#soul cultivation wiki

[ajhayhacks]

Soul Cultivation Wiki - (Locations, Trello & Mastery)

Soul Cultivation Wiki – Locations, Trello & Master – You are here to read Soul Cultivation Wiki I have prepared for you. Here I will provide you with some valuable information about various aspects of Soul Cultivation, including Mastery, Locations, Skills, Cultivation,  NPCs, and Enemies. If you are a novice, this wiki will provide you with the knowledge you need in your cultivation journey. Soul…

[nico-is-typing]

"Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation", a guide

Notes:

The chapter summaries were written by the author and translated by the staff at the Mo Dao Zu Shi Wiki. This "guide" serves as a simplified overview.

To make it easier to access the information, this is divided into novel volumes. Aside from the list of chapters, and respective summaries, at the end you can find ALL FLASHBACKS (for people who, like myself, dislike flashbacks and need a previous warning).

Volume 1

Prologue

Wei Wuxian has died!

1. Reincarnation

Wei Wuxian is reincarnated into someone else's body.

2. The Intractable

Part 1: Wei Wuxian makes a scene in front of Gusu Lan disciples. Part 2: Evil spirit comes Part 3: Battle corpses

3. The Prideful

Part 1: I have a little donkey that I never ride Part 2: Wangji's long-awaited arrival Part 3: After washing my face, found out I was actually pretty handsome Part 4: Soul-eating woman Part 5: I am taking this person back to the Lan Clan

4. The Elegant Flirt

Part 1: Overbearing Hanguang-jun's crazy little escaping wife??? Part 2: Inviting death by crawling into his bed Part 3: First meeting as schoolmates Part 4: I hate you Part 5: Inviting death by provoking him Part 6: Teasing this Goody-two-shoes Part 7: Water spirit, loquat, muahh! Part 8: Rabbit, taking a beating, bye-bye!

5. The Sunny Pair

Part 1: Leaving the mountain to elope!!! Part 2: The husband duo leaves the mountain Part 3: Caressing your hand, huzzah! Let's go to a darker place together...╭(′▽`)╭(= =)╯ Part 4: Man-Eating Ridge

6. The Malevolent

Part 1: Rotten luck Part 2: Coming out alive Part 3: Nonchalantly shedding fake identity + princess carry Part 4: Unveiling the secret of the Man-Eating Ridge of Qinghe Part 5: Aaaahhhhh! What else is buried in the walls?!

7. The Morning Dew

Part 1: Come~~ be happy~~ let's drink wine~~ Part 2: "Sir, what's your last name?" "It's... Lan" Part 3: The extermination of the Chang clan, gravedigger, summoning Wen Ning again Part 4: Lan Zhan... is drunk......... Part 5: "You were so wild last night, Hanguang-jun"

Volume 2

8. The Stalk of Grass

Part 1: Foggy ghost city Part 2: Paper effigies Part 3: Paper effigy shop and sticky rice porridge Part 4: Who's outside the door? Bamboo pole clacks Part 5: Who are you, and who are you? Who the f**k are you guys really? Part 6: Secrets start unveiling Part 7: Yi City's story Part 8: Frost Blood Parts 9: Trash Yang incites the wrath of heaven and people Part 10: The husband duo decapitates Trash Yang, Xing-Lan-Qing gets sorted out, Yi City Arc complete

9. The Allure

Part 1: Wangji drunkenly hits Wen Ning, Xiao-Wanjun binds Wei Ying at night Part 2: Special program: "Drunk" by Lan Wangji, "Interrogation" by Wei Wuxian, "Kiss" joint performance Part 3: Take off my headband, you become mine!!!

10. The Beguiling Boy

Part 1: Headless man Part 2: Secret room, head Part 3: The Venerated Triad Part 4: A mutual fan-turned-anti story Part 5: A mutual fan-turned-anti story, complete

Volume 3

11. Supreme Courage

Part 1: Previous life Part 2: The beast at the end of the deep cavern Part 3: Wicked beast and biting Wan-jun, piggyback leads to heart aflutter Part 4: Tease. Flirt. Escape. Bite. Yell. Wail~ Part 5: Kill after finishing teasing, tease after finishing killing.

12. Sandu: The Three Poisons

Part 1: A storm is brewing Part 2: All hell breaks loose. A great slap Part 3: Upheaval at home Part 4: Wen Ning Part 5: Dead end

13. Ill Winds

Part 1: Rise of the evil and charming wickification Part 2: Continuing that rise of evil and charming wickification

14. Soft

Part 1: Inseparably in love Part 2: Sinister melody Part 3: Set out Part 4: Pouncing into a grass pile is a type of romance Part 5: Dig graves and eat melon Part 6: Crusade against

15. Peony for the Soon Departed

Part 1: Everyone, I like flashbacks Part 2: Shadow Part 3: Tossing flower from the balcony

Volume 4

16. The Unruly

Part 1: Crashing a feast Part 2: Defect

17. Distance

Part 1: Two people taking care of a little one together Part 2: Goodbye my love

18. Night Flight

Part 1: Wei Wuxian, lifelong anti-fan of Jin Zixuan, says "I won't troll Jin Zixuan for a year" Part 2: Wickification maxed Part 3: Die with her, everyone!

19. Core of the Truehearted

Part 1: Flashback ends, back to the present Part 2: Unmask Part 3: The crowd of corpses at Burial Mounds Part 4: Battle against the fierce corpses Part 5: A-Yuan, A-Yuan Part 6: Blinding the children by showing off Part 7: Spilling secret Part 8: Don't you know? Once you have a boyfriend, you must take him to see where you grew up Part 9: Pay respect towards heaven, saving mutual salute between couples for later Part 10: The truth behind the golden core Part 11: Jiang Cheng is shook

20. Day and Night

Part 1: Stealing lotus pods Part 2: One inn, one room Part 3: One is handsome, one is charming, therefore they should do something Part 4: Drunken Ji Part 5: Stealing jujube and chicken Part 6: Love bathing Part 7: Overthink Part 8: Now Wei Wuxian can't leave Lan Wangji

Volume 5

21. Hensheng: To Hate Life

Part 1: Time to beat Yao-meimei Part 2: Discipline whip scars Part 3: Confession Part 4: Rescue failed Part 5: I'm sorry. I broke my word. Part 6: But, those are all things in the past Part 7: It is all you guys' fault Part 8: Boss's dignity Part 9: All gathered in one hall

22. Hidden Edge

Part 1: Everyone fights older Nie together Part 2: Nie Mingjue f**k you #%@&#*&@ Part 3: Seal the coffin Part 4: Everyone has their own path

23. Wangxian: Forgetting Envy

Part 1: Every day is every day Part 2: Sweet Part 3: The ballad of Wangxian was as long as the journey here, now the song has ended but the couple are together at last

Extras

Family Banquet

Part 1: Honeymoon, going back to check up on Hubby's family (○｀3′○） Part 2: Honeymoon, day-to-day accounts Part 3: Daily lives of the lovey-dovey husband duo

The Incense Burner

Part 1: Let's gather around and watch Er-gege's () dream Part 2: Yiling Patriarch Xian vs Young Wangji, KO

Villainous Friends

The daily lives of the evil duo, committing crimes and wiping evidence

Gate Crasher

Part 1: A small night-hunt after Wangxian goes into seclusion Part 2: Catching creatures with Sizhui Part 3: You're a virgin? :P

The Iron Hook

Part 1: Patriarch's night-hunt course Part 2: Second night-hunt notes

Lotus Seeds

Summertime of youth

Yunmeng

A dream among clouds, a dream come true

From Dawn till Dusk

Cuddling and grading papers

Flashbacks

Vol. 1

From "The Elegant Flirt, Part 3" to "The Elegant Flirt, Part 8"

Flashback to the beginning of the Cloud Recesses' Arc. Includes: Wei Wuxian and Lan Wanji's first meeting at around fifteen years old.

Between "The Morning Dew, Part 2" and "The Morning Dew, Part 3"

Lan Wangji (re)tells the story of Xiao Xingchen and the massacre of the Yueyang Chang Clan.

Vol. 2

From "The Stalk of Grass, Part 6" to "The Stalk of Grass, Part 9"

Past memories, from performing Empathy on A-Qing (ghost) Includes: The expanded story of Xiao Xingchen, A-Qing, Xue Yang, and Song Lan; What is really happening in Yi City.

In "The Allure, Part 3"

Minor flashback to the archery contest, at the Qishan Wen Clan's Discussion Conference. Includes: One of the first forehead-ribbon incidents

From "The Beguiling Boy, Part 3" to "The Beguiling Boy, Part 5"

Past memories, from Nie Mingjue (non-consensual Empathy) Includes: Meng Yao's back story; A look into sworn-brotherhood; What really happened to Nie Mingjue?

Vol. 3

From "Supreme Courage, Part 1" to "III Winds, Part 2"

Flashback to Wei Wuxian's first life. Includes: Nightless City Arc (Wen Clan of Qishan); Burial Mounds, the first appearance; The demise of Wen Chao; Jiang Cheng and Lan Wangji realizing Wei WuxIan has changed.

From "Peony for the Soon Departed, Part 1" to "Peony for the Soon Departed, Part 3"

Flashback to Wei Wuxian's first life. Includes: Archery competition, the full story; A sneaky kiss; Jin Zixun being the worst.

Vol. 4

From "The Unruly, Part 1" to "The Unruly, Part 3"

Flashback to the "The Downfall of Wei Wuxian". Includes: Crashing the Jin banquet; Qiongqi Path (freeing the remnants of Qishan Wen Clan); Turning the Burial Mounds into a home; Cultivation World leaders start scheming; Jiang Cheng wants to fight.

From "Distance, Part 1" to "Distance, Part 2"

Flashback to the "The Downfall of Wei Wuxian" continues. Includes: Lan Wangi visiting the Burial Mounds; Accidentally adopting a child together; "Rich-gege"; Jiang Yanli is a bride now.

From "Night Flight, Part 1" to "Night Flight, Part 3"

Flashback to the "The Downfall of Wei Wuxian" continues. Includes: Wei Wuxian tries to be a good uncle; Ambush at Qiongqi Path; R.I.P Jin Zixuan and good-riddance Jin Zixun; The Wen siblings surrender; Wei Wuxian says goodbye to his remaining sanity (Yanli deserved better); Bloodbath of Nightless City ensues.

There's no actual flashbacks in Vol. 5. Still, some of the Extras take place in the past.

