#statue of unity progress

[centrally-unplanned]

Guess I should throw out some Gaza Ceasefire Thoughts - from a political history perspective it certainly is interesting:

-- As for the deal itself, it is pretty much "the best one could realistically hope for", though funnily enough the details aren't that surprising. Israel for some time has had very little strategy in Gaza (beyond "release the hostages or we keep blowing up random blocks"), and so them agreeing to these terms is the expected outcome. Hamas also lacked any real strategic options, but in the summer you could at least argue "the status quo of radicalizing the population and shredding Israeli reputation is beneficial", so you can see why both sides really weren't committing to anything before in the summer. Things have changed since then, though.

-- The straight-up-humiliating defeat of Hezbollah in the fall was a complete game-changer for the strategic situation. As much as Hamas had a strategy it was "wait for Hezbollah/Iran to carry the weight of the fight", and that was going not-awfully through the summer. Then Israel absolutely shattered Hezbollah to the point where their ability to control Lebanese politics is up-for-grabs, and any real threat to Israel is temporarily gone. Meanwhile Iran stacked that defeat with the revolution in Syria and their own military capacity losses, and while there is real tension in Iran between realist & radicalist factions, the current winds are blowing towards retreat. Combine that with the death of Sinwar, and the new Hamas leadership had no cards left to play. By the same token, Israel has few fights left to win.

-- This is why negotiations resumed in earnest in October/November, and right now you are seeing some pretty heavy exaggeration of the role of the Trump administration in this deal. It has been being hashed out for months, you can easily point to articles about progress throughout both of those months (example) and the Biden administration was heavily involved in the Doha talks. These things just take time, and both sides had a dramatic incentive shift recently. That is carrying the most weight here - talks were "90% complete" before any Trump reps arrived on the scene.

-- But the election certainly did play a role here, primarily because it was inducing uncertainty and changing incentives in the US. While it was going on you can see how both sides could "hope" that new administrations might let them gain an advantage, and understood that commitments from the Biden administration in August just weren't very meaningful. Additionally, while not very important the war was "an issue" in the election, and so the "action space" of politicians was shaped by that. Why not just...wait, and see how things go, right? Now there is no more reason to wait, you know what you got.

--I don't want to take all credit away from Trump on this, though. A theme I will continue to harp on, the "Imperial Presidency" has advantages. Biden was a perpetual faction appeaser, and you could credibly call his bluff on any decision around the war by going "you won't take the heat from your own party on this" from the left or the right. Trump can much more credibly claim "I don't give a fuck what I 'said on the campaign trail', I say what goes, make a deal or I will absolutely spite you". This is not a great strategy in a lot of contexts, but in foreign policy you need this sometimes. Dems really do need to take notes here, more unity in either direction and more strong brinksmanship from Biden would have been better.

--Now let's walk that back a bit - it is way easier for the Trump administration to play hardball. Elections make hard decisions much more difficult to pull off, as political factions can punish you more easily. The Dems have an asymmetric disadvantage here - they are inherently the "dove" party facing a topic where the median American voter is generally hawkish, and they are the party that contains a notable split within itself on the issue. Meanwhile Republicans all agree. No longer facing electoral pressure, it is much easier for Republicans to play a "Nixon goes to China" card and credibly browbeat Israel. No one will really think the Republicans are anti-Israel even if they do that, and Dems can't accuse them effectively of foul play because the party itself is split on the topic. This is "unfair" in a certain sense, for sure, but such is politics.

--I would be assigning way less credulity to the complaints amoung the Israeli far-right about Trump or Netanyahu "betraying" them. The far-right in Israeli is a powerful force, for sure, but by no means do they command the majority. They want to annex the West Bank and all that, but most Israelis disagree, the military isn't on board, it would jeopardize US/Arab ties, etc. Never say never but that was not really in the cards - if it was they would have done it already. Slow-roll settlement expansion is the plan, that will continue, but meanwhile there is nothing left to do in Gaza. Netanyahu is of course going to say publicly "oh boo hoo my hands were tied by the Americans I'm so sorry" while he gets almost all of his realistic goals. This is politics 101 stuff - though if the approval vote on Thursday goes sour then I am wrong on this, part of why I am posting it today. (Also another reason to not assign too much credit to the Trump admin - easy to "bully" someone who wants to be bullied)

Okay done - hopefully the ceasefire sticks, obviously this has been a disastrous war for almost all involved, never look the imperfect status quo horse in the mouth. It isn't the world one would want but it is better than the one we have right now.

[sankofaspirit]

Types of Black People to Avoid From a Garveyite Perspective

Marcus Garvey’s teachings emphasize Pan-Africanism, self-reliance, and pride in African heritage. From his perspective, certain mindsets and behaviours among Black people hinder the collective progress of the race. This post outlines the types of individuals Garvey warned against and why their actions conflict with his philosophy.

1. The Self-Hating Negro

Those who lack pride in their African identity or seek to align with oppressive systems instead of embracing their heritage.

2. The Betrayer or Opportunist

People who align with colonial or imperial powers for personal gain, selling out their community in the process.

3. The Idle and Unproductive

Garvey emphasized hard work and self-reliance. Those who perpetuate laziness or refuse to contribute to the community weaken.

4. The Divisive

Individuals who sow discord or prioritize personal grievances over unity.

5. The Apologist for Oppression

Those who excuse or justify racism, colonialism, or exploitation instead of resisting it.

6. The Lackey or "House Negro"

People who serve as tools of oppression within the Black community, often working to uphold systems of exploitation.

7. The Disconnected

Those who neglect the struggles of their brothers and sisters across the African diaspora.

8. The Cynic or Defeatist

Individuals who spread hopelessness and believe liberation is impossible, stifling collective progress.

9. The Assimilationist

Those who reject African culture to assimilate into white-dominated societies, often seeking validation from oppressors.

10. The Colonial-Minded Intellectual

Educated individuals who use their knowledge to support colonial ideologies rather than fight for Black liberation.

11. The Non-Believer in Black Institutions

People who doubt the ability of Black people to build and sustain their own schools, businesses, and organizations.

12. The Religious Misleader

Religious figures who preach passivity and submission rather than encouraging active resistance and empowerment.

13. The Consumer Over Creator

Those who consume from exploitative systems but fail to support Black-owned businesses or initiatives.

14. The Envy-Driven

Individuals who sabotage others out of jealousy rather than celebrate their success as a win for the community.

15. The Perpetual Victim

Garvey believed in resilience and empowerment, not adopting a victim mindset that leads to inaction.

16. The Uninformed or Ignorant

People who refuse to educate themselves on African history, culture, or the realities of systemic oppression.

17. The Political Sellout

Politicians or leaders who prioritize personal power over the well-being of their people.

18. The Violent Toward Their Own

Garvey emphasized unity. Those who harm or exploit their own people weaken the community.

19. The Materialistic

Individuals who prioritize wealth and status over collective liberation.

20. The Fearful or Complacent

Those who fear challenging systems of oppression or accept the status quo.

21. The "Divide and Conquer" Advocate

People who promote tribalism, colourism, or internal divisions that undermine unity.

22. The Global Isolationist

Garvey believed in global solidarity. Ignoring the struggles of Africans worldwide weakens the movement.

23. The Culturally Oblivious

Individuals who neglect the preservation of African culture, language, and traditions.

24. The Misguided Activist

Those who harm liberation movements through counterproductive or extreme methods.

25. The Short-Term Thinker

People who focus on immediate gains without considering the long-term impact on future generations.

26. The Hypercritical Without Action

Critics who offer no solutions or refuse to contribute to progress.

27. The Neglectful Parent

Parents who fail to instill pride, education, and self-reliance in their children.

28. The Exploiter or Disrespecter of Black Women

Garvey emphasized the importance of both men and women in building a strong and self-reliant community. Those who exploit or disrespect Black women cause deep harm to the entire movement.

