#one more thing I’ll see to in my next playthrough

[spiralcookies]

Kieran my dearest most precious baby boy UwU.

[seraphinitegames]

The Wayhaven Chronicles - Update 16/August/2024

I did something I wasn’t expecting this week! Something I haven’t yet done!

I completely changed one of the members of a unit I’ve already had in my head for aggggges!

Yes, Unit Delta got a bit of a mix-up, hehe! :D

One of the members just…wasn’t working as I was writing them. They weren’t right for the position they had.

So, when something is not gelling at all, I know it needs to be changed, no matter how long I’ve had them this way for in my head or how much of the scene I’ve already written.

Breaking down the unit, I suddenly realised that their handler actually might work a whole ton better as a full member of the team. So, I went back to the scene and started rewriting it with the handler as the team member—and it worked!

It was finally flowing really well to read instead of feeling staccato and not at all organic.

But I haven’t lost that character I replaced. Instead, he’s slipped into the handler role instead, as I still really like him. Plus, I already know he balances the team well, just as the more hands-off position as handler.

So yeah…that was a very unexpected thing. But it was definitely worth the extra work of rewriting to change that!

But even with that, it’s looking like I will finally finish this chapter tomorrow!!! Yay!

Oh my word, it’s been a doozy to write, lol! :D It’s one of those chapters that has so much to it, but as a reader, you’ll only see a small amount, because the scene can change with the unit you get and even the opening is varied depending on the love interest.

But that’s what I love doing for Wayhaven! Trying to make it so there’s lots to see even in multiple replays, or just to enjoy as a single playthrough that’s reacting more closely to your choices!

I am very ready to get editing this chapter and move onto the next chapter, that’s for sure, hehe!

Hope you all have the most amazing weekend! We’ll be offline as usual, so I’ll update you all again next week <3

[sserpente]

A/N: This is short and silly and I enjoyed every second of writing it.

Words: 685 Warnings: none

You sighed as you let your head fall back to admire the stars. Thousands of piercing little lights dotting the night sky. It was rather beautiful, and for the first time ever since you had gotten into this mess (and a tadpole had gotten into you), you felt… content.

Perhaps it was because despite all this—you let your gaze wander over the campsite—fate decided to give something back. Someone. Your eyes found Astarion, brooding over one of the books you had recently picked up. Gods, you longed to take a bite right out of him the way he stood there in those tight and dark trousers and his white cotton shirt. It was quite incredible this handsome man… vampire spawn… liked you back. Not only that but you had mutated into his… lifeline, so to speak. Absentmindedly, you brought your hand to your neck, fingertips ghosting over the two puncture wounds his fangs had left behind last night. It had become a pleasurable and enjoyable ritual for you both now.

You’d have dinner with the others and at night, once everyone else was asleep, Astarion would get his fill and have supper for himself.

Another sigh. Dinner had been quite amazing and filling today. Gale had volunteered to cook after you found a crate full of abandoned supplies. Potato chips, carrot soup, garlic bread, and even lasagne… a chef would have slapped his palm against his forehead at the combination of all of these things for one evening but alas… you hadn’t eaten this much in over a week.

You were practically drunk on a full belly and that was before having a glass of wine already. Speaking of which… grabbing your empty glass, you got up from your bedroll, sauntering over to Astarion’s tent.

His head lifted as soon as he sensed you—and you actually liked to think that he could smell you, your blood, before he could hear or see you. A slight smile played on his lips when your eyes locked and he shut the book in his hands, putting it aside.

“Have a glass with me?” you offered, tilting your head as you waved the chalice in the air.

“Oh? Are we celebrating something, darling?”

“No… I’m just in a really good mood today.”

Astarion smirked in response and reached for the bottle of elven wine on the small table next to his tent.

“Well, given the current state of things, I’ll drink to that,” he purred, filling both your glasses. You clinked them, each taking a big sip before the vampire spawn took yours from you and set them both aside along with the bottle.

“Now would you say… you’re also in the mood for a bit of fun tonight?”

You grinned when he pulled you close, his face only inches from yours. “I thought you’d never ask.”

You closed your eyes, allowing him to lean forward and capture your lips in a hungry kiss.

“Ow! Gods, damn it!”

All of a sudden, as if stung by an adder, Astarion released you, half-blowing raspberries and cursing as he coughed as if you had poisoned him.

“What… are you alright? What happened? Oh… oh gods!” Realisation hit you only a second after.

“Oh no… Gale made garlic bread tonight! I completely forgot you can’t… oh, Astarion, I am so sorry. Let me have a look, is it bad?”

“I’m fine! It’s not going to kill me, it just… burns. Gods!” A few more curses followed as he brought his fingertips to his lips, assessing the damage done.

“I’ll go rinse my mouth, alright? I’ll be right back.”

The sound of acknowledgment he made was hardly an answer. It was enough for you to turn back around though, your cheeks hurting from how hard you were holding back a grin.

“It could be worse… I mean… I could have put my lips elsewhere.”

“Very funny, darling.” Still, there was a hint of amusement swinging in his voice and you certainly couldn’t help the little chuckle forcing its way out of your throat. He had to admit… it was hilarious.

A/N: I'm on my second playthrough as Durge right now and I realised one thing about myself: As much as I love villains and misunderstood bad guys, I'm really bad at being evil. 😂 I feel soo bad every time I make a mean decision, hahaha!

[ash-arts-but-sinful]

This is burning a hole into my brain, but what if new game+ gave you the option to summon Carlo instead of Specter and he offers stupid/witty commentary for each boss you fight with him. Tbh this is just for fun, but I wanted to share in case anybody else might like it

Might have to put this one under a cut it could get long. Also spoiler warning!

Scrapped Watchman

• I never liked cops, this is going to be fun!

• Do we really need a watchman this big?

• Okay Sparky, let’s dance!

• (if he gets picked up) Shit-! -> Ugh- okay that might’ve hurt a little.

• Haha! Good riddance! Don’t know what the local kids saw in that thing.

King’s Flame

• Oh boy, a walking furnace.

• Have I ever mentioned I hate the heat?

• The floor is lava! Shit!

• (if he’s set on fire) I know I’m hot, but this is ridiculous! / Hot! Too hot!

• Sigh, thank god. I could never work alongside that… thing.

Archbishop

• Oh wow, that is… hard to look at.

• Watch the chicken legs!

• Really?! With its tongue?! Disgusting!

During phase 2

• How did he manage to get even uglier?

• You should’ve stayed in your shell!

• God chose you to be an Angel alright. Just not a living one.

Black Rabbit Brotherhood

• Some rabbit, the big guy looks more like a pig to me!

• Would somebody shut her up!

• Half of you aren’t even rabbits! That stupid bucket looks like a dog!

• You are too full of yourself, bunny boy.

• These guys need better fursuits

• Pathetic… And don’t bother coming back!

King of Puppets

• Something feels wrong about this.

• That voice…

• No… It can’t be-!

Second phase

• Romeo?!

• Romeo please! Why won’t you stop, it’s me!

• How do we get through to him?!

• No!!! UGH Why wouldn’t you LISTEN?! *shakey inhale* Damn it, just go! Get out of this damn place.

Victor

• What do you want? Are we killing my best friend in disguise again?

• I finally get to see this guy in action and I’m the one who has to fight him! Seriously?!

• This guy really is all washed up.

• That can’t be good for you.

• Yikes, those fists pack one hell of a punch!

• That Simon guy is a real piece of work. Good luck with that.