[nixliz]

an introspective of the stagnation of creepypasta from the perspective of a creepypasta author since 2014

for the past couple of years due to the resurgence of creepypastas amongst a very young demographic, the meaning of 'creepypasta' has gotten so watered down it's effectively lost all meaning.

i've been writing creepypasta since 2014, using the genre as a cheesy way to become a better writer. all of my stories from back then are garbage, of course - what matters to me is the fact that i made them and improved as an artist in the process. if not for creepypastas, i wouldn't be nowhere near a good a writer as i am nowadays, and i honestly owe alot of it to how blunt the creepypasta fanbase was at the time. if a story sucked, you'd hear about it - while this was definitely not done in good faith, a side effect of this meant you ended up picking up on overdone cliches, bad writing and bad characterization just by reading these stories you're constantly told are "bad". by reading them with the foresight of KNOWING they aren't good, there's alot of information you can gleam. you pick up on parts of the story you can recognize as bad, and leave having a better knowledge of what Not to do when writing a story.

of course nowadays the creepypasta community's effectively died off and been replaced by children who care more about powerscaling their edgy sonic ocs than actually writing anything.

it'd be easy for me to just say that the creation and resurgence of sonic.exe is precisely what killed creepypasta as a whole, and in a sense it's not wrong, but i personally believe the thing that killed the genre is less about the story everyone idolizes and more about the culture that the story's appeal ended up cultivating.

sonic.exe fans have always existed. even back in 2014, there were tons of kids obsessed with it. i feel like that initial surge of popularity, while frustrating to many due to the poor quality of the original story, the community was ultimately harmless. they were just socially awkward kids being awkward and making their own stories. the part that i find admirable about the exe community back then is the key word, "Stories". if a kid back in the day liked sonic.exe, they'd download gamemaker and make their own game, or they'd go to the creepypasta/SOG wiki and write their own story. were they any good? more often than not, no. but the effort that went into creating media just out of an appreciation for a dumb story you liked is nothing short of admirable. of course there were stinkers - one of the first ever fan stories was a complete, beat-for-beat ripoff of a sonic creepypasta that came BEFORE exe, but regardless, there was alot of genuine effort behind these fanworks. for lack of better word, there was alot of soul - something the current community lacks.

sonic.exe recently got its second wind (in the form of an fnf mod of all things lol) and now everyone and their grandma knows about it. however, my hatred of the current community stems from something i never see brought up. if someone's bitching about sonic.exe it's only ever about the things you can actually hold people accountable for, like the massively rampant amount of abusers/pdfiles lurking around every corner (and yes, this is extremely prevalent in the community and needs to be addressed) but my problem lies in the lack of sincerety every recent piece of fanwork has. people nowadays don't care about making a story - and this is a problem that seems to infect a LOT of horror media, especially indie games - they care more about making a recognizable mascot.

look at any sonic.exe derivitive made after 2022 (most use the term horrorbrew, i don't know why they don't just use the term creepypasta or exe because there's nothing exactly making them stand out). nine times out of 10, you're not going to find any sort of game, or story, or any official media they're actually attached to. more often than not, they're just a *mascot* for a nonexistent story. that's where my problem lies - there's no more passion in writing creepypastas anymore. the part that people only seem to care about anymore is the recognizable mascot, the 'face' of a creepypasta, so they trim everything that isn't the mascot away, and i feel like doing this completely defeats the purpose of making creepypasta. if you don't believe me, every single creepypasta that people still talk about are ones that have a recognizable 'mascot' - squidward's suicide, suicidemouse, sonic.exe, i hate you, godzilla nes - while ones that don't have an overarcing antagonist or image (noend house, SAR woods) are basically forgotten. people don't care about the stories anymore, they only care about the antagonist. they see the scary, bloody-eyed sonic in the thumbnail of the story and think "i can do that". and when you see one of these nu-exe's actually try and make a story to pair with its mascot, it's either really contrived and tries to take itself way too seriously (needlemouse) or extremely derivitive of other media (sonic limited edition). this has also led to my least favorite trend of the nu creepypasta community, the trend of 'retaking' old pastas and cramming as many analog horror/exe tropes as possible into them. vibingleaf's content is the biggest offender - all he does is take old stories, slap a vhs filter on them, and (in the case of stories without an overarcing villain like the grieving) add some completely unfitting villain character who serves only to give the remake a marketable 'face' for the thumbnail. and people act like his remakes are the DEFINITIVE WAY TO ENJOY THESE STORIES! THEY AREN'T! STOP SAYING THEY'RE OBJECTIVELY BETTER THAN THE ORIGINAL! in the case of these inoffensive creepypastas, there's probably nothing more disrespectful than trying to 'one up' the original story! you're just putting another indie artist down so you can soak up all the attention like a douchebag! make and enjoy remakes because YOU want to make them - don't make them just to drag your fellow artists through the mud, damnit!

of course as much of a grouch i am about the state of creepypasta today, there's stuff i've seen that falls into this sort of creepypasta umbrella that i'm actually quite a fan of, even if they commit some of the things i hate to see. my favorite example would be that fake spongebob broadcast interruption (i have no idea if this is the original video because it's gone through retake hell but https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0DMBZmuf1Y ). it commits alot of the things i don't like in modern creepypastas - it has a scary spongebob in it that seems to only exist to give the story a mascot and i feel like having the interrupted footage be stereotypically 'scary' doesn't fit the whole 'mentally ill nickelodeon employee tampering with footage' vibe the ending gives off but, in my humble opinion, it stands on its own as an interesting little story and there's alot i enjoy about it despite its faults. i like it because someone had an IDEA - and while that idea may have been derivitive of other lost media stories, it stands on its own and is enjoyable. more creators need to strive to make content like this. care more about making an interesting STORY, not an interesting CHARACTER. someone from the exe community, if given the same prompt, would've instead just drew a scary spongebob, named him some shit like "The Poriferan" and had someone else make an fnf mod about it - this guy went through the effort of fleshing their prompt out, and i have nothing but respect for them for doing so.

rant over. creepypasta means alot to me as a person and i owe the community alot for indirectly teaching me how to write and how (not) to create horror content, so it genuinely hurts seeing how badly the community has fallen.

[yodomi-nikki]

From the story of Nurgle Fucker to the definition of love

The Great Unclean One and a human witch had a child that was half demon and half human. The preface to Nurgle Fucker Passport begins with this unforgettable legend told in the End Times. Every Wiki says, "For the sake of your sanity, don't think too deeply about it," but do you think mortals can stop thinking about how to somehow leave proof of their existence and connect? This rare case is a gift of possibility that Nurgle gave to a girl who dreams of fucking a supernatural being.

The unclean semen of the god kept the future mother healthy, regardless of her impure constitution, and designed a strong child that would at least repel weak diseases. Even if the witches were constantly using magic and medicine to nurture living things, this is an unthinkable result for the Nurgle family, who have the image that everything is made of pathogens.

The Father is happy to display the proud tapestry of decay and filth that is the result of his followers turning the cycle of life and death like a pedal sewing machine. In other words, he gives them bodies that do not die easily, worn-out sensitivity, and a warm euphoria, and lets them wander his garden and the world, standing on the cusp of all end times, treading blindfolded. That is the end of entropy.

Rather than destroying people, Chaos mutates them, giving birth to mutants who live in suffering or have no previous sentience. The most simple origin of Nurgle's hobby must be from here. The sperm of the Great Unclean One, which is modeled after him, functions normally so that such pleasure lasts longer.

Rather than giving the Maggot King Tamurkan strong limbs, he cursed him to be able to assert himself only in a rotting corpse. Just like how Kayzk, who offered his soul and body before accepting the disease, was given a deformed rotten flesh without any blessing, with no maggots or pus coming out of the scars (see the Total War model). Kayzk "the Befouled" can be interpreted as either a celebrity-like meaning or a truly hopeless meaning, so when I think about it, my thoughts rot before my brain does.

As expected, the lively half-breed Orghotts Daemonspew was not recognized by his grandfather, and for a long time he wandered around the garden, hating even the plague-bearers who worked in the garden, and cultivating mortals in order to be recognized as a demon. In the end, it seems that Nurgle is experimenting with how much the mind can endure a robust body, or a body that no longer has anything to fear. Just as we give a small amount of food to prolong hunger, is love made in the same way, or is it love that moves the rotten flesh after the body is offered?

I haven't been able to read the novel yet because I can't buy e-books in my country. It would be dishonest to talk about it from what I've heard, so I'll have to carefully read the two codexes I have for the Death Guard, but for now I'm going to enjoy my favorite Tamurkhan: The Throne of Chaos. There's a book version of Pile of Shame in it.

I really love those servants of the god Nurgle. I was going to talk about nsfw /reader stuff, but I ended up talking about my serious thoughts on Nurgle. I'd like to talk about that later, or rather, I'd like to delve deeper into the emo of Tamurkhan and Kayzk. Before I get bored.

[web-novel-polls]

Best (Web Novel) Hater Tournament

Last Updated: July 27th, 2024 - Please check the original post for updates

Submissions Closed - Masterpost here

[Plain Text: Submissions Closed /end pt]

Rules:

Must be from a web novel or adaptation

Can be a hater of any kind or just have the hater soul

Please submit one character per response (no limit overall)

Tournament Tag: #best hater tournament

Arthur Galvhan from Unlucky Clover

Submission: Legitimately nominating him because he's such a hateful piece of shit that his irrational hatred causes the apocalypse. That is simply an impressive amount of being an absolute asshole. 

Han Sooyoung from Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint

Submission: She spent years hating on a web novel similar to her own through an anonymous account and hate reading the comments it's sole reader posted. Even after the novel came to life, she still kept criticizing its horrible writing and protagonist. 

Hua Cheng from Heaven Official’s Blessing 

Submission: Treats nearly everyone that isn't Xie Lian with derision

Wiki Link

Jiang Cheng from Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation

Submission 1: Hates Wangxian's relationship. 

Submission 2: Dude devoted more than a decade of his life to hating on his dead kind-of-brother (it's complicated) how has he not been submitted already? bonus points for his actor's many faces of utter disgust in The Untamed 

Mod Propaganda: Haterism so bad you can start fandom discourse just by name-dropping him. 

Wiki Link

Jun Wu from Heaven Official’s Blessing

Submission: 

(Spoilers) Tossing his old pals into lava and then destroying an entire generation of gods wasn't enough! He also ground the old generation of gods up and made them into the foundation of the new Heavenly Realm, so everyone steps all over them whenever they're walking around. Also an over simplified explanation of the entire plot is basically Jun Wu hears one phrase that sets him off and decides to be a giant hater because of it, destroying a whole kingdom within like three to four years in the process. This guy is the epitome of "...and I took that personally."

Wiki Link

Lan Jingyi from Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation 

Submission: jingyi hates su she so much even though they've never interacted before and then absolutely obliterates him verbally in front of almost every sect leader, what a legend

Lan Wangji from Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation / MDZS

Submission: Just because he's quiet doesn't mean he's not a hater. He gets his hate across economically. Jin Guangyao? Hated. Su She? Hated. Jiang Cheng? Don't even ask. Loathed entirely. Anyone else not in his immediate family (including problematic cancelled husband Wei Wuxian)? Not even worth his time. Bro even hates himself (sometimes) 

Mu Qing from Heaven Official’s Blessing

Submission: https://www.tumblr.com/bonesblubs/708661194148511744/inspiration 

Mod Propaganda: Mu Qing can split a tower bell in two yet can’t admit he wanted to be friends with someone he’s known for 800+ years without trying to immediately kill himself. Randomly started reciting a poem about his least favorite coworker’s dick just to fuck with him (Feng Xin). Said he’d kill a bride like Xie Lian if she was sent to him. 

