#shadow tower abyss

[panda-pal]

Shadow Tower Abyss (2003) Developed by FromSoftware

[fyonnkalnonn]

These Converse are so powerful I think they're preventing me from drowning as I stomp around underwater in full plate armor. Also my equipment screen now looks like a shitpost.

[chark80]

[yawngoddessofdreams]

Shadow Tower Abyss (2003)

While King's Field 4 is the end of its lineage as the series which really guided early Fromsoft's hand into dark fantasy, Shadow Tower Abyss is perhaps the true end of that particular blood ancestry. A lot of folks have looked back at King's Field and Shadow Tower to better understand the DNA that created the Souls series. For some it was out of a desire to create a more holistic view of how this series was formed. For others it was merely out of curiosity. For me I was of the former camp. Video essays say a lot, but perhaps this was something I should experience with my own hands. Why Shadow Tower Abyss? Its setting and gameplay seemed just intriguing and playable enough to hold my attention. I thought surely I'd get frustrated by the labyrinth and my weak ability to mentally map such spaces so I expected to get my impressions of the first hour or two then hop off it. 8 hours later I beat it.

I loved this game. Its the sort of game that makes me reconsider what a "good game" is. When you turn it around in the sunlight it has the feeling of a game that was meant to be far more ambitious yet had to be chopped up and slapped together as a minimum viable product. There's a certain point where glowing armor of archangels and weapons crackling with power are being dumped on you by the truckload, which has the hilarious side effect of possibly crushing you to death under their encumbrance due to the strange decision to not allow you to drop or destroy items from your inventory without a shop. Your power scaling reaches a zenith of comical supremacy where you are blasting endgame bosses away with a few shots of a shotgun before they opine about the meaning of their lives with their last breaths.

Whether it's the case that this game was always meant to be this way or not, it ends up telling a compelling tale with its ludo-narrative.

(Story spoilers beyond)

You start at the base of the tower fighting tribal creatures (who I admit are pretty racist) who use the bodies of a captured modern special forces unit as incubators for their young. You're presumably a soldier who was a part of them or is maybe unrelated to their mission. The only dying soldier you get to talk to asks you to "kill them all" before handing you a knife.

You delve further until you find the true base of the tower: An alien structure rising from the titular abyss. There are creatures who tend this area who talk about being "Trapped here as you are" yet also say "It is enough to exist. You may not understand since we are so different."

I think this creates an interesting contrast against you who is ascending the tower rolling up power like a katamari till you find the heart of the tower who regrets the fact that you two must be at odds in such a way. It says you and it both just want to live, and looking back you realize the creatures by large only really feed on humans and create problems for you because that is simply what they must do to live and thrive.

Your quest originally seemed to be finding a spear who's power was so great that it cowed neighboring nations to submit to it. The true nature of the spear is apparent though as you find its resting place: A desert of red rusted sand full of disfigured heroes from long ago. They warn you to not suffer like they had. They try to stop you for your own good. You find the spear though and it crumbles in your hands. The spear does not exist anymore, and maybe that is because it has played out its role. Many come to the tower because the tower knows what they want: Power. The spear is the sickly sweet smell of nutrients at the bottom of a pitcher plant.

Perhaps though, the tower swallowed up something it shouldn't have. It swallowed the frightening power of the modern world. While you can use legendary swords left by their owners who died in the tower, you also can use the frightening modern power of guns that have been freshly brought into the tower. They truly tip the balance of power in your favor and it's a scary notion that against the eldritch, perhaps extraterrestrial power of the tower, we have formed weapons that can challenge it at last and slay it like yet another beast.

Perhaps the power of the spear is an analogue for weapons of mass destruction. They cow fellow nations into submission yet put the world on a knife's edge, capable of plunging it back into darkness with smug carelessness. Those who have suffered by its hands plead with the future generations to leave these tools yet we are quick to see this form of power as necessary to achieve life and peace.

Anyways, that's my reading of it!

I would definitely recommend this game to at least try. It's strange in a way that bewitches you and feels very before its time in some regards such as location-based damage and dismemberment on enemies as well as directional swings that really utilize this mechanic. Truly it was dead space before dead space. In fact I would say this game's balance and gameplay put it closer to a survival horror than a true souls game.