Green Monster

• Ohh this thing looks disgusting.

• It sounds disgusting too, I think I’m going hurl!

• It slimed me!

Phase 2

• Not the giant cop again!

• Would you! Just! Sit! Still!

• I can only imagine what it smells like in that puppet chassis.

• That was truly vile. If you ever need help fighting a giant slime monster again PLEASE hesitate to ask.

Black Rabbit Brotherhood 2

• Didn’t you learn your lessons last time?

• Lord, are these guys full of themselves.

• If you couldn’t beat us last time what makes you think you can this time?

• Looks like the pig wants his bacon cooked again!

• You had to mutate yourself because you wouldn’t beat us last time? Now THAT is pathetic.

• Still losers. Still pretentious. Still pathetic. How disappointing.

Laxasia

• Hmm. Big sword.

• Oh and it makes lightning too, great!

• How can she move so fast with all that armour!?

Phase 2

• Ohhhh good, now she’s even faster!

• Weakness to it or not electricity still hurts like hell!

• There she goes into the air again. Coward!

• Well that wasn’t fun, but I suspect it’ll be even less fun in that tower.

Simon

• Isn’t that the guy from the exhibition?

• This guy is a real piece of work.

• And I thought the rabbits were full of themselves!

Phase 2

• I didn’t think it could get any worse!

• Who needs this many hands?!

• God or not this guy is going down!

• The last like after Simon is defeated depends on your playthrough: Truth “Until next we meet. Which will be sooner than you think, I can’t wait.” Punctuated by a dark chuckle. Lie “I’ll see you again soon. For what it’s worth though… I’m sorry.”

Bonus: depending on what playthrough you did the Nameless Puppet will actually talk and have different dialogue

Truth playthrough/Lie playthrough

• I’ve been waiting for this for too damn long. / I didn’t want it to come to this.

• You don’t deserve that heart! It’s rightfully mine! / Please, you have to understand! I need that heart!

• You stupid puppet, I hope you didn’t think father actually cared about YOU! / Gepetto never cared for you, I wish he had, at least you could’ve known love.

• Why won’t you DIE ALREADY!? / I deserve to live too, this isn’t fair for either of us!

• You will NEVER be me, just give up already! / You may not be me, but you deserve better than this.

During Phase 2 the puppet won’t speak, but Carlo’s dialogue will be inserted along everyone else’s, tbh I want to have him say something during phase 2, but there’s already so much going on during that fight. In a truth playthrough the ending will play out as normal and Gepetto will die, calling Pinocchio a useless puppet, Pinocchio will be the one to finish off Carlo’s vessel. In a lie playthrough Carlo will finally be able to control his actions and is unable to finish off Pinocchio, he shuts himself down while giving one final line.

“Maybe in another life we could have been… brothers.”

Gepetto is distraught and instead of shedding tears for his father Pinocchio sheds them for Carlo

A lot of his radient dialogue would consist of laughter that borders on unhinged and the usual exertion and damage taking grunts. Regardless of what playthrough you do he wants to keep either his heart or Pinocchio alive, so if his health falls below half he has a chance of reminding you to heal. Also depending on the playthrough he’ll either compliment perfect blocks, parry’s, dodges or hits for lies and for truths he’ll be a snarky asshole, claiming he could do just as good if not better

[babyfairy]

i did it 🥹 i have so much to say lol.

this game is so special! the original SH2 is such a wonderfully made game, and i like to think of the remake as a companion piece for the original, because i think they both bring things to the table that are really interesting. i love that people are jumping in and playing SH2 for the first time with this remake. it’s one of the best horror games ever made in my opinion, and silent hill as a franchise getting some fresh eyes on it is really exciting for me. fingers crossed for a SH1/SH3 remake as well 🤞🏼

the sound design in the original was masterfully done, and i was super excited to see that it’s the same in the remake. love that they kept so much of the original sound design intact. it is genuinely so scary lol. there were portions where the ambient noise and music was scaring me more than anything else.

my FAVORITE element of SH2 has always been the nonsensical geography of things - it worked well on the ps2 and it works even better here, where everything is so detailed. areas start making less sense the further you go on, and it really lends itself to the feeling of claustrophobia, dread and anxiety you experience throughout the game. i got lost A LOT. i enjoyed every minute of being lost because of how deeply disturbing and detailed the environments are. highly recommend that anyone who plays this really go all out on exploration, because there are a lot of subtle details to be missed and it’s really fun and immersive to experience.

the voice acting in the original has a really specific feel to it, anyone who has played or watched will know what i mean - it’s sort of jarring and unnatural in an uncanny way, and sometimes a little corny, which i really don’t mind. it’s much more realistic in this version. i appreciate both for what they do for the game. i WILL say there’s a monologue at the end that the original did better, but to me, the monologue at the end of the original SH2 is one of the best in video games and simply can’t be beat. it’s heartwrenching. that being said, i think james’ voice in the remake is far superior! i loved the direction they went with it. i love the way everyone was characterized. 100% wouldn’t change a thing about it.

the monsters are so scary! even on light combat (don’t laugh) it felt like they were whooping my ASS, the mannequins in particular are scary as fuck this time around. the boss fights are excellent too, and every single one of them is an improvement from the original, ESPECIALLY the first pyramid head fight and the abstract daddy. the latter is one of the most tense and uncomfortable boss fights in any game i’ve ever played, and i won’t spoil it too much for anyone who hasn’t played the game and may be interested, but wow. i’ll probably try regular combat for this next playthrough, but i’m too much of a wimp to try it on hard mode!!! it’s too scary!!!

i’ve already started new game+ LOL, can’t wait to experience it all over again!

[ofoceansandtombsanew]

a/n: you made it through the character and magic guides, the wiki page and even the reddit post and i hope you had fun doing it! my goal was to make the first few things feel like you were an actual player for seraphim even if it is a bs otome game for a genshin fanfic while also getting the exposition dump out of the way so it doesn’t bog down the actually written chapters. so while you don’t have to read it all, it certainly helps add to the experience i think!

TAGLIST (ask to be added or removed):  @etherisy​

Bold couldn’t be tagged.

prologue; fuck hard mode masterlist | next chapter

“You’re combing too hard,” you tell the maid tersely.

The maid smiles but there is an unmistakable mirth in her eyes at your pain, “I’ve been with my lady for years now,” she coos, voice sickeningly sweet. “I know how you like your hair to be combed best.” 

So [First] tolerated this too? 

Even when this world was nothing but an amusing game for you to pass the time, when trinkets of information like this appeared in Hard Mode it always amazed you. [First] was a cruel antagonist and yet she’d easily tolerate the mistreatment of her father’s duchy in the same breath. But you can’t bring yourself to sneer at her; not then and especially not now. “Yes, well people can change,” you shoot the maid a sharp look in the mirror. “Comb my hair gently. If you still need critiques, I’ll be happy to demonstrate your performance. Take a seat here, I’ll comb your hair and show you as an example.”

“T-that isn’t necessary at all, my lady! I’ll comb in a manner you find more enjoyable,” the maid stammers and you hum in satisfaction.

The hell was wrong with the sadists that made this game, you fumed. Fucking sexists. Scaramouche gets a tragic backstory and gets to live in Normal Mode because he’s a pretty boy but [First] has to die in all the endings?!

Or be miserable, another part of yourself reminds you and you can barely hold back a grimace.

[First]’s marriage to Diluc when the player chooses a Secret Love Interest isn’t anything close to a happy ending.

