's Treehouse!"

"That explains the mask." Watcher remarks. "It wasn't about the weather; you were excited for what you prepared for my birthday-"

The wasteland's watcher placed the ornate bird mask on top of the closet, before turning to the Performance moth in his glowing, green cape.

"-is that it?"

"Ding ding ding!" H.K. flashed finger guns at Watcher as he dropped down for the second time since his student came by. "I also got cake! And tea! And buns! And-"

They were promptly shut up by Watcher pressing his whole hand on their face.

"Are you planning to stuff me like a crab before Feast or something?" The one year-old skid rose a brow, his facial expressions now bare for the world to see. "You sound like you prepared a lot."

H.K. held Watcher's hand on their face and brought it down. Their brightness glows even through their mask as they jokingly replied:

"Maybe."

Watcher chuckled while he picked up a familiar looking instrument near the door.

"Who taught you to be this cheeky?"

"Who else but you!"

Then the moth begins dragging him by his hand, and as he watched from behind while they took the lead, he is reminded of a time when he would be dragged around by his twin like this.

"Now let's go! It's rude to keep food waiting!"

The ground beneath them fades as they fly off, and for just a second, he looked back to the treehouse. He wistfully watched his- their- home grow distant the further away they went, and he couldn't help but wish that his twin was here to celebrate their first birthday together.