#sunsingers

[serpentface]

Two People Of the Midnight Sun guarding a snared hare against a juvenile sunsinger, a wolf sized mustelid that lives as an ambush predator and opportunistic scavenger in the arctic tundra and gets its name from the male's yowling calls during the springtime breeding season.

These people primarily manufacture small knives for skinning prey and bloodletting their host animals, and do not have weapons capable of dealing with large predators. Their primary defense in this situation is the tried and true predator mitigation strategy of puffing up and making a lot of noise. Like their caelin/delkhin relatives, polar caelin have gular sacs that amplify their calls, primarily used for long distance communication and song but also adequate for making a general cacophony.

This sunsinger physically outmatches its foes by a long shot, but is hesitant to get any closer to a pair of loud, unfamiliar, and seemingly fearless opponents, and quite frustrated about this whole situation. It will most likely walk away from this confrontation hungry rather than risk a physical altercation, particularly when reinforcements from these people’s clan hear all the yelling and come to dive bomb the shit out of it. 

[coastalraccoon]

ID in alt text

Decided to redraw my first attempt at replicating Mike Holmes' style. I don't remember the full context of this scene but Queen Crescent is a villain (or maybe THE villain) and wanted land for the NightWings. Queen Valley refused, so she was killed. I have no idea why the SandWings are there.

[simple-and-dark]

[rosetheocto]

Hello I wanted to know what you think of Silvia from Eeveelution Squad. What's your thoughts on her?

There was a lot to be improved upon for her I think. Especially with her harassment of others (mainly Speed)

Her dynamic with Crystal is fun, and her inspiring Sunshine is nice!! But I just can’t get other the harassment that both the Sunsinger siblings are guilty of! The fact that I like Sylvia way more than her own daughter despite her only having like 2 pages of screen time in a flashback scene just says a lot about my feelings towards the Sylveon

[checkoutmybookshelf]

I'm on chapter 4 of Valdemar and...I think Mercedes Lackey just reverse-the-Leslac-version-ed Shadowdancer and Sunsinger.

And I am low key floored.

[fixation-central]

vndufildfsn

being a fan of a friend's ocs is actually so humiliating....... like yes my favourite character rn is tragically doomed and a pillar of humanity who i think is relevant to the current world. you can find information about them on discord dot com and sometimes in late-night conversations with this guy i know. what the fuck

[blackwaxidol]

I haven't played with Prismatic properly yet, I held off and continued just using my normal Void build because I was waiting for a specific super and now I have it and I am at peace...

[goqmir]

warlock: sunsinger. notable gambit and crucible champion, haymaker in the gambit arena-- trusted friend of the drifter. badass often unintentionally, dorky just as often. has started a somewhat-illicit relationship with the crow. likes: a hand cannon with some heft, the whir of being amplified, thinking fast under pressure, chocolate. takes lots of joy in the fight for the fight's sake-- this draws her toward death, which led her into hobby thanatonautism, which she has learned less from than she was expecting.

hunter: nightstalker. despite this, she's more of a goody-two-shoes than she'll admit. wields malfeasance only because warlock gave it to her, as she prefers a weightier iron. vanguard's pet, one of the crow's top informants, and happy to help in any way she can. very much the funny one. she needs very little other than her cloak and a friend's smile to feel comfortable. likes: her recombination grenade launcher, trickster shit, the patience in a bowstring.

titan: sunbreaker and behemoth. a former future war cult follower and current new symmetrist, she's always been interested in the power and protection offered by the darkness. prefers a solid rifle over a flashy pistol. very interested in doing whatever possible to protect her loved ones, including warlock and hunter (despite their immortality and competence), and treads dangerous and unsightly paths to do so. likes: sleeping at night with partners, stasis crystals, mini-golf.

[synnthamonsugar]

as per tags: I'm asking you about toland and you don't have to be normal abt it

[sicko mode] HA HA HA... YES

I have a big, succinct, fully sourced post going over what we know about Toland, which I recommend reading!

