#tempest is 7...this is such bullshit

[horangslay]

wow as if today couldn't get any worse, I just found out Hwarang has left Tempest

[kazunarei]

That feel when you're too strong

My Blade team has failed meeeeee ( ´;ﾟ;∀;ﾟ;)

Well not so much failed but wasn't the right team to beat the battle.

Tempest Sorcerer Trial 60 is such a bullshit fight. The fact if your team is too strong Dante dies by like turn 7 is so dumb. And let's not talk about the fucking nuke he does then if you survive that he rolls over and dies cause you looked at him wrong.

Fuck that fight. Fuck the collector.

Anyway here's the team I used to beat it.

Garu fucking saved me for being just weak enough Dante didn’t get blown up, and strong enough to live through the shit and counter attacks.

He good boy. (≧∇≦)b

[masterqwertster]

Been thinking about the Otohan fight (more specifically the deaths and revivals) in the Class Swap AUs. So... (and this will be two separate posts because they're going to get a little long)

Result of the Otohan Fight in C1 Class Swap

I think the actual combat results would be much the same, since this class swap hasn't resulted in much change of everyone's combat range. Orym, Ashton, and Chetney are still melee specialists. Fearne and Laudna are still casters. Imogen is now mixed range and melee from Soulknife rogue and ranger. FCG still has their range and melee mix since bard or artificer can spell cast while still having their attachment weapons.

So Orym and Fearne would be killed in action while Laudna is on the brink of death before Imogen explodes.

Which sets things up for Ultimate Tragedy or Successful Escape.

Ultimate Tragedy:

Laudna and Fearne are the only ones who can cast Revivify at this level. And they're dead or about to die

Orym, Imogen, and FCG can all cast Revivify, if they take 9 levels in paladin, ranger, and artificer. Considering the fight happens at level 6 and they're all (potentially) multi-classed by this point, they're a long way off from having 5 out of 7 people in the party casting Revivify

Laudna flops her Death Saves. There are now three corpses that Bells Hells lacks the means to revive

Good news, bad news: Between Ashton, their echo, and Chetney, none of the bodies have to go in the hole for transport. But they've still got dead friends

The remainder of Bells Hells probably isn't going to go to Keyleth. Orym's their connection point and he's dead

Hell, they can't even cast Sending for a skyship pick-up without Fearne unless Imogen picks it up as an Exaltant perk like Ashton's Pass Without a Trace as an earth genasi.

...So I'm going to say Imogen has that "racial" Sending, and she spends her ability to use it for the day on getting everyone out

Every day on the skyship is reaching out briefly looking for help: Eshteross, Hexum, maybe a notification to Keyleth

Then Nana Morri reaches out to them around the time they get back to Jrusar

She's very Not Happy about her beloved granddaughter being killed. But, she can revive Fearne. Maybe her friends too. Depends on how generous she's feeling

So instead Bells Hells is scrambling to get to the Fey Realm in time for Raise Dead to still be applicable. Because asking a powerful hag who's kind of pissed at them for three Resurrection spells instead is probably a bad idea

Morri is definitely playing more into her horrible hag side until she's revived Fearne

There's probably still Delilah trouble with Laudna. Though more along the lines of Morri brought her back with Delilah in control, so Bells Hells has to fight her while Morri does a thing to remove/suppress Delilah

They get back to the Prime Material Plane to find the same dead Eshteross as the canon return from Whitestone

Successful Escape

Laudna does not fail her Death Saves and someone pumps some healing into her to bring her up (Imogen or FCG can heal, Ashton or Chet might have a potion, or Nat 20 Death Save)

Laudna then raises Fearne, who in turn can raise Orym

Everyone is alive to escape Bassuras. They've still got to go back to Jrusar to turn in Treshi

Attempts are made to fill in Keyleth over Sending, but 25 word messages, even composed by professional Orym, don't really cut it. The Voice of the Tempest decides an in-person meeting is necessary to discuss what the hell they've discovered

It's quite the info dump in Jrusar

After that, Bells Hells requests use of Eshteross's skyship to go to Yios to follow some leads on the bigger moon bullshit. Orc daddy provides

...and is killed the day they're set to leave. Bells Hells is grounded for a little while as they get cleared of potential murder charges. Then off to Yios

[eyes-onthehorizon]

fic tag game!