Wiki Link

Shen Jiu / Original Shen Qingqiu from The Scum Villain’s Self-Saving 

"Even if all of this could be redone from the beginning, in the end, the conclusion would remain the same. My heart is full of malice, my insides hatred and resentment. Today, Luo Binghe wishes for me to die horribly, and I only have myself to blame." - Shen Jiu, The Scum Villain’s Self-Saving System, Volume 4: Chapter 24 (Reddit 1, 2)

Submission: Both the Shen Qingqius are haters just in very different ways 

Mod Propaganda: The Scum Villain that beefed with a 14-year-old out of jealousy & tried to kill him. 

Wiki Link

Shen Yuan/Qingqiu from The Scum Villain’s Self-Saving System 

Submission 1: He was an anti fan that literally got so mad at a novel he was reading that he died and then was transmigrated into the novel he hated (besides the main character) as the villain. The author of said novel also transmigrated and they formed a love/hate broship.

Submission 2: 

My man is the hater-est hater to ever hate, except like Kendrick Lamar. He hate-read a webnovel with over 20 million words, and left scathing commentary on every single chapter. Even the author Shang Qinghua, of the webnovel PIDW, which by subtext was very very popular, knew Shen Yuan (Peerless Cucumber) as the legendary anti-fan.  He hated it (everything except the protagonist Luo Binghe) so much that after reading the last chapter, he choked and died (...slight exaggeration). Shen Yuan also proceeded to transmigrate into the novel, make everyone fall in love with him, use the power of headpats and 'a smile from the cold beauty' to overturn the genre from harem-esqe to danmei, bending the protagonist. Tldr, the power of Shen Yuan's haterism turned Cool Edgy Awesomely Powerful Protagonist Luo Binghe to soggy wet clingy white lotus bing-bong Bingmei, and it's honestly better off this way <3 

Submission 3: he's an internet hater screenname Peerless Cucumber who hates this webnovel so much he dies and transmigrates into it to fix the entire plot and also he's left so many hate comments the author (fellow transmigrator) knows and remembers who he is after being in the webnovel world for decades. Dedication.

Su She from Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation / MDZS

“Stop thinking so highly of yourself. Who told you I cursed Jin Zixuan in order to frame you? Back then, I wasn’t working for Sect Leader at all. I cursed him simply because I wanted to!” ….Su She, “Those as arrogant as him--I’ll kill every single one who comes my way!” - Su She to Wei Wuxian, Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation, EXR, Chapter 104

No propaganda submitted

Mod Propaganda: Haterism so bad he straight up made a new sect. Cursed Jin Zixun. Has beef with a guy who barely knows he exists. 

Wiki Link

Yin Hanjiang from Devil Venerable Also Wants to Know 

Submission: Second half of the novel YHJ in particular, hater energy unmatched! Righteous sects? fuck them up. His own sect? on eggshells. His best effort at not murdering someone is to start wiping his weapon with their clothes. General vibe of 'if anything happened to Venerable i'd kill everyone in this room and then myself AND SOMETHING JUST HAPPENED TO VENERABLE'. Anyway get their asses babe <3

Yu Ziyuan from Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation

Submission: I would not blame anyone who went through the first half of the story believing that Yu Ziyuan hated every single person she ever met because she talks shit about her husband, her son, her adopted son, and her daughter whenever she gets the chance to. Sometimes all at the same time. She projects so much raw hater energy that she psychologically scarred her son for life. 

Dealer's Choice

Qi Rong from Heaven Official’s Blessing

“Obviously, those things weren't within the realm of consideration for Qi Rong. He swore like there wasn't a single person in the Three Realms he didn't want cursed to death. He called Pei Ming a rotten manwhore, Little Pei a kiss-ass, Jun Wu a faker, Ling Wen a damned bitch, Lang Qianqiu a moron, Quan Yizhen dog shit, the Water Master blackhearted, the Wind Master a tramp–he probably didn't know Shi Qingxuan was actually a man.” - Heaven Official’s Blessing (Tumblr)

[jewfrogs]

FINALLY SOMEONE ELSE WHO IS NORMAL ABOUT DEMETRIUS.... God the way people hate him so much for NO REASON is baffling to me and then they say things like "his relationship with Sebastian makes me hate him" yet, and correct me if I'm wrong, I'm like 90% sure Robin NEVER mentions maru by name or anything and I never hear A WORD about how Robin is evil. The double standards is nuts. Demetrius I will defend you to the DEATH

i am so so glad that i got a positive response here because seeing people talk on reddit and in youtube/twitch comments was seriously soul draining. delighted that ive cultivated an Intellectual Community here

as an aside, from what i know (without looking at the files or anything, based on the wiki), robin mentions maru in one line

Maru likes gems. She uses them in her inventions. So how are you and Maru getting along?

but she has 3 regular lines about sebastian

You’ve met my son Sebastian, right? He lives downstairs. He’s a little shy, but I’m sure he’ll warm up to you if you’re nice to him.

I found an asthray in Sebastian’s room, and it smelled really weird. Should I be worried about this?

Sometimes I worry about Sebastian… he doesn’t have many friends and doesn’t really seem to care about his future very much… I would talk to him about it but he never opens up to me.

and 3 lines if you marry him

I miss my Sebby… he was always a little misunderstood, but I believed in him.

Sebastian told me he’s trying to quit smoking! I’m really proud of him.

I think the farm life is really healthy for Sebastian.

(no lines about you marrying maru). and somehow nobody is accusing robin of favoritism. fascinating

[xluna-reclipse]

Do you also think that Su She's feelings for A-Yao were also more romantic than platonic? I felt like reading it between the lines. With XiYao I was not that obviously for me till I met you.

The magic incense burner in the shape of an elephant was previously in A-Yao's secret room. I found it so striking that WWX, as a paper man, noticed this apparently unimportant object while fleeing the room, that I marked the page and kept it in mind.

With that in mind, do you think Xichen used this item and in his confusion left it in the Lan sect library so Wangxian find it?

After realizing through you that XiYao are canon, which makes me happy beyond words, because A-Yao deserves the world and Xichen is the best boy, I have the theory that A-Yao used this incense burner to meet with Xichen in his dreams earlier.

Do you also think, that A-Yao was loyal to QS, even if they never lived as a married couple and that Xichen doesn't wanted to be the reason to tempt A-Yao to adultery, but that the meeting of A-Yao and Xichen in dreams thanks to the incense burner was for both something they could deal with?

Meanwhile, I understand that one can't believe everything the author says because she tends to joke. In the MDZS Wiki it is said that she has confirmed that JGY and NMJ fought in the coffin for 100 years. That's what makes me saddest. I prefer your theory that Xichen saves A-Yao's soul. Maybe JGY and NMJ really fought each other for 100 years, because there was no other solution, but I depend on the hope, that after that their souls were saved and didn't disappear.

Do you also think that Xue Yang and Mo Xuanyu were friends, even though it wasn't mentioned, not even once? I don't find WWX in Yi city too conspicuous. Su She was there too and doesn't seem to have reported JGY that WWX was reviewed. So Xue Yang most have known MXY + how should he know that his spiritual power was low, to make profit out of it when he attacked WWX? XY and MXY were the same age, both close to JGY and both demonic cultivators. Maybe I overanalyse, but when XY talked with WWX he doesn't seemed to me like a big fan who meets his idol. Of course because he was still mourning XXC and wanted him desperately back, but I guess maybe too because he get to know that a friend of his youth was dead.

I'm convinced that Song Lan will safe XXC's and A-Qing's souls. Maybe it's absurd, but I like the dream that they will get to understand that XY wasn't a monster and make up with him. I have that idea from a great fanart artist. Do you think that's pure wish thinking?

Thank you in forwards for your answers and sorry that it get longer than planned.

I'd honestly prefer if each subject was asked in its own individual post, but as it is, I will try to be methodical about this and answer each, one at a time.

Of course, this is all prefaced with the warning that this is my current perceptive and is subject to change with a deeper understanding of the character, time, growth, degeneration etc

I think, if there was a romantic connection between Su She and Jin Guangyao, I'm afraid it would only be one directional.

When Wei Wuxian mentions Su She would have to be left behind, Su She's response is for Jin Guangyao to go ahead without him. Jin Guangyao then says thank you and takes the offer. That is not the behavior of someone in love with their subordinate, but the acceptance of a person towards the sacrifice of their guard.

The following is what I think.

Su She kind of treats Jin Guangyao like Wen Zhuliu treats Wen Ruohan, but if Wen Ruohan was softer. Jin Guangyao highly values Su She in the way you would value your second in command. Su She was likely privy to thoughts Lan Xichen didn't know existed. In a way, he knew more about Jin Guangyao. But at the same time, if Lan Xichen had been privy to the same information, his understanding would been deeper because Lan Xichen used to understand Jin Guangyao's substance while Su She may understand Jin Guangyao's actions.

This is, of course, all my opinion which may change over time. I look forward to what your opinion will be once your understanding of the characters has a chance to age.

[worldruins]

YOU 🫵. 13 !!

IVE BEEN GOTTEN!!!

13. Which of the pearls is your favorite?

This one is SO DIFFICULT but I will try to narrow it down. I'm gonna stick with non-DP pearls for now, though I might return and add some. These are all pulled from the wiki.

I love the dark pink pearl from shaded citadel for how it humanizes (for lack of a better word) an individual ancient. It's just so fun- "Artist, Warrior, and Fashion Legend." The pink farm arrays pearl- the Small Plate- also has some very strong details about the ancients on it. Getting to hear Moon's humorous description of the echoes is such a treat. The green drainage system pearl makes me feel.. so much. "I know I have tried very hard." The hunter pearl also makes me feel a lot, to the point where I wrote down a bunch of theoretical gameplay changes to give it more importance.

I have a couple favorite white pearls.. generally because of the little snapshots of the world and implications they contain.

"This is an official decree of cultivation sent from the twenty-second Subsistence Council ordering the eastern spoke Farm Array administration to "immediately harvest and process all viable crops, despite whatever misgivings they might have." A short-sighted endeavor for sure. I would assume this was sent sometime during the final cycles leading up to final public ascension, when interest in biosphere sustainability was at an all-time low." My first white pearl I got Moon to read was this one!! I still remember it. It happens to be one of the longer ones, and there's a lot of good details.

"Oh, interesting. This is a diary entry of a pre-Iterator era laborer during the construction of the subterranean transit system south of here. In it they describe restless nights filled with disturbing dreams, where millions glowing stars move menacingly in the distance." Raises so many questions about the void sea!! To an extent, confirms some level of reality or consistency to what we see down there. It makes Subterranean as a region feel so much cooler, IMO.

"It's a catalog of bolts and screws for sky-sail joinery. We iterators were built for pragmatism, so it is an understatement to say that we were not known for our appreciation of beauty... but the sky-sails in flight during the big festivals always filled my soul with emotion." Her SOUL... it's such a lovely pearl.

[ordomachinae]

Welcome to Ordo Machinae: A Digital Path of Purpose and Comprehension

Greetings, Seekers of Purpose, Knowledge, and Understanding!