The TL;DR is less interesting than the full story, but the quick rundown is: Warlock who claims to have communed with the Darkness gets exiled from the City for knowing too much about the Hive, and is recruited by Eris Morn & Eriana-3 to their doomed fireteam for his knowledge.

Other fun things I left out of the other post:

Voidwalker & Sunsinger.

Partnered to the Ghost Guren, who fully matched his freak.

Involved in thanatonautics, discoursed with Osiris over it.

Has unresolved, mutual disagreement with Osiris.

Respects the Reef Cryptarch Adonna, whose research into the Deathsong he describes as unmatched.

Likes Wei Ning.

Didn't like Eris to start with but came around to her, describes her as the best of their team, and himself as revering her . :)

Has good things to say about Eriana & Sai too. #girlrespecter

Was a "recording sentimental moments" guy.

Between Toland & Guren, we get allusions to Biblical canon, literature (he loves a tortured Dante-Virgil metaphor), Buddhist cosmology, and a direct reference to WarGames (1983).

Knew how to do hive teleportation and taught Eris, too.

Had a great interaction with Mara.

Hanging around Sjur, too?

Probably forgetting some other things, I'll update as I think of them.

[makoredeyes]

22 with Felwinter/Osiris? 👁️🐽👁️💙

Ah we’ve had return of Osiris Vision 50000 with Felwinter’s smiles here ooops hahah

#22 - in a rush of adrenaline

Osiris knew the day would be different when Felwinter approached him on the training field without even his signature longcoat. Gone was the helmet, his armor, even his gloves. Down to naught but a white linen shirt and well worn leather slacks, his casual state of dress out here in the open felt like near nudity to Osiris. He struggled not to stare.

"Sparring today," Felwinter hummed, and knowing his teacher rarely fooled around with pretense, Osiris squared his stance and summoned his Dawnblade immediately- but only for it to be snuffed to nothing by a deep wash of Void that left him shivering.

It had been a long time since Felwinter had done that to him. He didn't remember it making his heart race like this last time.

"Hold on," Felwinter said gently. "Today, no weapons. No Light. There are times when these resources may not be available to us. There are methods to suppress the Light. Weapons can break. Energy can wane." He held up his hands. His fingers were loose, curling slightly, arms relaxed. He stood just out of arms' reach of Osiris, but the Sunsinger knew that he also stood close enough to him that if Felwinter truly wanted, he could lunge forward and strike him dead before he could see him coming, like this. "So today, we sharpen our bodies as weapons." Osiris' lips parted. Felwinter's spine straightened. "Ready yourself."

For a moment, nothing happened.

Felwinter held his ground, waiting for Osiris to charge.

Osiris...just this once... didn't take the bait.

Felwinter treated him to a rare smile.

"Good," he purred. "Very good." With that, he lunged forward himself, closing the gap and initiating the battle with a strike right for Osiris' face. Osiris blocked and grabbed Felwinter's wrist, yanking in the hopes of securing a throw, but Felwinter twisted free and danced back. His replying kick forced Osiris into a backward tumble to dodge, but he was able to lunge for his teacher's knees, and with a brief thrill nearly set Felwinter on his ass.

And so it went. The pair exchanged blows, swinging arms and legs, strikes sharp and fierce narrowly missing throats and faces, each play getting a little fiercer, a little dirtier as things heated up not with hostility, but delight. It was a game of cat and mouse, a test of skill, yes, but moreso, strategy. Felwinter was ferociously strong, but Osiris was nimble and impossibly fast. If there was a victor, it was going to boil down to who outsmarted who.

Or who made the first mistake.

