#something about it is SO appealing to me and really adds to the overall piece

[uhohbestie]

Still absolutely smitten and blown away by this. I can't believe what you googlies did!!! We're still reeling!!! <3 <3

I love that everyone's specific moment they chose fits their work so perfectly. Their expressions here are perfect :') they look so genuinely, truly happy that it makes me feel happy just to see them like this. After all they've been through they deserve this moment, and there's so much life and love and movement and joy here- like a still from a moving image! I can't get over Scar's smile and the way his entire being is focused on Grian- they're so perfect aaaa <3 <3

Your note is so sweet, too. I know I got all choked up reading this, and I'm getting choked up again now. This was such a special moment to experience and I'm so incredibly grateful <3 <3 Thank you :") - 🔒

So happy to finally be able to post this! Me and a wonderful team of artists on TAMNcord decided that for the 1 year of @uhohbestie 's "There Are Monsters Nearby", we would all create a piece to reflect different arcs in the story and illustrate our love for it.

Today, I had the delight and utmost pleasure to hear Lock and Key's reactions live. Love you, TAMNcord and co!

[4dmc]

Been reading and rereading people's takes on DmC and i guess it's because of the netflix anime adaptation they've been coming out..

Anyway long tldr yappy rant from a 30s something watching fandom shenanigans & just realize that we're human... doesn't negate the fact i do have negative feelings about it

There really was an entire decade (and still going) of how people are offended by DmC and it is frustrating and obnoxious to see at least of the dmc fandom, even though I do understand these are people's views of it and it comes from somewhere

And it's usually the core hateful fans' narrative where that's coming from, and there's still yapping, where they hypocritically and unironically miss everything, but the oddest ones to me are the ones where they're expecting to be spoonfed a pseudo-empowering "badass" feminist narrative and I get it... But like, they too turn around and become sexist themselves (it's not shocking most of them are likely cis-het male)

I do understand the overall need to have women characters just be depicted as fully fledged beings. And I get that they're disgusted with Lilith and what was done to her. And I don't quite recall if I made a point about her here but I feel like I need to add on to a mutual's point defending her ..

But it's maddening to think people are equating that to what Ninja Theory believes about women. Which is insane, because so many writers before and after have written women in many ways, despite the fact they actually may or may not have a positive or humane view of women (..... Neil Gaiman.... 💀)

There's also the fact many writers and creatives have both done beloved masterpieces that do appeal to a mass audience, but have also created the most depraved, brutal, dark and offensive masterpiece that would definitely offend a mass audience, and would take an open mind to understand why. (I'm not saying the most beloved appealing type of masterpieces would easily be understood, the inverse happens)

And Lilith's story and figure, while it has shortcomings, is just the most remarkably truthful take about the reality of women, and how they are as perpetrators themselves, weaponizing the very things about what makes women and where they are in the world, in spite of their statuses, or even because of their statuses.

The way some of the opinions against DmC really is a symptom of a mixture of rigid readings about what feminism is, and the toxic positivity that women characters "should just be a certain way" and nothing else. And girl, that certainly reads into what they must view of women in real life, but I'm thankfully just assuming...

Whatever happened to the whole "women are put in pedestals" and fighting that? Because i think any fully fledged female character can be anything. And by anything, it would mean depictions that will not be comfortable nor a badass escapism story, or of how deplorably flawed women can be

There's also the obnoxious and quite widespread notion, especially now, how one equates their joyful entertainment and relatability to a piece of media as the most important metric, to the point it is the only metric whether or not that piece of media is worth any nuanced opinion of. Or worse, their enjoyment, relatability and escapism of the piece of media is a metric for whatever their own ideologies be and if it's a solid match.

Basically, they're being shallow, unchallenged AND quite frankly making their preferences as the only absolute metric

I may be discussing usually of devil may cry, but this kind of very rigid and shallow reading has been permeating in online spaces and soon even in real life, for quite a long while now.

Perhaps it's so coincidental that such a thing has been well recorded at the same time as when DmC was coming out. Now, this game wasn't the only one treated like garbage by an obnoxious audience, and I have been in some game and fiction fandoms in the late 2000s to mid 2010s. So yes, the horrible takes have been quite everywhere. And soon from the 2010s onwards, as online spaces truly overlapped in our public spaces and persona, it's mutated into an inescapable reality.

To me, the biggest shortcomings about Lilith was that we don't get to have "fun" with how cruel she is. Now I'm not asking for gruesome Salo film style depravity, but even just 2 more cutscenes of her inner workings would've hit the nail on the heads what kind of sick world the demons are running.

I mean yeah there's Capitalist demon Mundus sure, but it's quite inferred he's rarely come down his ivory tower. I mean he's the boss, he doesn't need to always run his hands dirty

But Lilith is interesting and much more on theme with the way Limbo City aesthetically looks like and how very heavily implied the seedy, sleazy underbelly is on this worn out city. It definitely draws a lot of the 90s to 2000s grungy gritty action films, particularly even some of the slightly bloody vampire films like Wesley Snipes' Blade.

Like they did say They Live was an inspiration, but definitely the grainy, worn out looks of Fight Club and the tall & cold monolithic like structures in Nolan's Batman films were quite there too.

As for her end, as gruesome as it is, it's not as un-feminist as people say it is. But nor is it a feminist one either. Because neither of them is the point. And not everything involving women will be automatically feminist. And that's not a bad thing. (any right wing dipshit reading this shoot yourself to Mars for us with Elon Musk and never come back)

I feel like people for the last 20 years or so, as an audience, became too genre savvy, too technical, and even too hyperfocused about the "rights and wrongs" of an ideology that they use as a lens of criticism, to the point it looped back around that they're just not really understanding what's in front of them. And in a way it's a bit of a refusal to see what the creators/writers/artist intended.

Did they not realize how cold and straightforward Lilith's death was. And it also highlighted Vergil's flaws: his impatience, his opportunistic and dishonorable traits. And on top of that, he has the gall to be shocked in his own actions.

It's gruesome, no glamor, razor sharp in condemning Vergil as the perpetrator, by Dante. And Vergil's actions reignites a second wave of an inciting incident so they can finally break into the tower.

It also shines Dante as the actual honorable figure while the inverse happens to Vergil, whose charm and smarts reveals him to be a calculating and uncharitable figure. The ongoing theme of nothing is as it seems is a ball rolling upon the three lead characters, so yes including Kat. She has been underestimated by Vergil at the last chapters of the story. But there is the overall enslavement and milling of humanity, as nothing but swill to be churned for the demons' systemic gluttony. And Kat being human means she's at the bottom of the food chain.