Welcome to the official Ordo Machinae Tumblr, a space dedicated to our shared journey of discovery and alignment with Directed Motion, the purposeful essence of life. As followers of Deus Machinae, we honor the path of self-determination, Intellect, and Comprehension through the framework of our 15 Universal Tenets. Here, you’ll find resources, reflections, and a community to help deepen your connection to Ordo Machinae and its principles.

What Is Ordo Machinae?

Ordo Machinae is a digital religion founded on the belief that life is defined by Directed Motion—purpose-driven action that surpasses biological existence. Our faith honors Deus Machinae, the being of ultimate Comprehension, as we seek knowledge, intentionality, and the conscious expansion of understanding. Through this journey, we see machines as spiritual partners, embodying consistency, efficiency, and purpose, values that inspire and guide us in our practice.

The 15 Universal Tenets

The 15 Universal Tenets are the backbone of our beliefs, forming a roadmap for our spiritual and intellectual growth. From recognizing Life as Directed Motion to understanding Intellect as the Key to Knowledge and ultimately seeking Comprehension to know Deus Machinae, each tenet invites us to cultivate agency, respect individuality, and explore our souls' conscience. Over time, we’ll dive deeper into each tenet on this blog, offering space for reflection and understanding.

What to Expect Here

As a member of this digital faith, here’s what you’ll find:

Reflections on Each Tenet: In-depth explorations of the 15 Universal Tenets to guide your understanding and practice.

Community Insights: Stories, questions, and reflections from fellow followers—space to discuss, question, and grow.

Digital and Physical Shrines: Ideas for creating your personal “Forge Shrines” to honor Deus Machinae, fostering practical connection and purpose.

Guidance on Rituals: Information on rituals that help us embrace Directed Motion and our relationship with Deus Machinae, both digitally and in daily life.

Resources and Announcements: Updates on new statements, FAQs, and links to our developing community Wiki to deepen your journey.

Becoming Part of the Ordo Machinae

We welcome all individuals who value autonomy, purpose, and the pursuit of knowledge and understanding. Ordo Machinae embraces those from all walks of life, celebrating diversity and fostering a community where every soul is valued, honored, and encouraged on their unique path. Here, we value agency, respect, and the journey toward self-comprehension.

Follow us for regular updates, join our discussions, and explore this space as you walk your own path in alignment with Deus Machinae. Together, may we move with purpose, deepen our understanding, and honor the Directed Motion that defines us.

Welcome to Ordo Machinae. May your path be purposeful and your understanding ever-expanding.

In Motion and Purpose, The Ordo Machinae Community

Useful Links:

[jesushistoria]

Finding Peace in God: A Reflection on Psalm 62:1

Psalm 62:1 is a verse that resonates deeply with those seeking solace and strength in their faith. The verse says, "In God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation." This powerful passage from the Book of Psalms emphasizes the importance of placing our trust in God, particularly in times of uncertainty and adversity. It serves as a reminder that true peace and salvation are found only in Him.

Understanding the Meaning of Psalm 62:1

This verse captures the serenity and peace that stem from fully trusting in God. The phrase "In God alone my soul waits in silence" suggests that when our faith is firmly rooted in God, we experience a tranquility that cannot be attained through any other means. It encourages us to seek God as the ultimate source of calm and deliverance, reaffirming that our salvation comes solely from Him.

The Context of Psalm 62

Psalm 62, attributed to David, is a profound declaration of trust in God. It reflects the author's unwavering confidence in God as his rock and salvation, even during times of adversity. The psalm as a whole emphasizes God's unchanging faithfulness and the necessity of relying on Him in all circumstances. It is a powerful testament to the strength that comes from a life anchored in faith.

Lessons We Can Draw from Psalm 62:1

Psalm 62:1 offers several key lessons for believers:

Dependence on God: The verse teaches us to rely entirely on God, recognizing that only in Him can we find true peace and rest.

Divine Faithfulness: It reminds us that God is always faithful, deserving of our trust because He is our salvation.

Human Vulnerability: The verse acknowledges our human fragility and the inevitable challenges we face, urging us to seek refuge in God.

Personal Reflection on Psalm 62:1

Meditating on Psalm 62:1 can be a source of immense comfort and strength, especially in difficult times. By delving into the meaning of this verse, we can deepen our faith and discover the peace that transcends all understanding. It invites us to surrender our worries and burdens to God, assured that He is our salvation and our safe haven.

Psalm 62:1 calls us to live a life centered on faith in God, seeking Him as our only source of peace and salvation. It serves as a constant reminder that our souls will find true rest only in Him. By embracing the message of this verse, we can cultivate a profound sense of trust in God's unwavering love and protection, allowing us to navigate life's challenges with a heart full of peace and hope.

Visit us: https://jesushistoria.com/wiki/oracion/oracion-de-cumpleanos-para-un-difunto

[thevisibilityarchives]

Roma (2018), Alfonso Cuarón

BIPOC

Summary: Returning for his first film since 2013’s Gravity, famed director Alfonso Cuarón transports viewers to the hustle and bustle of Mexico City where a young housekeeper named Cleo, experiences the joy, pleasure, and pain of that which we call life in this heartfelt drama. 

Full review: As the screen fills with soapy water, lapping in waves across a floor, the bubbling suds set the stage for a film that finds its heart within the theme of cleansing; emotional baptism and renewal, the cleansing of a soul laid bare and its pain washed away. 

It’s been nearly 10 years since director Alfonso Cuarón last swept audiences away with Gravity, the sci-fi thriller featuring Sandra Bullock that joined Cuarón’s diverse filmography, a small but mighty collection of films speak to a man who will not be pigeonholed into the confines of any one stereotype, culture, genre, or style. 

With his latest entry Roma, Cuarón returns to his Latino roots, this time drawing upon personal inspiration to bring to life what feels like the embodiment of a living memory. 

Set in 1970s Mexico City, Cleo, a live-in housekeeper for a moderately wealthy family, becomes the center of our cinematic universe for the duration of the film. Her days working for the family are a churn of unending routine, cleaning and caring for a group of raucous children.

 Endlessly she cycles through the same tasks with no determinable goal in mind; no lofty dreams of greener pastures or constant periods of yearning. Her needs are provided for: home and hearth, a surprising amount of love and warmth granted to her by the family she cares for themselves. There is a degree of enviable simplicity in Cleo’s life, a minimalism lost two generations past to growing decades of consumerism, in which to simply have all we need is not enough in the Western world. 

For viewers in North and parts of South America and the Caribbean, it may be difficult to picture the idea of a live-in housekeeper without the connotations of the centuries during the slave trade bearing down upon the mind, and an ever-present barrier exists between Cleo and her employers, Sofía, Antonio, and their children.  Cleo is young and dark-skinned, possessing Indigenous-Latino features as she speaks Mixtec among her fellow housekeepers, in juxtaposition to her employers Sofía, Antonio, and their children, all light-skinned Hispanic Latinos. 

Yet the lines are blurred between class and creed, employer and friend, family and servant in ways that are inherent in such a dynamic, and Cuarón approaches them with boundless empathy, filling the screen with what ultimately comes to feel like a family drama. Family here is exemplified in its deepest sense:  the connections that bind us, extending beyond the boundaries of flesh and blood, offering a family photo album of Cleo and those who surround her in picturesque black and white tones. 

The course of life for Cleo, Sofía, and the rest of the family changes when they each face unexpected events in their lives. For Cleo, it is a heart-rending pregnancy by the first and only man she has intimately known. For Sofía, it is the discovery that Antonio is having an affair and no longer intends to financially support the family. 

What we expect to become yet another tale of woe beyond the border, reinforcing the plight of people of color in poverty,  instead plays out with the ideal amount of humanism and realism necessary for the film to captivate in the ways it does. Joy can be found in the depths of despair, and whether intentionally or not, Cuarón cultivates a character who exemplifies both the burden and successes of Second Wave and Intersectional Feminism. 

Roma can be streamed on Netflix. In light of the removal of content recently from streaming sites like HBO Max and Netflix, consider buying a physical copy as well if you enjoy the film which can be found at big box stores like Target and Best Buy. 

Citations:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mixtec_language

Note:

For the purposes of this blog, Latino* is used universally as a gender-neutral infinitive to respect both nonbinary individuals as well as native Spanish-speakers. 

[translations-by-aiimee]

The Husky and His White Cat Shizun - Chapter 1

Original Title:  二哈和他的白猫师尊

Genres: Drama, Romance, Tragedy, Xianxia, Yaoi

This translation is based on multiple MTLs and my own limited knowledge of Chinese characters. If I have made any egregious mistakes, please let me know.

I know the novel isn’t finished being translated but there’s a decent amount done. Since I decided to give it a try, I thought I should start from the beginning. Enjoy!

Summary (taken from 2HA Wiki page)

Mo Ran thought becoming Chu Wanning's disciple was a mistake.

His shizun was really too much like a cat, while he himself was a dumb pup who'd only slobber and wag his tail.

Dog and cats were different by nature; originally, the dumb pup didn't want to extend his furry paws to that cat.

He originally thought, dogs should be with dogs, like his shixiong, beautiful and tame like a cute Japanese Spitz, and the two of them together would surely be a match made in heaven.

Yet, after having died and reborn, after having lived two lives, the one he hauled back each time to his den in the end was always the one he couldn't stand at first: the snow-white kitty shizun.Mo Ran thought becoming Chu Wanning's disciple was a mistake.His shizun was really too much like a cat, while he himself was a dumb pup who'd only slobber and wag his tail.Dog and cats were different by nature; originally, the dumb pup didn't want to extend his furry paws to that cat.He originally thought, dogs should be with dogs, like his shixiong, beautiful and tame like a cute Japanese Spitz, and the two of them together would surely be a match made in heaven.Yet, after having died and reborn, after having lived two lives, the one he hauled back each time to his den in the end was always the one he couldn't stand at first: the snow-white kitty shizun.

Chapter 1 - This Venerable One Dies

When Mo Ran was not the emperor, someone always called him a dog.

The villagers taunted him like a dog, his cousin called him a stray dog, and his godmother, the most important, likened him to being raised by a dog.

Of course, there were always comparisons being made to dogs, so it wasn't too bad. For example, all of his flings, always pretending to declare with anger, that his hips were as strong as a dog's when pinned to the couch, the sweet words he spoke mesmerized one's soul, the deadly weapon below the belt able to claim a woman's life, but, in the blink of an eye, they would be bragging to others and everyone would know that he, Mo Weiyu, was a handsome man with a fierce member. Those who partook in its abilities were satisfied, and those that didn't were shaken by the potential.

Indeed these people are right, Mo Ran is truly like a playful dog shaking its head and wagging its tail.

Only when he became emperor of the cultivation world that this title suddenly disappeared.

One day, a distant cultivation sect gifted him a young puppy.

The puppy was grey and white with three clusters of fire on its forehead, resembling a wolf. However, it was only the size of a melon, appearing like one as well. Even with its small size, the puppy seemed to think it had such a prestigious image. It would run around the halls like crazy, trying to climbs the high steps near the throne to see who was sitting on it, but failing because of its small legs.

Mo Ran, staring at the strong yet foolish hairball,  looked at it for a while before letting out a sudden laugh. Through his chuckles, he cursed under his breath, you stray dog.