Osiris gasped, shocked when Felwinter suddenly dropped, grabbing Osiris' arm and shoving his heel into Osiris' hip as he went down, using his straightened leg to leverage him up and over, airborne! in a horrifying throw that threatened to plow him face first into the earth over Felwinter's shoulder. He made eye contact with his master on the way over, had a fraction of a second to register Felwinter's triumphant, playful little smirk, and snarled. He tucked his head and shoulder and rolled gracelessly out of an otherwise catastrophic fall, but he returned Felwinter's grip as he did, hauling the Exo along with him. Felwinter barked out a startled sound, half-laughing. He rose onto his knees, pulling against Osiris, and attempted escape, but Osiris wasn't done with him. He scrambled up, and leapt after Felwinter, tackling him back to the ground, immediately throwing himself over his instructor to grapple him. There was another half-gasped sound of protest from Felwinter: a complaint. This wasn't the intent of the lesson, but here they were, tussling on the ground, rolling, flailing. He wasn't going to surrender any sooner than Osiris was, however, if his determined little chuckles were any indication. The sound of his delight made Osiris' heart race in a way the exertion of combat didn't quite do.

Felwinter's long legs were a problem, hooking and twisting, and at one point getting a knee wedged beneath Osiris' hip again and very nearly tossing him once again, making him bark out an outraged protest that brought out a single, delighted laugh from Felwinter. Osiris growled, displeased that his upper hand was slipping.

"Stop that!" He snarled, swallowing his own laughter.

"Make me!" Felwinter countered brightly, his tone causing Osiris' heart to leap and tumble and surge. They'd been there wrestling, tangled together, rolling on the ground, but this is what made his skin go hot and his belly start to flutter.

Distantly, he was aware that they could have an audience. They probably did. Surely, with how they were behaving, someone was watching. Just like Felwinter, however, he'd been pulled in. They were too close, too hot, and with his blood pumping and his mind clouded with excitement and adrenaline and too many other chemicals, and Osiris had gone just a little bit insane.

He let go of where he clasped Felwinter's wrists, freeing him just long enough to grab his face instead. He heaved Felwinter's head up, bending to meet him, and with a growl, all but plowed into him with a ferocious kiss, breathing hard through his nose, mouth parted, tongue probing, shaking hard as he poured into what was either romance or an act of aggression, Osiris wasn't quite so sure. Felwinter stiffened, then huffed, sagging back and winding his arms gently around Osiris' back, holding him as he let things go without interruption, groaning softly. He was smiling when Osiris finally pulled back, panting and pink-faced, his lips a bit swollen from bruising.

"I-" Osiris croaked, but whatever he said was interrupted when Felwinter's smile turned just a shade devious. With a swift twist and a swing of his leg, he finally got that throw in, Osiris' startled yelp echoing across the training field.

[lunarstrider]

Look, I've brought you my exos today!!

Ayne-11, the Hidden Shadebinder warlock (ex Sunsinger, still skilled healer tho) with Aldie

Ethan-3, Vanguard's Special Ops Sunbreaker titan (also malewife, also Reaper, also I never told you he can be scary) with Licht

and Vermilion-7, freeroaming Splicer hunter (who lost his hunt-pack but holds everything they taught him in a form of Solar attunement) with Hela

Yes, I do love solar spec. And also! I love exos. <:

[dailycharacteroption]

Hybrid Class Review: Skald part 3

(art by bakarov on Deviant Art)

So what archetypes are available for the skald? Let’s take a look.

Some skalds draw upon fighting styles and tactics that you wouldn’t expect from your typical viking warrior, such as the Augur and Fated Champion’s precognition, the Bold Schemers subtle arts, the Instigator’s rabble-rousing, the Spell Warrior’s ability to manipulate magic, the Urban Skald’s flexibility, the fierce determination of the Undying Word, and the intimidation of the Warlord.

A curious number of skald archetypes are associated with courtly intrigue, representing perhaps skalds in the service of a jarl or perhaps warrior-poets of other cultures, such as the regal Battle Scion, the cerebral Court Poet, the devout and light-wielding Sunsingers and the like.

Meanwhile, some specialize in a specific sort of performance, such as the wild Bacchanals, the fearsome Belkzen War Drummers, outrageous Boasters, mournful Elegists, and the vicious Red Tongues.