Tagged by the incredibly talented and ridiculously patient @claudiajcregg - thank you for the tag Elena! (sorry for the 4-month late belated reply!)

Rules: share the first lines of ten of your most recent fanfics and tag ten people. If you have written fewer than ten, don’t be shy and share anyway.

i saw that Elena tagged me, had only two works to my name, went away and wrote a bunch more only to forget about the tag game in the process. so, uh, please accept my contribution? (and go read her fic. it’s beautiful and heartbreaking and written with such care!)

fandoms i’ve written for so far: Anastasia, The West Wing, The Diplomat (US), The Old Guard. i’ve included the summaries in case you wanna read more.

i’m paraphrasing Elena’s wording here, it’s much neater than mine: @beepbeepsan @loungemermaid and literally anyone else who sees this and wants to join in! Feel free to ignore it if you don't want to do it, or if you've been already been tagged, etc. ♥️

1. Just In Time - Anastasia

The first time they’re on a boat, the tempest and Rasputin’s magic conspire to throw her overboard.

Dmitry arrives just in time.

2. The Consequences of Aristocracy - Anastasia

"You will bow before the Princess," barked the orderly.

Anya has been crowned as the Lost Princess, and Dmitry pays the Dowager Queen a visit. Anya catches him as he leaves, but it seems her new life has come between them.

What might have been running through their heads, and what should have happened after.

3. Everything Was Won - Anastasia

The second time they’re on a boat, Dmitry can’t believe his eyes or his luck.

Dmitry reflects on his relationship with Anya at the end of the film.

4. Something Else Hoc - The West Wing

Author’s note: There are 35 chapters in this work, and each chapter is freestanding. I have so many favourite opening lines; I’ve pared down as much as I can bear. Sorry! (I’m not)

CJ Cregg was radiant, and Danny could not take his eyes off her.

“Carol!”

“Don-NA!”

It was the final day of junior year, and Jed was being his usual dorky self.

"...I do NOT have anitch!!" slurred Mallory. 

CJ frowned at the badly-wrapped presents.

Sam had walked up to Mallory, wordlessly handed her a glass bottle, and continued down the corridor as if it was a perfectly ordinary part of his day.

Joshua Lyman had a competitive streak a mile wide, and an infectious enthusiasm that alternately inspired and frustrated everyone around him.

The beach was supposed to be a place for relaxation.

“Leo! Did I blink or fall over or something while you replaced my senior staff with muppets?!”

It is a truth universally acknowledged that the President of the United States cheated at sports.

“I’ve had enough of your airy-fairy bullshit!”

Charlie had this… recurring nightmare.

Will and Sam only ever go on one date.

It wasn’t supposed to be a pool party.

It was the Rock the Vote concert again, and none of them were young enough to go and do the speech any more.

Claudia-Jean Cregg was a woman of many talents.

It’s not something they share with anyone, but they talk to each other whenever they see pink skies.

Annabeth Schott was like champagne bubbles, Leo decided.

Liz becomes a little obsessed with Friends after Doug loses the election.

a series of one-shots of my favourite overworked family, sparked by tumblr prompts. mostly canon-compliant. i apologise in advance.

5. Two’s Better Than One - The Diplomat (US)

Having met Cecelia a grant total of once - this being the once in question - Stuart found himself in danger of losing his eyebrows.

Stuart weighs up some pros and cons of his boss's love life.

6. It’s Not About To End - The Diplomat (US)

Stuart was used to being momentarily stunned.

Stuart's internal monologue from the break-up scene.

7. I Think It Just Did - The Diplomat (US)

Eidra was the kind of person who planned for the worst and hoped for slightly better.

Eidra's internal monologue from the break-up scene.

