#playing hsr

[kyogre-blue]

the fact that you can play all the mqs and continuances of the luofu and come out STILL NOT KNOWING WHAT DAN FENG'S SIN WAS is completly bonkers, they really nailed the genshin writing style with this one.

It's explained in Jingliu's cq, but it's the "walk around and talk" loredump from hell so I'd tell you to continue not playing it lmao. Basically the hcq's fifth member died in battle and Dan Feng accidentally created the draconic monstruosity trying to give her new life. (he might have succeeded. Bailu exists, after all...) Blade helped him do this, too, so it's his own fucking fault that he's immortal and insane lmao.

Imbibitor Lunae's character stories offer surprising insight into Dan Feng's struggles, actually. He's a far more interesting character than any of the actual living hcq members lmao, I guess this is bc he's free from the "must be uncontroversial for people to be willing to pay up for his banner" curse.

So the thing is, I've actually watched like three different videos from lore theory fans about Dan Feng and that whole situation. We're talking people who read every optional text, go through every character story, talk to every NPC, etc, and while they all agree on the general outline of things, they do not agree on what Dan Feng was actually doing or what Bailu's situation is.

From what I understand, the story is definitely pointing to the idea that Dan Feng and Yingxing tried to resurrect Baiheng as a vidyadhara using the corpse of the Abundance Emanator Shuhu, with some urging and direction from the preceptors, and after initially creating a dragon monster, Bailu is the outcome. And that seems to be what at least some of the characters have assumed.

The problem is that no one involved actually knows what happened. Jingliu assumed a bunch of stuff, but she wasn't actually there, and her story seems to indicate Dan Feng didn't tell her anything, and he provided no testimony later either. Blade and Dan Heng straight up do not remember anything at this point. Jing Yuan is just pure and innocent of the whole affair and thus useless. The only ones who would know are the preceptors, but we can't actually trust anything they say.

iirc the biggest issue with the theory is that Baiheng exploded herself. She didn't leave behind a body, might have had no remains at all. It's kind of hard to imagine them being able to resurrect her with absolutely nothing to work from. I know there's some weird situation regarding "souls" for Xueyi, but I don't think someone who heroically accepted her death like Baiheng would normally hang around to be resurrected... and I don't recall any mention of Dan Feng doing something in regard to calling up a soul (or having any ability in this regard to begin with).

So like... they could maybe create a being that would look like Baiheng, but it being her resurrected is kind of a stretch.

There's some general lack of clarity about Bailu as well. It's heavily suggested she's Baiheng's reincarnation, but all the "evidence" is very circumstantial. Stuff like her starting to have dreams of flying after visiting the Express, but while Baiheng was a Nameless, she'd never actually been on the Express, so it's not too likely to trigger past life memories for her. It could just be generically longing for freedom. (Jingliu certainly seems to think Bailu is Baiheng's reincarnation, but what does Jingliu actually know? Woman is straight up crazy and working with incomplete info at that.)

It's not just this stuff either. Lots of details are sketchy at best. And if you add in that sometimes Hoyo imagery and writing details line up for no reason at all (look at completely incorrect fan theories about Guizhong as an example)... So the outcome is that none of the characters actually know what happened, the information is all inconclusive, and there's a general sense is that the writers either couldn't make up their minds or actively wanted to confuse players. Which is... certainly a choice.

I will also say that imo making THIS Dan Feng's motivation and crime is kind of a dubious writing direction.

The Xianzhou is all about the sin of immortality and attempting to escape the inevitability of aging. While you can look at that and resurrecting someone as linked via "attempting to escape death", resurrection is a different kind of (narrative) sin imo. (Resurrecting someone is about the grief, while attaining immortality is about the fear or the greed. The direction is different.)

Dragging it in doesn't fit in with the Xianzhou setting and lore, already creating a certain dissonance at the core of this super important and relevant backstory event. It also plays out kinda weird in regard to Yingxing being mortal and old, and then getting abundance abomination'd. It fits directly with the Xianzhou big taboos... but it's just a random side effect?

Frankly, they should have committed to the sin being giving him immortality, not foxgirl simping, imo :/

[bigcryptiddies]

Oh no he’s good with kids how cute

[slushy-sash]

what in the 4d chess are they playing 😭

[fineapple20]

Portraits

Retouched this set from last year, because it was haunting me laying there 80% finished

[kokoasci]

90% of gamblers quit right before they win big

[waytoointoships]

…seele and bronya 🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨

[resvarie]

boothilly

[thirstywaffles]

Good morning 🌅

[nobllite]

Save a horse, ride a what?? 💥

[niclepto]

The lie of chosing between freedom and safety

[kyogre-blue]

Luofu continuance continues.

I was going to say that the prison section was actually fine, cool atmosphere, but then that quest ending... I was probably making a very funny face when the black screen with white text hit.

It just feels bizarre because it seems like a tense race where the borisin want to lock you in the prison and escape, but you want to lock both you and them in, and they beat you to the doors. Dan Heng throws his spear, it's not enough to even wedge the gate open, the borisin smirk... cut to black.

"After a short blackout, control of the Shackling Prison was regained, fortunately the Nameless were not harmed" and that's where I just went ????

