#spoiler rox actually dies!

[ghostbny]

Bad ending Rox were he ends up possesed by dark matter

[pupuseriazag]

🍎🍑🍈

🍎 Is there anything you straight-up won’t write?

Hmmm... OH, Mafia AUs definetly. Nope, no thanks! I had ENOUGH with those during my one direction era and when I was in a Golden Wind RP groupchat. Idk they are just so... boring now. Like I was already bored by those when I got into Jojo's but at least the dynamic was not "You're Mine and I will kidnap you and commit acts of jealousy and abuse my power to show you you are MINE so you can call me daddy" 🤢 No gracias, toy bien asi. You know? those type of "Mafia boyfriend" that got pretty popular in tik tok? I fucking hate those and I avoid them like the plague.

Which is why I havent really written anything more about Iris (my Jojo's OC) because I hc'd her as the child of Bruno and Abbacchio and thus eventually she becomes a member of Passione bla bla bla you get it. I do want to eventually write her in stone ocean but maybe that ship already sailed years ago 😅.

Also stuff like teacher x student make me severely uncomfy. I used to be interested in it when I was a teen... and then I discovered oh shit this is actually not good and pretty much became veeery uncomfortable around the idea (mas que todo porque mi mente dice "wey ponele que le gustaras a uno de tus profesores y te tirara la onda" "...maje que asco" "ves?") not shaming the people who do enjoy it but no thanks I'm fine.

gore for the sake of being gory is also a turn off from me, like if its to symbolize something idk something religious, sexual, emotional etc I can find the taste for it... but writing a graphic death of a character just because is something I hate doing and I hate reading/watching as well XD which is why i cant stomach several stories or series

🍑 If you could make a connection between your favorite character and another work you care about (whether a crossover/fusion or a wonderfully “pretentious” literary reference) what would it be? How would it work?

ACTUALLY NOW THAT YOU MENTION IT XD

Damian (my oc) is canonically into the Naruto variant in his universe which is the same anime but my naruto oc (Haruka) is in it LAKSFHAKSJFHAF LITERALLY HARUKA'S STORY FIC IS CANON IN HIS UNIVERSE and he is a fan of her and Damian is a naruto x sasuke x haruka shipper. I just thought "VE CHIS, SON MIS OCS Y SI YO QUIERO QUE SEA CANON ES CANON PUES HIJOEPUTASSSSSSS"

I also thought about making Damian and Rox share universe since both stories take place in El Salvador... and it would be funny to make references of Rox being the "superhero" or one of the shinigamis remembering they collected Gwen's soul after she died on the long run it doesnt make sense for them to be in the same universe (because of Rox's universe plot and Damian's)

I would say tho, Rox's universe is a parallel one to Damian's, soo Rox could visit that universe and meet them because of the multidimentional watch. (Por poner ejemplo, en el universo de Damian la mayoria de deidades (especialmente las Mexica) existen y tienen autoridad sobre la tierra todavia, a diferencia del de Rox que es mas "realista" en que no se sabe si existen o no, pero si sobrevivieron las creencias populares...y tambien el pais se fue a la reverenda verga)

I... uhm... also have thouht about adding Miguel to my self insert's Tav story 😅 because I tried to model the guardian after a Tiefling version of Miguel and wrote elsewhere about how- ah fuck its a spoiler of BG3 uhhhh lets just say tiefling!Miguel is somewhat important to my Tav, there.

🍈 Who’s your blorbo and what are some of your favorite headcanons/ideas about them that repeatedly show up in your fics? Free pass to rant about blorbo opinions.

Cagaste porque voy a hablar como loco de Miguelito.

Look. Ever since Miguel entered my life I have not been able to shut up about him, I have several headcanons about SEVERAL versions of him (like for example movie Miguel, human Miguel, tiefling Miguel, papa luchon Miguel, etc etc) Most of all being variations of "How would he react and behave if he lived through this and that? Would he be a little less angry if he didnt go through this? would he be a little more open about this topic?" My Miguel headcanons are all about experimenting with him and putting him and Rox (or me lol) in situations where I can explore his persona and fantasize about them.

Anything from what kind of music he would listen to, how he sleeps, how he expresses his love. What does his day usually looks like, how does he care for Gabi and how he mourns her in another universe. His relationship with his mom, etc.

Recently the most common HC that comes up with Miguel in my fics is how a tough childhood and a mom who doesnt like him shaped him into who he is now, how he has either given up on "hope for a better life" or blames himself for the life he is having. And him allowing himself to be happy.

If I'm completely honest I dont like how the majority of the fic writers write him (specially the "your dad's best friend" trope, keep that shit away from me.) I just cant bear it. I dont like a Miguel who can easily call you several cheesy nicknames in spanish (que de por si la mayoria de mara que he visto son asi y tristemente entendible porque el español no es su idioma y quieren poder integrarlo a su personalida) MAKE THAT MAN STRUGGLE WITH IT, MAKE HIM HAVE TROUBLE CALLING YOU A LOVING NICKNAME SINCE HE IS NOT USED TO HAVING TO DO SO.

MAKE. HIM. STRUGGLE.

(and this is purely personal: I dont enjoy reading or writing Miguel being with someone skinny, I'm sorry but no, give that man a chubby/curvier individual)

Miguel is such an interesting character to theorize about, specially looking deeper than what we knew about him in spiderverse (sisi ya se tambien los comics pero no los he leido nomas resumenes) and giving him a stronger identity because I feel theres so much you can do with his background and tweak lightly to make a little bit more sense (since its clear the original writers are not latinos. A quien putas se le ocurre ponerle a su mama "Conchata"? O decirle Gabri al Gabo? neta?? esa es mi manera de diferenciar quien es fan gringo y quien es fan latino KASJFHAKJSFAFS como le dicen al Gabriel ya ya me dice que pedo.)