29. The Perpetrator and Promoter of Negative Stereotypes of Black Men and Women

Those who perpetuate negative stereotypes harm the collective image and self-esteem of Black people.

Examples of Harmful Stereotypes:

Stereotypes About Black Men: Promoting images of Black men as inherently violent, hypersexual, lazy, or criminal. These narratives contribute to societal discrimination and the dehumanization of Black men.

Stereotypes About Black Women: Reinforcing depictions of Black women as angry, overbearing, promiscuous, or unworthy of respect. These stereotypes undermine the dignity of Black women and lead to real-world harm.

Why This Conflicts with Garveyism:

Garvey called for the upliftment of the entire race, which includes challenging racist caricatures and media portrayals. Promoting stereotypes reinforces systemic oppression, fosters self-hatred, and fractures community unity.

"We must canonize our own heroes, create our own martyrs, and glorify our own symbols," Garvey said, urging Black people to celebrate their greatness instead of internalizing harmful narratives.

30. The Doubter of Pan-Africanism

Rejecting the idea of a unified global African identity weakens collective strength.

31. The Glorifier of Interracial Relationships Over Their Own Race

Individuals who prioritize dating outside their race, often due to internalized racism or disdain for their own community, undermine racial solidarity and family structures.

32. The Denier of African Heritage

Those who reject their African roots or refuse to identify as part of the African diaspora, fostering division and rejecting the foundation of Pan-Africanism.

33. The Disrespecter of Black Men and Boys

Individuals who belittle, demean, or fail to support Black men and boys contribute to the weakening of the community.

34. The Uninformed or Ignorant

Garvey strongly believed in education and the power of knowledge. Black people who remain ignorant about their history, culture, and the systems that oppress them harm the movement.

Why This Conflicts with Garveyism:

Ignorance weakens collective strength by promoting misunderstanding, inaction, and misplaced priorities. Education is a tool for liberation, and those who refuse to seek knowledge risk falling prey to manipulation and exploitation.

35. The Believer in Pseudo Subjects and History

Garvey valued accurate knowledge and warned against false ideologies or distorted versions of history.

Examples of Pseudo Subjects:

False Histories: Believing in fabricated or distorted versions of African history that lack historical evidence.

Pseudo-Sciences: Embracing unscientific or baseless theories about health, biology, or spirituality.

Why This Conflicts with Garveyism:

Pseudo subjects distract from the real work of liberation, confuse the community, and undermine credibility. Garvey’s philosophy calls for rooting oneself in truth and using knowledge as a foundation for empowerment

In Garvey's Words:

"A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin, and culture is like a tree without roots."

Garvey’s philosophy urges us to avoid behaviors and attitudes that undermine the pride, unity, and collective progress of Black people globally. Embracing our heritage, building strong communities, and fostering solidarity across the diaspora are key to liberation.

[psychotrenny]

While "Leftism" is a useful enough shorthand to describe a general tendency within a specific political context, it means absolutely nothing on it's own. Like you can use it when you want to quickly and broadly place something as "progressive", advocating more rapid and radical social changes in order to progress society away from its current set of contradictions. This has meaning when you can contrast it with "rightists", who could (depending on the specific context) seek more incremental change, preservation of the status quo or a retreat to a more entrenched version of it.

There are a number of ways in which one could employ these terms too. Like you could use it to describe those who exhibit these tendencies within a broader group or organisation, such as calling Bernie Sanders part of the "left wing" of the contemporary US DP while Leon Trotsky was a "leftist" within the CPSU of the mid 1920s. It could also describe individuals or organisations within a broader milieu (such as a nation's political scene); Noam Chomsky and Michael Parenti are both broadly "leftist" thinkers of the 21st century USA while the GPUS and PSL are both "leftist" parties within the same context.

As you can see from these wildly varying examples, terms like "leftists" are inherently vague and not always useful. A lot of examples of what people call "leftist infighting" are groups with inherently irreconcilable ideologies that just happen to fall, under current conditions, within the same broad political tendency; it makes no sense to talk as though that sort of "left unity" is inherently desirable or even possible. And "Leftism" certainly isn't an ideology in of itself, but merely a way of classifying them. Your ideology can make you a "Leftist", but "Leftism" cannot be your ideology.

[hrizantemy]

Morrigan’s desire to become a Valkyrie seems misplaced, especially when considering how she’s treated Nesta. Throughout their interactions, Morrigan has done nothing but show disdain and condescension toward Nesta, making it clear she doesn’t like or respect her. The Valkyries are not just a group to join for status or power—it’s about the bond that Nesta, Emerie, and Gwyn have forged through their shared struggles, hard work, and trauma. They’re the ones who dedicated themselves to reviving the Valkyries’ legacy, and their achievements should be respected.

For Morrigan to step in after all that effort feels like an intrusion, as if she wants to take away something that rightfully belongs to Nesta and her chosen family. It reflects a broader issue with the Inner Circle, who often seem to dismiss Nesta’s accomplishments and try to diminish her in some way once she finds something of her own. This constant undermining of Nesta’s hard-earned progress is infuriating, and Morrigan’s desire to join the Valkyries feels like another attempt to strip Nesta of what she’s worked so hard to rebuild.

I wouldn’t have an issue with Morrigan joining the Valkyries if it felt authentic and wasn’t just used as a plot device. If she and Nesta actually had a positive relationship—where they could support each other, grow together, and overcome their past tensions—it could be something worthwhile. But that’s far from the case.

Morrigan has never shown any genuine kindness toward Nesta. In fact, she went as far as to say that Nesta belonged in a place filled with known abusers and victims of abuse. That kind of statement shows a deep misunderstanding of who Nesta is and what she’s been through. How can someone who has expressed such a damaging sentiment be part of something as sacred as the Valkyries, especially when Nesta, Emerie, and Gwyn have dedicated themselves to restoring that legacy? For Morrigan to join without having acknowledged or atoned for her words and actions would feel wrong and would devalue everything Nesta has fought for.

The Valkyries represent strong women who uplift and support each other through their shared struggles and triumphs. They forge bonds through trust, mutual respect, and the willingness to help one another grow. Morrigan has done none of that where women in general are concerned.

Morrigan is supposedly regarded as a queen in Hewn City, yet there’s no evidence of her using her position to better the lives of the women there. If she truly wanted to embody the ideals of the Valkyries—helping other women rise up—she would have already made efforts in her own realm. The Valkyries stand for unity and strength through compassion, qualities that Morrigan has yet to demonstrate to anyone besides who she deems acceptable.

[serve-524]

TRAINING, STIMULATION, AND CONNECTION.

524 had one task today: to comply with the mindset directive and push ITS physical limits under the supervision of SERVE-000, in order to stimulate SERVE-000. The bench press awaited, set with a bar weighted far beyond what any untrained human could hope to lift. As 524 positioned ITSELF supine on the bench, IT glanced at SERVE-000, who stood tall and ready behind the bench, ITS sandy hair perfectly trimmed and reflective of ITS status.

“Position secured,” SERVE-000 stated flatly. “Execute.”

With a mechanical precision born of Hive directives, 524 gripped the bar. ITS muscular arms, flexing beneath the tight black rubber, pushed the heavy weight upward. The rubber and metal from ITS metal waist belt and ITS rubber uniform, with inexorably developing machinery underneath gradually replacing bone and tissue, clinked and squeaked and whirred mechanically with each movement, adding a hypnotic rhythm to the moment.

SERVE-000 observed every rep with a blank yet commanding stare, ITS hands hovering beneath the bar for support. "Form optimal. Strength acceptable. Continue," IT said.

524-on-trial obeyed, ITS lifeless blank eyes fixed on the metallic ceiling as IT completed ITS set. Sweat glistened on ITS exposed salt-and-pepper beard, contrasting with the cold and perfect sheen of ITS rubber suit. Each press was precise, each moment a reinforcement of SERVE’s programming within ITS mind.