Another comparison I'd make is it's a better Scorn since it also has an HR Giger-esque aesthetic yet includes far more gameplay. I'd describe Scorn as a walkable artpiece that is interspersed with survival horror segments where health and ammo is limited. Shadow Tower Abyss is far more consistent at being an actual game and while I admire the walkable gallery sense to scorn, I did not admire the threat of being sent back to uncertain checkpoints by failing the survival horror segments that ultimately had worse combat than Shadow Tower Abyss due to wonky hitboxes.

[cookiethiefem]

[hellman55]

Shadow Tower: Abyss Playthrough (No Commentary)

[saharke]

[indiiglow]

Impeccable vibes indeed 👌

^ those are the SAME GOD DAMN COLORS as that iconic Dark Souls 3 image and I cannot tell you how happy this makes me. So fucking good. 10/10

[punchy-mchurtyfist]

Play Lunacid it fuckin rules

[moonsinkfoxgirl]

alright, got the other 2 all set up to see tomorrow if they don't destroy my eyes

[mustekalan]

Hard Core Armored Core

So with Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon announced back at the Game Awards, I took it upon myself to check out the older games in the series. I remember playing a little bit of AC4 when I was a kid, but never played a lot of it. In my journey I have played: Ac1, AC Project Phantasma, AC2, AC3, AC Nexus, AC Last Raven, AC4, AC For Answer, and I have ATTEMPTED to play AC5, though my emu- er, I mean. My PS3 has a hard time playing it at an acceptable framerate, so I can't in good conscience count it. To summarize, I think AC4 and For Answer are my favorites, though I do also like Nexus and Last Raven. The AC games before that had... well I'm sure the controls were acceptable at the time, but it's kind of unpalatable for me, a modern idiot playing it for the first time. Honestly I feel like the series really blossomed as it went on, starting out with a really cool concept and then making small, linear improvements (i.e, "more parts" and "more styles" and "better graphics" and "more control options") as they went on. I'm having a lot of fun with AC4, and will continue playing it, as well as For Answer

[panda-pal]

Shadow Tower Abyss (2003) Developed by FromSoftware

[fyonnkalnonn]

Found a secret door with some weird roman soldier plant zombies, one of them dropped a two-handed sword. Behind another secret door I found… a two pack of grenades, two M14 magazines, two AR-15 magazines, and two M3 magazines. Shadow Tower Abyss has one heck of a flavor. Only thing that compares to it is, I guess, Bungie's Pathways Into Darkness.

[mya-valentine]

Eclipsed by Fate

Synopsis: As Kinich and his beloved venture into the perilous Night Warden Wars, their bond is tested when a fateful sacrifice leaves him grieving. With the promise of resurrection, Kinich faces two agonizing days without her, haunted by her absence. When the moment of reunion arrives, he embraces her once more, determined never to let go.

The night before the Night Warden Wars had arrived, and Kinich sat quietly beside you, his golden eyes staring off into the flickering flames of the campfire. You both knew what was coming—the battle in the Night Kingdom against the dark forces, an ever-growing threat to Natlan. It was your first time going into such a dangerous fight, and though Kinich was one of the most capable warriors of the Sun, his usual confidence had faltered.

His hand tightened around yours, his voice low and tinged with worry. “I don’t like this… You shouldn’t be coming. It’s not safe.”

You smiled softly, gently placing your hand on his cheek, pulling him out of his trance. “Kinich, I’ll be fine. We’ve trained for this. I’ve trained for this. You’re not getting rid of me that easily.”

He let out a heavy sigh, his brows furrowing. “It’s different out there. You don’t know what it’s like in the Night Kingdom, the dangers lurking in the shadows.” His grip on your hand tightened even more. “I’m not sure I can focus on the fight if I’m worrying about you the whole time.”

You shifted closer, looking into his eyes with determination. “Then trust me, Kinich. Trust that I’ll fight just as hard as you, that we’ll fight together.”

His gaze softened as he leaned into your touch. “I do trust you. I just—” He paused, eyes flickering with fear. “I can’t lose you.”

You silenced him with a kiss, your lips brushing against his gently. “You won’t,” you whispered against him. “We’ll get through this.”

---

When the time came, the Night Kingdom was a terrifying sight. The landscape was cloaked in darkness, a heavy mist swirling around, concealing the enemy forces. The air was thick with tension as the champions of Natlan prepared for battle.

Kinich stood tall beside you, his armor gleaming despite the night. His weapon was gripped tightly in his hand, his focus unwavering—but you could sense the unease rolling off him in waves.

