#riftwalker

[ghoulnextdior]

jacket off yoru on the first day of new year? yes

[vaalthus]

The Lost Constellation

Alright, it's time I finally talked about this. Do forgive the rambling

I gotta say I my interest into further covered Atealan history was already piqued with the release of the Lost Constellation, and with it the introduction of Dardarayu and Yahvro.

What initially caught my curiosity regarding the lore surrounding these two mysterious beings was the design note that accompanied our encounter with them in the Inn

Now that first sentence is curious for a couple of reasons. The first being that it notes that the Ateala "rarely" sing of the legends surrounding these two figures.

To rarely speak of a particular point of history would seem to suggest that it carries negative or at least not the best of connotations within the minds of those telling the story, almost as if the subject were taboo. From my perspective, this a story with hushed breaths or ones meant serve as a warning to listeners.

The second note of interest is the fact that the design notes refer to this tale as a shifting nebula.

Nebula at their core are just a massive collection of dust and hot gas in space that either have the capacity to form new stars or happen to exist because they formed from the deaths of preexisting stars that went supernova. A fact that might make the story of both Yahvro and Dardaryu potentially that of a tragedy. What leads me to this thought process is that if we take into consideration the essence of what a nebula is, as has been established, then the text might be implying or alluding to the fact that these two characters held potential or promise but, either one or both, fell from grace or had tragic conclusions at the end of their story.

What makes me even more certain of this angle is the fact that the design notes state their constellation once "shone" upon their homeworlds. We know, based on what details can be derived in-game that time after time that the Ateala have either settled new planets on their own independently or were forced to due to one calamity or another, taking all their histories and culture with them as they did so.

When I think of the word "shone" in this context, it makes me think that the story of these two Atealans was one that previously made their people rather proud before it might have been regarded poorly or somberly.

The question here is this: What could have happened to have caused this shift in their perception? I believe the biggest clue lies solely with Dardarayu. When the Inn challenge for them was first released, three things about them immediately stood out to me: the fact that a good portion of their face was hidden in shadow, an all too familiar golden ornament, and of course the fact that their body and magic was coated in tithril.

Now admittedly, at first, I didn't think the portion of Dardarayu's face being hidden was any different from Isiri's face being hidden until I remembered that Isiri's face was obscured by the hood she wears. Dardarayu's face is completely out in the open meaning there's something about their expression the devs wanted to keep concealed beyond their simple smile. For the longest time, I couldn't figure what that could be until this last Mogloween event when we receieved both their mask and that of Yahvro.

I don't know about anyone else, but those squinted eyes seem to turn an easygoing smile into something that would appear to be more sinister in my view. Furthermore, what little can be derived from this expression is made worse by the fact that the text that accompanies this item, which merely state that "the stars weep," reinforces that the events that surrounded Dardarayu were ones that did not end on happy terms as far as the Ateala remember.

Then, there's that golden ornament that they wear. Prior to the release of their inn fight, we have seen it on two occasions. The first instance being the release of the Atealan Standard helm, the second time, and most alarming of the two, being the Star-Eating Serpent.

Based on their appearance and the appearance of the Standard helm, we can reasonably conclude that Dardarayu was the Unael of old that at one point in their history had rallied their people against an unknown adversary or adversaries. It's likely these battles Dardarayu lead against the Ateala enemies is why their reputation originally started on a high note when they became more well known.

Whether or not this was the reason they were declared an unael I cannot say, but we might be able to speculate they might not have completed their process in becoming a full-fledged unael, a suspicion possibly supported by Dardarayu's polearm weapon.

The description would seem to imply that while Dardarayu received the title of an Unael from the Empress, they hadn't actually gone through the process of being connected to the cosmos. Either that or they did go through the process but merely was among those that never merged with the Empress when they came back down. Regardless of which is the case, the details provided by the text lay it out flat that Dardarayu disappeared eventually and that no one knows what happened to them.

This would appear to be where the story for them gets left off on. They were a respected hero and then suddenly something happened to cause them to never be seen again and the Ateala mourn their lost hero forevermore. End of the story, right? See I'm not so sure.

As I mentioned previously, the obscured expression they give off seems very off during our encounter with them, I daresay it appears ominous. However, a countenance is obviously not enough to indicate that something suspicious has taken place.