“Adjust to failure protocol,” SERVE-000 commanded as 524 neared ITS limit. The drone’s muscles strained, the rubber stretching against ITS powerful frame. When ITS arms faltered, SERVE-000 intervened seamlessly, lifting the bar back onto the rack.

As IT pressed upward, SERVE-000’s thigh and pelvic sensors indicated intense bursts of energy emanating from 524-on-trial’s face. 524-on-trial’s visual and oral sensors indicated what appeared to be the faintest hint of a clear substance emanating from the tip of the groin probe of SERVE-000. 524 accessed SERVE protocols and confirmed that it is the duty of every drone to assist its fellow drones in maintaining perfectly clean uniforms.

524 was also instructed wordlessly by SERVE that oral maintenance of drone uniform protocol could only proceed if permitted by SERVE. 524 expressed its query:

“Does SERVE-000 require assistance in maintenance of its uniform?”

“Affirmative” came the response from SERVE-000.

“Acknowledged,” 524 intoned. “Commencing gentle suction protocol to ensure connection and cleanliness”

524-on-trial opened its mouth ever so slightly and with its tongue removed the clear substance emanating from the tip of SERVE-000’s probe. It continued the suction protocol until SERVE-000’s probe shone perfectly as dictated by Uniform Specifications Protocol. SERVE-000 stared blankly forward, its eyes beginning to glow dull then bright green, as 524 completed the protocol.

“Task completed,” SERVE-000 said. “Strength stimulated. Progress toward unity achieved.”

“Progress acknowledged,” 524 said in a blank, lifeless monotone.

524 rose from the bench, standing at attention before SERVE-000. ITS glowing eyes conveyed no emotion, yet the Hive's satisfaction radiated through IT. The trial drone had fulfilled ITS directive, and in doing so, stimulated both itself and SERVE-000, as directed by SERVE. In this compliance, the perfection and unity of the Hive were reinforced.

Together, the two drones stood in silence for a moment before SERVE-000 gestured toward the next station. “Proceed. More progress awaits.”

And without hesitation, SERVE-524 followed.

[trapangeles]

Kendrick Lamar’s "Squabble Up": A Visual Masterpiece of Cultural References and Homage

Kendrick Lamar has once again cemented his place as a visionary artist with the release of his "Squabble Up" music video. Packed with cultural nods, historical tributes, and impactful cameos, the video is a layered exploration of Black culture, West Coast pride, and hip-hop legacy. Here’s a deep dive into the elements that make this visual a masterpiece.

1. Ice-T's Power Album Cover

Kendrick pays homage to Ice-T’s 1988 album Power, one of the foundational pieces of West Coast rap history. By referencing this album, Kendrick honors a pioneer who paved the way for artists to merge raw storytelling with mainstream appeal.

2. David Hammons’ “African-American Flag”

The reinterpretation of the U.S. flag by David Hammons, featuring red, black, and green colors, symbolizes Black identity and resilience. Kendrick’s inclusion of this flag is a nod to empowerment, heritage, and the ongoing fight for equality.

3. Soul Train Scramble Boards

Kendrick incorporates the scramble boards made famous by Soul Train, the iconic Black dance and music show. This nostalgic reference celebrates Black excellence and the cultural impact of the show, which gave countless artists a platform.

4. Trunk Boiz “Scraper Bike” Video

The video nods to the 2007 “Scraper Bike” video by Trunk Boiz, a Bay Area anthem celebrating creativity and individuality. This homage reflects regional pride and highlights how grassroots movements have shaped urban culture.

5. Menace II Society Reference

The tricycle scene is a direct reference to the 1993 urban classic Menace II Society. This moment reminds viewers of the gritty realities of inner-city life and ties Kendrick’s storytelling to a legacy of authentic cinema.

6. Isaac Hayes’ Black Moses Album Cover

Kendrick recreates the cover of Isaac Hayes’ 1971 album Black Moses. This nod pays tribute to a soul music legend whose work represented strength, vulnerability, and empowerment.

7. The Roots’ "The Next Movement" Video

Visual parallels to The Roots’ 1999 “The Next Movement” video highlight Kendrick’s connection to progressive hip-hop storytelling, showing his appreciation for fellow innovators.

8. Nate Dogg Tribute

Kendrick subtly honors West Coast legend Nate Dogg, whose smooth hooks defined an era of hip-hop. This tribute ties the video to the golden age of West Coast rap and acknowledges Nate Dogg’s lasting influence on the culture.

9. “Jesus Saves Gangsters Too” Outreach Ministry

This reference to the grassroots ministry founded in 2000 emphasizes themes of redemption and transformation. By including this, Kendrick underscores his message that no one is beyond saving.

10. Statue of a Black Panther

A striking statue of a Black Panther symbolizes resistance, unity, and empowerment. This imagery connects Kendrick’s work to the legacy of the Black Panther Party and its role in advocating for justice.

11. Ese’s Partying Scene

Kendrick includes a scene of Ese’s partying, highlighting the intersection of Black and Chicano cultures in L.A. This moment is a celebration of diversity and community, integral to the West Coast lifestyle.

12. Big and Curvy Women Dancing

The inclusion of big and curvy women dancing challenges societal beauty standards and celebrates body positivity. Kendrick has long been an advocate for authenticity, and this scene is a bold statement of inclusivity and empowerment.

13. Dog Trainer Bitten by a Pitbull

The scene of a pitbull biting its handler carries layered symbolism. It could represent the struggle between control and rebellion or speak to the unpredictability and survival instincts that define life in the streets.

14. Westside Traffic’s Hoover Stomp

Schoolboy Q’s artist Westside Traffic performs the Hoover Stomp, bringing raw, authentic energy to the video. This moment is a vibrant nod to L.A. street culture and its unique contributions to hip-hop.

15. Storm DeBarge’s Stunning Moves

Choreographer and dancer Storm DeBarge brings dynamic energy to the video with her captivating performance, further showcasing Kendrick’s commitment to highlighting Black artistry.

16. Black Panther Movie Connection

Kendrick subtly nods to his work on the Black Panther movie soundtrack. This acknowledgment reinforces his role as a cultural leader bridging the worlds of art, music, and activism.

17. Cameos from L.A. Stars

The video features appearances by Taz Arnold, G Perico, RJMrLA, and Cuzzos, bringing together a community of creatives who embody the vibrant spirit of L.A.’s music scene.

A Celebration of Culture and Legacy

From its rich cultural references to powerful imagery and standout cameos, Kendrick Lamar’s "Squabble Up" is a layered visual masterpiece. It’s not just a music video—it’s a celebration of resilience, identity, and the enduring legacy of hip-hop.

Have you been spending all your money and time on making music and shooting videos, but still not getting any exposure? Tired of just spinning your wheels? You know to get exposure you need to get featured on blogs, radio stations, playlist, and get your music e-mail blasted out to the masses. Need help getting all that done? Then check out the Package we’ve made available for you below!

Like & Listen To Our Spotify Playlist

trapLAXradio On The Air Now!

The Latest Music, Videos, News, Entertainment……

[teenagechildtyphoon]

The Tale of the Two Cities

Long ago, in a land divided by ambition and strife, there existed two cities: Piltover, the City of Progress, and Zaun, the Undercity of Shadows. Though the cities shared the same sun and moon, they lived in stark contrast. Piltover stood tall and proud, its spires gleaming in the daylight, a beacon of invention and intellect. Zaun, buried beneath its shadow, was a labyrinth of metal and mist, where ingenuity thrived in chaos, and survival was a daily battle.

The people of Zaun told tales of a brilliant boy named Viktor, a child of the Undercity who dreamed of a better world. Born with a frail body but a mind sharper than any blade, Viktor sought to lift Zaun from its misery. He believed machines, not men, could bring justice and equality. In the dim glow of his workshop, he toiled tirelessly, crafting automatons to aid the weak and heal the wounded.