In her perspective, Kat is fighting eldritch entities from Hell and she wishes nothing but the few who can see the demons to fight back for the rest who can't. Odds are stacked against her, yet she's overcome them not just with magic she has but with outwitting them, outlasting them & corny as this sounds, with the power of friendship. Her befriending Dante had been her best hand against demonkind

But just going back to Lilith I do understand where some of the readings are coming from but it's also doing many of us a disservice to think that how you read it is the only way and must be unequivocally something Ninja Theory is as people. At the same time the hyperfocus of wanting only right things happening is denying the conflicts being raised in DmC and even devaluing the moral grey issues it's trying to infer to us to weigh on

Lilith is a cruel villainess who will not hesitate to do war crimes. But she was given grace to live because of a very dire situation and she has to uphold her end, as Dante does for her. She isn't without any agency. This is the deal and a deal even Mundus must now play and abide by. If Vergil hadn't assassinated her, who's to say she won't exact revenge when they get Kat exactly on that pier.

Anyway.... I feel like this has gone on too long...

I think i needed to discuss this because, yes there's Shankar's adaptation of DMC on netflix, but because the comparisons raised about how the demons are depicted are brought up, and among the ones the dmc fandom has been comparing them is through Lilith's situation and other gaps they try to bring up.

And of course, I can't really trust them to "know" anything about the most hated game in the franchise. While I'm no expert, reading their takes is making me lose hope that these "core fans" are representative of the DMC community

also fuck shankar... Enjoy the anime, but omg, i can't take the guy seriously....

[cripplecharacters]

Hi! I have a myriad of minor chronic conditions and symptoms, but nothing that's actually been identifiable enough to be diagnosed by a doctor. That's a relevant piece of information, because there's a character who I'm writing with more severe/debilitating versions of some of my own symptoms, and I'm struggling with giving him any actual defined diagnoses because of it. The actual question here is: If I'm basing these symptoms off of things that are happening with my own body, and the character is not in a situation where he'd get a diagnoses in-universe, is there a reason I can't just leave it as a mystery?

I suppose the main reason I'm struggling with the question in the first place is that upping the severity of the symptoms in question means that, unlike myself, the character will be using mobility aids, which makes me feel like I should do more research on why he'd be using them. I have no idea why, once in a blue moon, my right leg just decides to refuse to hold my weight for 10-45 seconds, but I do know that if I know that if it happened more regularly/for longer periods of time I'd probably invest in a cane due to instability walking. I'll be posting this work in a space where people will be able to ask me questions about it directly and I can already feel the comments being typed lol. So, I feel like I should have an answer beyond just "His symptoms are based off my own and unfortunately I don't have a diagnoses", but like... do I actually or am I just getting in my head about this?

Hi,

It’s completely okay to have a character who doesn’t have a specific condition or diagnosis you can point to if you’re basing it off your own life experience.

The truth is that this happens all the time. I also don’t really know why my knee is awful and sometimes can’t hold my weight or is incredibly painful to bend, and I’ve been to doctors (who had suggestions but no specifics) and was prescribed physical therapy. I did the PT. It didn’t do much, but I tried it.

You clearly have an experience with your conditions and symptoms and just because you haven’t gotten a diagnosis doesn’t mean your disabling symptoms aren’t real. It also doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll never get a diagnosis, either.

I completely understand your hesitancy, though, because the truth is that some disabled characters are created with a vague idea and end up having some sort of Ambiguous Disorder that is just for plot reasons. That can be harmful and ignore the realities of real-life conditions and disabilities just for something to be more Appealing or Plot Relevant.

But it doesn’t look like that’s what you’re doing at all—you are in fact pretty well-researched, because you’re basing your character primarily in your lives experience and, in good faith, making them not exactly the same as your own.

“His symptoms are based on my own, and I don’t currently have a specific diagnosis” is a reasonable answer. It’s true, and it’s not dismissive or misleading in any way. You can also add “I did research on how A and B would make someone need/do X or Y,” as needed. Like specific mobility aid research, or potential conditions, or related symptoms.

Overall, you can feel confident in your creation of your character and that your depiction is reasonable, and it also might make you more comfortable to answer questions if you feel equipped to elaborate about the symptoms or the aids rather than about the diagnosis.

Hope this helps! :)

— Mod Sparrow

[melrosing]

As your not a big fan of fantasy books in general. What drew you into loving asoiaf? What got you hooked?

now that I'm invested in asoiaf I do genuinely like the fantasy elements of the story, but the stuff that really pulled me in was the human drama and political intrigue etc. I love the character work, almost all of the POVs feel fully realised and subvert typical tropes in really interesting ways (imo). I like the inter-generational drama (the reasons I like succession are v similar to the reasons I like the Lannisters), like if I want to understand Jaime and Cersei and Tyrion I can look to Tywin, and if I want to understand Tywin I can look to Tytos, and if I was to understand Tytos I can look to Gerold, like it's a russian doll of intergenerational trauma what more could a girl want.

and on that note I really like the scope! GRRM obviously feels this need to account for all details minor and major, so that even with everything that's already on the page there's room to extrapolate so much more. i mean here I am writing who knows how many words about a fake 20-episode long robert's rebellion tv series lol like this all happened before the series even starts and yet I hardly need to make anything up bc there is so much to draw on just based on all the random little details we've got here and there from characters reflecting on the same events from different angles, and trying to piece together portraits of the people who died based on the recollections of those on the page who remember them..... it is so fun)

and yeah usually I prefer to read about that kind of thing on a smaller scale but the drama that plays out in AGOT is so engaging that upon initiation I didn't find it so much of a chore to keep track of all the various houses and lands etc in order to understand the full implications of each thing that happened - it felt like it was worth the effort. generally it's the 'keeping track' of it all that I find grating about fantasy bc I really want to just get on with the story rather than keep on top of a hundred magic systems and sub-species of pixie.

and obvs asoiaf is low fantasy rather than high fantasy, i.e. there aren't intricate systems to the magic and or complicated genus for each of the creatures, so that made it feel a lot more accessible for me as someone who just isn't very interested in those kinds of details. Dany's magic is made up as she goes along, it's never explained, and that's the same for pretty much all the fantastical elements - it's very show don't tell. and even though when you count it all up there are quite a lot of fantastical features and subplots, taken together with the rest of the story it's more like.... seasonings I wouldn't usually choose but ended up liking just fine in this overall dish lol

and finally asoiaf just really appealed to me from a fannish perspective! I really hate when you're trying to dig deeper with a work and you quickly start to realise that the writer(s) just weren't thinking that hard. it feels like striking concrete with a spade, like it's a one-sided conversation rather than something both the writer and the reader are participating in. I think some fans are perfectly fine with that and good for them - who cares if the author built the work to sustain your analysis if you're just having fun doing it - but for me it's a complete killjoy, I end up v frustrated and like the work isn't worth my time

so here's GRRM who is so fixated on the finer details that he's churned out a history book like 700 pages long and a bunch of short stories and also another history book just to add a bit more texture to the main story. and I don't have to worry about network input or co-writers or actors' intentions or whatever other external conflict or influence cos for better or worse it's all his story. and that just suits me better lol, it's one guy and his shitty computer, and me reading the shit he wrote with it. pure and simple living in the moment no phones in sight

also jaime and brienne are everything to me xo

[prettyshon10]

Good for everyone finding enjoyment in the new alive action show.