8. February is a Month Like Any Other - The Old Guard

Author’s Note: This series is in desperate need of editing. You’re welcome to have a read, but it is not in it’s final or even an acceptable form imo.

Nicholas Governor was bored out of his mind.

a drabble-a-day fic for the month of February. the old guard are the progenitors of something not yet known as team leverage; they are conning a lecherous, powerful man to his doom.

9. You Can’t Spell Team without Tea - The Old Guard

So much had changed since that fateful day in England, Andy included, but tea had not.

Quynh reflects on this new part of her life.

10. Echoes of Our Past - The Old Guard

Nile has been trying to explain gaydar (and GPS, and radar, and sonar, and how portmanteaus work in modern English) to Quynh for a few minutes before she gives up entirely.

Nile tries to explain gaydar to Quynh, and Nicky loses a bet. Part 2 to You Can't Spell Team Without Tea

[rainwolfheart]

Dragon Age worldstate and OCs

This is just an app-friendly version of my characters page so I can link it don't mind me.

Worldstate

Warden sided with the mages, Warden brokered peace, Warden sided with Caridin, Bhelen is king, Kieran is an OGB, Anora is queen, Alistair is a Warden, the Architect was killed.

Bethany is a Grey Warden, Hawke killed the Arishok, Hawke sided with the mages, Orsino isn't actually dead Varric made that up.

Inquisitor recruited the mages, Briala rules through Gaspard, the Grey Wardens were banished, no one was left in the Fade, Morrigan drank from the well, Leliana is Divine, Inquisition was disbanded, vowed to stop Solas.

Characters

❤️ current partner(s) 🖤 ex-partner(s) ⭐ best friend(s) All ages are as of 9:45 Dragon First six (Hawke to Rafael) are primary characters, others are secondary, sorted alphabetically by last name.

Hamish Amell Hawke

tag

Champion of Kirkwall

Hamish or Hal (if you're Leandra/the twins) · Hawke (if you're anyone else including Anders)

he/they · transmasc nonbinary

Fereldan half-elf · warrior/mage

Force Mage/Spirit Healer

9:06 Dragon · 39

bisexual

❤️ Anders Hawke

❤️ Justice

🖤 [QP] Varric Tethras

⭐ Fenris

⭐ Isabela

⭐ Varric Tethras

VO: Nicholas Boulton

ADHD bisexual disaster par excellence, has never sat normally on a chair in their life. Be gay, do crimes, punch templars. Currently on a mission to cure every Tranquil in Thedas.

Branna “Mason” Cadash

tag

Inquisition agent

Branna or Mason

she/her · cis woman

Orlesian surface dwarf · rogue

Tempest

9:13 Dragon · 32

bisexual

❤️ Lace Harding

⭐ Bram Kenric

⭐ Dorian Pavus

⭐ Rafael Trevelyan Roldán

VO: Laura Bailey

Uses her stone sense for party tricks. In a tense competition for “the Inquisition's biggest nerd” with Dorian. Forever salty about the Titan choosing Valta over her.

Kit Ivish

Lilah's Second

he/him · cis man

warrior caste Orzammar dwarf · warrior

9:14 Dragon · 31

gay

❤️ [QP] Lilah Hirmot

❤️ Dorian Pavus

VO: Travis Willingham

Kindest gentlest softest boy. Somehow manages to keep himself out of politics in spite of being married to an ambassador and in a relationship with a magister. His love language is food and so is his cat's.

Dael Mahariel Sabrae

tag

Warden-Commander of Ferelden

she/her · trans woman

Dalish elf · mage

Spirit Healer/Keeper/Arcane Warrior

9:08 Dragon · 37

bisexual

❤️ Alistair Mahariel

🖤 Merrill Alerion Sabrae

⭐ Sigrun

⭐ Velanna Tillahnnen

VO: Nia Roberts

All about repressing the angst and regret from the hero's journey. Fereldan in spite of herself. Not-super-subtly using the Grey Wardens to fight for mage and elf rights.