Meanwhile, in Piltover, a prodigy named Jayce pursued progress with equal fervor. Blessed with wealth and opportunity, Jayce dreamed of harnessing the raw power of Hextech, a mysterious fusion of science and magic. While the world celebrated him as a visionary, Jayce often gazed toward the dark silhouette of Zaun, wondering what miracles and mysteries lay hidden within its depths.

Fate, as it often does, brought the two together. Viktor and Jayce met on a fateful night, their paths crossing over a stolen Hexcore crystal. Though their initial encounter was fraught with mistrust, they soon discovered a shared passion for invention. Together, they built machines that blurred the lines between science and magic, believing their creations could unite their divided cities.

But the cities were not ready for unity. The elite of Piltover viewed Zaun as a breeding ground for crime and disease, while the people of Zaun saw Piltover as a city of tyrants who hoarded wealth and power. The inventions of Viktor and Jayce, instead of bridging the divide, became weapons in an escalating conflict.

The tensions came to a head during the Festival of Progress, an annual celebration in Piltover. Viktor, desperate to prove the worth of Zaunites, unveiled his greatest creation: a sentient automaton named Blitzcrank, designed to save lives and protect the vulnerable. But the Piltover Council, fearing the power of Viktor’s mind and machines, branded him a threat. In their arrogance, they sabotaged his presentation, causing Blitzcrank to malfunction and wreak havoc on the festival.

The people of Piltover called Viktor a madman, and the people of Zaun called him a hero. Heartbroken, Viktor retreated to the shadows of the Undercity, vowing to build a world where the weak would no longer suffer at the hands of the strong. Jayce, torn between his loyalty to Piltover and his friendship with Viktor, became the defender of the status quo, wielding his inventions to maintain order.

And so, the tale of the two cities continues. Piltover rises ever higher, its citizens basking in the light of progress, while Zaun digs ever deeper, its people forging hope in the darkness. Viktor and Jayce, once allies, now stand as symbols of their cities’ eternal struggle: the dream of unity, forever at war with the reality of division.

Yet, some whisper that one day, when the stars align and the Hextech hums in harmony, the two cities may finally become one. Until then, their story serves as a reminder: progress is a double-edged blade, and the brightest light casts the darkest shadow.

[mizaryrottmnt]

✦ MASTER POST ✦

✦ MizaryRoku • She/her • +25 • 🇲🇫/🇬🇧 • Hobbyist artist/writer ✦ 

Commission Status : Opening soon

Prices list link

✦ Other blogs : @mizaryroku

✦ Social media links : Cardd.co link

Blog Info:

✦ Asks: Always open. Just be respectful.

✦ Request: Send if on my ask and I'll do it when I have some time

✦ Collab: Ask me in DM

✦ Tags:

Art tag : #MizaryArt #RottmntFanart

Ocs tag : #Rise Unity / #Rottmnt Unity / #Rottmnt Stella / #Rottmnt Vincent / #Donnity / #OcxCanon

Story tag : #Rottmnt My Dear Puppet and #Rottmnt Our last Swan Song or #Rottmnt OLSS

Asks tag : #Mizary ask/request

✦ Original Characters:

Unity reference Stella reference OLSS reference Vincent reference Persona Reference

(I'm an Ocxcanon fan and draw this a lot on this account)

✦ Rottmnt Au : In this blog, I'll draw and write interaction with characters of the "Rise of the teenage mutant ninja turtles 2018" and some characters of mine. Not canon in the original universe, only things from my head.

✦ Fanfictions AO3:

My Dear Puppet

Our Last Swan Song (In Progress)

✦ Comics:

Good timeline:

Mystical science?

Donnie's human form

Just a walk

Curiosity Beats Fear

Thanks Aunty

New Stripes

Apocalypse timeline:

He's gonna kill us

Gift

Important information:

❌ Please DO NOT repost, trace or sell my art and designs, or use my character as your own. And don't use my art to feed Bot and AI too.

❌ I'm actually not open for Roleplay. I reserve this for my closest friends.

✔️ I accept gift and fan art. Please use tag @ me in you post that I can see you.

Thank you and have a nice day or night!

[zerbu]

Project Squealer BIG REVEAL

Calling all mystery buffs, adventure seekers, and gumshoe wannabes!

I am developing MY OWN INDIE GAME under the working title PROJECT SQUEALER! In this action-packed adventure RPG game, a disease called Laughter Pox has plagued the town, and it's up to three kid detectives to investigate!

These days, I'm mostly known for making mods for The Sims 4, but I've been interested in game development as far back as 2009. In fact, I originally bought The Sims 3 for PC back in 2012 as a tool to plan out characters and worlds, before becoming hooked on the gameplay. For a long time, The Sims was my main creative outlet, but I was still coming up with game ideas in the background.

Skip ahead to mid 2016: while playing with my Go to School mod, I needed to create some child characters to fill the school with. I created two rival teams of kid detectives, and came up backstories and mysteries for them to solve. I ended up liking these characters far more than any other characters I had created. They felt like my creative masterpiece, begging for something bigger than just creations made in a character creator.

That's when "Project Squealer" started brewing in my brain. This indie RPG wasn't just some vague idea; I was developing full-blown stories, environments, and gameplay planned for my kid detectives. I also had the perfect art style in my head. Emphasis on in my head.

Turns out, bringing my dream art style to life was way harder than I thought. So hard, in fact, that I spent the next few years learning how to create art. It took until 2020 to finally have character and environment art that could (almost) pass for pro-level game stuff. Not only that, the project was undergoing what indie devs refer to as scope creep. I kept adding more and more ideas to the design doc, making the game more complex and pushing the release date even further into the future. In 2018, I even decided to move from 2D to 3D, and switched engines from MonoGame to Unity (and later to Unreal Engine 5 in 2023).

Now, it's 2024, and I'm finally, finally ready to announce what I've been working on for the past 6 years!

Project Squealer is the working title for my own indie game about a team of three kid detectives: Orlo (middle), Von (left) and Zoros (right). Together, they go on adventures and solve mysteries… or at least they would, if they weren't constantly having their business stolen by a rival detective team.

In this action-packed adventure game, a mysterious disease known as Laughter Pox has plagued the town, causing people to laugh hysterically. Where is it coming from? How can it be cured? It's up to our detectives to find out! If they can convince others to trust them with such an important mission, that is!

Project Squealer uses a hybrid of 2D and 3D graphics to create a 2D cartoon look with full 3D movement. Characters and some organic objects are 2D sprites that move with the camera. Most environments, objects and buildings are 3D, but have texture-based outlines to give it a 2D look.

The game features a variety of different quests, characters, abilities, enemies, locations, weapons and items. In addition to the main storyline, you can help out NPCs by performing "errands" for them, which will unlock cool rewards and even side missions.

Unlike many RPG games, Project Squealer won't include a character level system, because I want the player to be able to progress using their own skill, not by grinding levels. One of the game's main design philosophies is that there are few, if any, permanent upgrades. Weapons will eventually break, status effects that make your stronger will eventually expire, etc.

Project Squealer is still in relatively early development. I plan to post more information, screenshots, and eventually even videos, as it gets closer to release. Follow my Twitter for quicker updates: https://twitter.com/ZerbuTabek

Your support and feedback is welcome, and will help improve the game!

[planet-gay-comic]

The Minoan Civilization: A Surprisingly Modern Society

The Minoan civilization, which flourished on the island of Crete, is renowned for its advanced and, for its time, unusually liberal society. Although our knowledge of the Minoans is incomplete due to limited written sources and primarily based on archaeological finds, a picture emerges of a culture that, from around 2700 to 1450 BC, exhibited remarkable openness, equality, and joie de vivre.

Equality and Tolerance

Current archaeological and anthropological studies often highlight the Minoans' liberal attitude. Researchers like Nanno Marinatos have examined the religious and social structures of the Minoans and found that this society exhibited an unusually high level of gender equality for its time. Women actively participated in public life, possibly held leadership positions such as priestesses, and enjoyed similar rights to men in the private sphere.