I love him so much Im sorry :'v He is everything to me and I just start rambling about him. Like rn I'm writing one about him and how he accepted he had to succumb and "settle down" in the most heteronormative way because "thats what everyone has told me I should do" and him coming to terms that maybe he does not want that, maybe he can wish for something else, for someone else that he actually enjoys being with, and not just because he has to follow the set of rules his family and society expects him to do.

Also in all my hcs Gabo is gay, idk he is gay to me and plays supports on ow KASJFHGASKJFA idk I felt like sayin that about him XD

The only one who has been capable of making me write about someone else is Halsin and Astarion but the Miguel brainrot persists. Y peor porque ando jugando the sims y don pendejo se hiso a si mismo y a Miguel KASJFHAKJSFHSA y me invente que mi self insert se habia hecho pana del Gabo en la u y Gabriel lo invito a quedarse por las vacaciones verda. Y que su vuelo llega primero antes que el del Gabo y que Miguel le anda echando el ojito al mushasho durante esos 2 dias 👀 y despues ahi viendolo como dibuja en su tabletita o escuchandolo jugar con Gabriel nomas pensando que ta bonito el bestie de su hermano.

OH Y ALSFHASKFHASFJ como justo donde les puse la casa hay un sim IGUALITO A MI EX MAJE PUTA YO ME CAGUE CUANDO LO VI Y EL MAJE ES VECINOOOOOOOO PUTAAAAAAAAA total que me invente el hc que ese maje era el ex de mi sim LASJKFHASKJFHASFKJ y que mi sim le pide a Miguel que si aja le hace el paro de que si llegan a verlo afuera que pretenda ser su novio y el man ni lento ni perezoso vea le ayuda.

Y pos aja terminan enamorandose y el Gabo los cacha un dia dandose cariñitos en la sala LASKFHJALSJKFHASF (te amo whicked whims y las situaciones tan pendejas que pueden pasar) Y ni modo ahi le dice "no la neta si me gusta mucho tu hermano" "NAAAAAAH NETA??? SI NO ME DECIS NO ME DOY CUENTA" El empute mas porque sabe que es venganza de cuando Miguel lo cacho con un wey en la casa lol.

MAN Y LO CHISTOSON AKSJFHASKJFSA hice que el Gabo le coqueteara a un maje vea y yo lo hc'ed como si el man se lo hayo en linea vea y aja andan de noviesitos Y EL GABO ANDABA COMO DIZZY UN DIA Y LE COQUETEO AL EX DE MI SIM WEEEEYYYYYYYYYYYYY Y EL DIA SIGUIENTE METE AL NOVIO AL CUARTO Y COGEN Y QUE VA LLEGANDO EL EX DE MI SIM A VERLO Y SE PONE A LLORAR QUE LO CACHO ENGAÑANDOLE VOS NO ERAS HETERO CABRON????

y pos XD tambien ya tubieron bendicion porque viven estable y si no puedo cuidar o tener hijos irl si me preocupo por los que tengo en este juego culero. Y queria que fuera niña pa ponerle Gabi vea pero salio niño (nunca me habia salido niño antes) y no supe como ponerle y le puse Damian asique pos, canon que Damian es mi hijo ✌🏻 puta ya son las 2 am empece a escribir esto hace una hora 😭😭

[brightwingedbat]

Spoilers for both ff14 and gw2-

Sorry, but as much as I love my GW2 Commander, the Warrior of Light is literally on another level.

The Commander typically needs armies, or a superpowered dragon to take down world ending theats. The only threat they took down without some help from Aurene was Zhaitan, with 3 huge armies. They got visions from egg Aurene during Mordremoth. Meanwhile Balthazar, Joko, Kralkatorrik, Jormag, Primordus and Void. All were taken down because of Aurene.

The Warrior of Light meanwhile did get blessed by Hydaelyn, but they get so powerful they actually defeat her in combat alongside 7 of their allies who are not blessed. (They also get this blessing shut off for most of Heavensward and still take down 'gods' and dragons.)

Taking down Hydaelyn is like if The Commander managed to kill Aurene with Kasmeer, Marjory, Rytlock, Taimi, Braham, Rox and Canach. I see that as extremely unlikely.

And not even getting started on "The Commander returned from death."

The Warrior of Light has killed Nidhogg and Zenos. Both villains who were killed once and returned far more powerful than before. Killing characters who have died and returned is not something new for the Warrior of Light. The Commander couldn't even kill Joko, Aurene had to EAT him.

The Warrior of Light also has that ability to summon 7 allies to literally anywhere, who get returned after the fight is done. Not just a game mechanic, it is used in cutscenes as an actual magic ability they have now.

The Commander would not stand a chance.

mmo tumblr

considerations:

WoW has the most expansions under its belt and therefore the most world-ending threats conquered by the Champion

The WoL can change between like 20 unique combat classes at any time

The Commander has a voice and can dodge roll

[pesterloglog]

Roxy Lalonde, Calliope

Act 6, page 7694-7695

ROXY: hay!! hope you dont mind i pulled you off to the side like this

ROXY: away from other nice pals for a lil one + one rox & cal time

ROXY: i might b greedy as shit!

CALLIOPE: i don't mind at all!

CALLIOPE: i'm still getting Used to the concept of in-person socialization at all, let alone with many people.

CALLIOPE: and yes, yoU MAY be greedy, bUt if so, then so am i by the exact same standard. ^u^

ROXY: fffuck yes

ROXY: like a couple of friendship burglars pickin each others pockets all shifty eyed and lookin out for cops

ROXY: but also giggling i guess because that is in the spirit of the scenario in question

CALLIOPE: heheh. yes.

ROXY: i cant believe youre really here

ROXY: it hardly seems real!

ROXY: after all these years and how u were just like a mystery friend online and then how worried i was we might lose you for good

ROXY: but now......

ROXY: wow

CALLIOPE: i know!!!

ROXY: so u and jane and jade were hangin out?

CALLIOPE: yes!

CALLIOPE: it was great.

CALLIOPE: we drew and told stories.