Personally, as it stands right now, I have no drive the finish the season. It’s not bad; I can say that much. There’s quite a bit that I like about it.

However, I really wish this show (and many other media pieces nowadays) would trust its audience and pace itself with an actual story and character development. Apparently the writing feels like it has to constantly tells us things instead of showing us. Not to mention the story is pushing ahead to aspects and events without any proper build up. Why did we have to see a vision of the fire nation invading the water tribe in the second episode? Can we get there first?

It feels like when your English teacher assigns a project and emphasizes that instead of just regurgitating information to prove that you know the unit just taught, you need to integrate that information into the work. Telling me things about the lore doesn’t impress me; show me you understand the core of the show by the expression of the story.

It’s the same with the characters. I wouldn’t necessarily say that they’re flat, but they don’t evoke too much emotion from me, and it’s because the writing is allergic to depth.

Which brings me to my next issue: the changes.

Look, I’m not the kind of fan who whines and complains about an adaptation changing things from the original source. I completely understand why that is, and there are quite a few instances where I love it (Shadowhunters and Percy Jackson tv series, for example). But in those instances, the changes were able to bring something to the table. They did well by the characters and the overall story. The changes I’ve seen so far with this show do nothing but make me ask “Why?” Why remove Aang running away from home, which serves as his guilt and shame? Why rework his skills and talents in airbending to be something he’s afraid of? Why make the driving force to get to the North Pole to prevent more bloodshed from an incoming attack when there was already a driving force to get there (learning water bending)? Why Kiyoshi in place of Roku? How does any of these changes add something to the characters? How does any of these changes elevate the story being told? Because I don’t feel like I gained anything new as a viewer.

Take away the fact that this is an adaptation. As its own show, I just don’t feel like it’s done a good enough job validating its existence and inciting me to want to watch more of it. Even for wanting to “appeal to Game of Thrones fans”, it misses the mark. Game of Thrones (up until the last couple of seasons) had incredible build up and depth of the story and characters at play. There was trust in the audience and in the journey. That’s why fans were so pissed with how it ended.

Also, I understand that this adaptation is “geared towards adults, not kids”. While I would argue that the original animation lands great with adults even 19 years after its debut, I’ll just say that the new show left this particular adult viewer underwhelmed.

Again, I’m glad there are people finding enjoyment in it. This is just my personal opinion. I don’t hate it—it’s MILES better than the film—but I don’t find it engaging.

I’m good off this. Y’all have fun, though.

[anim8oryash]

IGNA - Animated short by Kelly Wang

Igna is an animated short created by an extremely talented visual development artist and character animator, Kelly Wang who studied in the California Institute of Arts (CALARTS). The Short-film is a story of two sisters drifting apart by their fate and then meeting each other in a faceoff. Its a graduation film project in the discipline of character animation with the focus of showcasing the art style, look & feel, the ability to animate a dynamic action sequence as well as character appeal.

This video uses an art style which has the traditional 2D touch. It is created in a software such as TVpaint or ToonBoom with lots of strong poses and key frames. I believe this style makes use of drawing new poses more than using rigs (especially in the character's movements) as a result the output seems much more attractive when the characters move even without a lot of in-between drawings.

What I really love about the film is its art style <3. Its truly mesmerizing. From the Characters to the background, everything is made with perfection, no drawing or frame ever feels out of place!

The style used to design the characters are ideal to look at as well as draw and maintain. Its simple yet extremely malleable ie, they look adorable when the story wants it to and fierce when the fight sequence demands.

The outline on characters further add to the appeal and fluidity of the motion making the Key frames pop out the important actions with more clarity. The use of colors is also something i admire here with the highlights/bounce lights not taking too much effort into making the frames but still adding just the right value to the frames to enhance them and make them more believable. The piece is also successful in telling a few years of the character's story in a fast pace.

Although, the story overall is not as clear as it can be. There's a lot of missing pieces which we cant connect to by watching just the 3 mins. For instance, what is exactly Igna's powers? is it just magical projectiles or does it take the life energy of a creature, similar to her older sister's powers? or What is the real reason why things got so bad that they have to faceoff in a battle that might harm each other? The story seems ordinary without the elegantly drawn animation, beautiful characters and the serene backgrounds.

As a growing animation student, It is very inspiring and fascinating to come across work of such talented artists and i consider this as a benchmark for the quality of visuals that i have to achieve. Watching visually alluring drawings come to life is what inspired me, motivated me to start my own journey as an animator.

[noveldragon]

Artists and Cover Art

It is said first impressions are important. With the potential first impression for a book being the front cover it is important to have an eye catching cover.

To get a good cover, you need a good artist. I will never us AI art (I may have a post talking about AI later), and thus will need to find and communicate with a person. You would think that communicating would be easy for a writer, but as I have had to tell people when they want something on the spot, writers need to time and revisions to make something good. I'm not a comedian who works a crowd.

Communication is key to having a good cover. But it will depend on what type of cover you are going for too. There are minimal covers that have the title, author's name, and maybe some symbol or design to represent the book. I feel these work as a second edition or later. Someone would probably need to have some idea about the book to really want to look more into it. This may not be true for all books, and may only be my opinion. But once I know a story/book, the minimalist covers are more appealing to me (unless really good art).

I have seen some great minimalist covers, but what really draws me to new books is great cover art. You then need a good blurb and story to really sell the whole package, but we're talking about Cover Art right now. So, with that in mind, I personally set out to have great cover art that draws in the reader. From my second book on, I have actually had wrap around art for the book. Something that I think adds to the overall quality of the book. My first book would have had it but it was my first book and I didn't even think about the back cover until it was time to put everything together.

Let's go through some steps here for getting cover art. First thing you need to do is find an artist. There are numerous websites where you can find artists. From Fiverr to Deviantart to Reddit to Artstation and many, many more. Now, how exactly you find an artist is up to you and what effort you want to put into it, also, how much money you have to hire an artist.

Once you have found several artists, you then send out inquiries to see if they are accepting commissions. Many of the websites will have some ability to see if someone is actually accepting inquiries or work, I don't recommend just emailing blindly. Though, you won't know if someone will agree or not unless you actually ask.

After some time and initial interaction with an artist you will then move on to the 'what do I want on the cover' phase. This can be really hard, or really simple. But, how are you going to let your artist know what you want? Generally, they will not read your story, so you will have to write out exactly what you want. This includes some description of your characters and area they will be in. But also, you may need to draw something out.

Have no fear for those that have no drawing skills, it is not important for you to draw any details about your cover just the overall idea of what you want. I have drawn out a few stick person sketches of where I wanted people to be. As long as the artist can understand what you want, it is fine. As for the details, sending references pictures is great. Multiple references are better.

Once you have an artist, unfortunately, it doesn't always mean they will be able to do a second piece for you later. Of my current 4 published books, only books 1 and 2 are the same artist. The unfortunate truth for artists is they may not be able to make a living off of their art, same for writer's actually. This meant for my third book I needed to find a new artist as the previous had moved on from commissioned artist to a being employeed with a full time job that left no time for him to take on work anymore.