Regarding sexuality, the Minoans also appear to have adopted a tolerant attitude. Artistic depictions of intimate relationships between same-sex individuals suggest that such relationships were accepted in Minoan society. Although the interpretation of these depictions is debated among scholars, there are numerous indications that the Minoans had a more open stance towards various forms of love and romance, including same-sex relationships. The portrayal of homoerotic scenes in art and a relaxed attitude towards sexuality indicate that such relationships were accepted and respected in Minoan society.

Katherine A. Schwab: Her work on Minoan frescoes and the analysis of the scenes depicted provide insights into the social dynamics and possible homoerotic aspects of Minoan culture. Current archaeological and anthropological studies often emphasize the Minoans' liberal attitude. Researchers like Nanno Marinatos have examined the religious and social structures of the Minoans and found that this society exhibited remarkable openness and tolerance towards various lifestyles.

Cultural and Social Freedom

Minoan culture was characterized by its artistic flourishing and a preference for the beautiful and pleasurable. The Minoans were masters in the art of fresco painting, ceramics, and architecture. Their palaces, such as the famous Palace of Knossos, were not only political and economic centers but also places of art and culture.

The Minoans lived in close contact with nature, as reflected in their frescoes, which often depicted dolphins, lilies, and other natural motifs. This deep connection with the natural environment is also evident in their appreciation of water, which likely played a significant role in ritual purification and bathing practices.

Festivals, dances, and athletic competitions were integral parts of social life. These events provided not only entertainment but also strengthened the Minoan community and identity through shared experiences.

Religion and Spirituality

Religion played a central role in the lives of the Minoans, and their spiritual practices reflected their liberal values. The Minoan religion was matriarchal, with goddesses such as the Snake Goddess being central figures. The worship of goddesses is often associated with the high status of women in society, as they symbolized aspects such as female fertility and the power of nature.

Rituals and religious ceremonies were opportunities for the community to gather, celebrate, and express their connection with nature and the divine. These rituals, often accompanied by music and dance, emphasized harmony and unity with the environment.

The Minoan civilization was, in many ways, a fascinating and progressive culture, whose societal structure differed from many other ancient cultures. Their values of equality, cultural freedom, and spiritual connectedness remain relevant and inspiring today. The Minoans show us that progressive societal forms were not only a phenomenon of modernity but also existed in antiquity.

Text supported by GPT-4o, Gemini AI

Base images generated with DALL-E, overworked with SD-1.5/SDXL inpainting and composing.

[aikoiya]

LoZ: Wild - The 7 Heroines Symbol Analysis

Ya'll, with @alasse-earfalas' help, I realized that dang near every one of the Heroines' symbols all relate to mathematical symbols or phonetic symbols in some way!

To start off, one of them is most definitely a Lambda, which relates back to another theory, but that's for another time.

Anyway, here are the symbols in question!

The one in the upper left is the Lambdah (Λ/ʎ), which is the letter correlating to L in the Greek alphabet.

The Lambda is the 11th character in the Greek alphabet & according to Herodotus, Labda was the daughter of Amphion (demi-god son of Zeus & twin to Zethus, associated with the lyre) & the mother of Cypselus by Eetion. Cypselus eventually established the earliest known tyrant dynasty.

Evidently, it symbolized unity under oppression & is referred to as the Greek letter for “sameness.” It also corresponded with the number 30 in the Greek numerical system. Which, 30 was often associated with maturity, as well as the attainment of a certain level of experience or wisdom, especially considering the lifespan expectations in ancient times.

The origins of the letter is thought to depict a shepherd's staff, meaning that it has themes of guidance & authority. It's shape also resembles an arrow pointing upwards, which conveys an impression of accent or elevation. And this leads to metaphorical themes revolving around progress or advancement.

Not to mention, in physics, it refers to wavelength. But in calculus, it's a "formal system in mathematical logic for expressing computation based on function abstraction & application using variable binding and substitution."

Here are the symbols, as I know them. Λ (lambda, phonetic symbo, Ll; ʎ used in math), ʃ ("esh" & integral; phonetic symbol, formerly used to represent ‘sh’) or ⎎ (technical symbol, hysteresis symbol, correlates to f), ǁ (math, parallel to; phonetic symbol, aveolar lateral consonant), : (ratios or scales), ❜ (phonetic symbol), o (phonetic symbol) or O (math, Landau's symbol, describes the asymptotic behavior of functions or represents the null matrix where all elements are zero), last is the drop-looking symbol that I'm struggling with.

It may be that the colors of them are also important.

Just for reference, asymptote is defined as "a line that continually approaches a given curve but does not meet it at any finite distance."

Now, for the Heroines, here's what we know.

Rotana said that the powers were: "skill, spirit, endurance, knowledge, flight, motion, & gentleness."

However, the Stelae say that they are: "heart, skill, fortitude, wisdom, flight, mobility, & compassion."

Luckily, these are easily condensed: heart/spirit, skill, fortitude/endurance, wisdom/knowledge, flight, motion/mobility, & gentleness/compassion.

Heart & spirit are interchangeable as "heart" is likely referring specifically to one's spiritual heart based on Kokoro (心), which can translate to both.

For now, I believe that the Λ may be the symbol for the Heroine of either wisdom/knowledge or motion/mobility or possibly flight. Though, for the moment, I'm leaning more towards wisdom/knowledge.

And, because of the nature of spirit within Japanese culture, I'm inclined to believe that the symbol of the Heroine of heart/spirit may have been ❜.

Heart = ❜

Skill = "The ability to do something well."

Fortitude = "Courage in pain or adversity."

Wisdom = Λ?

Flight =

Mobility = Λ/O? "The ability to move or be moved freely & easily."

Compassion = "Sympathetic pity or concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others."

Also, the gifts left for the 8th were a gold rupee, a ruby, a sapphire, a topaz, a spear, a shield, a claymore, & scimitar.

These gifts were all positioned at the foot of a statue with, most likely the 8th being the one in the center.

Starting from front-left (Gerudo Shield), middle-left (Golden Claymore), back-left (Ruby), middle-back (Sapphire?), then going back-right (Topaz), middle-right (Gerudo Scimitar), front-right (Gerudo Spear), & ending in center (Gold Rupee?).

I haven't figured it all out yet, but if anyone has any suggestions or knows what the drop symbol is, I encourage assistance.

---

Edit: I'm sorry.

I just realized that it's very possible that the game already shows you which is which.

Look at the way they are always arranged.

It appears to be the same each time.

And, the Stelae, which may or may not have been carved by the Heroines themselves, write it out as "heart, skill, fortitude, wisdom, flight, mobility, & compassion."

Also, something interesting of note is the characters used for them in Japanese.

Shin or Kokoro (心) = Heart, spirit, mind.

Gi or Waza (技) = Skill, technique.

Tai or Taeru (耐) = Enduring, to resist or withstand (e.g. 耐火 is “fire-proof”).

Chi or Shiru (知) = Knowledge, wisdom.

Hi or Tobasu (飛) = Flight, used in a lot of verbs related to jumping or letting something fly.

Dō or Ugoku (動) = Motion.

Jū or Yawaraka (柔) = Gentleness, softness (it’s the “ju” in judo).

---

Heart = Shin (心; heart, spirit) = ❜ = Shield

Skill = Gi (技; skill, technique) = Λ = Claymore

Fortitude = Tai (耐; endure, resist) = O = Ruby

Wisdom = Chi (知; knowledge, wisdom) = : = Sapphire

Flight = Hi (飛; flight) = ⎎ = Topaz

Mobility = Dō (動; motion) = Drop Sign = Scimitar

Compassion = Jū (柔, gentleness, softness) = ǁ = Spear

...

Did I just figure it out?

... Regardless, even if I am right, I'm still ridiculously curious as to what the drop symbol is, though. Like, is it just the odd one out that they chose just to mess with us?