Which brings me back to Dardarayu's powers. They're clearly based in tithril. Now if that's true then that has some concerning implications if it also happens to be true that tithril forms from the remains of dead Ateala, once their bodies have crystallized.

Now I don't believe this necessarily would have been problem for the Atealan people considering they crafted a weapon clearly made from Trithril and they were willing to follow someone who wore a helm made of the stuff into battle, but I think it does potentially connect to the reason why Dardarayu may have suddenly vanished without a trace.

There's also again that elepant in the room in which the Star-Eating Serpent has the exact same golden ornament attached to their head. The creature is also coated in tithril and was responsible for devouring the Ateala wherever they fled to until another unael, Anohirn, defeated them. Yet, in our boss fight with the creature, it too wears a similar adornment that was also held by another Atealan hero. I'm not entirely sure what the connection here is, but it's not looking too good to me at the moment.

That all being said, this leaves a final question: where does this leave Yahvro, our mysterious riftwalker, in the equation?

How do they fit with Dardarayu's story? Truthfully, I'm stumped on them. So, I'm go through what little can be derived from them. We know based on their weapon's description that they were a well-regarded warrior within Atealan society, perhaps even an unael like Dardarayu.

We can infer they likely shared similar, if not the same, problems with Dardarayu based on the fact that their horn descriptions are identical.

And lastly we can speculate that in spite of an event or outcome that has taken place they're still listening to someone or something that might have caused that situation to have gone poorly.

What these all mean combined I couldn't say with clarity but given that we do fight both Yahvro and Dardarayu in the same place I'm going to suggest that either Yahvro followed Dardarayu wherever they vanished to or at least suffered the same fate they had in the end.

Ah, but that concludes my thoughts on these two. It'll be interesting to see if the devs cover them when we refocus on the Ateala as a whole in the future.

[reddragonraz]

DILF— dam i love (my) found (family)

[crushing-on-hunks]

The taste of cocoa

Prompt: The taste of cocoa

Fandom: Arcane

Pairing: Ekko/Reader

Warnings: None, possible bad grammar

Word count: 427, for Comforcember @monthlywritingchallenges

He does not really get the approval of the tea. (We've all laughed at his expressions to the Jayce's one form that scene in the show.) Thought if you really like this drink and take his distaste too close to heart, he might just swear that it was purely Jayce's fault and awful tea-making skills and not the drink itself. Maybe after some time, you both discover that he is actually quite fond of some specific sweet blends like the berry teas. But overall, he stayed aloof to the ideas of "leaves in boiling water" type of drinks. "Firelight, c'mon! It's like drinking a medicine" - sad puppy eyes and frowning.

- Through trial and errors after almost giving up on the idea that he can enjoy anything beyond fresh water and some light booze. It is then during more cold months, when you discovered just how much of a sweet-tooth he actually is.

- Makes sense though that being from lover levels of Zaun with no access to any luxury products so popular within Piltover, he never even tried hot cocoa. Besides, in line with his altruist nature and leadership position, he would first of all try providing any kind of foods to the firelights first, not really carrying if there will be anything left afterwards for himself.

- Except, when he was swinging by your place after a frosty walk along the seaside bridge. Truly, not the smartest idea, as the winter winds left you feeling numb in your fingers and eyes all shiny from the harsh wind gusts.

- You quickly filled two cups with the hot beverage and thrusted one of them into Ekko's frostbite hands. Young man made a funny expression but complied as even if all those fancy drinks were awful to his personal taste, they at least made a good job at warming one up from the north wind currents.

You can't help but laugh at the astounded look he gives you after the first sip, the mask of pretense disgust slipping.

You move closer hiding the smile behind the rim of the cup as Ekko tries (and fails) to put on annoyed expression again. He can't though, he is too fond of those happy sparks lighting up your eyes.

"Ok, maybe you pilties have at least two good things after all."

"Two?"

"Yep! Hot cocoa... and you" - Ekko slyly tugs you into his side as you squill and almost spill your own beverage, face rapidly warming up as the firelights leader's boisterous laugh makes you want to hide from embracement

[kc-rising]

I know I already spent all that money geneing them, but what if I decided to scrap that Aether breeding pair and turn them into this instead? They were never officially added to my hatchery yet and honestly they look way more badass like this

[legionnaireintraining]

Art Party Time! Jan 2025 edition!

the first two are from the EU one: Obscure Wanderer @wilson-van-nektarius Ahrikima @ahrikimagw2

and the other three are from the NA party: Cyrisus Riftwalker @cyrisusriftwalker Rivis Pyci @voxiverian I Really Like Fish @salad-mender

and also some screenshots of end of party shenanigans.