CALLIOPE: i'd heard yoU died, so i was holding oUt some hope that yoU woUld show Up too...

CALLIOPE: and yoU did eventUally. jUst not the version of yoU i expected.

CALLIOPE: i never dared to think yoU woUld bring me this gift.

ROXY: well

ROXY: i swore i would

ROXY: and john kinda double swore he would help

ROXY: damn the kid is persistent

CALLIOPE: i like him.

CALLIOPE: he is easy to talk to.

ROXY: yeah!

CALLIOPE: i've read aboUt him, of coUrse.

CALLIOPE: the reality of someone standing in front of yoU is qUite different from what yoU read aboUt them in a text.

CALLIOPE: bUt then, i have no idea how accUrate anything i read is anymore.

CALLIOPE: i always believed i was in possession of the texts which decoded yoUr fUtUre, and i behaved toward all of yoU in that sly and knowing manner, avoiding "spoilers" and sUch.

CALLIOPE: that was probably presUmptUoUs of me thoUgh, in hindsight. i clearly didn't know that mUch.

CALLIOPE: i certainly didn't read anything aboUt my own involvement. i never coUld have imagined being here.

ROXY: you were still helpful though!

ROXY: you were the force in our lives that gave us hope that we could all get together some day

ROXY: going down that road has been craaazy and by no means a smooth ride

ROXY: im losin count of all the times it looked like everything was about to break or catch fire or actually DID break and catch fire resulting in loads of dismay

ROXY: but when you look back, every time things went to shit there was always something constructive about that turn of events

ROXY: something that was necessary for the good outcome to happen at all

ROXY: so whenever something stupid happens like some a-hole gets a bonehead idea to steal a ring and then everyone dies horribly and at the TIME u think ur just gonna curl up and cry yourself into weepy nonexistence

ROXY: maybe those arent even "bad" realities?

ROXY: maybe they are as important as any

ROXY: and so are all the experiences that u had in them and so are the experiences of everyone who died because you dont just get to say your experiences are more important or significant just cus you happened to be someone who survived longer

ROXY: i guess what im saying is

ROXY: im grateful you let me go on this adventure and not even in spite of the hardship it involved

ROXY: i just had a little time to think about it in the firefly nothingspace

ROXY: and i think all of it was good

CALLIOPE: i'm happy that i coUld play sUch a role in yoUr lives.

CALLIOPE: i don't know if i deserve mUch credit for these positive revelations aboUt yoUr joUrney thoUgh.

CALLIOPE: yoU are the one who's been on the adventUre.

CALLIOPE: i have barely taken my first step.

CALLIOPE: i spent all my life in my room, and then every moment in the afterlife cowering in fear.

CALLIOPE: it's only now that trUe participation is even a possibility.

CALLIOPE: bUt even so, i really doUbt i'll have mUch to offer.

CALLIOPE: my other self who i jUst released... i think she is poised to do something mUch more significant.

ROXY: what do you think shell do

CALLIOPE: i have no clUe.

ROXY: but she told u to live right

CALLIOPE: yes.

ROXY: by which i can only assume she meant

ROXY: yo live it UP girl

ROXY: like uh

ROXY: go shopping or something

ROXY: or rocket down the highway in a convertible with cash flyin out the back??

CALLIOPE: heh.

CALLIOPE: that is not the sort of sentiment i can imagine coming from her Under any circUmstance.

CALLIOPE: bUt yes, maybe something to the effect of encoUraging me to enjoy my existence, as commUnicated by a more typical, trUly asocial member of my species.

CALLIOPE: really, what i took from it was...

CALLIOPE: she is the "real" one, with all the power and relevance now, and i am the "spare". a civilian in a sense, like in a war.

CALLIOPE: and the only Use for civilians, from a militaristic mindset, are as those who live their lives in whatever completely irrelevant way they choose to.

CALLIOPE: they are the collateral at stake, the ones for whom the war is theoretically foUght, bUt whose lifestyles, choices, happiness and sUch, hold no concern whatsoever for those fighting on their behalf.

CALLIOPE: this i think is the mindset of cherUbs of her alignment. as protectors, it is the relationship they have with those they protect.

CALLIOPE: and so that is probably the relationship she believes she has with me.

ROXY: you make it sound like

ROXY: she is the legit callie

ROXY: and you are the afterthought

ROXY: like the one from the funky reality that didnt go right?

CALLIOPE: technically, her timeline was doomed, by her predomination alone.

CALLIOPE: even so, yes, it does feel as thoUgh my reality was the oddity.

CALLIOPE: cherUbs were never sUpposed to grow Up like me. exposed to other caring people, and learning from them.

CALLIOPE: it made me different, and Unfit to predominate. yet ironically, this was reqUisite for the timeline's sUccess.

CALLIOPE: and it was necessary for yoU all to begin yoUr joUrney as well.

ROXY: so this seems like

ROXY: an example of what i was just sayin actually

ROXY: the story of the two callies

ROXY: neither is really "more important"

ROXY: and your timelines cant really be described as the good one or the bad one

ROXY: there were good and bad things about both ways stuff went down and different qualities to the people you became

ROXY: her life sounds like it was harsh and lonely in its own way

ROXY: but it sorta paid off cause she got to beat her brother

ROXY: but then got arbitrarily punished for that outcome because it wasnt supposed to happen??

ROXY: and then finally u meet her and "free" her or something so she presumably gets to go off and do... something badass???

ROXY: then theres you

ROXY: who had probably an even more challenging upbringing gettin so hassled by your bro

ROXY: and he killed you i guess because the way the deck was shuffled he had the edge this time

ROXY: but the upshot was you got to have all these great friends who cared about you

ROXY: and it helped you become the nice person you are who means a lot to other people

ROXY: and now

ROXY: you get to live whatever kind of life you want and be completely free from all the crummy stuff you grew up with

ROXY: who cares if you arent as strong as her or dont have the wicked powers she does or some "important" mission to do

ROXY: you both came from perfectly legitimate realities and IMHO you are both equally valuable

ROXY: and both of those realities seem to be tied together

ROXY: she cant do her mysterious badass thing unless you make it all the way through your journey and free her

ROXY: and your reality was the thing settin the stage for this huge multiversal vortex of problems which after a kajillion fuckin EPOCHS she was always meant to resolve in some way

ROXY: and that doesnt mean your life was like... a means to an end in a big cosmic sense

ROXY: i think its more like...