You close your eyes and hold back a sigh. When you proudly declared on twitter that you would be trying to finally beat Seraphim’s Hard Mode, this isn’t what you meant. But apparently the gods of the Isekai genre and the reckless driver that hit you with their car had other ideas.

When you open your eyes, it isn’t your face that stares back at you.

Of course it was the Villainess.

It’s never the main character. You’re no Lumine.

It’s rarely a side character. You’re definitely no Raeliana.

It’s always, always the Villainess. I salute thee, otome isekai protagonists of anime and manhwas past.

You closed your eyes again.

“You must be excited to see Lord Ragnvindr at the luncheon today, my lady,” the maid pulls you out of your silent resignation and you feel your anger flaring all over again.

“Oh yes, I certainly am, he’s my beloved after all,” you offer what you hope is the face of a woman in love. Your maid gasps as if she just saw the devil incarnate instead. Fuck him, this is all his fault. No I’m not being irrationally mad at the wrong person.

Who cared if Diluc used to be your favorite love interest when you were just a teen on her first playthrough of a new and popular otome game, Seraphim. He definitely kick started your love for long-haired anime men and his princely vows of eternal love to Lumine made your eyes water when you watched the cutscene.

Yes, he did all those things but only after he publicly humiliated his fiancée by dumping her in front of all of high society. Diluc then killing [First] after she justifiably freaked out was just the icing on the cake.

When you began your first attempt at Hard Mode, your heart went out for the lonely little girl who only wanted to be loved but only received scorn in return. You wanted her to reach a happy ending with even just one of the characters in the version of the game that took place before Lumine appeared on the scene.

But this is my life now, you open your eyes once more and take in what you can see of the room’s reflection in the mirror.

A large and spacious bedroom, cluttered with potted plant after potted plant. Monsteras, philodendrons, succulents were among the various plants to grace this space. This room was [First]’s heaven on Earth in the duchy. She tended to each plant daily, lovingly imaging the day she could leave the wretched estate behind for a life with the one she fell in love with all those years prior.

But this is my life now, you reaffirm. And like hell am I gonna go begging for crumbs if I’m stuck here.

You deserve better than that.

[First] deserved better than that.

Fuck Hard Mode.

If this was your life now, there was no way you were going to play by the rules.

If no one wanted [First] around then fine. 

You will happily leave.

next chapter; the luncheon masterlist | next chapter

[kaija-rayne-author]

Ugh I can’t not theorize. I’ve been at it non stop. Once a story catches my interest my brain just going into hyper speed trying to figure out how the writers (if they do a good job) will bring all of their themes, hints, etc to fruition. All I’m missing is a cork board, pins, and miles of red string.

What’s super exciting this time is I’m actually dealing with a property where the writers are….good? I’m so used to being disappointed when fan theories (often my own) turn out to be much better than the canon, but I don’t see that happening here. Weekes is clearly a masterful writer and knows how to build up to a satisfying twist.

Because you just know another twist is coming. Solas, despite everything, is just too soft hearted to make a convincing final boss. It couldn’t be more obvious that being The Dreadwolf and putting aside his own conscience takes every ounce of energy he has. Eventually he’ll have his breaking point and that’s when we’ll find out who our true villain is.

It’s Mythal. I’ll eat my damn hat if it isn’t. She’s either not the person Solas remembers, or maybe she never was. In either case, there’s been plenty of clues both in DAI and in subsequent materials (specifically Tevinter Knights) to imply that there’s something else going on here.

We keep seeing imagery of the Dreadwolf as a mutant abomination that is part wolf and part dragon. It’s easy to point to the end credit scene of DAI and say “well yeah he fused with Mythal who is a dragon” and sure it looked that way…but is that actually what happened?

We saw Flemeth part with some form of magical energy before Solas arrived. We also know that she’d taken the soul of Uthemiel from Kieran. Uthemiel happens to be a dragon, or was until he was tainted and became an Archdemon.

Archdemons can control Darkspawn. And taking a Darkspawn army past the Veil to enact vengeance upon the Evanuris sees like something Flemeth would do. But that doesn’t seem like something Solas would want. His agenda has always been to fix his past mistakes and tear down the Veil for the greater good. He doesn’t seem that fond of Darkspawn, in fact he was pretty pissed at the Wardens for screwing around with them.

Where I’m going with this, is I think it’s entirely possible Solas is being used. He may have unwittingly fused himself with an Archdemon, assuming it was the essence of Mythal. The real plan, now that plan A failed, might be turning him into an Archdemon so Flemeth/Mythal can use him to start another blight and wield the darkspawn. Corypheus managed to mind control an Archdemon, so clearly it can be done.

And if that’s the case, then ooooooh boy.

Poor Solas.

OMG. I missed this one and I'm so glad I finally found it!

What a fascinating idea. Holy shitballs.

Okay, so I just restarted DAO, I'll be on the lookout through these playthroughs (I'm doing DA2 next, then probably DAI again, because I'm an utter sucker for lore) for hints about all that!

I thought the whole point of the dark ritual w/Morrigan was to purify Urthemiel's 'soul' through being born as an innocent child. But what if that didn't work?

But then, wouldn't Kieran have shown signs of taint? Hmmm. Maybe not, given it's just the soul?

I'm still not convinced that Flemythal parted with any kind of energy in that scene. BUT if she did... well, she's pulled the whole 'soul piece recovery schtick' before. So if it was energy or a soul, it could've been hers. Leaving just Urthemiel. Which would very possibly warp Solas into a dragon/wolf thing. And Mythal is very used to Solas going along with what she wants. So it feels like something she wouldn't think twice about. She uses Morrigan too, and Kieran, so it’s definitely something she's used to doing.

I have a strong feeling Solas is indeed being used. And has been since he was 'born' from the fade. There's a lot of hints to his resignation, nay, even belief that it's right that Mythal used him. (This is... common, in abuse survivors, FWIW.)

But I believe it's canon that his forehead scar came from when he burnt off Mythal's Vallaslin? I have to see if I can find that again. I can't remember where I read it.

I think Mythal will be rather unpleasantly surprised in the spine Solas has developed since her 'murder'. He doesn't seem at all likely to me to be all 'hey! My enslaver is back! Let me just get my slave brands again'. Now, if he were still truly alone, he might just cave into it because man, does Solas have some pretty massive Mythal issues. Not sure if he regards her as his mom or something else or a mix of things, urk.

BUT he's not actually truly alone anymore is he? No matter how hard he tries to be. A Romanced Lavellan can tell him "Var lath vir suledin" which translates sorta, into "Our - love - way/path - endure/strength to withstand loss."

So he knows he's not alone. That inky will absolutely go to the mat for him. He has actual friends, too. He said Bull has him, if you don't betray Bull w/the Chargers. Solas doesn't strike me as someone to say that lightly.

So, he also knows he has friends, too.

I think, if Mythal actually is the big bad (kinda hoping for this tbh) she's gonna have a rather rude awakening when it comes to Solas. Who, from all I can tell, has always willingly served her whims. Because she was 'the best of them' doesn't mean she was actually good.

I talked about how he's heavily neurodivergent coded before, and we're generally loyal to a fault, which Solas very much shows.

But we do also often, eventually, reach a 'no more' point. After which, we'll absolutely close all those doors we'd previously left open.

If Solas acts the way I suspect he might, he'd then use everything he knows about Mythal and the Evanuris to help the game protag (I still wish I could just carry my inky over) defeat the buggers.

But what would it take for him to finally reach that point with Mythal? Mommy issues are soooo hard to deal with in therapy because it's so damned easy to backslide.