Marfisa Trevelyan Roldán

mage rights activist

Marfi or Mari

she/her · cis woman

Antivan-Marcher human · mage

9:09 Dragon · 36

straight

❤️ Gaël

⭐ Tyrdda Hildsdotten O Sunhold

⭐ Rafael Trevelyan Roldán

VO: Stephanie Beatriz (I don't actually know if she can do the right accent but w/e)

Her little brother cured her of Tranquility but she still embarasses him in front of his friends to keep him humble. They team up to keep the rest of the family humble, so it balances out. Has no time for Vivienne's Loyalist bullshit.

Rafael Trevelyan Roldán

tag

Inquisitor

Rafa or Raf · Lucky (if you're Varric)

he/him · trans man

Antivan-Marcher human · mage

Knight-Enchanter

9:11 Dragon · 34

bisexual

❤️ Dorian Pavus

❤️ Josephine Montilyet

⭐ Branna “Mason” Cadash

⭐ Lace Harding

⭐ Marfisa Trevelyan Roldán

VO: Harry Hadden-Paton

Did so many crimes for the mage underground at Ostwick it's not even funny. Peace was never an option. Scandalizing the nobility 24/7 by being in a poly marriage (but nobody is brave enough to argue with Divine Victoria over the definition of marriage).

Tyrdda Hildsdotten O Sunhold

Inquisition agent

she/her · trans woman

Avvar human · mage

9:03 Dragon · 42

straight

⭐ Marfisa Trevelyan Roldán

VO: Abigail Thorne

Augur who joined the Inquisition to help close the Breach, stayed because she's a nerd about learning from other mages. Spent like a month at Kinloch Hold as a kid before her dad broke her out. Sworn enemy of Solas for absolutely petty reasons.

Lilah Hirmot

Ambassador of House Hirmot to Minrathous

she/her · cis woman

noble caste Orzammar dwarf · warrior

9:13 Dragon · 32

aro-ace

❤️ [QP] Kit Ivish

⭐ Maevaris Tilani

VO: Ashley Johnson

Girlbossed her way into an inter-caste lavender marriage so her family would get off her fucking back and let her get back to work. Too powerful to go to the surface, she and Mae would just steamroll Tevinter politics, they had to nerf her. Lies for fun and profit and to annoy her husband.

Marijke Kader

Grey Warden

they/them · nonbinary

Orlesian surface dwarf · rogue

9:10 Dragon · 35

bisexual

❤️ Bethany Amell Hawke

⭐ Nathaniel Howe

VO: Erika Ishii

Grey Warden courier who has set and beat their own records for fastest times across Orlais and Ferelden. Loves horses but never learns their names because they don't want to get attached. Did not know that their girlfriend's brother was the Champion of Kirkwall until far longer than they're willing to admit.

Milo Surana-Amell

enchanter-turned-farmer

he/him · cis man

Fereldan city elf · mage

c. 9:10 Dragon · ~35

straight

❤️ Solona Surana-Amell

VO: Liam O'Brien

Survived Kinloch Hold without getting recruited to the Grey Wardens because he is a cringefail terrible mage. Proposed to Solona as soon as they heard the news that mages could get married in Ferelden and now they have a farm and 3 kids. Thinks he's good at haggling when he goes to the market, is actually terrible at haggling.

Solona Surana-Amell

enchanter-turned-farmer

she/her · cis woman

Fereldan-Marcher human · mage

c. 9:10 Dragon · ~35

straight

❤️ Milo Surana-Amell

VO: Erica Lindbeck

The “excuse me he asked for no pickles” meme but it's Solona standing in front of Milo. Is vaguely aware that her second cousin blew up the Chantry in Kirkwall or something and thinks that's dope. Is so excited to embarass her kids by being a “cool mom.”

[dels-and-dragons]

Character #1: Nynaeve al'Meara

Welcome to my blog, where I indulge in DnD fandom bullshit! For the first character I want to build, I'm going with my fave from the Wheel of Time book series: Nynaeve al'Meara.