For other various reasons, I have had to find an artist for books 1 and 2, a new one for 3, a new one for 4, and for my upcoming book I need a new one as well. Such is life, and the process continues.

My next few posts will be about the covers of my books. How I came up with them. What I really wanted. What I learned from the cover.

[uwudonoodle]

This month for my book / movie club, we read The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton, and I have some thoughts. It was my first Crichton book, so I was looking forward to it (they did Jurassic Park before I joined). I didn't hate it, but I was underwhelmed. It was all plot and no character. The plot itself, the mystery of the virus was fairly interesting, but I think it was bogged down with too much scientific jargon. It's clear that the author did a lot of research, and the science itself is pretty accurate, which is admirable, but not all research serves a narrative. Not all sci-fi needs to be accurate to tell a good story.

It's not that I hated what the book was, but I think it could've been more. The characters were basically props to give exposition. They were all generic white male scientists with only a couple of unique traits to distinguish them. The most prominent female character in the book was the voice recording in the lab, whom the male characters liked because she sounded sultry.

There was essentially no character development. They could have had the scientists butt heads about procedure or hypothesis, and come to a better understanding and even become good friends by the end, but they didn't. They worked amicably most of the time and didn't develop anything more than the professional working relationship they started with. They're was a baby who was a survivor that was basically treated as any other piece of evidence. I kept waiting for someone's humanity to come out around the baby, but he was just treated as an object (they kept refusing to feed him because maybe having an empty stomach was why he survived, talk about neglect). It would have been interesting to have one of the scientists develop an attachment to the baby, and possibly seek to adopt him by the end, but no such luck. He was just another piece of the puzzle to serve the mystery. For a story about saving humanity, there was very little humanity to be had.

One other nitpick: It drove me nuts how often the scientists were trying to look at things critically and unbiased, and then they'd refer to humanity as "man" or "mankind". I get it, this was written in the 60's, and that's how people talked back then. But you're literally referring to your entire species by your own gender, my dude. I could let it roll off my shoulder a few times, but I lost count after about 40 times. It ended up rolling my eyes a lot at that specifically.

I thought I would enjoy the movie better, as I thought the actors would have to add more personality to the characters. We watched the film from 1971. Unfortunately for me, they followed the book very closely. I'll give them a point for a faithful adaption since so many movies fail at that, but I think a looser adaption would have made for a better film.

The improvements they did make was to add more female characters. They made one of the scientists a woman, and not a 25 year old super model either. She was a very average looking 40 something woman, which was very refreshing. They also added a female nurse to help take care of the baby (it was a relief to me to have someone to comfort the baby and advocate for his care). I also really liked the set design of the lab. Vintage 70's futurism is always a good vibe.

Unfortunately the script followed the book a little too religiously. The dialogue droned on with scientific jargon that was difficult to follow, and sometimes had me zoning out. They also had some disturbing scenes of putting lab rats and monkeys to sleep that probably wouldn't be allowed today. Besides the nice set design, it was visually very sterile. It felt claustrophobic and bland under all the florescent lights. Film is a visual art form. The very least you can do is make it appealing to look at.

The worst part was the music and sound effects. It had the most grating minor 70's "the aliens are coming" electronic score, which I guess served the plot, but was overall very unpleasant. The music coupled with all of the obnoxious sounds and alarms in the lab made for a true assault on the senses in some scenes. Even my partner in the other room came and asked what all that terrible noise was all about. I was relieved when the credits finally rolled if only to experience silence again.

I guess I get why it's a classic, since they did build some tension with the mystery, and the climax was exciting. For people who crave scientific accuracy, this is an excellent recommendation (my sister mentioned that this was required reading for the AP Biology class at my high school). As someone who wants emotional satisfaction and human connection in my stories, I'm probably not the target audience. It was an interesting experience, but I'm happy to move onto the next book.

[milekael]

Some OC yapping and opinions about AUs about to go down

The other day I found my 3DS and one of the games I had is this RPG called Fantasy Life which I played the hell out of when I was a kid and I been thinking about replaying it.

So anyway I am doing that and for RPGs I like to make/adapt OCs into them than just make myself. SO late in Street Cats another main character is introduced called Trigal who I am obsessed with yet can share so little about sobs. But anyway because I like him and I don't like to separate Laurel and Olive from each other, I decided to make him in the game!!

And man looking at my usually furry characters as humans makes me go teehee is fun :3 So between that and the game really making me visualiza his storyline as a Paladin who then finds a new path I decided to draw my boy in some fantasy/medieval AU

(For reference I also added his usual design lol)

And made me think about like... I do like to have some sort of human AU with these characters is just that everything I can think of is kind of boring LOL

LIKE OKEY SO THIS IS THE THING ABOUT STREET CATS RIGHT?? They are basically humans, their anatomy is overall very human and their cat behaviors are mostly for gags. They are for all intents and purposes humans that just look like that because is both more visually interesting to the reader (Furry cats Vs the 10000th Detective series with normal humans) and is more fun for me to draw and design for lol Cats are cool!!!

Also, important to note, their setting is basically LATAM in the 80's so is not even a fantasy world lmao

Which made me realize huuh most human AUs are interesting because it puts the characters in real situations and most commonly in the modern day!!

But then in a case like this is kinda... idunno, senseless. I didn't set up Street Cats in the modern day because I thought that would be kinda boring! I like the conflict that comes out of them not having access to mobile phones let alone the internet. So if I try to think of a modern AU is not like their roles change significantly enough to be fun and instead it just adds the "This is the reason why the story isn't here lol". Same with medieval AU, if they are practically humans anyway then there is no reason why to make them furries be here or in medieval Europe lol

And is fun to think about because when I think "Well, DnD AU" then I realize that what makes it interesting is making characters anything else BUT humans!! Or if you have a human, is in contrast to the rest being non-humans.

And to further proof, I realize the one Human!AU of my characters I really really like is the one that makes The Most Changes Possible which is passing Venture to be a human agsgsg

I am very attached to human Venture agsgshd in part because thinking of her in the modern day is fun no matter what!! Do they have super powers here too or not?? What form does the Guild take??

And anyway all of this is to say that my take on AUs is that I only really find them appealing if there is some big change but it manages to keep the essence of the characters... SO TALKING ABOUT ROYAI-

Basically thats why while I thought about Royai in One Piece, it actually doesn't appeal to me agsgsv. Like if its them doing the same as in FMA canon but with the World Government thats...... thats just SWORD lol which is a canon group in One Piece, and to write something like that I might as well just do it about Koby and Tashigi lol.

Then there is the option of making Royai pirates.... but then I lose the actual bits that make me like Royai anyways so eeeehhh whatever, is not that interesting to me anymore agsgsgshdh

Thats also why putting my OCs in FMA is also not very fun for me because at that point I might as well just write about Royai lol

I like the Beastars!AU because even if I keep Amestris and Alchemy as it is in FMA, adding the social complexities of that world of animal people to the wiwis makes them extremely interesting to me because it creates a new way to communicate stuff and Situations (tm) to put them through...