Hurting Inky? Doing something that will destroy the fade (like marching a darkspawn army into it)? Making him betray all of his followers who truly believe in him and his goals of freeing enslaved elves?

Solas deeply believes that slavery is wrong. In a way that makes me think he was actually enslaved at one point. Obviously to Mythal.

Oh, fuck me. What an amazing story they could tell about the whole 'but there were good slave owners' bullshit nonsense some people like to spout.

Of course, I still really wish Bioware would tell a story with a disabled protag. Which the end of Inquisition really would set up nicely. But given their shit disability rep, I know not to hold my breath over that.

[project-sekai-facts]

This is the question for next week. I’ll be on holiday then so I thought it’d be best to send it in when I can.

It’s Q&A Friday with your host R.Q anon! This week’s question is…

Do you mainly play rhythm games or is another genre of game you like? If so did you play anything interesting lately?

That’s all for this week! See you next week for another Q&A Friday

Honestly I don't play that many rhythm games anymore, and all the ones I do/have played are also in the idol/gacha genre because I like the characters/story/art that come with them. That said i was cracked at piano tiles when I was 10, but I wouldn't play it nowadays. The only ones I play now are proseka and D4DJ.

I don't think I really have a favorite genre come to think of it, I tend to play a lot of different things (usually stuff that's attached to franchises I already like because I'm boring). Like some of my favorite franchises are Sonic and Ace Attorney, but I wouldn't necessarily say platformers and visual novels are my favorite genres, especially since I haven't played many other visual novels at all. I have played some other platformers and I do like the genre but Sonic's momentum based and fast gameplay hits different (I'm particularly a fan of classic era & mania and have played those games more times than I can count. Mainly I just try to break the shit out of Sonic 1 whenever I play it now but that's also fun because it has a lot of exploitable glitches. Also Sonic Adventure 2 is peak fiction go play SA2. It's anti-military AND has Shadow the Hedgehog and those two things are very connected please go play SA2 or watch a playthrough or something. Listen to the OST while you're at it. Or any StH OST. Sorry for waffling about Sonic. Moving on).

Recently I've been playing The Great Ace Attorney (this sounds really casual so I just want to make it clear that I'm completely hooked on it). As of writing this 1 week ago, I'm on the second case of Resolve. It's really good and I recommend checking it out if you like the AA franchise but haven't played it already. Honestly it might be my favorite AA game. If you need more convincing then remember it's the only game with Herlock Sholmes in it.

[revserrayyu]

2.6 Penacony thoughts [part 1]

**Spoiler warning** for everything up until the end of Boothill’s first encounter with Robin. Might reference things that happen later since I already finished the mission at this point, so be wary if you haven’t yet. Lots of random ramblings from me as usual with new stories, especially with all the silly stuff that happened.

Going back to school never really thrilled me back in the day, so learning that we’re all attending Paperfold University for this update was kinda meh to me. All the crazy trailers and the fact that we’re taking a trip back to Penacony did pique my curiosity enough thanks to our previous adventure inside the land of dreams though. I did enjoy how interested Dan Heng was about attending and when his voice actors would seem genuinely excited one moment then revert back to his usual calm, collected self the next in an attempt to hide his enthusiasm. It’s okay to show emotions, sir!

I’ll admit that I believed that Pom-Pom was actually joining us for the briefest moment until I remembered that Boothill used our conductor as his fake name last time upon checking in.

I don’t even know too much about DnD but at least I spotted this reference to it, yeah?

The treasure chest was quite the convincing substitution, fooling me and even Numby who was alerted to it, so props to our new ninja friend I guess.. who joined us in the dream pool not even five seconds later.

Damn them for bringing this stupidly catchy song into the game because it has been sneaking into my mind so often these past couple days!

I will say that hearing the Trailblazer’s sing the song did make the experience much better and I would definitely listen to it more if it means they allow the Trailblazer to speak more like they have been in story missions recently.

Our true first meeting with Rappa and girl really had a whole anime OP of an introduction.

First off, beautiful cutscene will all the colors and neon. Secondly, I did actually question why they listed her name as “???” here and started wondering if Rappa really was her name or not and.. yeah, this makes sense later.

We’re literally so darn stupid and silly and I love it. Poor March cringed so bad she didn’t even want us as a friend anymore. Incredibly rude since my text message has your little face decorated next to it, ma’am!

The Dreampeak calls return and I wasn’t expecting to hear one about Boothill and him dreaming about his family, aww! But wow.. y’all really did call your kid ‘Boothill’ huh? Tell me why.

Our sus teacher makes his grand entrance and now I’m continuing to doubt everyone’s real names at this point.

Dan Heng please, you’re allowed to have fun! You can admit you do things solely for your own enjoyment!

Aeons.. they make him look so sketchy and untrustworthy with that smile and I’m so fine with it. Thankfully he didn’t turn out completely evil, but I accept his villain vibes regardless.

His knowledge freaked me out a little bit at first because why would he know all this?? Has he been watching playthroughs of the entire game? Or has he done his research about the Astral Express? Of course it makes sense now as we later find out he’s a Memokeeper and memories are pretty much their area of expertise.

I didn’t even bother to change my result on which academy I would personally attend, but I’m glad it turned out this way as it allowed the Express trio to all go somewhere different.

Pffftt.. looking through screenshots and this makes me realize how tall this man truly is, like I think Feixiao is reasonably tall by in game women standards, so to see Reca way past her ears is quite something. I dunno, maybe I don’t pay attention to character heights all that much, but his surprised me anyways.

Now I know whomever this chili-dipping person is couldn’t have been Jiaoqiu since it’s well known he attended the Ranzhi School on the Yaoqing and I’m like 99% sure our healer never stepped foot in Penacony before, but I couldn’t help but think this is something he would’ve done too if given the chance..

And I’m certainly not crazy to think so as he’s briefly mentioned in one of the options we’re given! Yay.. I miss our hot pot king. But wow, March being strong enough to pin us down? I’m rather impressed and wish to see fanart of this chaos.

I enjoy Boothill so much whenever he appears in the story that it’s a shame that I probably won’t ever pull for him since I’m not too big on his combat.

That way that I didn’t even think twice about him suddenly saying bananas outta nowhere because of how his swears are (unwillingly) censored all the time anyway is hilarious. It seemed normal and I figured he was being caught up with all the banana chatter this patch has, but nope.. something is clearly wrong here.

It’s been quite a while since we first arrived in Penacony because I seriously forgot Robin is capable of doing this rainbow harmony thing too. It also slipped my mind that she and Boothill have indeed met before inside that one dream way back in 2.2. I don’t remember them interacting all that much then so the scenes they shared this patch were a treat.

Thank you Robin for healing him so he can swear normally.. or at least to his usual censored way of swearing. It’s silly but I love hearing them. His voice actors must have fun tossing around such words so often.

Well aren’t you just the definition of a precious angel. This patch really started making me feel some regret about not pulling for her.. but next time, for sure.

Speak your truth girlie! Also I dunno if it’s true since I don’t play Genshin, but I saw people saying that this npc sounded a lot like Navia, and if so, then that’s adorable to have Brenna (who also voices Yunli) and Andrew (Boothill va) share a scene together since they’re married. Whoever this npc really is though, they had a nice singing voice.

For some reason my mind thought of the bullet wound on her neck and how she wouldn’t want to be near any fight that Boothill may start, but I doubt that was the intention behind this line since I know Robin was worried about how easily she would stand out because of her reputation. Still, I think it’s pretty brave of her to hang around someone who prides themselves on their sharpshooter skills, though I’m positive Boothill would never let a stray bullet hit anyone aside from its intended target.