To clarify: This build will be for Nynaeve while she has the block on her powers. I wanted my first post to be something challenging. I may revisit her post-block to give her a class change some other time.

Race: Human (Variant: Mark of Finding)

Wisdom’s Intuition: Add 1d4 to any Wisdom (Perception) or Wisdom (Survival) rolls.

Wisdom’s Magic: Once per long rest, Nynaeve can cast Hunter’s Mark and Locate Object, using Wisdom as the spell casting ability.

Skill proficiencies: Animal Handling, Insight, Medicine, Survival

Ability scores: Strength: 12 (+1 mod) Dexterity: 14 (+2 mod) Constitution: 15 (+2 mod) Intelligence: 11 (+0 mod) Wisdom: 18 (+4 mod) Charisma: 6 (-2 mod)

Level: 10 (Barbarian 3 (modified Storm Herald), Cleric 7 (modified Tempest))

Rage Variant: Wilder Rage For most barbarians, casting spells requires more concentration than they can maintain while in the throes of a rage. For Nynaeve, her anger and her ability to access the One Power have become so intertwined that she can only access leveled spells while raging. She gains no strength, physical attack bonuses, or damage reduction while raging, but gains a +2 to damage, spell save DC, and healing output for leveled spells while raging.

Storm Aura: Starting at 3rd level, any time Nynaeve enters a rage, she gains a 10-foot radius aura that grants 2 temp. HP to all creatures she chooses within that aura.

Wrath of the Storm: when struck by an enemy within 5 feet of her, Nynaeve can call on thunder or lightning to deal 2d8 thunder or lightning damage. This can be called upon a number of times equal to her WIS modifier.

Channel Divinity: Destructive Wrath - Once per long rest, Nynaeve can use her abilities as Wisdom to deal maximum thunder or lightning damage. This replaces the Turn Undead feature.

Thunderbolt Strike: At 6th level, dealing lightning damage to a Large or smaller creature can push that creature up to 10 feet away.

Spells known:

Cantrips: Guidance, Resistance, Spare the Dying, Thaumaturgy

1st: Faerie Fire, Longstrider, Ceremony, Create or Destroy Water, Cure Wounds, Detect Poison and Disease

2nd: Locate Animals or Plants, Locate Object, Hold Person, Lesser Restoration, Warding Bond

3rd: Clairvoyance, Speak With Plants, Aura of Vitality, Motivational Speech, Beacon of Hope

4th: Divination, Locate Creature, Aura of Life

Domain Spells: Fog Cloud, Thunderwave, Gust of Wind, Shatter, Call Lightning, Sleet Storm, Control Water, Ice Storm

Feat: Metamagic Adept (Seeking Spell, Twinned Spell)

My Reasoning: While the bloodline of Manetheren which gives Nynaeve her power would be better associated with the Sorcerer class, I went with Cleric for two reasons: 1.) She is a healer, first and foremost, and 2.) Charisma is my girl’s dump stat. And while the healing domain would have been appropriate for her, I went with Tempest due to her ability to listen to the wind. This also informed my choice for her variant race; Mark of the Finder focuses on communing with nature to find what is lost and gain knowledge and insight.

The Barbarian multiclass is there specifically to make things more difficult for her. In the books, Nynaeve is so afraid of her powers that she accidentally locks them away so that they’re only accessible when she’s very angry. So while she might be a magical powerhouse, she’s essentially worthless in a fight if she’s feeling any emotion that isn’t rage. Even healing is only available to her if she riles herself up with the very idea of people being sick, wounded, or otherwise helpless. This gives her an increased urgency to heal in the midst of battle; as soon as the battle ends and her anger fades, so does her ability to cast. I could have given her a single level of Barbarian just to give her the rage feature… but giving her three is a much bigger inconvenience.

For spells, some of them came from the Mark of the Finder variant. For her cleric spells, I tried to focus on ones that focused on healing, water, or her position of leadership in Emond’s Field. The Metamagic Adept feat was given to her for both practical and thematic purposes: to increase the versatility of her magic, and as a nod to the bloodline aspect of her abilities.