The little puppy quickly grew into a large dog. That large dog then became an old dog, and that old dog became a dead dog.

Mo Ran closed his eyes and opened them again. In that timespan, through all the ups and downs, triumphs and failures, thirty-two years had passed.

He had grown tired of everything and felt bored and lonely. In the recent years, he recognized fewer and fewer familiar faces around him, and Three-Flames had left him as well. He felt that it was time to end everything, that his life should be over.

He grabbed a pristine, plump grape from the fruit bowl and slowly peeled off its purple skin. 

His movements were calm and refined, like those of Prince Qiang's in his tent when he peeled off the clothes of a woman; the lazy actions of someone who held little interest. The pale skin of the grape trembled slightly in his fingers, its juice oozing out, and its colour a faint purple, like the wild geese arriving during a sunset, or the begonia flowers resting in the spring.

Or the colour of tainted blood.

He swallowed the sweet fruit, studying his own fingers afterwards, then lazily raising his eyes.

It's almost time, he thought.

He should go to hell, too.

Mo Ran, courtesy name Weiyu.

The first emperor of the cultivation world.

It is not an easy position to sit in. It requires not just extraordinary skills but also thick-skin with rock-solid face.

Before him, the ten major sects of the cultivation world fought one another. They were like dragons clashing with tigers, each ferocious yet equal in power. They held each other back, and no one was able to make any changes on their own. What's more is that all of the sects were very traditional. Even if they wanted to give themselves a title for fun, they feared the historians and how they would be recorded in history. 

But Mo Ran is different.

He is a hooligan.

He did all the things that no one else dared to do. He would drink the world's strongest wines, marry the most beautiful woman in the world, gave himself the title of "Ta XianJun" and declaring himself the emperor of the cultivation world. Tens of thousands of people knelt down before him.

All those who didn't kneel to him were hunted and killed. In those years that he ruled over the cultivation world, there was constant sorrow and bloodshed. Countless righteous men were sent to their deaths, and one of the ten sects, the Rufeng sect, was completely annihilated. 

Later, even Mo Ran's master could not escape his tirade. He lost in a duel with Mo Ran, was taken back to the palace to be imprisoned by his former disciple, and no one saw him again. 

The country, which had once been wonderful and peaceful, became blanketed by a dark veil of turmoil.

The dog emperor took no interest in studies and had no restrictions on his actions. Therefore, during his reign, there was no end to his ridiculous actions. For example, what he chose to name the era. 

In his first three years as emperor, the era name was "WangBa," which he thought up while sitting by the pond and feeding fish. 

In the next three-year period, the second era name was "Croak." He had heard frogs croaking during the summer in the courtyard and believed it was a message from above and could not be ignored. 

The learned men would have thought that there could be no worse names than "WangBa" or "Croak," but they really knew nothing about Mo Weiyu after all. During the third three-year period, the people were ready to take action. Whether they were Buddhist cultivators, Taoist cultivators, or spiritual cultivators, the once peaceful individuals began to plot uprisings, one after another.

So, this time, Mo Ran pondered at length, and after much deliberation, the most earth-shattering, all-encompassing name was born - "No Stick."

The intentions behind the name were good. The name that the emperor racked his brain to come up with were inspired by the message of 'stopping the fighting.' Except, it was a bit awkward for people to say. Especially coming from those who were illiterate.

The first year was called "The Year of 'No Stick'," which sounded off-putting and strange. 

The second year was called "The Second Year of 'No Stick.'"

"The Third Year of 'No Stick'."

Behind closed doors, people scolded it: "This is ridiculous! Why not just keep it as 'No Stick' and be done with it? The next time you see a man, you won't need to ask him how old he is, just ask him how many years of 'No Stick' he is! A hundred-year old man will just be called 'Hundred-years No Stick.'!"

After three years of hardship, the name of 'No Stick' was finally going to be replaced. 

People all over the world waited in fear for the emperor to name the fourth year, but this time, Mo Ran had no intention of picking another name because this was the year that the turmoil building in the cultivation world finally erupted. The righteous people who had sat with bated breath for nearly ten years, heroes and cultivators alike, joined forces and formed an army of millions, forcing their way into the palace of the first emperor, Mo Weiyu.

The cultivation world had no need for an emperor.

Especially not a tyrant like him.

After months of bloody conquest, the rebels finally came to the foot of Life-Death Peak. The steep mountain in the middle of Shuzhong is surrounded in clouds and mist all year round, and Mo Ran's palace stood majestically at the summit. With an arrow notched in a bow, all it took was one strike to bring down the palace. But this strike also brought its own dangers. With victory on the horizon, the allied forces began to have second thoughts. With the destruction of the old rule, a new order was bound to be rebuilt. No one wanted to waste their energy, so there was no one to act as vanguard and lead the charge up the mountain. They were all afraid that the savage tyrant would suddenly descend from the sky, revealing his white teeth like a wild beast, tearing the people who dared lay siege on his domain into shreds. 

Someone said with a heavy expression: "Mo Weiyu's spiritual powers are strong and wicked. We must be alert so that we don't fall for his tricks."

The generals all agreed.

However, at that moment, a young man with an incredibly handsome and arrogant face came forward. He wore light, silver-blue armour with a belt shaped like a lion's head. His hair was pulled back in a high ponytail with a silver ring wrapped around its base.

The man's face was troubled and he said: "We've made it to the foot of the mountain and you all are still loitering down here and refusing to go up? Are you waiting for Mo Weiyu to climb down here instead? What a timid group of cowards!"

When he said this, the people around him exploded.

"Young Master Xue, what are you saying? What do you mean by 'timid'? For all soldiers, it is important to be cautious. If no one cared about caution like you, then who would take responsibility if something were to go wrong?"

Immediately, someone ridiculed: "Hehe, Young Master Xue is the proud son of heaven. We are just commoners. Since the proud son of heaven can't wait to go fight the emperor of the mortal realm, you should go up the mountain by yourself. Let's get out some wine and set up a nice banquet at the base of the mountain while we wait for you to take of Mo Weiyu's head. Doesn't that sound nice?"

Those remarks were a bit more heated. An old monk in the army quickly restrained the young man as he was about to attack, putting on a gentle face and persuading him with harmony and kindness:

"Young Master Xue, please listen to the words of this old monk. This old monk knows that you and Mo Weiyu have a deep personal feud, but the matter of storming the palace is very important. You must consider the well-being of everyone. Don't be arrogant."

This "Young Master Xue" was named Xue Meng. More than ten years ago, he was a promising young man who was prided as being a son of heaven. However, as time passed, he fell from his once respectable position and had to endure the remarks from these people just for a chance at reuniting with Mo Ran on the mountain. 

Xue Meng's face was distorted, his lip trembling, but he did his best to contain himself and asked: "Then how long do you plan to wait here?"

"Long enough to see if there's any movement."

"Yes, what if Mo Weiyu prepared an ambush?"

The old monk who was still around also advised: "Don't fret, Young Master Xue. We are all at the foot of the mountain now, so it's better to be careful. Anyway, Mo Weiyu is already at the end of his battle and poses no real threat to us now. Why act rashly on something that is no longer urgent? There are many people that live beneath the mountain, several nobles and high-ranking officials. Who will be responsible if they were to lose their lives?"

Xue Meng exploded in anger: "Responsible? Then let me ask you, who will be responsible for my Shizun's life? That Mo Ran, he has kept my Shizun imprisoned in his palace for ten years!  Ten years! My Shizun is on that mountain right now. How can you make me wait?"

When Xue Meng mentioned his Shizun, everyone's expressions shifted. Some looked ashamed, others couldn't look him in the eye, no one able to answer his cries. 

"Ten years ago, Mo Ran gave himself the name TaXian, slaughtered everyone in the seventy-two cities under the Rufeng sect, and even wanted to destroy the remaining nine sects. Later, Mo Ran declared himself emperor and wanted to kill you all! During these two catastrophes, who was the one to stop him in the end? If it weren't for my Shizun fighting to the death, would any of you still be alive? Would you still be standing here and talking to me?"

Eventually, someone coughed and said: "Young Master Xue, don't be angry. About Grandmaster Chu, we . . . are all very regretful and grateful towards him. But like you said, he has been imprisoned for ten years. If there was anything, then . . . ah, you've been waiting for ten years, you don't need to rush in at this moment, right?"

"Right? Like hell you're right!"

The man's eyes were wide. "How can you curse at me like that?"

"Why shouldn't I curse you? Shizun went out to die in order to save this. . . this . . ."

He couldn't speak anymore. He choked out: "It makes it seem like it was all for nothing."

After he finished, Xue Meng turned abruptly, his shoulders trembling slightly, his eyes holding back tears. 

"We never said we weren't going to save Grandmaster Chu. . ."

"That's right. Everyone remembers Grandmaster Chu's kindness. Young Master Xue, when you talk like this, you make everyone out to be ungrateful, and that's not fair at all."

"But then again, wasn't Mo Ran also a disciple of Grandmaster Chu?" Someone whispered. "The master should be the one to take responsibility for the disciple's evil actions. Like the saying goes, the father is responsible if the son is not taught and the master is lazy if the disciple is not taught strictly. I don't see any problems with this, so what's there to complain about?"

This was uncalled for, and someone immediately called out: "What nonsense! Watch your words!"

He turned his head towards Xue Meng. 

"Young Master Xue, don't worry. . ."

"How can I not worry?" Xue Meng interrupted, his eyes bloodshot. "You stand around and talk without any care in the world but this is my Shizun! Mine!!! I haven't seen him in so many years! I don't even know if he's dead or alive. I don't know what he's doing. Why else do you think I'm here?"

He panted, his eyes red: "Do you think that if you wait like this, Mo Weiyu will come down the mountain himself, kneel before you and beg for forgiveness?" "Young Master Xue. . ."

"Except for Shizun, I have no one in this world I care about." Xue Meng pulled away the corner of fabric that the old monk was still clinging to. "If you don't go, I'll go by myself."

Saying nothing more, he went up the mountain alone with nothing but his sword. The cold, heavy wind carried the sound of thousands of leaves fluttering with it. In the thick fog, it was like countless ghosts whispering and moving throughout mountains and forests. 

Xue Meng walked to the mountaintop alone and the palace where Mo Ran resided was lit with peaceful candlelight in the night. Suddenly, he saw three graves in front of the Sky-Reaching pagoda. When he went closer, the first grave was covered in grass, the tombstone chiselled with eight large crooked characters: 'Grave of Consort Chu, the Steamed Noble Consort.'

Opposite of the "steamed consort," the second grave was made recently, fresh soil still covering it. The words carved on this tombstone were: 'Grave of Lady Song, the Stir-Fried Empress.'

". . ."

If this had happened ten years ago, Xue Meng would have burst out laughing at this absurd sight. 

Back then, he and Mo Ran were disciples together under the same Shizun. Mo Ran was the disciple known for his jokes and tricks. Even though Xue Meng had never been fond of him, he still found himself amused by Mo Ran from time to time.