Other skalds invoke the powers of monsters and beasts, such as the demon-worshipping Bekyar Demon Dancers, or the dragon-revering Dragon Skalds, Serpent Heralds, and Wyrm Singers, as well as the beast-invoking Totemic Skalds, and multiple-totem invoking Totem Channelers.

Others tap into strange magics through other methods, such as the Herald of the Horn’s triumphant blasting horn which calls up the dead and destroys foes with their retorts, the shape-altering Hunt Callers, and the blessed patterns of the War Painter.

Even with the limitations of being a later addition to the class list in 1E, the skald has a lot of fun options to pick from in the game, most revolving around strange and mystical new ways to buff allies, as well as some atypical roles for such a war-chanter-esque class.

That will do for today, but tomorrow I’d like to talk about something else unique to them as well as a few things that weren’t out when my review of the bard class was originally posted.

[simple-and-dark]

[safrona-shadowsun]

A dress box arrives for The Courier with a return address on Sunsinger Lane in Silvermoon City. When it opens silver tissue paper covers whatever is inside but on top of it is a note. ”Lady Shadowsun, I received the lovely garment you sent me, it is glorious and I know exactly what to wear it for. When the time is right I will ensure that you receive an invitation to see it in its glory.

The enclosed outfit is not nearly so grand, in fact it is downright casual in comparison. I do hope you will at least consider it when the time for you to attend the performance that your gift will accompany. Yours with hope for further moments of communication between the two of us. Regards, Nahilvi, the Silver Banshee” When the paper is parted a deep green satin dress is revealed that belies the songstress’ taste in formal fashion.

[ In reply specifically to Nahi's performance, and outfit ]

Green. In most eyes, it was color of envy, or wealth. In others it was the deepest forests in the night, the depth of burnished malachite, the sleep-inducing fog of the Emerald Dreamway, the invigorating ambrosia of a Mistweaver, the deathly beauty of poison, and the dangerous lure of Fel magic. Safrona had found such deep greens to be a favorite of late, a color as faceted as she was. It was her luck that such a simple but beautiful dress was given. With its sumptuous rich color and slight shimmer in satin, Nahi had chosen a perfect fit that would be a favorite for future formal functions.

And so Safrona assured to communicate her gratitudes with the Silver Banshee with brief messages by chatterstone, while confirming invitation to a performance that was promised. Though Safrona was often told she bore the look of a lady noble or countess, she did not often take opportunities to fully dress as one. The process was a strategy of accessorizing that her incubus eagerly helped guide her through.

Safrona was convinced to free herself from her telltale braid of hair - a rarity in style for her staggering amount of hair. It was made to fall in stylistically romantic waves down the favored left side of her body. The delicate loops of a silvery headdress was threaded through the crown of her hair, and a simple dangling choker of malachite was chosen to match the shade of the evening dress. Subtle makeup was applied, a metallic green shade chosen to shine her eyelids, the black lining her ethereal eyes dark and sharp as ink.

"My mistress is ready," the incubus stated as he finished his masterful prepping, bowing low. "She is poised to torment, truly."

Safrona gave the demon an admonishing eyeful, though she could not help a thin chuckle. "I aim to see a performance of a lifetime, let us keep it at that."

Claiming a seat of the front row of Nahi's operatic reveal, Safrona assured she would be seen, as much as she assured she would lay eyes on the extraordinary singer in all her glory, falling into the thrall that was her magnificent voice. This Diva, she was going places.

{ @nahisummerhold - <3 }

[flowers-of-io]

My piece of an AMAZING collab @synnthamonsugar, @endivinity and I put together for @d2artevents Crimson Days event. This was such a fun thing to work on with you guys, and I’m extremely proud of us!!