ROXY: you ARE the end, or one of the ends

ROXY: you and me and everyone who made it and everyone who didnt

ROXY: so that means you dont have to be able to do a lot of super special shit to validate your identity as the real version of yourself

ROXY: the only validation you need is being who you are cause no one can be that person but you!

CALLIOPE: those are very inspiring things to hear, roxy.

CALLIOPE: i hope yoU are right.

CALLIOPE: bUt even so...

CALLIOPE: i think i woUld still like to be UsefUl.

ROXY: you can be!

ROXY: you can help me out

CALLIOPE: how?

ROXY: i know you arent god tier or anything or probably never did much to get in touch with your aspect

ROXY: but maybe that doesnt matter

ROXY: u are space right?

CALLIOPE: yes.

CALLIOPE: a mUse of space.

ROXY: sounds cool!

CALLIOPE: it is cool, i think.

CALLIOPE: especially having seen what i coUld have been.

ROXY: no but that potential has to be inside you somewhere

ROXY: actually

ROXY: its one reason why i wanted u to be with me here for a while

ROXY: aside from catch up a bit :)

CALLIOPE: what do yoU need me to do?

ROXY: nothin really

ROXY: just be here with me...

ROXY: while i try this

ROXY: idk why but i feel like your presence will help

ROXY: and if nothing else i just like having u here

ROXY: makes me feel better about trying to focus on this weird lil chore

CALLIOPE: bUt yoU think my aspect is relevant?

ROXY: maybe

ROXY: i think space is related to this in some abstract way i cant put my finger on

ROXY: i gotta make this egg see?

CALLIOPE: :U

ROXY: but it isnt really just an egg its this HELLA complicated egg in both its biological design and everything it represents for the future of an entire civilization

ROXY: and i dont have the genetic or chemical or molecular blueprints for it or anything

ROXY: i have to figure it out using... just thought

ROXY: like, ideas

ROXY: ideas that are really basic and live in this primordial sorta quasi-consciousness

ROXY: so i have to build the idea of this egg in some way before i do anything

ROXY: which means trying to grasp its reality and what it represents

ROXY: its like a funky little construct of biological propagation

ROXY: and i think that intersects with the nature of space

ROXY: at least as we have come to understand it

ROXY: the propagation of space is really just some profound cosmological feat of reproduction

ROXY: that is... a literally biological process right?

CALLIOPE: pretty mUch.

ROXY: so to make this egg

ROXY: as a rogue of void what im really doing here is something kind of insane

ROXY: you yourself told me once how id be able to do this crazy shit!

CALLIOPE: i did!

ROXY: ill be like... probing nothingness for an idea

ROXY: a pretty complicated idea in this case

ROXY: and

ROXY: pulling that idea from unreality

ROXY: so maybe if im right and a closer connection to the nature of space will help me locate that idea...

ROXY: almost like

ROXY: standing next to an antenna to boost the signal of that idea

ROXY: then maybe my chances will be better

ROXY: and hey

ROXY: even if not

ROXY: its just nice to have a friend nearby while u try to do something hard

CALLIOPE: ^u^

[primeval-scion-of-the-mists]

Kinda messy but here’s the commander relationships meme done with my AU commander Vesuvia and her sisters! I would’ve done my main commander Adayra & her co-commander or my EU commander Manawydan & his co-commander but honestly none of them really interact with any of the canon characters oops. That’s actually why I ended up making an AU commander cuz I wanted a character that interacts with the canon characters and follows the canon storyline fairly strictly. 

I’ve never actually posted about Vesuvia and her sisters so here’s some quick basic intros for them!

Vesuvia: Pact commander. Vigil. Blood legion but born in Flame legion. Warrior. Middle child. Brash, fierce, strong beliefs, will do whatever it takes to defeat her enemies, really good at motivational speeches that get people ready for battle, insecure, tends to distance herself from people, feels emotions very strongly

Etna: Co-commander. Order of Whispers. Ash legion but born in Flame legion. Ranger. Eldest child. Blind from burn scars on her face from her father. Quiet, prefers to work from behind the scenes, intelligent, excellent battle strategist, hates being babied because of her blindness, can hold grudges for a long time, tends to bottle up her emotions

Amiata: Pact & Dragon’s Watch member. Priory. Iron legion. Elementalist. Youngest child. Only related to Vesuvia and Etna via their mother. Friendly, curiosity driven, dislikes conflict, quick to forgive, deeply loves her family and friends, great at motivational speeches that keep people together in hard times, low self-esteem

Template for this meme can be found here and was made by @duskroots !

Made a couple relationship explanations under the cut. Includes spoilers for the GW2 storyline

Explanation for Vesuvia’s relationship with Rox: I added “complicated” to theirs because of Rox joining the Olmakhan, which Veusvia saw as her abandoning Dragon’s Watch and her in favor of the Olmakhan. Rox saying “I finally found a home. A family. Not that Dragon's Watch wasn't like a family, but...” hurt her pretty bad since she felt that was Rox saying she and Dragon’s Watch weren’t enough. Vesuvia still loves Rox, but is currently angry with her.

Explanation for Vesuvia’s relationship with Caithe: Most of it is pretty self-explanatory if you’ve played through HoT. The end part where respect turns to dislike takes place after Aurene hatched. When Caithe explained herself, Vesuvia started to respect her again... Until Caithe became Branded by Aurene, that is. Since then, Vesuvia has grown to dislike her again out of jealousy due to her own insecurity and the fact she feels Caithe is intruding on her relationship with Aurene. Vesuvia also dislikes the Order of The Crystal Bloom(she appreciates that they want to help Aurene, but she’s afraid of them forcing Aurene onto a pedestal for them to worship like she believes the Zephyrites do with Glint) and since Caithe is the leader of that order, it certainly doesn’t make their relationship any better.