The battle began with a ferocious cry. Shadowy creatures of the Night Kingdom poured from the darkness, their forms twisted and otherworldly. You fought alongside Kinich, your heart pounding in your chest as you deflected attacks and struck down enemies with precision. The two of you moved in perfect sync, a seamless partnership honed over countless training sessions.

For hours, the fight raged on. Victory seemed within reach, and despite the exhaustion weighing on your muscles, you felt a sense of relief as the enemy forces began to thin. The Natlan warriors had fought valiantly, and there were no major casualties—everything seemed to be going as planned.

But as you and Kinich regrouped with the others, a dark figure emerged from the shadows, moving faster than you could react. An Abyss Herald, towering and powerful, its eyes glowing with malevolent energy. It moved directly toward Kinich, its weapon raised.

Your heart lurched in your chest. Without thinking, you threw yourself at him, pushing him out of the way just as the Abyss Herald struck. The impact of the blow tore through your body, searing pain shooting through you as you collapsed to the ground.

“No!” Kinich’s voice was filled with panic as he scrambled to you, cradling you in his arms. His hands were shaking as they pressed against your wound, desperately trying to stop the bleeding. “Stay with me! Please, stay with me!”

Your vision blurred as you looked up at him, his face contorted in anguish. You reached up, weakly touching his cheek. “I’m sorry… I had to…” you whispered, your voice barely audible.

“Don’t you dare apologize!” Kinich’s voice cracked, his tears spilling onto your skin. “I need you! You can’t leave me!”

Your strength was fading fast, your body growing colder as you slipped into unconsciousness. The last thing you saw was Kinich’s tear-filled eyes, and the last thing you heard was his broken voice calling your name.

When you died in his arms, Kinich’s world shattered. He was barely aware of Chasca’s hand gripping his arm, pulling him away as the others urged him to retreat. Everything was a blur—the sounds of battle fading into the background as his mind screamed for you.

Chasca dragged him back toward the exit, her expression somber but firm. “Kinich, we have to go. We can’t stay here.”

He barely registered her words, his gaze fixed on the spot where your body had lain, his heart in pieces. Everything felt wrong, hollow. How could this have happened? How could he have let this happen?

“They’ll bring her back,” Chasca reminded him as they fled. “Two days, Kinich. The Ode of Resurrection. She’ll be back.”

But two days felt like an eternity.

---

Kinich spent the next two days in a daze. He couldn’t sleep, couldn’t eat. Every moment without you felt like agony, his mind replaying the image of your death over and over again. Ajaw, ever the tormentor, took full advantage of Kinich’s despair, mocking him relentlessly.

“Look at you,” Ajaw sneered one day. “Pathetic. So lost without her. How’s it feel, knowing you couldn’t protect her?”

Kinich’s hands clenched into fists, but he didn’t have the energy to argue. He just wanted the two days to be over. He just wanted you back.

---

The ceremony at the Ode of Resurrection was a solemn affair, the air thick with magic as the flames roared to life. Kinich stood at the front, his heart pounding in his chest as the flames danced higher, swirling with power.

And then, from the flames, you emerged.

Kinich didn’t wait. The moment he saw you, he rushed forward, tackling you into a hug, holding you as tightly as he could as if he were afraid you’d disappear again.

“You’re back,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “You’re really back.”

Ajaw’s voice chimed in from the side, his tone laced with mockery. “Oh, you should’ve seen him while you were gone. So pathetic. Depressed. Couldn’t do anything without you.”

Kinich didn’t even acknowledge him. His focus was solely on you, his hands cupping your face as he gazed at you with tears in his eyes. “I missed you so much,” he whispered, his lips trembling. “I thought I lost you.”

You smiled softly, your hands resting on his as you leaned into his touch. “I’m here now, Kinich.”

Without another word, he pulled you into a deep, passionate kiss, pouring every ounce of his love and relief into it. The world around you faded away, and for that moment, it was just the two of you—together again.

And this time, he wasn’t letting go.

.

.

.

Masterlist

[lilacwants]

gibson girl.

18+ notes: ethel cain is one of my favourite artists ever and this song really reminds me of homelander and how a relationship with him would actually be. summary: caught in the web of Homelander's intense charm and power, you find yourself swept up in a dark, consuming love. warnings: themes of manipulation, obsession, and dark romance. word count: 1.4k

part 1. part 2.