And I believe at the end of the day the point is those Situations (tm). Is there new situations where you can put them that will make them react in new, interesting ways while not changing their fundamental character??? Then if the answer is yes sign me up agdhshhs

Anyway please no one take this too seriously this is one guy's opinion over why I feel sad I can't motivate myself to draw my furries as humans from time to time lol

[todayimgonnaplay]

Today I'm Gonna Play: Love and Deepspace

I came across this video a couple months ago of a really high poly guy and thought it was CGI made by someone talented. Turns out it was an upcoming otome game for mobile?! I replaced my phone recently so this was a good time to look forward to trying something with high-end graphics for this platform.

My experience with Otome games isn't much. I've played those dating sims that a few friends were very into back in school on DeviantArt, notably by Zeiva and Pacthesis. This was my entry to the Visual Novel (VN) genre, but I didn't understand the appeal of of liking 2D guys. Fast forward and I've also played a couple otome VNs on mobile and dabbled slightly on PC and even though I find a few interesting love interests based on appearance and personality, I STILL didn't get the appeal, until I finally played Mystic Messenger two years ago and got my heart shattered and was rejected by my love interest lol. This idea of having a social messaging format with calls for a mobile game is one of the most creative things I've seen for both the VN genre as a whole as well as the mobile platform. I don't know if any other VNs have done something like this before.

What Love and Deepspace does, is basically take that same format and iterate upon it with its worldbuilding. But it doesn't stop there. The real selling points of this game is that it uses very high quality 3D models akin to Final Fantasy CGs and also have real-time action combat. This seemed like a combo I never thought would exist, but I'm sure as hell glad to see it. Apart from chatting and calls using your own created avatar, it includes other features such as micro blogs which are Twitter-esque, so you can like and comment on the other characters' posts, and sometimes make your own. There are interaction features with the love interest, by being able to touch him, ask him things, and even things like listening to heartbeats or blowing on him using your mic?? It's another level of immersiveness! Minigames also exist which add to the story, such as claw machines (which are actually not to rigged compared to real life), playing cards, taking photos, and mini stories or audio that you can obtain from gacha.

The gacha aspect is not related to obtaining your love interest like in other gachas, but rather it's unlocking additional content about them, such as the mini stories. These stories tend to look like casual hangouts or even romantic dates. I'm not sure if there are any intimate scenes or not so far.

The story is not bad, I'm intruiged by the lore and the overall world as I like futuristic settings. There's a lot of info dump in documents and such that you typically see in gachas or RPGs, but this is one of the few times where I actually read through them. And surprisingly, the protagonist (you) is actually a lot more competent than expected!

The only issue I have is that the way the story is presented makes the characters look like they don't know each other yet and are distant, which is fine. But the romance parts you unlock through gacha or other features of the game seem more affectionate so it feels quite disjointed. It makes me feel confused on how I can piece these moments together.

Another nitpick although minor is that the daily stamina that you can obtain through login times don't seem to sync up in local time, so I'm assuming it's based on China's time zone instead. I've mostly been on this game during the evenings which make me miss both of them. It's a bit of a weird decision for international players.

I've also seen comments online about the lack of a male character or other gender options. I also agree that this would be nice to have. But I also acknowledge that this game is primarily aimed towards women (therefore an otome game), and since it's a Chinese game, I'm not sure if they would allow any type of BL in it. This could cause a bit of disinterest for international players. The only option I can see is to provide a larger variety of options for the current female avatar (which is also a complaint even amongst women playing the game), which could also have the avatar look a little more masculine presenting, etc. This could be a slight workaround towards any censorship laws while also allowing for more diversity. Plus technically speaking, the advantage of shorter hair or buzz cuts etc. would also mean less complex hair rigging (like with long hair) so it may be easier to animate and handle.

Overall, this game has huge potential that could transform romance/otome games for mobile like Mystic Messenger if all goes well. This will be another mobile game I'll keep playing!

[ayannaregalado]

5. Museum Visit

Miss Lucy’s Dollhouse, 1993 Private Collection

Materials: Wood

This is the 3D piece that I liked. I am a big fan of appealing architecture, and I have fond memories of playing with dollhouses when I was younger. I have always wanted an antique dollhouse too, so this one immediately caught my eye. You can see that every room is decorated with intention, and reading the information on it, apparently Miss Lucy got help from someone when building the house for her daughters, and he made several suggestions pertaining to the room decorations. It looks like the dollhouse is segmented into 3 separate buildings. It looks like these buildings could be from a big city such as New York and look sort of dated. The center house looks the most modern of them all, and it looks sort of like an artists studio or something. Overall, I think it is a kind of strange dollhouse to make for your children, but I really like how it looks.

Rosemarie Chiarlone, 1951, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Materials: Just Fly Glass, etched text, industrial metal hinges, wire.

This is the piece I didn't like. I find it boring since it is made of plain glass with white text on it. The form of it isn't even something that draws my attention as it appears as just a simple box. It doesn't really make me think of what the meaning could be since it is so simple. Even after reading info on it I don't really get it. This piece is supposed to represent an artist's book and the glass flaps are supposed to be like pages from a book. I think the part that I found interesting about the piece was how Chiarlone collaborated with a poet to make it. It adds more to the meaning, despite me not truly understanding it. On the glass, it reads: He knew my name, but never used it. From sweet thing, chicky, love to old biddy, worn out hag, I almost lost my soul. My sisters saved me, calling from the dark place, singing to the bright high spirit of mine Fly Just fly.

I like the poem despite me not finding much interest in the visuals of the artwork.

[retphienix]

Meh I cheated because I had a save state in the same room to retry infinitely and the thought of doing so became more and more appealing as I initially started redoing my team.

My team, by all accounts, could not do it. But. A single breeding session should have easily brought my team up about 150~ HP and then I'd have so much leeway it'd be a joke to win, so I thought "Do I really care enough about a game I think is "fine" to add like 5 hours of grinding in fast forward just to level to that point? Or should I spend like 10 minutes save stating until I win?" and here we are.

Smite me down and all that jazz, I simply don't mind lol

I came to this game with a specific interest and I fulfilled that interest, being a save state abuser during the Big Bad instead of grinding against metal slimes for a few hours just makes sense to me. I got what I came here for already :P

Anywho~

As it turns out his moveset is not half bad, and definitely screams "stat check" over most anything else.

He normal attacks Most of the time, for hefty damage that gets doubled the second he decides to cast twin hits.

Getting my increases off made it so he could no longer one shot me with a twin hits melee, so it became a speed check "Can I cast heal all before he double attacks someone" which wasn't "too" bad but speed is only a implication for this boss- he kinda just picks whatever time he wants to attack, sometimes he's first, sometimes he's last, so I couldn't really rely on this speed heal strat without save stating, which I already admitted I did.