I hope you enjoyed this write-up! If you’re interested in me attempting this with other characters, feel free to hop into my inbox.

[ambersky0319]

When Virgil learns that Janus told his name to the others; he does EVERYTHING he can to convince them that he doesn't have a name and he's always changed it. "Janus is a new one. What happened to Declan? Or was it Theo last time?" Patton is heartbroken that he trusted him so easily. Virgil tells Logan that why would the embodiment of Deceit have a name? They look at Janus disapprovingly, they stop with the friendly greetings and Patton doesn't laugh at his puns anymore... (pt 1)

Janus argues that he does have a name and it IS Janus! He even asks Remus to tell them as he's known to be blatantly honest; but Virgil pretends to breakdown at the very sight of the Duke and says that he's been keeping him from sleeping for weeks. Remus is the monster; Janus is the liar. That's how it goes. The only one who can see through Virgil's bullshit is Roman. Sure; he was cruel about Janus' name but he felt guilty afterwards. And he knows Remus; he's not THAT bad. (pt 2)

Roman doesn't know how to help though. He can see that he has Patton wrapped around his finger and he keeps Logan on his side with 'facts' and old stories from when he was with them. So he visits them -meeting resistance at first- before pulling Remus into a hug and telling him that he's not a monster. He's not the bad guy. If anything; Roman is for letting this happen. For not being able to save them. He's failed his brother and the man that he's liked for so long and he's so sorry... (pt 3)

Remus hugs him back and Janus joins in as well. They tell him that they don't blame him; but they all go quiet afterwards. They all know that Virgil has the upper hand here. It's pointless to fight back... So Remus asks if Roman wants to move downstairs and they can leave the others to their 'do-no-wrong' family. Of course Roman agrees; his room is moved not even a second later. Why would he try to be with people who want him to be perfect? He's not perfect. Not for them, not for Thomas. (pt 4)

Virgil comes down after dinner; yelling and using his Tempest Tongue at Roman for leaving them. "What kind of a Prince are you!? You're fat, worthless, annoying piece of garbage! Thomas will never listen to you once he finds out your down here! Did you're brain swell so large that you became an even bigger moron?" Roman's in tears as he keeps going; until Janus quiets him and tells him to never come back. Remus is foaming at the mouth with anger. Virgil sinks out quickly before he's hurt. (pt 5)

Remus and Janus do their best to calm Roman down but he's so deep in his anxiety attack (woops that's a pun) that he eventually passes out. He wakes up to Janus asleep, cuddling him close on their much comfier couch. Remus is on the floor beside him; immedietly whispering as many good things about Roman as he can because his brother is NOT worthless. He's not fat. He's not stupid. He's... his brother and they may not have the best relationship, but he wants to fix that. Roman does too. (pt 6)

The next time Thomas summons Roman -which is a few months later due to Virgil's insistance- someone else pops up. He's taller then everyone else, with a clean-shaved beard, white streaks through his hair and a rainbow cape. He says that Roman can't bring himself to see the others alone; so now Thomas may never see him again and now has to talk to Romulus. Virgil immediately starts ripping into him; calling him a useless Creativity and that he had split for a reason. (pt 7)

Romulus interrupts him and asks if he's truly needed right now. Hes not. So he leaves; splitting once more in the Dark Area with the two halves collapsing onto the couch, stressed. Janus knew that might happen so he's cooked them pancakes; but he quickly steals a kiss from Roman and flips off Remus when he calls their affection 'disgusting'.... They're happy down there; even if Thomas doesn't want to see them. Good, it means that they don't have to deal with Virgil's bullshit anymore. (done!)

-------

This was absolutely wild and I LOVE it thank you so much Willow!!!! Just- hell yes! Everything about it!!!

Love the Roceit

And supportive Creativitwins! Trying to mend their relationship and succeeding!!!