Yeah girl, no need to act so formal around our cowboy! Y’all worked together before so I can bet we’re past the level of acquaintances now. Be friendly! I’m not only wishing this because their dynamic intrigues me very much, but also because I just wanna hear her go full country accent and say “partner.”

Not gonna lie but just the thought of seeing these two interact more further along in the story keep my spirits up significantly and oh boy, I wasn’t disappointed.

I’ll end it here for now. The rest will take up two more posts if I can manage to fit everything.

[makesometime]

A little dialogue happens if you pass the insight check on Astarion (to see if he means the flattery or not) and I just love the idea of Tav knowing that Astarion is lying out of his ass and still flirts back, thinking it's just his thing.

(I have been avoiding a lot of Astarion’s scenes because I didn’t progress the romance past the first scene on my first playthrough so I’ve kept this more free-form. It's also... not entirely happy, but I hope you enjoy it regardless!)

(G/T rated - gn!Tav, flirting, references to sex but nothing too lascivious)

#

Walking through the wilderness with Astarion at their back makes them feel safer than by rights they should. With every new thing they see they look forward to getting back to camp, to hear his witticisms and return to their bedroll with his voice echoing through their mind.

Tonight is no different.

He’s filled their thoughts with such pretty words, lately, plying them with clever images and temptation. He looks at them like he knows quite how much it’s affecting them, and gods they don’t know how they feel about that.

When they make their way to stand in front of him once everyone else has gone to sleep, Astarion favours them with one of those precise looks.

“Good evening.” He says, dipping forward into a slight bow, his arms spread out in welcome. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“Nothing more than other nights,” Tav says, crossing their arms. “You usually make it worth my while.”

He laughs, snatching up a bottle of wine from beside the mirror. When he turns back, they think they spot a flicker of something else in his expression, something he is a moment too slow to hide. 

“I’ve been dreaming of you.” He says. “Do you know how devastating your presence is for my concentration?”

“Ah, that would make my heartbeat quicken if it weren’t for one simple fact - you don’t sleep.” They say, taking the bottle when he rolls his eyes and holds it out. They take a deep swig and offer it back, his quick hands snatching it up and taking his own slow drink.

His eyes never drift from theirs.

“And to think, this is the closest our lips have come to touching in a tenday.” He sighs, uses his tongue to catch up a stray droplet in a move so lascivious they wonder who such a move might have worked on in the past. “One day, perhaps, you might steal away with me again.”

“There’s nothing stopping you asking.” They murmur. “If you’re so keen to spend that much time with me. I certainly wouldn’t object.”

He doesn’t speak, for a moment. Long enough that they almost start to worry. It’s just fun, isn’t it? Their first time together was one of the only times they’d felt like themself since the Nautiloid, and he’d seemingly had just as lovely a time.

What if… no. They’re overthinking again. This is all just a game, a fun little diversion. Astarion likes to flirt and so do they.

“Perhaps when we’re free of the Underdark, darling.” He simpers. “There’s nothing quite like the open sky above our lovemaking, the feel of the moon shining down. Here is rather… cramped.”

It feels like a dismissal, but he’s wrapped it up in a metaphorical bow so pretty that they smile and nod.

“Truly, it would be a shame to miss out on seeing you in all your glory.”

Whatever hesitation, whatever concern, fades away behind a sweet little smile. Astarion coos, offering them the wine once more. 

“Take it, darling. Retreat to your little tent and dream about how good I’ll make you feel when we next have the chance.”

They wrap their fingers around the neck of the bottle before he can entirely remove his, the coolness of his skin still a little unsettling beneath their own. With a smirk, he draws his hand away slowly, caressing the back of their fingers with a quick little flourish.

“Only if you’ll dream of me too.”

“Oh darling, you are forgetful.” Astarion chuckles, his red eyes flashing fiercely. “I don’t sleep.”

[regallibellbright]

I MIGHT have found what you were talking about regarding Kiel. It wasn't a full-blown confession, but I JUST encountered something he'd never said before wherein he heavily implied and/or started to confess. HOWEVER, it was something along the lines of "I know you already have a lover, but I also… Oops, shouldn't say that!" The line was partially voiced (and not with generic voice clips) even! I was so shocked I talked to him again hoping he'd repeat it, but he instead switched to a generic dialogue about magic. And I sadly don't know if that one line was it or if he might have continued on another day, because this triggered on literally the last day of Dylas' marriage event for me, so I immediately married the next day. I doubt Kiel would confess even if he could when you're fully married to someone else.

Do you remember if you were dating someone else when Kiel confessed?

… Holy shit. Yeah, that sounds REALLY familiar and I was dating at least Dylas and Arthur (and I think also Leon?) when that happened. Kiel confessing was ultimately why I went “yeah, okay, I’ll date all the boys, I want to do Arc Three before I get married if I can anyway,” which is why it left such a firm impression on me as A Thing That Happened. (I also am pretty sure Doug had dialogue at least indicating a crush before I did anything - I semi-think I remember he confessed first as well, but it’s nowhere near as clear to me as Kiel’s since he was the last boy to be added what with the “can’t pass a certain point until Arc Two’s done,” so I’m not sure.)

I had also gotten Kiel’s mini-event(s?) before that point (the ones that don’t span multiple days) - those, at least, have some firm evidence of existing in that Houcha’s Youtube compilations of the different love interests’ events all include at least one mini event. More of them than not have two… but not Kiel or Doug, and I could swear I saw two for both of them. (I think Doug had one taking place in the store in addition to the one on the stairs? I can’t remember a second for Kiel in detail but I feel like there was one. I definitely got the color compatibility quiz, though, and it HAS been a decade. But if I checked Youtube more thoroughly at some time that’s not 4 AM I wouldn’t be shocked if I do find second mini-events for the others.)

Seriously, up until last year I assumed this was a totally normal part of gameplay that just didn’t happen to be on any of the Youtube compilations, and I’d ultimately restarted the game at least once pre-Special hoping to see what Arthur’s would be (since his whole complex about love made me figure a reverse confession would play our VERY differently than the usual.) I figured those mini-events were probably prerequisites (and that’d explain the rarity, since they’re not required for marriage, not formal Events and therefore not really talked about, but are still subject to the wonky event RNG, and by the time you activate them both and presumably get a love interest at high enough LP they’d want to confess to you, you’d probably confessed already. Pretty sure Kiel’s LP was at least a 9 or 10.) And then I never got this after my first playthrough despite getting mini-events, even if I didn’t get quite as far in on them, so when I brought it up and the universal reaction was “… do you not mean reverse proposals?” and bafflement at my belief this was a thing, I wondered if it wasn’t a glitch.

But I’d also wondered, once I realized just how rare this clearly had to be, if maybe they only happen once you’re dating at least one other person. I figured “more than one” seemed more likely, at that, since it’d be another thing that would seriously reduce the number of players who’d ever experience this and therefore make it more plausible no one else seemed to recognize it. (And if it already requires you to date one person, the devs probably assumed you’d be more receptive to the idea of dating another if they’re at least the third, rather than the second.) Maybe it really is necessary. At least for Kiel, and I’m way more certain it happened with him than Doug. Definitely something to test for now that I’m replaying.

Thank you for this information! Seriously I had all but convinced myself I’d imagined everything. (And if the line’s voiced, I should definitely try and record things going forward like I was originally playing.)