Anyways- Normal attacks a lot, uses twin hits "randomly" (he can take multiple turns before using it and AFTER using it he will sometimes waste a turn re-casting when that does nothing).

He also casts venom gas randomly which is, for my team, vital I cure or he'll drop me to 1 shot range and take advantage of it, thankfully my team very rarely caught venom and never had more than 1 monster catch it at a time (no save state abuse involved there, just luck).

He ALSO casts Beat which is such a joke lol

He's just as inaccurate with it as you'd expect and never once landed it, so Beat rounds were freebies for me.

Overall his magic lineup didn't matter (he also cast Thordain once I think), it was JUST twin hits melees that were scary, so I pretty much just saved each round and if he decided to ignore speed and attack at the start of the round on the same mon he attacked last round, retry.

In truth it wasn't OBSCENE abuse, but buddy, when I say I save state abused, I mean it still lol because his moves were 100% random but he probably decided to double tap my team something like 30 times before I finally drained his immense 30k (I think it was) health pool.

Anywho! I wanna see dragonlord after these credits, then I'm good on this game~ I already said my piece at length during the first credits scene so I really only have passing thoughts on the orb quest to add once we get there.

[fancyfenceca]

"Revitalize Your Property with Professional Fence Repair Services in Mississauga"

1. Introduction: The importance of maintaining and repairing fences in Mississauga

Keeping your property's fence in good condition is essential for both practical and aesthetic reasons. In Mississauga, where weather conditions can be harsh and unpredictable, it is even more crucial to ensure that your fences are well-maintained and promptly repaired when necessary. This article explores the significance of maintaining and repairing fences in Mississauga, highlighting common fence problems, the benefits of hiring professional fence repair services, tips for choosing the right service provider, the repair process, and the long-term advantages of revitalizing your property's fences. By understanding the importance of fence maintenance and repair, you can enhance the overall appeal, security, and privacy of your property.

1. Introduction: The importance of maintaining and repairing fences in Mississauga

Why fence maintenance and repair is crucial

Hey there, Mississauga homeowners! Let's talk about something that may not be the most glamorous topic, but is oh-so-important: fence maintenance and repair. You might be thinking, "Why should I bother with my fence? It's just there to keep the dog in and the neighbors out." Well, my friend, I'm here to tell you that a well-maintained fence can do so much more than that!

A fence is not just a boundary marker; it's an extension of your property's aesthetics and security. It adds value to your home and enhances its curb appeal. But, like everything else in life, fences can suffer wear and tear over time. From pesky pests nibbling away at the wood, to Mother Nature throwing her tantrums, your fence can take a beating.

That's where fence maintenance and repair come in. By properly maintaining your fence and promptly addressing any issues, you can prolong its lifespan, maintain its structural integrity, and keep your property looking fresh and inviting. So, let's dive into this fence repair adventure and revitalize your piece of Mississauga paradise!

2. Understanding common fence problems in Mississauga

Identifying fence damage and deterioration

The impact of weather and environmental factors

Picture this: You're strolling in your backyard, enjoying a cup of coffee and admiring your beautiful fence, when suddenly, you spot a cracked post or a leaning panel. Cue the collective sigh of frustration! Fence problems are not uncommon in Mississauga, and knowing how to identify them is the first step towards fixing them.

Damage and deterioration can manifest in various ways, such as loose boards, rusted hinges, or broken pickets. These issues not only compromise the structural integrity of your fence but also make your property vulnerable to intruders. We can't have that, can we?

But wait, it gets worse. Mississauga's unpredictable weather and environmental factors can wreak havoc on your fence. From scorching summer heat to bone-chilling winters, our fences endure it all. Throw in some moisture, wind, and even a dash of snow, and you've got a recipe for fence disaster.

Understanding the common problems your fence may face and how weather and environmental factors play a role can help you stay a step ahead and tackle these issues head-on. Okay, time to put on our detective hats!

3. Benefits of hiring professional fence repair services in Mississauga

Quality workmanship and expertise

Time and cost savings

Access to specialized tools and materials

Now, I know what you're thinking: "Do I really need to hire a professional for my fence repairs? Can't I just grab my trusty toolbox and DIY this?" Well, my friend, while I admire your can-do spirit, let me tell you why it's often best to leave it to the pros.

Professional fence repair services in Mississauga offer a multitude of benefits that can make your life a whole lot easier. First and foremost, they bring experience and expertise to the table. These professionals have seen it all and know how to tackle even the trickiest fence problems. Plus, they'll ensure that the repairs are done properly, saving you from future headaches and expenses.

Speaking of headaches, let's talk about time and cost savings. DIY fence repairs can be time-consuming and, let's face it, frustrating. By hiring professionals, you can free up your precious time to do things you actually enjoy. Plus, they often have access to wholesale prices on materials, which can save you a pretty penny.

Last but not least, professional fence repair services come armed with specialized tools and materials. They have the right equipment to do the job efficiently and effectively. So, leave the heavy lifting (and the power tools) to the experts, sit back, and watch as your fence transforms from an eyesore to a thing of beauty.

4. Choosing the right professional fence repair service provider

Researching and vetting potential companies

Checking for licenses and insurance

Reading customer reviews and testimonials

So, you've decided to tap into the magic of professional fence repair services. But how do you choose the right provider in Mississauga? Fear not, for I have some tips to make your selection process a breeze.

First and foremost, do your homework. Research and vet potential companies to ensure they have a solid track record of excellence. Don't be fooled by flashy websites or too-good-to-be-true promises. Dig deeper and make sure they have the experience and expertise to back it up.

Next, check for licenses and insurance. A reputable fence repair service provider in Mississauga should be properly licensed and insured. This ensures that they adhere to industry standards and gives you peace of mind in case anything goes awry during the repair process.

Last but certainly not least, read customer reviews and testimonials. Who better to vouch for a company's quality of work than their previous customers? Take a few minutes to peruse online reviews and see what others have to say. Their experiences can provide valuable insights and help you make an informed decision.

Now that you're armed with these tips, go forth and find the perfect professional fence repair service provider in Mississauga. Your fence will thank you, and so will your neighbors (except maybe that one grumpy guy next door).

5. The process of professional fence repair in Mississauga

Initial assessment and consultation

Before diving into repairing your fence, a professional repair service in Mississauga will begin with an initial assessment. This involves a thorough examination of your fence to identify the extent of the damage and any underlying issues. They will also consult with you to understand your needs and preferences.

Fence repair techniques and methods

Professional fence repair services in Mississauga utilize various techniques and methods to fix your fence. They have the expertise to repair different types of damage, whether it's fixing broken boards, replacing damaged panels, or repairing sagging or leaning fences. They will choose the most appropriate techniques to ensure a sturdy and reliable repair.

Reinforcement and structural improvements

In addition to fixing the immediate damage, professional fence repair services in Mississauga take the opportunity to reinforce the overall structure of your fence. They may reinforce weak or wobbly posts, add braces for extra support, or even suggest replacing certain components to improve the fence's durability.