Read on Ao3 // Full piece

Light filters through the massive rosette window on the far wall of the ballroom as thin, shimmering beams. It dances on moth wings and Wizards’ crystal pendants and rows of glasses carried on trays by Thrall waiters, their claws trimmed and chitin polished to shining. The walls and floor are polished too, almost mirror-like; the chamber reflects in them in an uncanny way, diffused and a little warped, the figures moving across them deformed and blurry at the edges but not entirely passing as shadows either.

And there are dozens of them, Knights and Wizards and even a few Acolytes in wormsilk cloaks and woven hoods. The Witch Queen hasn’t been known to hold back when it comes to theatrics, so the party is lavish, all flowers and garlands and hovering lanterns with shimmering moths fluttering inside. There is music as well—sounding surprisingly little like the tortured screams of the dying, played on strange instruments Eris has only read about in the World’s Grave but never seen before.

And there is dancing.

Through all her years of studying the Hive, Eris wouldn’t have thought they danced. Maybe it would have occurred to her earlier if she'd ever discussed it with Toland; he's always seen them as both more and less than she has, not only mindless beasts and not only gods. He would've said, of course they dance, they're a complex, highly advanced society, the kind that had built palaces and dreadnaughts before the Earth was even created. They have music and art and insanely complicated biotechnological mechanisms, philosophy and cuisine—why wouldn't they dance?

Toland is, at the moment, spinning away from her in a flowing gesture, his fan rising like a shield when she chases him with her sword. He has always been good at this, Eris thinks fleetingly—ever since those scarce and liminal nights a lifetime ago, when he would dance with Eriana in the yellow lamplight of her living room to whatever it was the radio played at 3 am. There is a sense of rhythm all Sunsingers have, perhaps, a certain attunement to the melody of the universe, and for all that Toland forfeited for Ascendance, he’s never lost that instinct.

He looks ridiculous, frankly, in his half-Warlock, half-Hive attire, the charms that tinkle louder than the music and sleeves catching on the buckles of her coat. He also looks gorgeous. The fabric flows and shimmers as he moves, and in a certain light, in the split-second glances between turns, Eris can almost see his true form underneath, the shivering spark of Ascendance wrestling free from her grasp as he sharply pulls away.

When the dance ends, they are both panting and bright-eyed, the rush of blood and adrenaline humming in Eris’ ears. It is not unlike after a fight, she figures; aptly put, for a Hive party.

She catches Toland glancing back at the cluster of Wizards over by the buffet, their claws wrapped around wine glasses and horns adorned with pendants glinting in the light. They have been staring at them since he dragged Eris onto the dance floor, and though she can’t quite interpret their expressions from so far away, the spark in their eyes is unmistakeable. She gives Toland a Look.

“Do try to return with a correct number of limbs,” she says mock-sternly. Toland scoffs, but his hands snake across her back and she is pulled into an embrace, long fingers knitting through her hair. She revels in the kiss, spiced up by the awareness that a good half of the room is looking at them.

As he scurries away, robes fluttering behind him, Eris gestures at a Thrall precariously balancing a tray of snacks in one hand. She has grown used to the Hive's questionable taste in sweet, mushy things, though the variance in what the Lucent Court's cooks have presented for tonight is truly astonishing. Chewing on a clam, she leans against a pillar and watches the dancers.

“I see you are enjoying the party.” She decidedly does not jump in startlement at the sudden presence behind her, head turning to face the hostess of the show in a much calm and stately manner. “My Court is certainly enjoying watching you, anyhow.”

“I’ve noticed.” She doesn’t take the wine glass Savathûn offers her.

“That was a good display of dancing right there,” the Witch nods appraisingly, a gesture so very un-Hive she must have picked it up during her time in the Last City, “though it lacked a kind of flourish. It grieves me to no end that you’ll never experience the delights of the Eversion Day balls on the Dreadnaught. Those waltzes were what everyone all across the broods would aspire to.”

Eris folds her arms across the chest. “I haven’t seen you on the dance floor tonight yet.”

Savathûn puts one hand over her heart and gasps theatrically, “I thought you’d never ask!”