Explanation for Veusvia’s relationship with Logan: Originally she had only ever heard of Logan from Rytlock, so you can imagine he didn’t exactly paint him in a good light. Vesuvia hated Logan for abandoning Destiny’s Edge and his treatment of Rytlock. It wasn’t until Logan and Rytlock began to make amends that Vesuvia’s hate died down and she began to respect him.

Explanation for Vesuvia’s relationship with Zojja: Vesuvia found her annoying and bratty at first. As Vesuvia got closer to Eir, these feelings of resentment got stronger as Zojja continued to treat Eir badly. When Zojja and Eir began to finally make amends, Vesuvia began to respect Zojja but admittedly still isn’t that fond of her.

Explanation for Vesuvia and Etna’s relationship with Aurene: Due to Aurene being the scion of a dragon, neither of the two charr were particularly excited about her hatching. They felt Aurene would end up like all the other Elder Dragons, but as time went on and they got to know her, they realized she was different and they came to love her like family. Vesuvia views Aurene as her daughter while Etna views her as her niece.

Explanation for Etna’s relationship with Braham: After HoT, Etna began to strongly hate him for the way he was treating her sister Vesuvia. They definitely got into a few physical scuffles over his harsh behavior. When Braham started to make amends with Vesuvia, Etna’s hate for him began to die down since she felt he is starting to make up for what he’s done. They have yet to become friends again, though, since Etna is still a little bitter.

Explanation for Etna’s relationship with Caithe: Caithe and Etna were fairly close before HoT but afterwards their relationship has become a bit rocky. Etna didn’t like the way Caithe had acted when she stole the egg and though she understands why she did it, she still thinks she could have handled it much better. They have since made up and are friends again, but Etna is still a little wary of her and is hesitant to open up to her again.

Explanation for Amiata’s various dislike moments: Because Amiata is not a fan of conflict, she found Zojja, Logan, Rytlock, and Braham’s bitterness all very annoying and did not enjoy being around them because of it.

[axe-trio-commanders]

Quiet

Yeah, both of the commanders are very much introverts. Very, very mild lws3 spoilers, some mostly vague lws4 spoilers, and some rather direct personal story Priory line spoilers.

    Zori let out a sigh of relief as she pulled herself up and over the final pile of rubble, the stone now well-worn enough that she didn't feel small bits of grit underneath her paw. The tall, underground tower that led to this place was getting easier and easier to navigate- and she wasn't sure if it was because she'd just gotten better at sneaking past them, or if they'd just learned not to bother her, that the Separatists hadn't bothered her on the way up, but she didn’t really mind, either way. And now… she let her fur lie flat, taking a deep breath of the lavender-scented air, a small smile coming to her face as she looked out into her own little patch of paradise. She started forwards again, careful not to step on the small flowers that littered the ground, carpeting the place, surrounding the tall, stone structures of the Ascalonian ruins surrounding them, golden orange trees filtering the beams of sunlight that were cast into the hollow. And… ahh, beyond the soft wind meandering through, faintly rustling the leaves, it was just so… quiet.

     She'd make her way to a small, shaded spot in front of a tree, taking a moment to admire the little wild garden she'd been taking care of. It wasn't really high-maintenance, really- she didn't need anything to be neatly sectioned, and she rather liked the vines crawling their way up the walls, but… she took a small joy in helping the more fragile flowers keep their own little patch of land. They were already native to the place, of course- she wouldn't want something invasive running rampant- but they'd been struggling to survive when she first arrived- and…

They'd been Sieran's favorite.

     ...She took in a deep breath, let it out. She… still wasn't 'over that'- by now, she… didn't think she ever would be, but… she was coming to terms with that. If anything, she didn't want to forget- not that Sieran was gone, but… that she had been there. And… that was why she was here now. Zori reached into her pack, pulling out a well-used tome- not titled, not yet- she hadn't thought of one, though she'd managed a… brief introduction. She'd glance over it as she turned the pages-

"A tribute to some of many who deserve to be remembered."

She'd started writing it… soon after Balthazar died- after only a short trip around Istan, after having seen the school in Vabbi… she'd heard speeches about past rulers rewriting history, but… only then had the consequences held weight to her. That not only might the people she loved, the people she needed might not only not be remembered, but… be remembered poorly. So… she'd start leafing through the pages. Each titled with a name, categorized in the Priory research method she'd had drilled into her head so many times- she often wondered if Gixx would be proud of her, seeing this. Date of entry, date of events- strict truth, then… any personal notes in annotations. There were… a lot of notes in annotations… "Ev Forestner", "Albas", "Trahearne", "Braham Eirsson", "Rox"... "Blish"... the ones closer to the front had notes scribbled up the margins in want for more space to write, until she'd resorted to simply skipping pages ahead to continue writing, sure she wouldn't be able to close the book soon if she simply added pages… names, so many names and stories she felt obligated to preserve, as best she could- each name held a weight, each…

     She stopped at an… almost blank page, the emptiness… glaring- painful, with the name written above it. She'd… tried, before to write this, but found that words were… difficult. How was she supposed to explain everything she wanted to? How did she start…?

     …Another deep breath. Pulling out the pen. Putting it to the page. Just write… something. Just write something, and she'd find so much more to say…

"Sieran"

X-1325 AE

Entry date: 1332 AE

-I still miss her.

-------

     Sweet aromas filled the air of their temporary campsite, the soft clinks of a spoon hitting the side of a wooden stirring bowl the only sound. The stars were out, and most of the others would be asleep, but… well, Seremnis had promised a cake the next day, and she planned to deliver. Strawberry, of course- they always had more than they would ever need stockpiled, thanks to Zori- and, to her surprise, it seemed the group had yet to grow tired of them. So, a strawberry cake- fresh, chilled strawberries in the vanilla icing. She already had the spongy stuff itself baking- the icing was what she was stirring now; and… hm.