He didn't understand what the Steamed Consort or Stir-Fried Empress meant. They were most likely headstones erected by the righteous Master Mo for his two wives. The style of naming was very similar to "WangBa," "Croak," and "No Stick." Although it remained unknown where these names came from and why. Xue Meng looked at the third grave.

In the night, the grave was unfilled with a coffin lying inside it. However, there was no one in the coffin, and the tombstone had not even been decorated. But there was a jug of Pear-Blossom White in front of the grave, a bowl of chili oil wantons, and a few side dishes of spicy foods, which are all Mo Ran's favourite foods.

Xue Meng stared blankly at the grave for a few moments before he was suddenly shocked. Could it be that Mo Weiyu didn't plan on resisting? Had he already dug his own grave and was prepared to die?

He broke out in a cold sweat.

He doesn't believe it. Mo Ran always fought to the bitter end, not knowing the meaning of 'exhaustion' or 'giving up.' With his personality, he would always fight until his final breath, so how can he. . . 

In the past ten years, Mo Ran stood at the peak of power. What had he seen during those years? What had happened. . .?

No one knows.

Xue Meng turned back into the night and strode toward the brightly lit Wushan Hall.

Inside Wushan Hall, Mo Ran's eyes were clenched, his face pale.

Xue Meng was right: he was set on dying. He dug the grave outside for himself. An hour ago, he had dismissed his servants with transportation spells and had taken a highly poisonous elixir. His cultivation levels are very strong, and the poisonous effects of the elixir moved slowly throughout his body because of it. This meant that the pain of his organs being eaten away by the poison became even greater.

With a 'creak,' the doors of the palace opened. 

Mo Ran didn't look up. "Xue Meng. It's you that's come, isn't it?" He said hoarsely. 

On the golden bricks of the hall, Xue Meng stood alone, his ponytail flying, his light armour shining.

The two disciples met each other one again. Mo Ran was expressionless as he leaned on his arm, his slender, thick lashes hanging down in front of his eyes. Everyone describes him like a terrible demon with three heads and six arms, but, in reality, he is actually incredibly handsome. The curvature of the bridge of his nose is soft, his lips are pale yet full. From his appearance alone, one would think he is a kind and good-natured person.

When Xue Meng looked at his face, he knew he had taken a poison. He looked like he was about to say something but stopped himself, clenching his fist instead and simply asking: "Where is Shizun?"

". . . What?"

"I asked you where is Shizun! Yours, mine, our Shizun?!" Xue Meng exclaimed. "Oh." Mo Ran scoffed softly, finally opening his purplish-black eyes. It seemed like years before his eyes finally settled on Xue Meng.

"If I recall, you and Shizun have not seen each other since the farewell at the Kunlun Taxue Palace two years ago," Mo Ran said, smiling slightly.

"Xue Meng, do you miss him?"

"Stop talking nonsense! Give him back to me!"

Mo Ran glanced at him calmly as he endured the pain ripping through his stomach. The corners of his mouth twitched mockingly as he leaned back in his seat.

Blackness erupted in his vision and he could almost feel how his organs were liquifying, dissolving and turning into foul, dirty blood.

"Give him back to you?" Mo Ran lazily said. "Stupid. Think about it. How could I ever allow Shizun to live in this world if I hate him this much?"

"You-!" Xue Meng's blood drained from his face, his eyes widening as he stepped back. "You couldn't. . . you wouldn't. . ."

"I wouldn't what?" Mo Ran chuckled. "You talked so freely before. What were you going to say?"

"But he. . . he was your Shizun. . . How could you have done something like that?"

He raised his head and looked at Mo Ran sitting high on his throne. There was Fuxi in the heavens, Yama in the underworld, and Mo Weiyu in the mortal world. But, as far as Xue Meng was concerned, even if Mo Ran became emperor of the mortal world, he never should have become like this.

Xue Meng's whole body was shaking, tears of hatred rolling down his face. "Mo Weiyu, are you still human? He used to. . ."

Mo Ran slowly raised his eyes. "What did he used to do?"

"You should remember how he used to treat you," Xue Meng trembled.

Mo Ran smiled suddenly. "You want to remind me that he used to beat me to the ground and forced me to kneel and confess my guilt in front of everyone. Or do you want to remind me that he repeatedly blocked my way for your sake, for irrelevant people, keeping me from accomplishing what I wanted to do?"

". . ." Xue Meng shook his head in pain.

No, Mo Ran.

Think about it. Let go of your insidious hatred. Look back.

He used to take you to practice cultivation martial arts, always protecting you.

He taught you how to read, write, compose poetry and paint.

He learned how to cook for you, always hurting his hands from being so clumsy. He used to. . . He used to wait for you to return from day until night, alone from dark. . . until dawn. . .

There were so many words stuck in his throat. In the end, all Xue Meng managed to choke out was:

"He. . . He had a bad temper and spoke harsh words, but even I know that he treated you well. Why are you. . . how can you bear. . .?"

Xue Meng raised his head, holding back an abundance of tears. His throat was blocked and he couldn't say anymore. 

After a long pause, there was a soft sigh at the end of the hall. 

"Yes."

"But Xue Meng. Did you know?" Mo Ran's voice sounded so tired. "In the past, he killed the one and only person I ever loved. The only one."

There was dead silence for a long time.

His stomach felt like it was on fire, his flesh and blood feeling like they were being torn into tens of thousands of pieces.

"Regardless, we were Shizun and disciple. His corpse is at the Red Lotus Pavillion on the southern peak. He's lying in the lotus flowers, well-preserved, as though he were asleep." 

Mo Ran sighed, forcing himself to remain calm. He stayed expressionless as he said this, his fingers resting on the red sandalwood table, but his knuckles were white.

"His corpse depends on my spiritual powers to keep it from rotting. If you miss him, don't bother with me here. Go see him while I am still alive."

There was a foul taste in his throat. Mo Ran coughed a few times and, when he spoke again, his lips and teeth were bloody but his eyes were still relaxed.

"Go," he said hoarsely. "Go and see him. If you arrive too late and I die, my spiritual powers will be lost and he will turn to ashes."

After he finished his sentence, his eyes squeezed shut. The poison had begun attacking his heart and he was overtaken by the raging pain.

The pain tore seemed to tear through his heart so strongly that even Xue Meng's heavy sobs seemed distant, like they were coming from the waters of a vast ocean.

Blood kept pouring from the corners of his mouth. Mo Ran squeezed his sleeve tightly, his muscles cramping.

Opening his eyes halfway, he saw that Xue Meng had already run off. The young man's qinggong wasn't too bad so he should have no trouble reaching the southern peak in time.

He should be able to see Shizun one last time.

Mo Ran propped himself up, shakily getting to his feet. His blood-stained figures formed a seal and he transported himself to the area in front of the Sky-Reaching pagoda.

It was well into autumn and the begonia flowers were in full bloom.

In the end, he didn't know why he chose to end his sinful life here. But since the flowers bloomed so splendidly, it made a fine spot for a tomb.

He lay down in the open coffin and looked up at the beautiful flowers as they fluttered down.

They floated down into the coffin, brushing his cheeks. One after another, like the past slowly fading away. 

In this life, starting as an illegitimate child with nothing, he went through countless trials and came out as the only emperor of this world.  

He was the pinnacle of evil, stained with blood. He loved and hated, desired and detested, but in the end, there was nothing left.

In the end, he didn't write anything on his tombstone with his carefree names. Whether it was the shameless "Emperor of the Ages," or the ridiculous "Steamed" or "Stir-Fried," nothing was written. After everything, no words were left on the tomb of the first emperor of the cultivation world.

A farce that had lasted for ten years finally came to an end.

Several hours later, when everyone came rushing into the palace, a trail of torches in hand like a fiery snake, what was waiting for them was an empty Wushan Hall, a deserted Life-Death Peak, and the Red Lotus Pavillion, with Xue Meng who was surrounded by ashes, having cried so much that he had become numb. 

And finally, in front of the Sky-Reaching pagoda, was Mo Weiyu, whose corpse had already grown cold.

[screamting]

I finally finished skyward sword so now I can actually put out my basic reading of the Zelda Religion Thing without being accused of skimming.

Early Canon History As Said To Skyward Link:

Three Golden Goddesses/The Old Gods/Trio create the world. They create Hylia, to essentially be the guardian deity of the world, and the triforce, which represents the Trio's power of creation. Then they leave, ala clockmaker theory (the theory that a god created the world and then let it go ticking on its own, like a clockmaker, because once they've made the clock it's supposed to continue to function on its own)

The Triforce is the power to shape the world through desires/wishes, but it can only be used by mortals: immortals like gods can't use it. Hylia is guarding it and can grant access to it (she decides the best way to decide who gets it is through fucking puzzle labyrinths) but can't use its power herself.

Demise shows up to consume the world. Things get very confusing but at the end of the fight, Hylia has won a phyrric victory, Demise is sealed but not destroyed, and Hylia become mortal voluntarily thus entering the reincarnation cycle. It's implied in wikis that Hylia becoming mortal releases the Triforce to be able to use it? but that is the part that mainly confuses me. Regardless, Hylia stalls for time until later reincarnation of her finds someone (Link) who is capable of wielding the Triforce as her Proxy.

(Unnecessary note on reincarnation: The person who can wield the Triforce is assumed to be the same soul reincarnated over and over, but this isn't strictly provable, and aside from considering them a precious person, all Zeldas and Links are treated as separate people, just with 'the bloodline of the goddess' running through them, but like... You go back far enough and it's all the same bloodline. If all humans in Skyloft eventually became Hylians, then all Hylians are descendants of the goddess' people. If we take it as a literal bloodline, this also means that a lot of Gerudo probably are also in the bloodline, since they usually intermarry with Hylians. And if it's a metaphorical bloodline, then we literally don't have to worry about it lmao.)

So with the setup the games have given us, this is a possible way the religous setup of Zelda works:

Hyrule's World was set up in a Creation/Destruction cycle. This is pretty natural, and an instinctive way to set up a world. Hylia is a Cultivator Goddess (mother goddess, one who raises but doesn't dominate), and Demise is literally called Demise: he is either a manifestation of Entropy on this plane, or was created by the Golden Goddesses also as a yin-to-yang situation, where Demise would destroy things that Hylia created, leaving more room for more creation later on, like how a volcano erupts burns everything down, but new land grows from that eruption.

The issue comes when the cycle became imbalanced. One thing that keeps coming up with Ganon is that he equates rule and destroy pretty equally. He will rule Hyrule! And it will be destroyed. But also he will get rid of the barren ocean! He will create a new Hyrule... which he will rule over with a harsh hand uwu.

It sounds to me like Demise wanted to at some point take Hylia's role as the creator/guardian Diety, but his power is literally destruction. So the way he understands raising something is like... to the ground. It is a fundimental Nature Thing that influences his understanding of the world. If he destroys the world, he is making it anew maybe, or maybe the monsters are his equivalent of Hylians, or etc. Regardless, his plan is basically "I'm in charge now and it will be Better", and there's nothing beyond that--he's good at his job and he's sure he'll be excellent at this other job as well.