You’d always been a small-town girl, living in the shadow of towering skyscrapers and the omnipresent gaze of Vought International’s superheroes. Homelander was a distant figure, a god among men, his blue eyes and perfect smile plastered on every screen. You never imagined you’d catch his eye.

It started with a simple act of bravery. A bank robbery gone wrong, and you, a mere bystander, had thrown yourself into the chaos to save a child. Homelander had arrived in a blaze of glory, dispatching the criminals with effortless precision. When he looked at you, cradling the child in your arms, there was something in his gaze—a flicker of interest.

“You were very brave,” he’d said, his voice smooth and commanding. “Not many people would have done what you did.”

From that moment, your life changed. Homelander began to visit you, always unannounced, always when you were alone. His presence was overwhelming, his charm intoxicating. He made you feel special, and chosen, like you were the only person who truly mattered in his world.

“You’re different,” he’d whisper, his breath warm against your ear. “You’re not like the others.”

The more time you spent with him, the more you realized how dangerous he was. His love was all-consuming, a dark abyss that threatened to swallow you whole. He’d appear at your doorstep with gifts, flowers, anything to make you smile. But there was always a possessiveness in his gaze, a hunger that could never be sated.

One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, you found yourself alone with him in your small apartment. However, solitude was now a foreign concept, as it didn’t take too long for Homelander to come and see his dearest.

“I could take you away from all this,” Homelander said, his eyes burning with intensity. “We could be together, always.”

“But what about your responsibilities?” you asked, your voice trembling. “The world needs you.”

“The world can fucking wait,” he replied, cupping your face in his hands. “I need you.”

His words sent a shiver down your spine. You knew he was dangerous, that being with him meant walking a razor’s edge. But the way he looked at you like you were his salvation, made it impossible to resist.

You leaned into his touch, your lips brushing against his. “I’m yours,” you whispered, sealing your fate.

From that moment, you were caught in his web. Homelander’s love was a prison, gilded and beautiful, but a prison nonetheless. He watched over you, and protected you, but his protection came at a cost. You were his, completely and utterly, your life entwined with his in a twisted dance of obsession and desire.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. Homelander's visits became the highlight of your life, a mix of excitement and dread. He would arrive unannounced, his presence filling your small apartment with an electric energy. He brought you gifts, each one more extravagant than the last. Jewellery that sparkled like his eyes, dresses that hugged your curves just right, and once, even a small, fluffy puppy that he said reminded him of you.

But with each gift came a reminder of his power. He would tell you stories of his exploits, the people he saved, and the enemies he destroyed. There was a darkness in his tales, a ruthless efficiency that sent chills down your spine. You knew he was capable of great violence, and that knowledge made his affection both thrilling and terrifying.

“You’re my hero,” he would say, his voice a soft purr as he held you close. “You saved that child, and you saved me. You’re the only one who understands me.”

You tried to maintain a semblance of normalcy, going to work, and seeing friends, but it was difficult. Homelander's presence loomed over every aspect of your life. You stopped going out as much, afraid of missing his visits. Your friends noticed the change, and you could see the concern in their eyes, but what could you tell them? That you were in a relationship with the most powerful man in the world? That he loved you, but his love was suffocating?

One night, you decided to confront him. It was late, and he had just appeared at your door, a bouquet of roses in hand. You let him in, and as he placed the flowers on your table, you took a deep breath.

“We need to talk,” you said, your voice trembling slightly.

He turned to you, his blue eyes narrowing. “About what?”

“About us,” you replied. “About what this is.”

He took a step towards you, his expression unreadable. “What do you mean?”

“This… relationship,” you said, struggling to find the right words. “It’s… it’s too much. I feel like I’m losing myself.”

His eyes darkened, and for a moment, you feared you had made a terrible mistake. But then he sighed and took your hand in his, his touch surprisingly gentle.

“I know it’s overwhelming,” he said softly. “But I love you. I need you. You’re the only thing that keeps me grounded.”

“I love you too,” you said, tears pricking at the corners of your eyes. “But I need space. I need to feel like I still have control over my life.”

He studied you for a long moment, his expression thoughtful. “Alright,” he said finally. “I can give you space. But don’t ever doubt how much you mean to me.”

You nodded, relief flooding through you. “Thank you.”

True to his word, Homelander gave you more space. His visits became less frequent, and you began to reclaim some of your independence. You started going out with friends again, picking up hobbies you had neglected, and for a while, things seemed to be getting better.