Thinking about it, the borisin succeeded, but instead of escaping, Hoolay got baited into hanging around by Jiaoqiu namedropping Jingliu. But it feels so bizarre that the MC team was just completely useless and achieved absolutely nothing. They might as well not have been there.

And also, wasn't... Jingliu also in prison... like, I haven't done her companion quest, so I've only seen her in the stinger to the main quest. But didn't she get arrested after her whole "btw, how about we kill god with this coffin"...

Anyway. The prison is vaguely annoying to explore, but it certainly looks cool, and once the story stopped having to contrive the characters into being where the action is, things went a lot better.

However, this does kind of lead into something about HSR I've been thinking. I feel like the Wardance is kind of shoehorned in and not benefiting this storyline. Like, they keep mentioning it purely because it's the event that comes after the continuance. And HSR has quite a bit of this, where quests are really interconnected and fit very specifically at a certain point in the timeline. But there's not really anything stopping you from doing things in different order, so it can feel very strange. And, more annoyingly, nothing feels like a self-contained, complete story. It all just kind of trails off.

I guess you could say this makes things feel more connected, and that could be a good thing. But tbh I have not been vibing with it so far.

[abysswenn]

that was in fact not kaveh at all.

[seven-tastic]

that one silly pijama thingy but its aventiopaz

[eclown4hire]

wow mr youtube it's an honor

[solplease]

scarletella’s your sunday (??????)

a friend sent me hsr x homicipher art and seeing it changed something in me. so i also drew sunday scarletella haha

the art i saw was made by @/yuuu20_ on twitter if anyone wants to check it out :]

close ups under the cut as always!

[baeshijima]

hmmm.... thoughts about composer!reader, whose pieces are always created for and featured in mr reca's films/projects.

people aren't sure when it first started, but in the release of one of his prior films was an ost. of course, it's not unusual to have music in such projects, but that one had felt... different, somehow — in the way its composition struck the chords of many, with billions across the cosmos instantly scouring for who made that piece.

it, of course, didn't take all that long when your name was featured in the credits. however there was barely any information aside from your name and credentials. (seriously, how could there not even be a single photo?!) no one knew what you looked like for quite a long time, only ever recognising your name and your music; even despite the numerous interviews, mr reca had never disclosed anything about you other than your talents. it came to a point where everyone believed they would never see your appearance.

well, until all hell broke loose during the annual intergalactic film awards, that is.

everyone already knew the drill — if mr reca had directed a film that year, it would undoubtedly win the adapted/original screenplay, cinematography, directing, production design, sound, music (original score and song), and film of the year awards, which also led to you winning both the music awards. usually, the composers would be the ones to collect said awards. however, the masses have become used to mr reca being the one to collect them on your behalf with thank you's also on your behalf.

that's how it's been ever since you made your mark in the universe, and so it really is understandable the uproar created by those in and out of attendance when the one who went collect the two awards wasn't the esteemed director, but a completely unfamiliar person; you.

you are definitely younger than they originally thought, having believed it must have been someone of a senior status of sorts to have consistently created such masterpieces. all eyes are trained on you as you step on stage and into the limelight for the first time, the light enhancing your features and formal attire when approaching the mic with a small flashcard in hand. your mouth opens, and the audience leans in with baited breaths as they await your first words.

...only for nothing to come out.

everyone watches a little dumbfounded as you try to talk once more but, aside from gaping like a fish, your efforts remain futile. it doesn't take long for you to clamp your mouth and eyes shut, even raising the awards in front of you in an attempt to shield your face from the crowd.

you... you were just really shy. or maybe a little...socially awkward, perhaps...? if this was the reason you never showed yourself, then they're beginning to understand why...

it passes in a blur — quite literally in that of brown. one moment you are alone on the stage, the next you have the presence of the renown director standing slightly in front of you, as though acting as a shield from the many prying eyes.

"apologies," he begins, his usual smile on display, "but my dearest composer has been suffering with a sore throat these past few days. on their behalf, we thank you all kindly for your support in our work."

and then he swiftly leaves with you tucked under and shielded by his coat, murmuring unreadable words to you as you both disappear backstage and leave everyone in a state of frenzy; to both those inside the ceremonial hall, and to those watching live elsewhere.

(it was only discovered after the awards ceremony concluded what the director had said to you, with the uploader being dubbed as a holy saint for their contributions to society. while the visual aspects of the video itself were not the clearest, barely anyone had it within themselves to complain when the audio was clear as crystal:

"and here i thought you were going to be brave and face your stage fright after all that pep-talk you gave yourself on the way here."

"i'm sorry... i really thought i could do it this time..."

"now, now, i'm merely teasing. you made a big step just making an appearance here today. i know how much courage this took for you, and i'm proud of you for facing it."

"really...?"

"but of course. i'm always proud of you, [name]. there is not a moment where i haven't been.")

(it also was not long until the cosmos was taken by storm when various pictures snapped during the awards ceremony spread. the millions of candids featuring you were one of the most liked and shared, with the top spot joined by the sequence of pictures taken of mr reca's soft expression when watching you onstage, into his realisation of your predicament, into him running onstage and shielding you from the cameras when making your way backstage.)

(...the drastic influx of fan accounts dedicated to both you alone and to you and reca should really be a studied phenomenon.)