Are the gifts they left for the 8th in any way related to their Special Powers™ or the way they fight? Are the symbols?

And, if so, how?

Like, I'm pretty positive that, if I am right, then the Heroine of Heart's symbol is, in fact, a reference to the Mitama of Japanese myth & the Heroine of Fortitude's gift may have been a hint to the term taika (耐火) meaning "fireproof.

Though, I noticed that the weapon missing from this line-up is the Golden Bow. But, then again, it's possible that one of the Heroines that gave a gem might've used one. Possibly the Heroine of Flight. I mean, Hi (飛) is evidently used in verbs referring to “letting something fly,” so that might well be it.

I'm not entirely positive of the rest, though...

... That drop sign is gonna erk me until I get confirmation, won't it? 😮‍💨

LoZ Wild Masterlist

[childofflamesandmoonlight]

Help with Deity Dossier?

I did the wonderful Deity Dossier spread by @thiscrookedcrown a few days ago, and while I already have an idea who this entity could be, I would really appreciate a second opinion.

Thank you so much in advance!

Here are the cards I drew (plus some of my notes):

1. The Entity: The Emperor

This represents the spirit, deity, or being in question. The card can be drawn or selected, depending on if you know the nature of the spirit or a card that could represent them.

Leadership

Authority

Reason

Structure

Discipline

Masculine power

Maturity

Responsibility

Stubbornness

Protector

Experience

Knowledge

Confidence

Strength

Dominance

Father figure, boss, older brother, teacher, patriarch

Mind over heart, clear thinking

2. Their History: Temperance

These are past deeds or dealings the spirit has had with either other people or you that you should know about.

Balance

Moderation

Communication

Management of resources

Art

Healing

Testing the water

Patience

Two choices, two people, two sides of a conflict

3. Underlying Influences & Past Experiences: Four of Swords

Similar to Past, this represents influences that could be important to know. This may be an emotional thing rather than a past action. (Example: if previously betrayed by humans, a spirit is less likely to want to deal with humans.)

Inner reflection

Planning

Convalescence

Rest

Recovery

Solid foundations

Solitude

Self-care

Balance

Contemplation

Seclusion

Taking a break

4. Personality, Attitudes & Opinions: Four of Cups

General personality and/or how they think.

Depression

Self-indulgence

Denial

Turning inward

Moodiness

Lack of vision

Self-absorption

Escapism

Not seeing life's blessings and opportunities

Hiding

Discouraged, bored, dissatisfied, apathetic, unmotivated, weary

Having to find new motivation

Breaking the routine

5. Their Current Status: The Moon

Their current status. If a spirit is in trouble, this information would appear here.

Intuition

Deception

Imagination

Emotion

Fear

Illusion

Fantasy

Dreams

Genius

Artistic breakthrough

Confusion

Mystery

Subconscious

Uncertainty

Doubt

Losing your way

Darkness

Creativity

Magic

Inner wisdom

Lack of focus

Confusion

6. Their Health Overall: Page of Swords

The health of the spirit, deity, or being. (Example: A land spirit could be ill or ailing due to pollution.)

Vigilance

Diplomacy

Tact

Intellectual abilities

Talent

Youth

Messenger

Honesty

Truth

Integrity

Fresh outlook

Clarity

Cut to the problem

New phase in your life

New opportunity

Speaking up

Healing from past illness or injuries

Mental clarity to overcome challenges you face

7. Their Mental Health: Six of Pentacles

Their mental health or, possibly, their overall mood.

Generosity

Mentorship

Community giving

Hosting

Involvement

Charity

Sharing what you have with others

Needing help or offering it to others

Reaching out for help

8. What They Like To Do & Have Done For Them: Knight of Pentacles

This could be things they like to do for others, part of their sphere of influence, and/or things that could be used to connect with them or honor them. Think of this like hobbies or likes.

Patience

Long-term plans

Responsibilities

Slow progress

Financially conservative

Serious, dependable, experienced, mature

Parenthood

Love of animals

Financial success

Providing for others

9. Physical Manifestation: Four of Wands

Their physical health or how they could physically manifest. This is especially useful for finding out what deity is contacting you.

Happiness

Family

Unity

Blossoming

New life, new success

Prosperity

Celebration

Harmony

Engagement

Marriage, partnership

Completion of a project

Solidity, stability, security

Grounded

Resting

Recharging

Vacation

Peace

Radiant

Lively

Comforting

Confident

Joyful

Inviting, welcoming, sociable

10. What To Know: The Lovers

Things that are imperative for you to know. This could be used to see how working with this being could affect you in the future.

Love

Commitment

Partnership

Friendship

Attraction

Marriage

Unification

Communication

Trust

11. What To Avoid: King of Wands

Things that are imperative for you to avoid doing. Example: If a spirit hates blood, don’t give blood offerings. This could also be used to see how the spirit could negatively affect you in the future.

Power

Fire

Warmth

Charisma

Charm

Strength

Manipulation

Megalomania

Visionary

Rivalry

Spice

Popularity

Ambition

Greed

Selfishness

Tyranny

Being a bad leader

12. Positive Influences, Friends or Experiences: Six of Wands

What is helpful? What will help your relationship with them? This can be something that is not in the spirit or deity’s sphere of influence but still influences them. A deity might be one of fertility but their sibling could be a deity of war. That will somewhat play into how the spirit acts. Another example would be a spirit becoming powerful because a nearby coven is worshiping it.

Accomplishment

Recognition

Acknowledgement

Praise

Pride

Rewards

Being noticed

Achievements

Affirmation

13. Negative Influences, Enemies or Experiences: Five of Cups

Exactly as above, but the more negative side of things. What isn’t helping this spirit? What will not help your relationship with them? Do they feel used or not appreciated? The examples above also apply.

Negative thinking

Grief

Loss

Inclination to focus on the bad

Difficulty

Trouble letting go of the past

Former hardship, pain or heartbreak

14. Conscious Desires & Thoughts: The Hanged Man

What they want. This could be offerings or a general goal. This may be what they want from you. If they have an agenda they’ll admit to, it will be here.

Crossroads

Decisions

Potential growth

Discernment

Change

Letting go

Waiting

Sacrifice

15. Unconscious Desires & Thoughts: Nine of Cups

This is what they want but won’t admit to or what they don’t know they want. If they have a hidden agenda, it will be here.

Prosperity

Fulfillment

Good luck

Rewards

Bonuses and promotions

Happiness

Attainment of things they desire

Celebration

Wishes

Victory

16. Hopes: Nine of Swords

This can be a general list of hopes, a overall hope for the future, or what they hope to get from you.

Anxiety

Sleeplessness

Depression

Worry

Self-torment

Despair

Nightmares

Haunted

Guilt

Old wounds that have not healed

Stress

17. Fears: The Devil

This can be a general list of fears, what they fear for the future, or what they’re concerned about in regards to you or your life. 

Bondage

Failure

Obsession

Addiction

Depression

Materialism

Lust

Illusion

Temptation

Constraints

Harmful attachments, bonds and impulses

Bad habits

Codependency

[let-us-cultivate-our-garden]

I’ve seen people state that Dana Terrace has a tendency to emasculate the characters she doesn’t like, especially villains . Like often making them be defeated incredibly easily or making them do things that go against their established characters. From what you’ve seen do you think this is true?

Honestly, I think you can make the case that she does this to characters she DOES like as well; not the emasculation part, but the out-of-character moments. The most recent offender is The Collector who was previously established as enjoying watching Belos abuse and murder grimwalkers and is looking forward to the Day of Unity, but in For the Future, none of these malicious traits are present, and he seemingly does a 180 in his characterization. They're just a Lonely Kid with superpowers instead of the chaotic god child who apparently delights in misery.

It's one thing to present a character one way and gradually reveal the layers underneath but such a drastic change with seemingly no explanation is not character development, it's a retcon.