[lacunafiction]

Progress Update: January 23 2023

TFS: Book One Masterpost  | TFS Patreon  🌲

Hi Everyone!

I hope you’re having a lovely week! 💚

Well, I learned something that I kind of already knew about myself. If I say: ‘I’ll think about it’, then I really think about anything other than ‘it’ and procrastinate until someone asks me the same question again. (Yes, it’s an utter joy deciding what to eat for dinner with me. /s 😌) It has been 15 18 (I meant to post this earlier) days since Book One’s release, and it sometimes still feels like the first day of release…

…But, I’m also seeing more comments/reactions from people finishing up their first playthrough or even a third/fourth, which helps to cast off that feeling and makes me eager to delve back into where I left off with Book Two. I’ve also been playing Book One—a few select pathways to ensure that foreshadowing or links I have outlined for future chapters neatly dovetail. There will be plenty of a-ha moments within the series because I love giving little details big meanings!

Re-playing Book One has also helped me further isolate those variables I mentioned in the last update that should be called on in Book Two and beyond. I’ve also been studying the random test readouts and color-coding them to make sure I’m not letting any slip through the cracks. All of this legwork is important when building the recaps and the level of character customization at the start of Book Two. I know not everyone is going to want to pick with exacting detail what flower the MC’s grandfather gifted them for school graduations/events, but some of you might want to since many of you have experienced how it does come up again. 💐 The levels will let readers who don’t choose to import set their own degree of detail; some might want to get right into Book Two’s story, while others will want to mold their MCs.

(I recommend eventually importing saves, but that’s in the future since Hosted Games enables this feature closer to the next book’s release!)

It’s more than 80 distinct story variables that can be filled in multiple ways (e.g. the flower is a single variable, but it has 6 different potential fills for it from a daisy to a forget-me-not) without counting the obvious gender-setting, height, aesthetics, personality stats, etc. It’s a lot! But, I’m proud and happy to account for them all so you get a meaningful experience while in Fernweh. 

Some variables will naturally be called on more than others, but I wanted them all coded-in and largely accounted for in the recaps to not tie my hands while I’m writing. (*hint*: that one choice in Chapter 6 that earned a lot of reactions will come up very early in Book Two. 👀) I can always go back and adjust later. I’ve been re-familiarizing myself with all of this^ to get back into things.

Thank you all for your support and kind comments/asks! 💚 If you’re enjoying Fernweh, please consider leaving a review/rating on the platform you downloaded from; they do make a difference, and I appreciate each one. 🥰

[quinnkdev]

BLANKSWORD dev #2: What’s the endgame for this?

Welcome back to another BLANKSWORD devlog!

This past week, a lot has happened! I am getting tutoring for Game Maker code from my friend Will Bowerman, and this combined with tutorials by Friendly Cosmonaut and Shaun Spalding means we’re finally starting to have a game!

In the span of a week, in this test map, I’ve implemented:

A free camera with a slight forward pan while moving

A controller object

Running

Depth sorting (through use of a store asset, granted)

The future for BLANKSWORD is looking bright! But what exactly is my aim with this game? Well, look below the cut to find out!

The concept of BLANKSWORD as a game is simple: Create a relatively long-form indie RPG (~15-20 hours) that incorporates a reset-and-loop (”roguelite”) mechanic while still telling a cohesive story and remaining captivating.

This will be achieved through a number of ways:

Randomisation and consistent discovery. This game’s traversible space will be partially randomised, or dealt out gradually in such a way that repeat-plays of the game will have something new to see - either through the player learning new skills, BLANK learning new skills, or both.

Landmarks. At points that the player is supposed to recognise even through the randomisation, landmarks will be placed to remind the player of any new pathways that may have opened up.

Character sidegrades that influence the world. The game’s sidegrade equipment slots will not only open up new combat possibilities, but change the capabilities and drawbacks of BLANK as a character as well, again opening up (or closing) paths that you may not have seen in previous playthroughs. A levelling system provides a steady climb upwards, but the improvements are minute; think of the levelling system more like the one in Dark Souls than, for example, the one in Pokémon.

NPCs. A lot of non-player characters in BLANKSWORD have different things to say for many of the runs you take. They’ll remember you from last time, or will react to new things you’ve seen or done since.

Expressive and dangerous combat. Combat in BLANKSWORD will be precarious, but can be learned. It’s turn-based, but concessions are made to make it difficult, but feasible to bounce back from a “bad roll”. It also changes a lot depending on which sidegrades you have in use.

From a thematic standpoint, BLANKSWORD is an absurdist game, in both meanings of the word. A looping mechanic turned out to suit this very well - what better constitutes a Sisyphean task than always being pushed back to the start with every failure?

It is also a game, in a lot of ways, about living with disability: BLANK can never be a normally functional person again after what happened to him at the start of the game, and you have to work with rather than against the problems he faces as a result.

BLANKSWORD’s cast of characters is a bunch of little weirdos. I’m thinking I’ll introduce another new character next week for these logs.

Feel free to tune in!

-Quinn

[iensrobens]

A wrap-up for this blog for a hiatus

Just realised I posted 15 sets of drawings during the past 20 days. This is the craziest thing I ever did and such a relief of all my obsession with the game and Shadowheart since August. First time in my life creating fan content and picking up drawing again in 10 years was absolutely fun. (and of course learning to use these sns apps is also interesting, I know I sound like an ape first seeing human technology but I’m really ancient in this sense.)

I’m no artist and drawing isn’t even a hobby, just that I happen to have an iPad with Sketchbook installed.(and I only got to know how to rerank layers with it 2 pics ago so sorry for the quality for my first few drawings.) I just want to draw all the scenes I depicted in my head and very personal ideas towards the story as I tried writing and had to toss everything in trash can because I struggled making up comprehensive sentences.

I was quite anxious and felt so panicked that if my personal taste is weird and my drawings are bad (as you can tell, I don’t know how to do color) but I’m glad and surprised to see ppl like those. The numbers I’ve seen in my notification tab is far more large than the number of ppl I met in real life. (and it is very relieving to press on the blue dots.)

I really appreciate all your likes and comments and even followings-totally unprepared for this. I read every comments you made and those warms my heart and I jumped around the room when I see you got the references and hints I buried. (although I’m not sure what is the correct courtesy to reply your reposts and comments.)

I can’t recall if I ever obsessed with another character to the same extent like Shadowheart-the only one I actually started to do fan art by myself.

(As I mentioned I’m bad at writing so the next part may be very unorganised because my thoughts are flying in my mind.)

I played as her for my first playthrough. I had a quite traumatised experience for this-knew her background and past story, saved aylin but killed parents as I thought it is what THEY want, but I don’t know what HER wants; romance laezel as the dynamic was so intriguing and so good, saved her prince and let her fly away as I though she belongs to the sky and it was best for her-of course the one who becomes a squid is then Shadowheart-and I just straightaway stabbed myself at the dock. Everyone got their good ending except shad herself, and it was so grieving-all she wanted were actually all gone in that playthrough-family, lover and herself; past, present and no future. I just felt I did my girl so dirty.

Then with the customised character playthrough I actually get to know her more completely-with amazing voice acting, the interactions and all the hidden dialogues around the world-like the childhood memories dialogue which are a condition for letting her save her parents-I feel that is the preferable way as all the needed is done and she made her own decision. (But is the origin playthrough now added these narratives? I was thinking Allister Marley was Astarion’s real name.)And then the evil Durge route for her Shar path to see an alternative timeline, though I prefer the selunite route as the cycle has to end, we are better than this but that gives so many story telling ideas.