     She paused, lifting her hand and inspecting it, noticing a bead of sap bubbling out of a small cut on the side of her hand. Had she… gotten that cooking, or… fighting off wild animals? ...Either way, it'd probably gotten into the icing. Not enough to affect the flavor much, but… she'd have to be a little more careful with how she applied it. Didn't want to accidentally summon something from the realm of torment while making a cake- or, mother forbid, entice one of the Five to come back and actually do something helpful for… hm, there was a thought, though. Could she make an abomination-summoning cake? She knew full well that sap worked as a replacement for blood, but in frosting…? The real issue was that she didn't have anyone good to send it to. Anyone who would have to receive it was either her friend, too deeply mired in politics, or dead. And she wasn't going to just send it to some poor random citizen… she sighed. No, no demon-cakes today.

     She mixed in a couple more pieces of glacial ice to keep the mixture cool, knowing she'd have to pull the magically cold material back out in the morning, content with the mental image of… really any member of Dragon's Watch getting their tongue stuck trying to lick the frosting off- they were safe to eat, anyways, if not the best for one's teeth, so she didn’t find any need to be worried about the consequences… and then she'd step away, sitting just outside, to wait.

     Really, she didn't mind staying up late. She… was a night bloom- preferred the quiet and darkness to the busy chaos of the daytime- but… more than that… she laid back on the ground, looking up at the stars. It was a clear night- one of the first she'd seen since she'd gotten here- and… well, maybe it'd been too long now since she'd looked at the real ones, rather than just the ones she made for herself in her dreams. It was… somehow even more vibrant than she remembered, the night sky- but… still, she'd raise a hand, tracing constellations with a finger, a soft smile on her face. She'd always loved hearing Malomedies talk about them; their names, the stories other races had given them, what they meant… it was… the happiest memory of the Grove she had.

     The Grove… it wasn't home, anymore, not really. Not for her. Without a connection with the Dream, it felt… emptier than it once had, even with the new connections she'd gained through Aurene- and Mother…

     Seremnis closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. But… it was alright. She had… another home, now- not quite anywhere, or in... anyone she’d expected, but... she’d found a new family, here, in Dragon’s Watch. A small smirk crossed her face as she opened her eyes again, remembering the poorly disguised puppy-dog eyes of yesterday’s Zori. A new family that, evidently, wanted cake.

[ascalonianpicnic]

writing up a timeline for Lace since they’re overdue for one and there were some things I needed to sort out anyway. it’s long and it has spoilers for pretty much everything so I’m sticking it all under the cut

1304 - The second born sylvari all emerge. Lace is one of the younger of the group, born during the dusk cycle with the name Lucillous

1305 - After a few months of learning to use their magic, Lace grows restless and leaves the Grove. They wind up in Divinity’s Reach and become popular among the richer members of society. Sylvari are still rare and they make a small fortune off of this fact as an escort for over 2 years.

1307 - Lace enters into a serious relationship with a young woman who was not a client but was friends with many who were. During the relationship, at her prompting, they shorten their name down to Lace, at first as a nickname, but then as their actual name in later years. After half a year, she dumps them pretty harshly.

1308 - Lace returns to the Grove after the breakup, and begins training with their magic again, working towards becoming a proper mender.

1309 - Lace begins to hear the call of their wyld hunt. They follow it, taking with them a young engineer and a young ranger. During a small battle with some risen, the engineer’s flame turret malfunctions and explodes. Lace is caught in the blast and nearly dies. When they wake up, their connection to the dream is weaker, and their wyld hunt is gone. They assume they failed at their hunt and are being pushed away by the pale tree because of that. Once they have recovered enough, they leave the Grove again, joining the soundless

1310 - Lace returns to Divintiy’s Reach. They move into a small apartment and live off of their savings from their first time in the city and the gifts piled upon them from old clients. They also make some extra money doing odd jobs that just sound fun to them. They spend the next 4 years doing whatever they want.

1314 - Lace meets Braith. Braith encourages them to get help for the addictions they’ve developed over the past few years. He supports them through it and the two start dating.

1315 - Lace moves out of their apartment and in with Braith. Things get bad for Lace.

1320 - Braith is arrested on one count of kidnapping when the seraph find a young woman screaming in his basement. Lace knows of more but doesn’t testify. Braith is sentenced to 10 years in prison. Lace is left to try and put their life back together again alone. They start picking up odd jobs and sleeping with people for money again.

1321 - Odd jobs turns into favors for friends turns into a blossoming little illegal business. If Lace can’t do a job themself, they’ll find someone to do it for you without it connecting back to you. Over the next couple of years, they get their feet under them, manage to build a life for themself, and really get this business going. Their range of skills and contact both grow at an impressive rate. They remember they have some savings left from their escort days as well, and go to reclaim those.

1323 - Lace meets Iovara Durand, a teen who has just lost everything. They lend her a hand and offer her a job until she can get her feet under her. Lace and Io become fast friends.

1324 - Word of a crime lord known as the grey king begins to spread. Lace has a laugh at the name, but feels accomplished in the fact that they’ve become so well known and successful. They get an office in Lion’s Arch, and end up spending most of their time there.

1325 - Personal Story starts. Lace stumbles across a warden named Carys, and lends her a hand in finding her mentor, Tegwen. Io drags them along to Claw Island. They go on to help form the Pact with her, Imekaari, and Trahearne, turning down the title of commander and instead letting it go to Io.

1326 - Zhaitan is defeated. Lace builds a house in a remote location with a view of the Brand. They set up a permanent portal between their office and the basement of this new home. Living World Season 1 begins.