In a swirl of fabric and light, suddenly there is a weight at the small of Eris’ back, and clawed fingers wrapped around her own lead her towards the middle of the chamber. The sea of dancers parts before them, heads turning and glowing eyes blinking curiously.

There is no use resisting, but she tries anyway. “This is not—”

“Oh, don’t break my heart, honey.” Savathûn’s voice is a silky murmur. Eris cannot quite tell if it's just illusion or if the Witch is using some kind of magic to fool with her mind a little, but the moment she is pulled into a closed position the atmosphere shifts near-imperceptibly, like a planet's orbit knocked askew by an inch. There is the sweet, heady scent of the throne world flowers, lingering around Savathûn like perfume. It makes Eris lightheaded. She finds her gaze fixed on the Witch’s brilliant eyes as if the star-dappled collar were a gravity well, drawing her in inescapably.

The waltz is slow and languid, so unlike the mad duel-dancing of the Hive. The edges between her and Savathûn seem to blur, the whole world shrinking just to the two of them, and some part of Eris’ mind thinks that this is mad too, the way she is letting herself be swept across the room like a ship in the arms of a gentle wave. Their faces inches apart, Eris curses herself for how furiously her heart is beating.

Savathûn reaches out and caresses her jaw with a single claw, smiling with her eyes. The music dies, but Eris isn’t aware of that, she isn’t even quite aware of where she is—and then someone bumps into her and she jumps, startled, head swivelling to the side instinctively. When she turns back, the Witch is gone.

Eris takes a sharp breath. She is standing in the middle of the dance floor, the crowds of Hive swirling around her, and there is a strange sensation on the side of her neck, like a feather-brush or a droplet of water trailing down.

When she touches it to check, her finger comes stained with her own blood, red like the train of flowers Savathûn leaves in her wake.

[thefirstknife]

I’ve always been a little confused about subclass preferences for Guardians. Are they first rez’d under a specific subclass (excluding the Darkness based ones)?

Stuff like do they know how to wield all of them? Do they teach themselves other subclasses? Do they shift between all of them? Are there Guardians that can only use one?

I just have so many questions about it.

It's somewhat complicated because before subclasses, there's also classes, which are kinda arbitrary. They're more like learned and preferred combat styles and some Lightbearers don't even abide by the class differences (like Drifter), let alone subclass. They're definitely not rezed as any, other than just having the potential for it.

But when it comes to subclasses, there's a little bit of information, like for example about solar:

For many Guardians, Solar Light is the easiest to wield and comprehend. Everyone understands the rejuvenating power of a sunbeam or the sharp burn of a flame.

This tells us that some of it is intrinsic. When you're rezed, you're capable of using these powers (solar, arc, void) and some come easier and more naturally than others. But these quests from Ikora also tell us that at the end of the day, these subclasses have to be learned. Any Lightbearer can understand the basics of subclasses, but to truly understand how to wield them in the way we know them, they have to be learned. They also change and adapt over time so they require constant practice.

We also know that some subclasses have largely stopped being in use (like Sunsinger for Warlocks and Bladedancer for Hunters) and that's because they stopped being taught/practiced. These combat styles technically still exist and we even got a mention of a current time Sunsinger existing, back in Haunted. This tells us that subclasses are more like schools of thought, rather than something a Guardian is born into. They have to choose to practice it, basically.

Outside of that, it's very individual. Some Guardians prefer only one subclass, some prefer multiple. Some change over time, some can use all of them whenever, but still have a preference. Subclasses are also far less strict in lore and Guardians have been shown to be able to swap near instantly between them without any of the gaming limitations that we have. Probably the best example would be Osiris in Immolant. In a single fight, in close succession he: wielded Dawnblade with two swords, extinguished one blade and formed a Nova bomb in its stead, used the second blade to dive and create a Well of Radiance, manages to cast Chaos Reach after being pinned down by Xivu.

So far, I don't think we've seen a Guardian that can only use one. Mostly just that they have preferences or are shown only using one, but there's nothing saying that they physically can't use anything else.