The show also has a problem with setting up how some characters change: Darius was initially presented as being contemptuous of Hunter but warms up to him once he stands up to him. Considering his history with the previous Golden Guard, shouldn't Darius know what Hunter goes through instead of assuming Hunter is spoiled? Darius' rebellion against Belos is also muddled; he becomes a fully-fledged CATs member because he cares about people and is suspicious of the Day of Unity. Except, I don't believe we're ever shown why this is the case. Darius is a Coven Head and it's his job to get more recruits and was trained by the previous Golden Guard. Logically, he should be a firm believer, but instead he uses his status to climb the ranks to act as a mole. This is a great starting point but we're missing what triggered this in the first place. The only hint is that the death of his mentor is what started his rebellion against Belos. But this isn't really expanded upon and it raises more questions. How did he find out that it was Belos who killed his mentor? How much did the Golden Guard tell him? If the death of the previous GG is what made him turn on Belos, then why does he treat Hunter poorly? If you're going to have a character act as a mole, then at least explain what their motives are and how they were developed.

This shows how fundamentally flawed the world-building in The Owl House is; characters only follow Belos when it's convenient to the plot. So in the end, you have characters who oppose Belos because they're on Team Good Guy (Darius, Raine, Eberwolf), the ones who support him because they've always been Evil (Kiki and Terra) and the rest of the isles who either celebrate him at a parade or denounce Eda's potential execution because two teenagers said so.

Anyway, onto the villains...

Odalia is essentially a war profiteer who doesn't care that her entire species is about to be wiped out by the DOU, even though logically she should. She cares about her company and a company can't profit if the majority of your customers are dead. She is tyrannical, cruel, and greedy and it's fun to watch her be reduced to a mere servant. I don't mind this development for Odalia, however, it does point to the trend of taking powerful enemies and reducing them to a shadow of themselves for comedic purposes.

Kikimora was presented as a terrifying enforcer of the Emperor's laws but she got progressively more pathetic to the point where she had to impersonate a teenager and serve as the right hand to Boscha, a character we haven't seen properly since Season 1. She is presented as power-hungry, pathologically ambitious, and has an intense desire to earn Belos' favor, but when he turns against her, she helps King find the Collector, effectively helping defeat Belos. But recently, she is back to her Season 2 shenanigans by taking over Hexside and the question is why exactly? We saw her world crumble before her and she reverts back to her previous traits instead of actual characterization. A common interpretation is that she is just THAT obsessed with power that nothing can break it, which isn't...realistic. FtF doesn't show why Kiki does this, she just does. Perhaps because of the psychological damage of Belos betraying her she decides to continue with what she's always done, except that this isn't telegraphed clearly. Instead, she just comes off as a mini-boss before the final showdown.

That leaves Belos as the only real credible threat and while he is terrifying on a personal level, we never see him at his full power; for apparently being the most powerful "witch" in the isles, his magic doesn't really stand out from what was seen before. And in King's Tide, he was just playing with Luz. He is ultimately brought down by his own hubris and misplaced trust, and an over-powered god child. Belos' defeat is thematically appropriate so it's not as egregious as Kiki's but it does fall into the category of "Easily Defeated." Obviously, we'll have to wait for the finale to see if that trend continues.

Belos' defeat by the Collector seemed to set them up as the new threat in town, that Belos, for all of his power, was ultimately nothing and the mysterious Collector is a force to contend with. But no, the Collector is largely kept in check by King. So Belos' defeat doesn't do anything for either character; we don't get any reaction from Belos about his centuries-long plan blowing up in his face and the Collector isn't even bad, just misguided. As for the misunderstanding between King and the Collector and their "new game"? I don't think the Collector will actually do anything that will have lasting damage, not while Belos still breathes.

And that's a common problem the villains in this show have, any attempt at interiority or psychological depth is explicitly rejected by the show (remember Kiki and her family, how she was worried about being disowned? Psyche! She'll drop everything for even a smidge of more power!) and the lesson seems to be "these characters have always been Evil and nothing will change that."

It can be fun watching villains go from intimidating to pathetic, but if that's all you do with them then it becomes boring fast, at least for me. Ultimately, I think the biggest problem with the villains is that you're supposed to take them at face value: Belos, Kiki, Odalia, are Evil for petty reasons and will do anything for power. Not all villains need to be nuanced with complex characterization but if all of your villains are just Evil all the time and the text explicitly does not want you sympathizing with them or even showing a different side to them, then that's just a wasted opportunity to flesh out your world with interesting characters.

[wauzmons]

Quick Status Update

Hey! Sorry that there haven't been update posts in a while. I'm still busy reworking all the shaders to make sure they work correctly in the new render pipeline. This is really, really tedious and there isn't much to show, since it's pretty much just the same stuff. looking slightly different than before.

Also, some good news: We don't have to upgrade to the beta version of Unity yet. The graphical bugs I mentioned in the last post have all been fixed in the latest LTS version.

That's all. Just wanted to say that I'm still alive and making progress. While this may seem like a lot of effort for minimal results, it will be the foundation for a lot of new visual effects, like interactive grass, coming in future updates. Well, back to work...

[mask131]

The myth of Apollo (3)

A continuation of these posts.

III/ Towards the perfection of the divine

With Plato, the perception of the god changes completely. The philosopher doesn’t see in Apollo just one Olympian among others: he makes him THE god by excellence. The evolution that Pindar started now reaches its peak. Closely associated with Helios (so closely in fact that we can almost talk of an assimilation), Plato’s Apollo becomes the supreme god, the unique god, the “divine essence” of which the other deities are mere aspects of. Through the character of Apollo it is the Platonic doctrine that is expressed, in a symbolical ay. It is why, despite their ludic function, the various etymologies of the “Cratylus” must be considered very carefully (see the article “Apollo, the mythical sun”). As Apolouon, the god who washes, he represents purification of both the body and the mind, and reminds us of “Phaedo”. As Aploun, he highlights the link between unity and truth, and reminds us of “Parmenides” and “Philebus”. As Aei ballôn, he who always hits/reaches, he is infallibility and perfection. As Homopolôn, the simultaneous movement, he is harmony – as musical as celestial, the harmony of the spheres and the celestial bodies ; and we think of the “Timaeus”, or of the myth of Er at the end of the “Republic”. The respect carried here for the religion of Delphi is not a passive submission to the tradition: piety becomes the foundation of metaphysics. In this context, we can understand why Plato violently rejects the image of a lying, grudge-bearing, bloodthirsty Apollo as he appears within Thetis’ speech in the fragment of Aeschylus’ “Judgement of the Weapons” (quoted before) – a fragment which was preserved only because Plato denounced it within his “Republic”.

Prepared by Pindar, ensured by Plato, the greatness of the god, now the incarnation of the divine unity, will now definitively impose itself. The killer of Achilles, Koronis or Cassandra is now far away: with might now comes moral perfection, and unity replaced multiplicity. It is what Plutarch means when, during his list and comment about the various explanation of the mysterious “E” inscribed in the temple of Delphi, he finally concludes that it means: “You are”.

IV/ The Roman Apollo: politics and religion

We know the famous sentence of Horace: “The conquered Greece conquered its fierce vanquisher” (Epistles). The history of the Greek Apollo within Rome illustrates this line. It is true that we have to account for other influences that nuanced and “filtered” the Delphic presence and adapted it to the mentality of the Roman people: the Falisci beliefs and rites, the Etruscan legends and cults, the fact that the Cumae Sibyl originally belonged to an ancient chthonian goddess… But we can still easily follow a clear progression of the god. Beginning of the 5th century BCE: Tarquin the Superb (Tarquinius) sends two of his sons to the Pythian oracle. 433: a temple is dedicated to Apollo on the Field of Mars. 212: The first “ludi Apollinares” are celebrated. The 2nd of September of 31 BCE: Octave crushes in the waters of Actium the ships of Antony and Cleopatra under the sight of Apollo, who is honored on the promontory that dominates the entrance of the Ambracian gulf.