1327 - LW Season 2 begins. They have their first conversation with the pale tree since having left 18 years ago after the summit, but due to her injuries, the conversation is cut short. They speak with her again when she gives them the memory seeds. Not much is said, but before Lace leaves, she tells them she is proud of them. They pursue Caithe, worried for her safety, with the help of Io and Imekaari.

1328 - Heart of Thorns begins. Lace secures Aurene’s egg, bringing it to Tarir. When the team reaches Rata Novus, Lace opts to stay behind with Taimi to avoid Mordremoth’s call. While exploring the city, they accidentally walk too far out and succumb to the call. During the final battle, while Io is inside the dragon’s mind, Lace leads a party of mordrem in an attack against the team. They come to upon the dragon’s death, kneeling over Imekaari’s bloody, unconscious form. Io somehow manages to drag them, Imekaari, and Trahearne out of the jungle to get medical treatment.

1329 - After a solid month of treatment and observation to make sure Lace isn’t still a danger, they return to their actual work as a criminal, throwing themself into it as a distraction from the events of HoT. They meet up with the others again when Taimi calls them all to Rata Novus to discuss some of her findings. During the visit, Lace finds out that Trahearne has been pushed to retire, the official reason being his injuries. The position of Marshal is then offered to Lace, who turns it down like they did for the title of commander. Io and Imekaari both leave the Pact as well in order to stick with Lace and Trahearne. They hang back with Taimi while Io investigates Bloodstone Fen, but join up with the team again to help at Ember Bay. While working to prevent the volcanic eruption, Lace receives a vision of the egg in Tarir. They leave Io to finish up at the volcano, and go to check on the egg alone, protecting and naming Aurene. After spending time with her, Lace gets a call from Taimi. Io is busy with family business, so they trek up to the Shiverpeaks to investigate the icebrood and look into Taimi’s theory of using the dragons against each other. They swing by Eir’s home to check in on her recovery, and pick up Braham and Rox on their way north. After getting the information they were there for, Lace leaves Braham and Rox to meet back up with Io, who has asked for some help with white mantle attacking her home. After taking down Caudecus, Lace is forced to restrain Io, who has become seriously corrupted by bloodstone, until she collapses. Imekaari is quick to take care of her until she can be taken to a proper medic. Lace, Imekaari, and Trahearne take a break and work on fixing Caladbolg while Io recovers. Once Io is back on her feet, Taimi calls the team in to show off her completed device for dealing with the dragons. Lace follows the team to Draconis Mons, but does not enter the volcano with the others due to their fear of fire. After Balthazar disappears, Io gets in touch with the shining blade to track him down, and Lace heads home to go back to work until they’re needed again.

1330 - Path of Fire begins. Lace joins the others to travel to Elona to find and stop Balthazar. Things go well until the Departing, when Io is killed by Balthazar and Lace nearly dies too. Imekaari is able to just barely save Lace, and Io manages to bring herself back. After the team faces and defeats Balthazar for good, Lace heads home, skipping out on the celebration in Amnoon to instead get some rest. Upon returning home, they run into Braith and end up getting kidnapped.

1331 - Early one morning, during the Festival of Four Winds, Imekaari hears a knock on his door. He opens it up to find a battered, half dead looking Lace being supported by an unfamiliar ex mordrem by the name of Cue. Lace refuses to see any other medics, and Imekaari spends the next couple of weeks getting them patched up and upright again. Cue joins the growing crew that has been forming around Io in place of the Pact. Lace is back in the field sooner than they or Imekaari would like when A Star To Guide Us starts with a call about Aurene. Lace goes to check on her, and tries to lend as much of a hand as they can while still healing. They opt out of hunting down the burning sword that impaled them, but join for the journey into the mists, staying with Blish while he replaces the battery in the tracking device with a spare Io was carrying. The two manage to survive the dragon and make it back to Tyria intact.

1332 - Finally healed up at the start of All Or Nothing, Lace is avidly against Glint’s plan to have Aurene face off against Kralkatorrik. They don’t like the idea of risking her life on this, but with the crystal dragon eating its way through the mists, there isn’t time for another, better plan. They work with Aurene and the team to set a trap and swing the battle in their favor, and all seems to be going well. They think they have Kralkatorrik beat, but Lace is still on edge after all of the visions Aurene had. They see the dragon, which should be defeated, shift, and quickly jump in front of Aurene, throwing up a stone wall to try and protect her. Aurene and Lace are found after the battle, side by side, surrounded by rubble and impaled on crystal spears. Both are barely breathing. Aurene remains stable but is in bad shape. Imekaari puts Lace on mandatory bed rest while they heal. Lace is using this time to get to know Imekaari better, and to share their history with him.

[xaeneron]

On Daybreak

Living World Season 4 is here and I guess that means it’s time to babble a bit about the first episode, Daybreak!  

Overall, the patch was a solid release, not without its bugs, but a solid release.  I’m super glad to have something new to do (a lot of new things to do), especially with a new raid wing out 9 months after the release of Bastion of the Penitent.  I am curious enough to stay tuned to see where the story goes, but I was definitely more distracted by the nostalgia factor than anything.  The new zone was incredibly nostalgic for me as an old hat GW1 player, but before we start bullet-pointing, let’s put in a line break to avoid spoilers front and center.  

In General

THANK GOD KEYRING.

QoL Astral Force refilling to full automatically after a party wipe in fractals and raids is a godsend.  No more asking for corpses before every encounter/after every wipe.  I am a happy druid.

The Binding of Ipos wasn’t exactly what I was expecting, but it’s an incredibly nice-looking focus.  I like the floating book, but the demon hand is a bit of a deal-breaker for the characters I would use the focus on (i.e., Eet).  Oh well.  It’s detailed and has great animations, which is nice.

On Fractals (Twilight Oasis, instability changes, Deroir)

I find it really amusing and fantastic that the new fractal vendor is named after Deroir.  Props to him; he’s done a lot for the fractal community and it’s awesome that he got recognition like Dulfy and WP.