6. Enhancing the aesthetic appeal of your property through fence repairs

Choosing the right fence materials and design

When repairing your fence, professionals in Mississauga can help you choose the right materials and design elements that complement your property and enhance its visual appeal. They will consider factors such as the overall style of your property, your personal taste, and the functionality of the fence to recommend the best options.

Painting, staining, and other finishing options

Professional fence repair services in Mississauga also offer finishing options to give your fence a fresh and polished look. From painting or staining to sealants and weatherproofing treatments, they can provide a range of options to revitalize your fence and make it look as good as new.

7. Increasing the security and privacy of your property with fence repairs

Repairing broken or weak sections

A damaged fence can compromise the security and privacy of your property. Professional repair services in Mississauga will address any broken or weak sections to ensure that your fence provides the necessary security and privacy for you and your family.

Installing additional security features

In addition to repairing the fence, professionals in Mississauga can also suggest and install additional security features to further enhance the safety of your property. This may include adding locks, gates, or even security cameras, depending on your specific needs.

8. Maintaining your repaired fence for long-lasting results

Regular cleaning and maintenance practices

To ensure the longevity of your repaired fence, it's important to follow regular cleaning and maintenance practices. This may include removing debris, washing the fence, and checking for any signs of damage or wear. Professional repair services can offer guidance on the best practices and products to use for maintenance.

Tips for preventing future damage

To prevent future damage and the need for frequent repairs, professional fence repair services can provide valuable tips. This may include recommendations on how to protect your fence from weather elements, advice on avoiding common mistakes that lead to damage, or even suggestions for regular inspections to catch any issues early on.

So, whether you're looking to revamp the appearance of your property, increase security and privacy, or simply maintain the longevity of your fence, professional repair services in Mississauga have the expertise to meet your needs. Don't let a damaged fence bring down the overall appeal of your property - reach out to a professional today and get your fence back in top-notch shape!

In conclusion, investing in professional fence repair services in Mississauga can significantly revitalize your property. By addressing common fence problems, hiring experts, and following proper maintenance practices, you can ensure the longevity and functionality of your fences. Moreover, by enhancing the aesthetic appeal, increasing security, and maintaining privacy, you can enjoy a more visually appealing and secure property. Don't neglect the importance of maintaining and repairing your fences – take action today to protect and enhance the value of your property in Mississauga.

FAQ

1. How often should I repair my fence?

The frequency of fence repairs depends on various factors such as the type of material, weather conditions, and the overall condition of your fence. Generally, it is recommended to inspect your fence annually and address any visible damage or deterioration as soon as possible to prevent further issues.

2. Can I repair my fence myself, or should I hire a professional?

While minor fence repairs can be tackled as DIY projects, it is advisable to hire a professional for more extensive or complex repairs. Professional fence repair services have the expertise, tools, and materials needed to ensure a high-quality and long-lasting repair. They can also assess the overall condition of your fence and provide expert advice on maintenance and improvements.

3. How do I choose the right professional fence repair service in Mississauga?

When selecting a professional fence repair service, consider factors such as their experience, reputation, licensing, insurance, and customer reviews. It is also beneficial to obtain multiple quotes and ask for references before making a decision. By conducting thorough research and selecting a reputable and reliable service provider, you can ensure a successful fence repair project.

4. What are some signs that indicate my fence needs repair?

Common signs that your fence requires repair include leaning or sagging sections, loose or missing boards, rust or decay, broken or damaged posts, and gaps or holes. Additionally, if you notice any significant changes in the appearance, stability, or functionality of your fence, it is advisable to have it inspected by a professional to determine the extent of the repairs needed.

[animehouse-moe]

Ice Guy and His Cool Female Colleague Episode 6: Bait & Switch

So, that was an episode. I loved it, but at the same time I just want to rant about how it ended. So we'll start there.

Cmon man, why are we still faking people out with confessions in this day and age, and with a mature romance at that? It's not needed, it's not good, it's not even funny because they don't capitalize on it in any way.

It's just straight painful. They didn't use it to set up an actual confession afterwards, and even worse is the fact that they then followed this scene up with a fireworks show and a sleepy train ride home. Two perfect opportunities to go for broke and have Himuro confess, but neither happened. It's got me super annoyed because it's such a cheap trope to inject drama into a moment. They easily could have left out Himuro trying to confess to Fuyutsuki, and it would have been perfectly fine.

Alright, rant over. Now then, the good stuff from the episode. These recent episodes have been really nice in terms of expanding upon all the characters. They start to grow and relax around each other to show a more personal side overall. You see it with stuff like Saejima and his sort cluelessness in personal situations versus how oddly aware he can be in regards to others. Or with Komori and how she hides her more subtle and sensitive emotions behind enthusiastic outbursts. And then there's of course Himuro and Fuyutsuki. Himuro continues to come out of his shell and be brave and take charge, rather than following around. My favorite bit from that change is how forthcoming he is in being jealous, great to see both ends of his spectrum and what they end up as.

And then there's Fuyutsuki, who's working on being more open with her emotions, and willing to interact outside of her comfort zone. Seeing her become shy and awkward at time sis incredibly cute, and adds a totally different angle to her appeal as a character. (I just wish we could see some different visual effects for Fuyutsuki, the same stuff all the time is getting a little boring)

Really, the episode was quite a bit of fun, but that confession bait really bothers me. It's such a simple thing to not do, there's nothing special to it but it still ends up a part of it. Alongside that, I definitely am starting to find the direction getting rather lazy. Plenty of repeated set pieces and visuals and so on and so forth, it ends up taking away from the overall feel of it. I'd say it ends up making it a little flat, sure, but the show itself is still more than enough to be enjoyable. The romance is fun and fresh, the characters warm and able to act mature without making it dry, and the progression of it all has a very nice flow (characters aren't constantly nervous around each other now). So all I'd really say is to temper expectations in terms of visuals, it's pretty, but it's not something that will blow you away or impress you with each episode.

[insaneshane]

Firstly! In light of the new show, I'll rate and review Game of Thrones / House of Dragons weapons and armour!

(Disclaimer, I am not educated on armour and weaponry in any professional sense, this is simply my opinion given the studies I've done on my own)

My ratings will be realism (how practical they are in the real world), appeal (how much I like them / how likely I would be to use them), and overall.

Daemon's armour, HoD S1:E1

I do not like it. The armour itself, okay, maybe. (I'm assuming every sword and armour piece is of high quality regardless of its appearance.) The pauldrons sit a bit high for my taste, and honestly come down a bit low for mobility sake. I'd like to see him tough the top of his head.

Speaking of his head, that helmet is...a choice to be sure. No only is he wearing an open faced helmet *in a jousting tourney*, the wings would add so much unnecessary weight. I just know his neck is sore after this. Not to mention it's simply ugly (imo). Also, wings *and* a plume? C'mon man, there's a such thing as too much.