I tried to type something like character study but I can’t make it expressive enough even for myself to understand. I just hope then all I wanted to see and say is conveyed in the drawings. God knows I tried.

And thus I have exhausted all my ideas (and my annual leaves) for it. Now I have to remind myself to really focus on my real life work. Until next time my friends on Internet, perhaps I’ll pop up again when DLC or definitive edition drops.

[carniliasims]

The Family Drama Legacy Challenge

I was looking for a new legacy challenge that would inspire me, but nothing caught my attention, so I decided to make one of my own! This challenge is obviously inspired by existing challenges, such as Not So Berry and Sims In Bloom, which I love. I wanted to use some of the elements I’ve enjoyed both as a player and as someone who watches others’ playthroughs of different challenges, but for this challenge I wanted to add in more DRAMA! The idea for generation 1 popped into my head, and the rest was history. I’ll be starting my own playthrough, but if you decide to try it, please tag #FamilyDramaLegacy and/or #CarniliaSims so I can see your creations!

Rules:  

Each generation has assigned traits, skills, aspirations, and careers. Each generation’s heir must complete their aspiration, reach the top of their career, and master the required skills. 

Create your founding Sim as a Young Adult according to the generation 1 requirements, then move them into a lot of your choice. You may purchase a home with your starting funds, or for hard mode bulldoze the lot and start with 0 simoleons.

You choose which child will be the heir for the next generation– adoptions and science babies are allowed, and there are no gender restrictions (who needs ‘em!)

Each heir MUST move out of their family’s home some time during their Young Adult life stage (or sooner), and can take no more money than is required to purchase their new home + 5,000 simoleons.

Each generation has 2 colors assigned to it. Use these for inspiration/guidance to whatever level you desire when it comes to hair, clothing, decor, etc.

If you can’t follow a rule or fulfill a requirement because you don’t have the pack/DLC, just switch it to something different! The whole idea of this challenge is to have wacky hijinks and fun doing things you may not normally do in your gameplay, so go for it!

Gen 1, pale blue + yellow:

You had to leave your old identity behind, and are starting fresh in a new place. When you reach the Adult life stage, go into CAS and add a biological teenage child— this child just showed up unexpectedly at your door, and now has to join your household. (You decide why there is a surprise child from your past— was your sim a donor or did they give up a baby for adoption, and now this teen has looked them up, wanting to learn where they come from? Did a former partner or 1 night stand get pregnant? If so, did your sim know about this child or not? Did the person they were previously living with pass away or kick them out? Or did they run away?)

Traits: paranoid, romantic, adventurous

Career: secret agent

Aspiration: championship rider

Skills: horse riding, painting

Requirements:

1. surprise child (see above description)

2. Get divorced and then marry someone else

Gen 2, green + white:

You resent your parent for not providing you with the childhood you feel you should have had, and you are determined to have the perfect family life. You’ll give your kids the best, have a perfect marriage, and make sure they never want for anything. That will show your parent just how much better than them you are!

Traits: overachiever, jealous, family oriented

Career: astronaut

Aspiration: super parent

Skills: fitness, rocket science

Requirements:

1. Have at least 4 children

2. Gain the close, supportive, or permissive family dynamic with all of your children, but the difficult or distant dynamic with your Gen 1 parent

Gen 3, purple + silver:

Honestly, you never really had to try that hard growing up, and things just seem to go your way– it’s too bad drama seems to just follow you wherever you go, but that’s definitely not because of anything YOU are doing, right? Whatever, let’s have drinks and go to a party!!!

Traits: erratic, outgoing, mean

Career: style influencer

Aspiration: party animal

Skills: charisma, mixology

Requirements:

1. Accept every city festival invitation

2. Have at least 1 child with someone other than your partner by cheating

Gen 4, light pink + mint green:

Growing up with a parent who was so chaotic was definitely interesting, but it lead to you having a bit of a hard time controlling your impulses, which can cause problems. You find yourself interested in Selvadorada and travel there completely on a whim. Once there you not only fall in love with the culture, you have a whirlwind romance with a local and spontaneously elope!

Traits: lactose intolerant, hot-headed, art lover

Career: social media

Aspiration: jungle explorer OR archaeology

Skills: Selvadoradian culture, comedy

Requirements:

1. Must accept all family dynamic prompts

2. Use simple living lot challenge for the entire generation (on home lot only, not required on vacations)

3. Meet and elope with someone in Selvadorada

Gen 5, red + gold:

You’ve always been different from the rest of your family, whether they sensed it or not. Creating discord and misery are just fun for you, and you have no intention of stopping. You love to get to know people enough to find ways to sabotage them, and being a gorgeous, charismatic musician means you’ve got the skills to throw everyone off your trail…

Traits: self absorbed, evil, kleptomaniac

Career: NONE (see additional requirements)

Aspiration: villainous valentine

Skills: any instrument, charisma

Requirements:

1. Move to a different world than the one you grew up in

2. Have no job, only earn money through hacking, stealing, and asking for loans that you NEVER repay

3. Never settle down with a romantic partner

Gen 6, black + white:

Not coming from the most loving home, you crave the attention and admiration of others. You deserve to live in the lap of luxury, and you’ll do whatever and whoever it takes to become rich and famous, and one day live in the penthouse of your dreams.

Traits: high maintenance, neat, snob

Career: actor

Aspiration: city native

Skills: painting, singing

Requirements:

1. Break off an engagement

2. Become at least a 4 star celebrity

3. Make it to owning a penthouse

Gen 7, violet + gray:

Growing up in the lap of luxury left you curious about the beauty of nature and more simple things, so you love to go camping in the woods. Having up with a parent who is so flighty and self-absorbed gave you a deep need to be loved by anyone and everyone, but also left you questioning whether you really deserve it. It’s a perfect recipe for self-sabotage! You want to be loved, but no one seems to love you the way you need (or maybe you just always get scared and run away at the first sign of trouble?)

Traits: non-committal, gloomy, perfectionist

Career: business

Aspiration: outdoor enthusiast

Skills: nectar making, bowling

Requirements:

1. Go on vacation at least twice as a Young Adult and twice as an Adult

2. Have at least 3 spouses in your lifetime

Gen 8, orange + blue:

It was hard to see your parent’s tumultuous love life growing up, and you always told yourself that you’d be different– it’s a bad idea to be impulsive and marry too quickly, before you know you’ve found the right person! You decide to date around while you are young, and since you decide to put marriage on the back-burner, you pour your heart into your friend group, who are more like family to you.

Traits: self assured, loyal, materialistic

Career: scientist

Aspiration: extreme sports

Skills: logic, dancing

Requirements:

1. Heir must fulfill all holiday traditions except the ones grayed out 

2. Celebrate traditionally family-oriented holidays with your friends until you have either a child or spouse in the household with you

3. Date someone as a teen, break up as a teen or when becoming a Young Adult, then rekindle the romance as an Adult or Elder and marry them (must have at least 2 romantic partners in between)

Gen 9, hot pink + black:

You were always the wild one in your family, and things don’t change much when you become an adult. You were always making mischief as a child, and when you get to your teen and adult years you’re all about partying and having fun. And hey, if you have to break some hearts and some laws to keep that going, so be it! 