The new fractal relic sinks are hilarious and ridiculous.  When they said sinks, they meant sinks.  I have a few months’ worth of everything saved up (infusions, [pristine] fractal relics, integrated fractal matrices, pages, etc.) and I was only able to afford the first level of mist attunement.  So much raw stuff.  

The karma one seems most useful to actually max though.

I wish they had introduced more things to buy with cosmic essences (from Shattered Observatory CM), or trades for them.  I have almost enough for an infusion and a tonic, but I want neither. ;-;

Fractal Vindicators are actually a bit of a threat?  More than Fractal Avengers anyway.  

I haven’t tried the Molten Boss rework yet, but the Mai Trin rework is amusing.  And I’m glad that you can push through the timegate cannon section.  

Not having Social Awkwardness on Nightmare and Shattered Observatory is hilariously nice.  Like seriously they’ve honestly gotten easier.

Speaking of, SO still has a bunch of bugs.  SURPRISE.  Although it sounds like the fractal dev found the problem, so...we’ll see?

Twilight Oasis was...dark.  Like twilight.  /shot

Okay but really.  Playing as Sunspear traitors and helping Palawa Joko by slaughtering Sunspears and villagers is dark.  And you get an achievement for stomping all the injured people.  

Dying and being resurrected by Joko was confusing but pretty great?  Also boing.

Dervish feels.

That ending doe.

On Hall of Chains

NEW RAID.  IN THE UNDERWORLD.  I AM A HAPPY HUMAN.  SALAD.  MIDGET.  THING.

I’m super excited about the Underworld and Dhuum.  Stuff that hasn’t been touched on in years, and a good bit of lore that I’m glad that they were able to find a way to visit again.

Also the encounters, particularly Dhuum, look legitimately challenging.  I’m so excited to go hit Dhuum and die repeatedly.

We’ve been poking the new raid this week and I might post some progress stuff later on?  We only have a few bite-sized sessions each week so we can’t spam it for hours on end like others, but we’re making progress and it’s exciting!  Having new stuff to do is fantastic.

We have a lot of stupid deaths (including dying immediately on flying in because someone didn’t take the champion buff) already and it’s amazing.

I saw the ending cutscene.  I have so many Underworld feels.  Dhuum’s fight seems very reminiscent of his fight back in GW1, which is pretty clever.  And nostalgic.

I kind of wish Anet would hide Glenna’s vendor items tied to each boss in her inventory instead of just having them greyed out.  You can spoil the whole wing by scrolling down and seeing there’s a Dhuum mini.  Oh well.

Hi Gwen.

On the Domain of Istan

There are so many “Praise Joko!” and “TO VABBI!” references.  When we found out that you could drink from the fountains of Joko in the main hall before destroying them and would shout “Praise Joko!” every time, we kept clicking them repeatedly hoping for a hidden achievement.  rip.

Nostalgia feels everywhere.  I didn’t think I missed Istan, but I guess I missed Istan.  Also super exciting that they kept most of the geography the same.  Kamadan/Palawadan is set up essentially the way it was in GW1, except it’s been Joko’d.  They’ve been consistent about doing that for a lot of things now, things like the location of the Temple of the Ages and Droknar’s Forge and things like that), but seriously.  Kudos.  I’s happy.  xD

I find the zone pretty and interesting to run around in.  There’s a lot of random little achievements and random places to make use of different mounts. 

Bunny-hopping all over the cliffs is life.

So is griffoning.  Good god it’s nice to griffon places and just fly around and look at things.

The meta events are amusing, and I enjoyed running into Amala again (after Twilight Oasis and the story).  Also raiding Palawadan.  Fun events with a relatively forgiving timer.

Although I’m disappointed that people are already “multilooting” these.  You’d think Anet would have learned their lesson from AB multiloot and made account caps on the chests per cycle.

On the story (Daybreak)

Hi Aurene.  You got bigger.  And less cute.  But still Aurene.  So.  pls come back ;-;

Rytlock and Canach continue to amuse.  Best bromance 10/10.

I said it before and I’ll say it again, I’m not sure why anyone would be surprised that Kralkatorrik is now obnoxiously powerful.  Letting it absorb a couple Elder Dragons’ worth of magic will do that.

I know some people get upset with all the one-liners, and honestly sometimes they are a bit to much and could be done without to keep tension going, but I appreciated a lot of them.  Especially since the characterization of the PC is very close to a general perspective of how Ive normally reacts to things - with dry humor and snark to prevent himself from getting overwhelmed.

“I died once.  It’s overrated.”

KOSS.  OMG KOSS.  Another sad fate for a GW1 hero (alongside the fate of Tahlkora), but nice to talk to him again.

Although the encounter definitely shows that the story instances are tuned to 1-2 people.  We did it with 3-4 at various times looking for achieves, and absolutely murdered him before his first breakbar showed up.  Welp.

References to a bunch of old characters from GW1 ayyyy

I love the fact that the prison cell break is unique per class.  I didn’t think much of it because Ive is a thief and picking the lock just seems like the reasonable thing to do, not the thiefy thing to do, but they’re class unique!  I replayed it with Cyra (my adorable sparkle charr) just to see the Legendary Prisoner Stance (Palawa Joko). 

Fahranur.  Oh my god.  From the ibogas outside to the giant smashy bells.  Nostalgia everywhere.  I love that these elements came back.  

Seriously Joko wtf.

What are these bugs you’re experimenting on.

Joko pls.

That’s a lot of dead Inquest.

Hi Braham.  No, I didn’t really want to see you again.  Thanks for acting like it’s all my fault.  Which it honestly is, but hey.  Still a grump.  At least Rox is here?

I am curious that Anet brought him back here and now.  But I’m willing to see what they planned for him.

Also news that Awakened are portaling around Tyria is mildly stressful.

Taimi’s voice actor, Debby Derryberry.  A+ work.  That sense of fear and dread from Hero of Istan through Fahranur, the First City was well done.  Probably one of the highlights of the release.  Happy that Taimi didn’t die though :>

...to Vabbi?