But even with the space, he was never far from your thoughts. You found yourself looking over your shoulder, wondering if he was watching. Sometimes, you would catch a glimpse of his figure in the distance, a reminder that he was always nearby, always watching over you.

One evening, as you were walking home from work, you felt a familiar presence. You turned to see Homelander standing a few feet away, his expression intense.

“I missed you,” he said simply.

You smiled, your heart fluttering. “I missed you too.”

He closed the distance between you in an instant, pulling you into his arms. His kiss was passionate, filled with all the emotions he struggled to express. You melted into him, your fears and doubts momentarily forgotten.

As the weeks passed, you found a new rhythm. Homelander still visited, but he respected your need for space. You began to understand him better, seeing the vulnerable man beneath the powerful exterior. He confided in you, sharing his fears and insecurities, and you realized that his love for you was genuine, if not a bit overwhelming.

But there were still moments of darkness. Times when his possessiveness would surface, and you would see the flicker of something dangerous in his eyes. You learned to navigate these moments, soothing his fears and reassuring him of your love.

You became adept at reading his moods, knowing when to give him space and when to draw him close. It was a delicate balance, but one you managed to maintain. You realized that being with Homelander meant accepting all parts of him—the hero, the lover, and the monster.

And despite everything, you loved him. You loved him with a fierceness that surprised even you. He was your hero, your protector, and the man who had stolen your heart.

In time, you found a strange kind of happiness. Your life was far from normal, but it was your life. You were no longer just a small-town girl living in the shadow of superheroes. You were Homelander’s girl, and that meant something.

It meant danger, and it meant love. It meant walking a razor’s edge every day, but you were willing to do it. Because in the end, you had made your choice.

And as you stood by Homelander’s side, his arm around your waist, you knew that you had become an actual Gibson girl—beautiful, desired, and forever trapped in the arms of a man who could destroy the world with a single thought.

[incorrect-primarchs-quotes]

𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐋𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫.

Key points:

Blue text means it's a short story or a novel

The bat 🦇 means Konrad is present

The knife 🔪 means Sevatar is present

Many of these cover a vast timeline: I've put them in this order based on the narrator (example: Vulkan speaking about Nostramo just before Istvaan) or the first chapter (Child of Night starts immediately after Nikaea but ends during the HH)

I ignored books where they appear for 1 line only and do nothing important. I also ignored "Lion: son of the Forest" because that thing is actually a warp-thing and not the real Konny.

𝐂𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐚𝐝𝐞

Sigismund: the eternal crusader , by John French (🔪)

Konrad Curze: A lesson in darkness, by Ian St. Martin (🦇) [AUDIODRAMA]

The Abyssal Edge, by ADB (🦇) (🔪)

The Dark King, by Graham McNeill (🦇)

Child of Night, by John French (🔪)

𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐮𝐬 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐲

Artefact, by Nick Kyme (🦇 mentioned)

The first heretic, by ADB (🦇 short appearance) (🔪 has like 2 lines tho)

Massacre, by ADB

Vulkan lives, by Nick Kyme (🦇)

Savage weapons, by ADB (🦇) (🔪)

Prince of crows, by ADB (🦇) (🔪)

The Long night, by ADB (🔪)

Unremembered Empire, by Dan Abnett (🦇 short appearance)

The lightning tower, by Dan Abnett (🦇 mentioned)

A safe and Shadowed place, by Guy Haley

Pharos, by Guy Haley (🦇)

Painted count, by Guy Haley

Angels of Caliban, by Gav Thorpe (🦇)

Ruinstorm, by David Annandale (🦇)

The lost and the Damned, by Guy Haley

The End and the Dead Vol. II, by Dan Abnett

Konrad Curze: The night Haunter, by Guy Haley.(🦇) (🔪)

𝟒𝟎𝐤

Lord of the Night, by Simon Spurrier

Red Tithe, by Robbie Macniven

Soul Hunter, by ADB

Throne of lies, by ADB

Blood Reaver, by ADB

Void Stalker, by ADB

Masters, the bidding, by Matthew Farrer

Nightfall, by Peter Fehervari

Morvenn Vahl: Spear of faith, by Jude Reid

𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥

Horus Heresy book 2: Massacre (🦇) (🔪)

Horus Heresy book 9: Crusade (🦇) (🔪)