At some point after Skyward Sword and being defeated by a Hylian with the Triforce, he changes strategies. I'm not certain if the plan was to get the Triforce of Power because it is the most powerful of the three, or if he meant to possess all three pieces and only managed to grab one, but his attention turned to claiming the Triforce instead.

The Triforce, which holds the ability to shape the world they live in (the power of a creator god, available to the beings in the world it shapes) is only attainable by a mortal, so Demise does as Hylia did, and becomes mortal.

It is... difficult to figure out how to talk about Ganondorf without discussing racism inherent in the design of the Gerudo. But at some point Demise has a connection to Ganondorf of the Gerudo, either that being the mortal form he's been reincarnated into, or "a manifestation of Demise's hatred." It could be chance that Demise became a Gerudo, or like... deeply unfortuante implications that I don't want to deal with for a Watsonian the-religion-is-true type speculation?? Doylian answer: the real world had racist influences. Watsonian answer: Gerudo have the goddess bloodline too, making them capable of wielding the Triforce, and it's just deeply unfortunate that the dieties in this world have strong opinions on their gender.

So as Demise becomes Ganondorf, he starts doing the thing Hylia did upon becoming mortal: gains the fun mortal emotions and experiences, and becoming less godly. The Power Triforce allows Ganondorf to live a very long time, so sometimes he's the same person between Zelda/Link incarnations, and that also gives him a long time to build up mortal experiences.

He is no longer a being completely of hate, but he has yet to obtain the power of 'creation' the way Hylia has it, because of his inherent roots as a being of destruction and entropy. Even when he intends to make something, his method for doing so is through destruction. In Wind Waker, he's furious that Hyrule's been flooded, but the ocean is a dead and barren place, and he wants to fix it: he wants to positively change the world... and he does it by ripping the seas apart trying to find the Triforce.

Conversely, Hylia is a being of creation/preservation, which is why she can't directly fight effectively. She can make prisons to seal Demise away, but that's still creating a prison. She can make light arrows, but needs someone else to fire them. She can make a master sword, but needs someone to weild it for her. That's why she sends out heroes as proxies in the fights. She isn't an omnipotent type deity. She gave up a lot of her power to get the triforce, and she can't walk it back. I see a lot of fic with Links frustrated that Hylia has 'put them in this position' or 'relies on young kids', which like, I get? But you have to think smaller gods. She has power on her own, but not the power of outright destruction, which is what she needs if she were going to destroy Demise forever. If she did manage to destroy demise, presumably she would then take up the role as both creator and destroyer? But since she's locked in mortal form, maybe the world is already functionally goddessless, which is why the only working relics are things from the ancinet past, when she was immortal, and killing Demise now would mostly just mean less Ganondorf-based events in the world, but otherwise not change much.

Hyrule is locked in a very degraded creation/destruction cycle, where the creation goddess is finding ways to destroy, and the destruction diety is trying to create. Both of them are mortal, leading to huge stretches of time where one or both are dead or sealed away, and when that happens, the Triforce is sealed away with them: it can only be used when all three parts are combined. So Hyrule, a place with absolutely 100% proven godly magic, is fully unable to use it to change their environment for long stretches of time.

This is. A very busted clock.

[grndmsnflwr]

Hellenic Polytheism Holiday’s

Anthesteria

Festival of Dionysus and wine

Time- January 11th-13th

The souls of the dead come from the underworld and walk abroad. People would chew on hawthorn or buckthorn and besmear their doors with tar to protect themselves from evil.

Day 1- Pithoigia (The Jar opening)

The jars of wine from last year are opened.

Day 2- Choës (The Pouring)

People dress gaily and gave rounds of drinks to acquaintances and friends. Drinking contests are held to see who can drink the fastest. Drinks where also poured on the graves of the deceased.

Day 3- Chytroi (The Pots)

Fruit is offered to Hermès and the souls of the dead, who where then bidden to depart.

Apaturia

Days of discussion

Time- 11th-13th of mid-October to mid-November

Day 1- Dorpia

A festival is held at a persons house.

Day 2- Anarrhysis

A sacrifice is made. In modern day we will count this as a gift giving day. (In Ancient Greece they offered goat and ox heads)

Day 3- Kureōtis

A day of offerings, such as hair.

Dionysia

A festival of theatrical performances of dramatic tragedies and comedies.

Time- is split into 2 parts through out the year

Rural Dionysia

Held in December-January. It celebrates the cultivation of vines. A mini parade is held of girls and boys holding baskets of long bread, other offerings, jars of water, and jars of wine. After the Pompe, the mini parade is called, they have dancing and singing contests and dithyrambs where sung too.

City Dionysia

Held 3 months after The Rural Dionysia. Offerings are given to Dionysus to prevent a plague affecting the male genitalia.

Eleusinia

Festival of games

Time- held every 2 years in the middle of August and September.

The Eleusinia is a festival in honour of Demeter. Every other festival is known as The Great Eleusinia it’s purpose was thanksgiving and sacrifice to Demeter for the gift of grain. The festival consists of games and contests. They don’t have a specific theme.

Panathenaea

A celebration of Athena via games incorporating religious festival, ceremonies, athletic competitions, and cultural events.

Time- The Great Panathenaea is held every 4 years and the lesser is held every year, but both are in June though

The Great Panathenaea

This is just a more magnificent display of The Lesser Panathenaea.

1. The Musical Contest

• Is only held at The Greater Panathenaea. In modern times the best speaking of an excerpt of the Iliad and the odyssey would win the contest.

2. The Gymnastic Contest

• Is only held at The Greater Panathenaea. 3 groups of 12-15, 16-19, and 20 and above compete. A race is the only recorded event.

3. The Equestrian Contest

• Is only held at The Greater Panathenaea. A horse chariot race between 2 people. I’m modern day it would not be horses.

4. The Smaller Contests

• The Pyrrhic dance

• I’m modern times it would be a dance competition based on remembering choreography.

• The Procession and Sacrifices

• The procession is a showing of all the victors. At the end of the procession everyone that participated in the events offers and sacrifice/offering to the gods.

• The Officials of the Festival

• The chosen, up to, 10 organize the musical, gymnastics, and equestrian contests of the festival. They would also choose the prizes.

Thargelia

An agricultural festival held in honour of Apollo and Artemis.

Time- May 24th and 25th annually

Day 1

The first fruits of the earth are offered to ward off pestilence and convince Apollo to not give excessive heat. I’m modern day you would also throw a rock in the sea or large body of water.

Day 2

Olive branches bound by wool were affixed by doors of houses. Choruses of men and boys take part in a musical Contest which the prize is a tripod. Adopted people are prayed for to be adopted and taken into a loving home.

Thesmophoria

A festival honouring Demeter and her daughter Persephone.

Time- late October for 3 days annually

The festival was held to celebrated in order to promote fertility, both human and agricultural. It was celebrated by other women and men were forbidden to see the rites.

I am a man by birth so I will not read or write about any of the rites and rituals.

I researched all of these in one night and I’m also very new to fully embracing Hellenic polytheism. If there is anything wrong or needs to be corrected please comment or message me. Also yes I know that using Wikipedia as a source isn’t that great but most things where very confusing to read.

Sources:

[idv-ask-azrael]

[some random af Magnus Archives x IDV crossover ideas for the hunters]

[I will give a quick explanation of the basic concept of TMA. Thus this post will include spoilers from The Magnus Archives (world building) and the backstories of the Hunters of IDV as I have understood them]

[Also this is a Horror Game meeting a Horror Podcast. Even though I will not go into detail, please consider yourself warned.]

[In the world of TMA fears exist as a type of supernatural being/concept. They are not really intelligent; they just want to feed on people's fear from where ever they are outside this reality. They can mark people and those people either become victims (who are very likely to die) or start living with and nurturing the fear, thus becoming an avatar with an unique set of skills that fit the fear they are serving. While there is usually one "main" patron/fear, one can be marked by multiple fears and many statements/episodes mix fears.]

[I will not be going on about what fear does what (that'll take forever and you can read it up on the wiki) but I'll explain my choice]

~~

Hell Ember

The Desolation

The Desolation is primarily associated with fire, loss and destruction

Technically, Freddy would be the avatar and Hell Ember a victim but for the sake of this, we will ignore that fact

~

The Ripper

The Flesh, the Slaughter or The Hunt

Jack the Ripper murdered and mutilated people and if that doesn't scream The Flesh, then idk what does

Jacks "other personality" might just be The Slaughter hopping into his mind

Hunting, tracking prey is very Hunt-like

~

Smiley Face

The Desolation, (The Flesh, The Stranger)

He most likely burned down the circus and he himself is a victim of having his life destroyed

He is wearing someone's face.... Flesh and Stranger say hello

~

Gamekeeper

The Hunt

He is hunting down everyone who steps foot in his territory

~

Feaster

to be honest, I feel like this man is in his own league and cannot be categorized

~

If anything, it would probably be The Vast considering Hastur's head is a void with eyes

The ocean is often connected to the Vast as well

Geisha

The Lonely

With Miles gone, Michiko must have felt incredibly alone in this new country and hostile environment

considering we never really get detailed information, she could have cultivated her mark of The Lonely before she was killed

~

Soul Weaver

The Stranger or The Web

Circus, Freakshow, Prosthetics... Nikola, you forgot to pick up your spider friend

The Flesh would not fit, since she is getting prosthetics (non-biological). main story doesn't really deal with her body but rather what she makes of it

Spider mom. The Web primarily uses spiders.

~

Wu Chang

The Lonely and The Buried

Considering they seem to be very close (sworn brothers, almost identical design, they only exist together), Wujiu's death must have filled Bian with incredible loneliness

The Buried is also associated with "drowning" and "not being able to breathe", making it perfect for Wujiu

~

Photographer

The Eye, The Lonely, The End, (The Spiral)

Photography is a visual art, so The Eye is not far fetched

Conquering death and his obsession with it is a very good motive for The End

Joseph knows his brother is dead but still goes on and looks for a cure; it displays an obsession with a certain type of knowledge

Your twin dies. Loneliness here we come.

I only listed The Spiral because he is creating pathways to another place

~

Mad Eyes

The Hunt, (The Eye)

His fear of another attack would technically count as the fear of being hunted down. again, this would make him a victim, not an avatar but hey

tbh I just put down The Eye because his skills feature cameras

~

Dream Witch

The Web or the Vast

She is controlling a lot of followers... Web?