[vannahgw2]

Cyrisus Riftwalker

[nyoka-gorefell]

First sketch from the post below, for @cyrisusriftwalker

I'll probably do a couple more this week. After that, I'll keep the rest for when the charr drawing urge hits :)

[dazzria]

a yoru piece i forgot to post

[soapy-birblover]

finally finished my wynncraft oc/persona reference sheet!!

close ups under the cut

[thesouloftherift]

*random plushie on the floor that looks exactly like you*

Raine picks up the plushie, smiling.

“Huh. Neat.”

[themultiversepolice]

I think Raine needs help…again

"wait , Raine needs help?", He immediately headed into the direction of Raine's room, a concerned expression on his face as he did.

[ask-tay-relic]

It's not my usual work for the blog, but I slapped a lazy finish on this doodle of Luete (MC from my novel Riftwalker) so I could put it into the Artfight 2023 layout blah blah.

Maybe this year I'll draw him more, or just write more for his series. Almost got book 1(of 12) in a publishable state.

[vaalthus]

My waifu's blade, finally in the palm of my hands.

[crushing-on-hunks]

Warm Blankets

Fandom: Arcane

Pairing: Scar/Reader

Warnings: None, fluff, possible bad grammar

Word count: 469, oneshot for Comforcember @monthlywritingchallenges

It is rather cold at the hideout. Despite the tree branches giving extra cover and warmth to the buildings scattered around its crown and branches the air is chilling. But apparently, this year the weather of Zaun decided to surprise its habitats with real snow instead of acid fog. Not something you are used to but bearable enough.

You stop writing and close the book, standing up to stretch out and headed outside, grabbing a well-worn blanket to serve as a timely cover.

You take a look around. At the bottom, some of the firelights already gathered around the build in fire-pit, drinking, chatting and keeping an eye on the children running around. Some of those kids have never even seen the snow before, so now they apparently decided to challenge each other with catching as many snowflakes as they can.

You cast a quick look around immediately spot the vast back of the Lieutenant of the Firelights. Usual attire did not cover much and, even though you liked seeing those ripping muscles, right now one look at him made you shiver (not in the way you would prefer) and wrap yourself even deeper into your own blanket.

Despite your effort to step silently as you approached Scar, his big ears twitched in your direction, the man though continued staring into the scene below. Only rambling softly in greeting as you leaned on the partition beside him.

You followed his line of sight - and as you predicted - his daughter was enjoying the play date with the fellow zaunites, as small as she was, he definitely inherited her father's agility, though definitely not his preference fro solitude.

So close to him you almost felt his body heat though the layer of thin material .. which means that he is better to cover up if he does not want to loose all the warmth! You huff at your own inner reasoning and turn sideways, fixing him with a heavy stare as you reach over to - well at least attempt - to cover him with the blanket.

Not as easy as it sounds. Though with his height it was not surprising at all. He chuckles, tugging your blanket fully around himself and before you could even start complaining - your figure was caged between his arms and the partition.

The warmth enveloped your from the back as his broad chest snuggled right behind you. He took a deep breath and leaned forward tucking his chin onto your clavicle.

It was nice.

To have those peaceful undisturbed by the challenges of the outside world, by the corruption of the Zaun.

And the warm breath fanning over your ears and neck, sending goosebumps all over you was just a bonus to this precious instants.

[theriftwalkerscrown]

…

I have an idea on how to help the dreamer, if you want to hear me out.

There are power entities out there, and they might be able to help the dreamer.. you just gotta reach out. I doubt powerful entities like yourself can be hurt.

- ☀️

“…Hm. We do know of someone who may be able to aid him. But…we cannot reach out to him. Our last interaction with the Dreamwalker…we did not part on pleasant terms, to say the least.”

Eternity closes his eyes.

“There are others, of course, but…I cannot allow the Dreamer to be harmed. The risk is too great.”

And he opens them.

“But…it may be the only option I have. I will ponder it.”