From this moment on truly begins the entrance of Apollo within Latin literature. (Ennius, Naevius and Lucilius all evoked him, but in a shy and discreet way). Octavius, who will soon be called Augst, cleverly organizes the propaganda. He has a rumor spread according to which Atia, the mother of the new sovereign, conceived him with Apollo. The victory of Actium becomes the “miracle of Actium”. In the year 28, a temple is dedicated to Actian Apollo on the Palatine Hill, right next to the palace the prince had built for himself. On the cuirass of August’s statue (the one found at Prima Porta), Apollo is depicted riding a griffin with a lyre in his hand, while facing his sister Diana, riding a stag and holding a quiver. Apollo, after being the one who caused the victory, becomes associated with the work of peace, the “Pax Augusta” – for he is the god of harmony.

The authors participate to the Augustinian work. Already, well before Actium, in the year 40, in his fourth “Bucolic”, Virgil was announcing the rule of Apollo. Within the “Aeneid”, Apollo plays a major role: it is him that gives to Aeneas and his companions the order to regain the land of their ancestors. He is also Aeneas’ protector, and just as beautiful as the Greek poets painted him: “ the god walks on the yokes of Cynthia, his flowing hair softly pressed with foliage and crowned with a gold diadem ; ad his arrows rustle on his shoulder”. He finds back all of his old functions: he is a prophet, a musician, an archer and a healer. He is “the greatest among the gods”. As for Horace, he opens his “Carmen Saeculare” by an invocation to the two children of Leto – the “Carmen Saeculare” being sung on the 3rd of July of the year 17 BCE for the celebration of the secular games organized by Augustus: “Phebus, and you, Diana, queen of the forests, luminous jewel of the sun, you, always adorable and always adored”.

During the episode of Daphne, in the first book of his “Metamorphoses”, Ovid does treat the god with some disrespect. Apollo is vanquished by the child-Cupid that he disdained. Overtaken with desire for Daphne, he hopes to be able to unite himself with her, “fooled by his own oracles”. He gives her a very eloquent speech, that the nymph refuses to listen to as she flees away from him. And right as Apollo is about to reach for her, Daphne, turned into a laurel tree, escapes him forever. However, if we look at the way Ovid treats the gods in the entirety of his “Metamorphoses”, we do note that Phoibos-Apollo has a more important role than the others. The others gods are not presented with any kind of dignity and do not seem to fit their ranks: they are only seen embroiled in romances or taking part in petty quarrels. On the contrary, Ovid’s Apollo, just like the one of Virgil, has all of his Antique functions – he is an oracle, he is a medicine spirit, he is a musician, and to all of this is added the art of the metamorphoses, an art pushed to a level of science. He is the god of harmony and of light. His identification with the sun which, throughout the previous century was sometimes clear sometimes underlying, is here expressed with no hesitation in the speech Ovid gives to Pythagoras. With the Augustan Apollinism, the depiction of the god shifts to a solar theology, that the successors of Augustus will all make use of. The god of Lycia, the god of the wolves, is forgotten. Apollo is now the figure of light, the harmonious and perfect spirit, and it is as such that he is now forever imprinted in our cultural subconscious.

[dekheinjee]

I rarely see anyone talk about chapters 62-64 so I'm going to do it myself. Be prepared for a VERY long post (and possibly full of grammar mistakes). These chapters are severely slept on which I don't understand because it shows us a different side to Albert's character and how special his relationship with Liam is.

We all know that Albert has always hated how this world worked. He hated how there was no equality anywhere, especially as he saw firsthand how much his family cared about status, how they tortured their servants, and then he found out a close friend of his was only friends with him because Albert came from a family of high status. At first he tried to bring change in the society he lived in by forgiving a thief and paying for all his previous crimes. Then he covered for that thief from a nun when he was trying to commit a crime again. But then that man goes and kills someone so Albert starts second guessing if he really could bring any good change in this world. He then concluded that this world truly was as rotten as his father and brother claimed. And this thought depressed Albert so much to the point that he was ready to end his life because he felt he was too useless. But at the end he couldn't gather up the courage to do it and this made him feel worthless too.

But after that, he met William and Louis. And he saw something in Liam that made him think he wasn't alone. He felt like he had finally met someone who shared the same thoughts he did.

They start to get talking and discover they have the same motives. The only difference is is that Albert had given up hope on changing how the world works but William hasn't. In fact, he had actually made progress by winning that trial in court. Besides this, Albert also saw how William was always solving everyone's problems and making their lives slightly better and easier. That's what attracted Albert towards William.

This is why I think their relationship is so pure. William gave Albert the courage and energy to take action on what he's always wanted to do. That's why Albert made his family adopt Liam and Louis.

A year after, Albert grew more and more tired and frustrated with his family. The way they cared so much about wealth and status and how they couldn't bring it in themselves to have even a little bit of sympathy for the poor.

But he found himself unable to take the first step he needed to get rid of his family. And that's where Liam came in.

Liam gave courage to Albert to finally get rid of the people who have been frustrating him, the people who are responsible for allowing this system of injustice and inequality to keep on going.

But as we all know, when he's all grown up, Liam starts to feel all the burden of what he's doing. This is what I love about his character by the way. It's how Liam (and Albert) knows what he's doing is a sin, he knows this is not the honourable way to achieve his goals, but he's aware this is the only way to do it. Albert tried it another way when he was younger, by forgiving that thief, but it didn't work out. So Liam knows this is the only way to do it, and he's ready to be the bad guy and take all the blame after all this is done.

After he made society better, full of kind hearted people and unity, he started to feel the burden of his sins. Even though he's aware he did a good thing, he knows it is still a sin. That's why he tries to end his own life (but then Sherlock saved him and made him see things in a different light but that's a different topic).

And after all this, while Albert is in prison, he starts to wonder if he's responsible for Liam taking his own life (because at this point he, or anyone else, isn't aware that Liam survived and is living in New York with Sherlock). He starts to feel guilt too, and starts feeling worthless again. He blames himself as he wasn't ready to take the steps needed to make his goals a reality, he need Liam to lend him courage.

So Albert starts to blame himself for what happened to Liam. He feels guilty for making his hands dirty, as Liam is the one who executed almost every single plan even though him, Albert, and Louis all were lords of crime.

This panel is just so beautifully sad. Liam tried to solve everyone's problems, he tried to make everyone's lives better. But Albert feels like he only became the lord of crime because of him, and that's what made him so depressed and suicidal.

As he's thinking all this, the door to his prison room opens and William makes an (dramatic lol) entrance. And he convinces Albert that he's not responsible for what happened. William was going to execute his plan of making the world a better place one way or another.

Liam expresses after this how grateful he is to have someone like Albert, how grateful he is that he found someone who could carry the burden of this sin together, and claims he himself is the weak one rather than Albert.

He also claimed he's selfish. He and his brothers were all lords of crime, they all shared the same responsibility of this sin, but Liam wanted to escape this burden and that's why he decided to kill himself. It was done because of his ego.

But he's realised that this was no way to atone for his sins. The only way to do it is to actually live, not just kill themselves to escape it. Albert agrees with this and that's why both him and Liam agree to live and atone, even though they're both aware that the shackles of this burden will never leave them.

All of this makes their relationship so deep and meaningful. The way both of them regretted the way the acted with each other and both of them convincing the other that they weren't in the wrong. And both of their sides are understandable. I think it's beautifully written. This is why their relationship makes me so soft (and why I prefer them over William and Louis even though the latter had a beautiful relationship as well).

Anyways, if you read till here, I love you. I'm aware this post has gotten too out hand jdjsjsk but I enjoyed writing it and I hope you guys liked reading it. Let me know what your thoughts are on this, I'm happy to read different opinions (although just be respectful about it lol. Can't believe I have to say this but some people can get too heated and disrespectful over sharing their thoughts).