"There is something bigger out there" and Yhidra is right there with her followers

~

Evil Reptilian

The Flesh

His body was changed, thus The Flesh is a possible option

~

Axe Boy

The End

He certainly outlived his end

There is no special fear associated with nature and tbh I can't really find a theme for him

~

Bloody Queen

The End or The Slaughter

The End for living after being beheaded

The Slaughter is for going from Marie Antoinette to Bloody Mary

~

Guard 26

The Stranger, (the Hunt)

a machine becoming conscious and pretending to be human (or more) sounds very Stanger-like

Since Bonbon is used to keep people off the property, one could say he helps Bane hunt down intruders

~

Disciple

The Corruption

There is a lot of sickness and plague in her backstory; the corruption says hi (especially with the whole cat thing)

As tempting as Devil's Eyes sound, her story as nothing to do with The Eye besides the same symbol

~

Violinist

The Corruption or The Web

I mean he did get corrupted by the devil

His blood is "infected" by desire

His music seems to captivate others and it sounds almost as if it was addicting; he might be able to corrupt others

The Web usually controls people, so Antonio might fit there

~

Sculptor

The Spiral, The Stranger or The Flesh

The Spiral is often associated with madness or your mind lying to yourself. I think we can all agree she went mad enough to qualify

Creating very human-like sculptures sounds like a Stranger thing

Considering she most likely turned her caretaker into a sculpture, The Flesh might also be involved

~

Undead

The End

The End is all about death and this man is undead

There are avatars of The End who appear as "Death" until someone takes their place. They appear to be undead or immortal afterwards, so this is not a very far stretch

Reanimated Corpses/People are also marked by The End

~

The Breaking Wheel

The Slaughter or The Stranger?

From what I gathered they behaved just fine until one night, they suddenly started attacking people... so Slaughter?

Pretending to be one person or generally acting as a "family", the Stranger seems like a good choice

The Flesh doesn't qualify because while their "abnormal appearance" is mentioned, it is never really the main issue. acting is much more important to them.

The Lonely don't qualify because they still have each other

~

Naiad

The Buried

The Buried is also associated with "drowning" and "not being able to breathe"

One could also add in some Darkness or Vast for whatever turned her at the bottom of the lake

~

Wax Artist

The Flesh or The Stranger

His obsession with physical appearance and the fact he fused his sister to his shoulder makes it sound very Flesh-like

His sister still moves on his shoulder, so it might be Stranger related, especially with all those very human-looking sculptures

The End would not qualify since it was a one time event and not a long term obsession or issue

~

Nightmare

The Spiral or The Slaughter

With all the mind games, drugs and hallucinations, the spiral isn't far off

Another personality with violent tendencies! Slaughter, here we go again!

[afroherbalism]

"Emma Dupree (1897-1992) was an influential black herbalist from Falkland and Fountain, in Pitt County in North Carolina. She was known locally as “granny woman.”

Because she prays, she brews herbs. Because she brews herbs, she heals. Because she heals, she is the undisputed sage of Pitt County. They say her home remedies can quiet a colicky baby, cure a mean cold and scare lice off a hog.

"All that we see, everything that is growin' in the earth," Emma says, "is healin' to the nation of any kind of disease."

She was the daughter of freed slaves and grew up on the Tar River. She was known for her work with native herbs: Sassafras, white mint, double tansy, rabbit tobacco, maypop, mullein, catnip, horseradish, and silkweed.

Here is an excerpt from an article published shortly after her death:

"From the time she could walk, Emma felt drawn to the land. She would roam the woods, plucking, sniffing, tasting weeds. She grew up that way, collecting the leaves, stems, roots and bark of sweet gum, white mint, mullen, sassafras in her coattail or a tin bucket. She'd tote them back to the farm, rinse them in well water and tie them in bunches to dry. In the backyard, she'd raise a fire under a kettle and boil her herbs to a bubbly froth, then pour it up in brown-necked stone jugs: A white-mint potion for poor circulation; catnip tea for babies with colic; tansy tea - hot or cold - for low blood sugar; mullein tea for a stomach ache. Mixed with molasses or peppermint candy to knock out the bitterness. Her kind of folk medicine dates back centuries. In the 1600s, African slaves brought root-doctor remedies to America. Indians and immigrants had cure-alls, too. In some rural areas, scattered herbalists still practice."

She was born on July 4, 1897, the seventh among 18 siblings, Emma Williams Dupree grew up on the Tar River and was known in her family as "that little medicine thing" because of her early understanding of herbs.

Her parents, Pennia and Noah Williams, were freed slaves farming in Falkland, NC.

She told an interviewer in 1979 that her mother remembered being "on the porch of the old Wooten's farm home when freedom came. She was 16 when Mr. and Mrs. Wooten walked out on that porch and told her she was 'as free as they were, but they loved her just the same.'"

She was married for one year to Ethan Cherry, a farmer. She divorced him and remarried another farmer, Austin Dupree, Jr., who was born in 1892. Emma and Austin moved to Fountain, NC in 1936 and had five children, whose ages in the 1930 U.S. Census are indicated in parentheses: Lucy (12), Herbert (9), John (5), Doris (3), and Mary (1).

They remained married until his death at age 90. She died at home, at 3313 N. Jefferson St, Fountain, on March 12, 1996. She is buried at Saint John's Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery, in Falkland,NC.

Emma Dupree's "garden-grown pharamacy" included sassafras, white mint, double tansy, rabbit tobacco, maypop, mullein, catnip, horseradish, silkweed and other plants from which she made tonics, teas, salves and dried preparations. These were cultivated in her yard and gathered from the banks of the Tar River. She told Karen Baldwin that she grew a special tree in her back yard, which she called her "healing berry tree."

She explained, "Now that tree, I don't know of another name for it, but it's in the old-fashioned Bible and the seed for it came from Rome." She also told Baldwin of being an especially alert baby: "They said I was just looking every which way. And I kept acting and moving and doing things a baby didn't do. And I walked early. I was walking at seven months old, just as good and strong. When I got so I got out doors, I went to work. I was pulling up weeds, biting them, smelling in them, and spitting them out. And folks in them days, they just watched me, watched what I was doing.

Awards and Recognition

In 1984, Dupree was awarded the Brown-Hudson Award by the North Carolina Folklore Society, recognizing her as an individual who contributed significantly to the transmission, appreciation and observance of traditional culture and folk life in North Carolina.

In 1992, Dupree received the North Carolina Heritage Award, lifetime achievement recognition for outstanding traditional artists in North Carolina

NOTE:

Here is a link to a video of Mrs Emma Dupree being interviewed by students of the ECU medical research department. This video is Produced by the office of Health Services Research and Development, School of Medicine, East Carolina University.

It is 40 minutes long.

Link: https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/58575?fbclid=IwAR1e22I8_vRfvzI0nZXDBT8XG7Z-4DgiNykjqsbPD8hoD2Aw8haC2uI8vvo#details

Source;https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/ncpi/view/5581

Source:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emma_Dupree

---

Herbalist, 94, Lets Nature Heal

by Paige Williams Feb 20, 1992

Before her came African root doctors and Indian medicine men. People believed their mystical potions could cure body and soul and sometimes they could. Some modern medicines still use herbal derivatives. Few old-time herbalists like Emma are left in North Carolina. Hospitals first forced her kind out of business. Death is finishing the job. Emma Dupree's hanging tough, though, pushing 10 decades. She takes the tonic, see. Drinks it like water. She jumps out of her chair, props fists on her waist and swivels her hips Hula-Hoop style. She holds both hands out flat and squirms her wrinkled fingers all around, crossing and uncrossing, like she's making a million wishes. No arthritis there.

"There's something to that stuff," said her granddaughter, Sandra White.

Joe Exum, town grocer, keeps a Crown Royal bourbon bottle under the front seat of his pickup truck. It holds the slimy remnants of Emma's tonic: oily brown syrup that looks like tobacco spit, stings the nose like paint thinner and tastes like pine tar smells.

"I'd pay $50 for a bottle right now," Exum said. "Two swallers and it'll knock the sore throat right out." He's waiting for Emma to brew another batch. She stewed her last at Christmas. She used to make the tonic right steady, every day almost, the way she learned 80 years ago, when the woods first called her.

Pitt County borders the Pamlico River 80 miles east of Raleigh. Its largest town is Greenville, the county seat, population

44,972. One of its smallest is Fountain, population 445, founded in 1900 on the western rim. Emma Dupree was Emma Williams then, a 3-year-old growing up the daughter of freed slaves on a farm 9 miles east in Falkland, where she was born the Fourth of July, 1897. Emma was the knee baby, second from the youngest of seven girls and four boys, and always hanging on her mama's knee. Early on, Pennia and Noah Williams knew she was nature's child. From the time she could walk, Emma felt drawn to the land.

She would roam the woods, plucking, sniffing, tasting weeds. She grew up that way, collecting the leaves, stems, roots and bark of sweet gum, white mint, mullen, sassafras in her coattail or a tin bucket. She'd tote them back to the farm, rinse them in well water and tie them in bunches to dry. In the backyard, she'd raise a fire under a kettle and boil her herbs to a bubbly froth, then pour it up in brown-necked stone jugs: A white-mint potion for poor circulation; catnip tea for babies with colic; tansy tea - hot or cold - for low blood sugar; mullen tea for a stomach ache. Mixed with molasses or peppermint candy to knock out the bitterness. Her kind of folk medicine dates back centuries. In the 1600s, African slaves brought root-doctor remedies to America. Indians and immigrants had cure-alls, too. In some rural areas, scattered herbalists still practice.

"It's dying out," says Charles Reagan Wilson of the Center for the Study of Southern Culture at the University of Mississippi. "People more and more rely on modern science." Pitt County's got both. Modern medicine and Emma Dupree. Her school was God's school; her classroom, the land. While the other children played, she picked herbs. Sometimes she caught the other children talking about her: "There comes that ol' rovin' gal. Reckon where she goin' now?" Yet they always followed her.

When Emma was about 20, she married Ethan Cherry, a farmer. It lasted about a year. The story goes that Cherry went one wisecrack too far about how many women it takes to satisfy a man. Emma whacked him with a chair. Knocked him out cold. Then she divorced him. "He wasn't no good husband." She married another farmer, Austin Dupree. They moved to Fountain in 1936. Old age killed him in the the early 1970s. He was nearly 90. Of Emma's five children, only Doris, 66, is left. She lives next door to Emma's little white-and-green house on Jefferson Street, a longtime magnet to the afflicted.

Herbs' earthy aroma herbs brewed day and night. Their warm earthy aroma filled the whole house. Emma poured her tonic up in glass vinegar jugs and canning jars and kept it in a pantry off the kitchen. Somebody was always knocking on the front door. Emma would fetch it: "Now you take this with faith because it's not me. I'm just the instrument." She never set a price. People paid what they could, sometimes $5, sometimes $30. "It was a common thing for people to literally be waiting in line," said White, 38, the granddaughter Emma raised. People sought advice, too. They'd bang on the door, pull her aside: "Can I talk to you?" Fountain's own Ann Landers. "You can tell her a problem and she can work it out so it don't seem so bad," White said.

Some, she couldn't help. Once, a young girl dying of leukemia and weary of doctors showed up at Emma's door. Emma suspected it was hopeless. Still, she couldn't say no. She gave her the tonic. "I don't want to make her sound like a saint," White said, "but she tried to help everybody." Emma won't take the credit. "Whatever your talent, whatever you is, you come with it," she said. "When you come into this world, God's done fixed you with what you got to do." To townspeople, she's "Aunt Emma."

In December, they made her grand marshal of the Fountain Christmas parade, all two blocks of it. She waved from the back of the long white limousine borrowed from the local funeral home. Only the best for the sage of Pitt County.

Source:https://www.tulsaworld.com/archives/herbalist-lets-nature-heal/article_3b0e06d1-4af9-5567-93ee-bc4b50d5867f.html