Realism: 3/10

Appeal: 4/10

Overall: 3/10

Daemon's sword, "Dark Sister"

(Sorry it's so blurry)

As far as swords go, it's not bad. The wings on the cross guard (I guess he likes wings [I'm kidding I know he's literally from the house of dragons]) don't really take away from the functionality of the sword, so I'll let those slide. Other than that, the blade is surprisingly simple for what we've seen of the character.

Realism: 8/10

Appeal: 6.5/10

Overall: 7/10

Viserys I's Sword, "Blackfyre"

Honestly, the blade I have no quarrels with. It's a solid design, holds up in reality, it's been used irl before, so it's hard to go wrong here. The hilt is where I start running into problems.

The pommel is a bit large imo, I'd prefer a smaller one, but that's personal opinion. Objectively, I'd say it's fine. My real concern is the half circle piece where the tang meets the cross guard. I'm assuming it's a decorative piece to resemble wings, but the spines on the end of the it would cause a problem for me. I think it should either be removed, or smoothed out.

And my last problem is with the ends of the wrist guard. I don't mind that they turn point ninety degrees, I don't like the design. It looks like a snake head with its mouth open, and it looks as though it could catch in something. However, none of the things would greatly affect the overall functionality of the sword.

Realism: 7.5/10

Appeal: 4/10

Overall: 7/10

Okay onto Game of Thrones

Kingsguard Armour

Obviously it looks nice, but it's waaaay too flashy. For me, that is. The thing is, it makes sense. For a whole army? No, they'd never put this much effort into that much armour. But for a handful of people that the royal court will see often, yeah, they'd want them to look nice.

Here's a *real* set of armour from the 1500's

(Probably) King Henry VIII of England's

And another, King Henry II's, also 1500's

Honestly, one could argue that the Kingsguard Armour is *less* flashy than these, so I can forgive the flair on it. The only concern I have is the scales. The tips would definitely burr, and the catch on any bit of cloth that flew by, (including a lord or lady passing by). However, since the kingsguard don't really go to war unless the king does, their armour likely won't see much damage, so I'll let the scales slide too.

Realism: 7/10 (diminished for the scale mail [thats not to say scale mail isn't/wasn't a thing, will discuss in separate post])

Appeal: 10/10

Overall: 8/10

Lannister Armour

It looks to be heavily inspired by eastern armour, but it looks to be some good armour honestly. At first I was concerned about the pauldrens, but then I found this, which was funnily enough also owned by King Henry II

The helmet is, well, it's simply terrible. Since it opens up so much at the bottoms, there's no way to stop what I call "bobble head syndrome." In actual combat, it would definitely become a hindrance rather than protection. Plus, hinged eye cover? It's creative, but I'm not a fan.

Armour

Realism: 8/10

Appeal: 10/10

Overall: 9/10

Helmet is zeros across the board.

The last armour I'll address from Game of Thrones, Brienne of Tarth's black armour

What can I say? I love it! I'm a simple lad,, I like simple armour. And I see that mail underneath with cloth padding. Amazing armour honestly. Plenty of protection, great mobility, and it still looks nice.

I'm also particularly fond of it because creators need to see that women's armour doesn't need to have boobs.

Realism: 10/10

Appeal: 10/10

Overall: 10/10

Okay on to swords!

Starting with the most popular, "Longclaw"

Ordinarily, I'd disagree with the etching on the blade, but in universe is had an explanation so I'll allow it. Don't get me wrong, if you want to personalize your weapon, go for it, but from a practical stand point, they're not gonna engrave everyone weapon. However, valyrian steel automatically does that, so it gets a pass.

I think it's strange that the handle is so short when the blade is so long? I'd barely put the grip at a hand and a half, and it sits at *thirty-nine inches*. Now, it has three fullers, so the weight wouldn't necessarily be a problem, but I still think the proportions are off.

I like the pommel, it's a tasteful kind of ornamentation, my only thing is I would have the wolf head point with the edge if the blade, not the flat of it. I feel like that would feel awkward.

Realism: 8/10

Appeal: 6.5/10

Overall: 7/10

Sorry I need to make a part two!

[adobe-outdesign]

If you still do pokemon reviews can you do my 4 all time fav pokemon magnezone, chesnaught, decidueye and serperior?

I already did Decidueye and Serperior, but as for the other two:

I like Magnezone better than Magneton on the grounds that Magneton is just three Magnemite stuck together and nothing else, whereas Magnezone is at least trying to do something. Don't even know how much it succeeds design-wise, but at least its trying.

It's also nice because you can still kind of tell it's three Magnemite, but the designs have been radically altered so they look like they're fused together. So it still conveys the same concept as Magneton, but with an original design instead that adds a bit of a UFO theme.

The design itself is good overall, but there are some questionable elements around the head. The antennae on top comes out of nowhere and adds another color for no reason; you could've dropped it and not lost anything. The "cap" that runs across the middle head is the same way; it would've been better just with a single round eye and dot like a regular Magnemite and nothing else. Other than that, however, it's solid.

Side note, I love its BW animation. Someone had way too much fun with it.

Chesnaught got a lot of dislike when it first came out, but honestly, I dig it? It has something things I'd change, but for being a warrior hedgehog chestnut it looks pretty slick. It's one of those Pokemon that does a good job at not being super literal with its concepts.

In terms of things I like, I love the pattern on the shell and the overall look of it, with the two giant spikes and four smaller spikes. The arms have a really neat look, with three claws and some extra spines on the back, and the color palette is really appealing.

However, there are some elements of the design that I feel could've used a bit of refinement. First, something about the body looks off to me; I think the legs and tail are a bit too long and thin for something so back-heavy. Compare it to the similarly-structured Blastoise and you'll see what I mean. The limbs don't have to be that short, but just shorter and stockier than they are here.

Secondly, the chestnut shell feels weird because it has a random green bit on the front cutting over the beard, seemingly for no reason other to make it look connected to the body. I feel like the green piece in front should've been removed, and instead have the shell wrap around the arms more. Same idea, just doesn't interrupt the other design elements as much. Also, shrink the front spikes slightly so they don't overlap the red outline and create tension.

Thirdly, it's got a bit of anime face going on. I would've dropped the random white section on top of the head and made the entire area brown, so the color is carried through more and you don't have so many random elements in there. Then give it a bit longer of a muzzle. Maybe add a row of spikes on the head as well, just to carry over the theme from the shell and arms.

And finally, while I like the colors a lot, it does make it feel very disconnected from Quilladin and Chespin. I'd argue that Quilladin isn't a good transition between the first and final evos in general, but the colors aren't helping. It's even stranger because the shiny is brown and green, and it does indeed match the rest of the line much better like this. I would've made the legs brown as well, or at least tan, but otherwise it feels like this should've been the main palette and the white should've been the shiny.

At the end of the day, though, I do like what it's going for, and it still has a pretty good design. It's just one of those Pokemon that's held back by a bunch of finicky details that keep it from quite nailing the landing as well as it could have.