Traits: childish, dance machine, party animal

Career: criminal

Aspiration: public enemy

Skills: mischief, handiness

Requirements:

1. Must accept all likes and dislikes prompts

2. Throw at least 1 party every week for entire Young Adult and Adult life

3. Must have children with more than 1 partner

Gen 10, teal + yellow:

You grew up with a parent who was an outlaw that left a trail of destruction in their wake, and you want nothing more than to forget that and create a life and family that is as perfect and happy as possible. You vow to be an upstanding parent, worker, and friend to everyone in your life, focusing on creating a lasting legacy.

Traits: proper, clumsy, foodie

Career: critic

Aspiration: successful lineage OR big happy family

Skills: writing, pet training

Requirements:

1. Must adopt at least 1 child

2. Achieve gold on a family reunion

[floatingcatacombs]

On Playing Caves of Qud For A Month Straight and Developing an RSI

12 Days of Aniblogging 2022, Day 4

With the recent successful commercial launch of Dwarf Fortress, I wanted to take a break from anime and recount my own experiences this year with a keyboard-heavy procedurally generated game with terminal-esque graphics and a high barrier to entry: the one and only Caves of Qud.

It is, in short, incredible. This is my first classic-style roguelike, courtesy of a friend’s gift, and probably the only one I’ll ever need. Calling it expansive is an understatement, as the number of different items, enemies, and biomes should be downright overwhelming. But Qud does an impressive job easing the player into its world, especially with its mix of fully hand-crafted and procedural areas. See, all playthroughs rely on the same world map, so the overall placement of biomes will be the same. A desert to the west, mountains on the edges, a vast jungle in the middle of the continent, a river you have to ford or go the long way around to get to the west half of the map. But each individual screen in the overworld will be procedurally generated, so the places you’re exploring are unique every time. You’ll always start in Joppa, a small farming village in the salt marshes of the southwest of the map. Generally, the further east you travel, the more difficult enemies you’ll face. Joppa feels like a classic RPG first town, serving up “kill this monster” and “go into this cave” quests that will give you a few levels and ultimately point you towards the game’s main quest.

And what a quest it is. As a roguelike, there will be plenty of quick deaths, so each time making it to a new location feels like an incredible victory. Since the places you need to go are the same every time, you can gradually start to get a feel for when it will be safe to tackle the next leg of the journey, and how best to prepare for tackling specific dungeons. The quest structure feels similar to a Fallout game, where you’re tugged in general directions through asking around, but there’s plenty of diversions along the way.

So other than the mix of procedural and handcrafted elements, what does Qud bring to the table? Horns and cryokinesis! While the True Kin offer a more classic roguelike experience, wielding swords and guns and cybernetics that are useful but don’t shake things up too much, choosing to play as a mutant means sacrificing some base stats to become a furry with psychic powers. And let’s face it, that’s always going to be the more fun option. A lot of the mutations, especially the mental ones, feel like you’re getting away with breaking the game at times. Trapping someone behind a force wall and sundering their mind. Throwing yourself into a space-time vortex to escape the jaws of defeat. Beguiling an enemy who can create clones of themselves, giving you a new companion as well as a personal army. There’s plenty of useful physical mutations too, such as an extra set of arms or legs, claws to dig through walls, and three different kinds of stingers. Caves of Qud touts radical body autonomy as a feature, with multiple avenues for the player character to become more, or less, like themselves.

Unfortunately, said radical body autonomy doesn’t extend into the real world, and after falling in deep and logging over 100 hours in a single month, I found myself with a wicked repetitive stress injury from keyboard overuse. After taking a few-weeks break, Elden Ring came out, where I proceeded to do the exact same thing and worsen it. Once it became clear that my fingers weren’t going to feel better from rest alone, I finally dragged myself to a physical therapist, who got me on a regimen of daily hand and shoulder exercises. Instant improvement.

I suppose that’s radical in of itself, huh? After months of dealing with lingering aches and finger pain, someone was able to help me through just a few targeted stretches. I would have never suspected the shoulders otherwise! As it turns out, everything is connected, and exercises further up the body are sometimes what you really need to relieve hand pain. Real-life wizardry, I tell you, especially in contrast to my gastroenterological struggles, where it’s hard for doctors to to even figure out what the problem is, much less how to treat it.

between the orbs and the soup, this spell seems right up tumblr's alley

Getting diseased in Qud is a far more interesting affair. The game plays this great practical joke where the first time you venture into the abandoned factory Golgotha for the main quest, you’re almost certain to ingest black ooze and contract Glotrot. Glotrot is a disease that develops in stages, and ends with your character’s tongue falling off, not to mention puking up half of the water they drink. “I can live without speaking to people,” the player might think, until they realize that turning in the Golgotha quest requires them to talk through a communications panel. And that their puke will fall into the water container that they drank from, quickly contaminating their whole supply unless they take very specific precautions.

It’s such a good intersection of mechanical interactions! And we’re not even done yet. At this point, the player will probably tab out and check the Caves of Qud wiki for how to cure Glotrot. They'll discover there that the cure is made out of different ingredients every run, and said ingredients can only be learned by purchasing a medical book from the ape mayor of a small village in the middle of the jungle. This can be a pretty perilous trek for the player at this point in the game. When they finally make it to Kyakukya, there’s one last sucker punch, as having Glotrot lowers your Ego stat, making bartering for the book more costly. It’s the kind of prolonged side-adventure that will lead the player to try and avoid Glotrot at all costs in future runs, by eating honey and cooking all the disease-resisting meals they can before venturing into Golgotha.

Qud is full of black comedy moments like these, even if few are quite as poignant as catching Glotrot. It encourages carefulness by making deaths a ridiculous conflux of factors that always leave you wondering how you could have done things differently, either throughout the run or in the final turns. Only through expecting that everything will go wrong do you stand a chance of making it through. On the other hand, the more creatively you think, the more you can cheat your way through even the scariest of situations. It’s a blast to learn just how much you can do with your tools, and to swap stories around with other players.

my very first run, where I took "Evil Twin" as a mental defect because it felt on-brand. Who could have predicted such a tragedy

By the way, as something of a wiki connoisseur, Caves of Qud's is excellent! 99% of the technical information you need, as well as the occasional opinion sections on whether certain decisions like mutations and skills are worth it. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a game wiki go as far as citing classes and lines of code in the references section. I’m glad they were able to move from Wikia to independent hosting, it’s for sure paying off.

My final, unorganized thoughts on the game:

It has deertaurs.

My second favorite thing about Qud is how it scales up its setting’s technology the further the player gets. You start out in a relatively primitive farming village, and 15 levels later you’re having shootouts in abandoned industrial ruins, and 15 levels after that you’re locked in psychic wizard battles in the shadow of a massive space elevator. And since this process takes dozens of hours, this evolution feels seamless for how much it is.

Get a numpad! Technically this game is playable with just a laptop set of keys, but you’re going to have a comparatively bad time. You really want simple diagonal character movement and as many keyboard shortcuts as you can get.

You need to take care of yourself! Treat me as a cautionary tale, I had to take a 9-month break from this game and cut back on my gaming in general because I failed to. Do hand stretches every few days now so you don’t need to do them daily to ward off pain later. Google around or hell, just follow the b4nny stretches.

After dying in a particularly gruesome way by freezing solid and getting torn apart by a giant crab, I felt moved to write a short story about my companion who made it out and what she did afterwards. I hadn’t written fiction in nearly a decade, so for Qud to hook itself in my head in such a way that I needed to privately eulogize is really something.

Ask any Caves of Qud player about their most ridiculous solution to a problem in the game. You won’t regret it.

Did I mention it has deertaurs.

me n the homies