Good on Roman for seeing through Virgil's bullshit! And personally I do like the headcanon that Virgil doesn't use Janus's name since Virgil pretty much hates Janus in canon and I Love What You Created

Just- the domestic fluff at the end basically is great and I love it and Janus having prepared pancakes and none of them dealing with Virgil's bullshit is an absolute win in my book

Poor Roman, having an anxiety attack(very nice pun you included btw) and just hfhvhfggufhgu I'm happy he got cuddles and fUCK VIRGIL FOR EVERYTHING HE SAID TO ROMAN THAT DUMB ASSHAT- but don't actually fuck him he's not worth it-

Also! Return of the King!!! But not permanently

I'm content in knowing that the twins don't permanently form Romulus, and also perfectly happy in thinking that the others believe Remus and Roman are now always Romulus or something so they don't bother the trio downstairs anymore bc what's the point if Remus and Roman are gone?

Also time to dig an even deeper grave for Virgil in your unsympathetic sides graveyard- also if Remus doesn't kill him first I most certainly will

[crystalelemental]

“alphakuriboh: 59 but what’s the 5* v Merge Project split?  Gotta give the full whale confession ;) “

Apparently it’s 27 5* locked units, so 27-32.  Nearly 50/50.  For anyone wondering the full list:

Lyn - obtained entirely through pitybreakers and revival banners

Karla - same

Fallen Celica - also same

Dancer Micaiah - whaled like a motherfucker

Fallen Julia - across two banners, including the debut for spark

Legendary Lilina - whaled like a motherfucker

Idunn - just an incredibly cooperative friend across multiple banners, but six copies came from about 300 orbs on the old Bonfire banner

Nah - same as Idunn

Duo Idunn and Fae - whaled like a motherfucker, currently holds the record for most consecutive pitybreakers on a banner at 13.

Fjorm - some bitch who interrupted my getting L!Julia twice.

Tana - revival banner, and was very cooperative about it

Legendary Julia - took like four banners and was just such an asshole about it.

Micaiah - whaled before revival banners, notably on the Tempest Trial banner with Nailah during the Bridal alts last year

Guinivere - astonishingly cooperative on her debut, with only two Melady interruptions and, from what I recall, no pitybreakers at all.  Current record holder for lowest orb count outside of revival banners at around 700.

Legendary Tiki - see Fjorm.

Harmonic Tiki and Ninian - whaled like a motherfucker.

Legendary Edelgard - across two banners, both of which were fantastic to me.

Julia - the first +10 5*, so almost no expense at all.  Those were simpler times, before a pandemic caused me to lose touch with everything that used to be important and left me with a singular hobby around which my life revolves.

Yune - across three banners, only aimed for her once she hit +9, everything up to that point was an accident.  One of them I wasn’t even sniping Green.

Legendary Celica - see Edelgard.  The first banner saw her arrive 10 times.

Brave Micaiah - across like four banner appearances, and every one was a pain.

Nagi - see L!Celica.

Faye - orb annihilator.  Even her revival banner was bullshit.

Valentine’s Faye - orb annihilator.  By far the worst banner experience in my gacha career.  The pain I endured last month was beyond anything.

Eir - one time I tried to get two (2) copies of L!Grima, and Eir decided that no, I get nothing but 8 copies of her in a row.  Thanks, I guess.

Sara - whaled like a motherfucker to fail and only get her to +7.  Then she showed up as a pitybreaker three times.  Cheeky bitch, but god do I love her.

Legendary Grima - across like 7 banners, and as Eir notes, she was none too cooperative about it.

[lady-sapphire]

Sapphire's WiP Wednesday OC Introduction - Part II

New Wednesday, a new part of my OC introduction! Did I mention that all of my Dragon Age stories have their own World State? So, today's Fanfic is technically an AU to Light and Shield. Yes, I've written an AU to my own Fanfic. Yes, I'm crazy. Yes, I'm riding the polyamory trope in this one. Sorry not sorry. :D

The Commander's Ruby (orig. title: "Der Rubin des Kommandanten")< (main idea: I wanted to write porn/smut and BDSM with Mina as a Sub. But my Light and Shield!Cullen didn't fit for that role. On AO3 is a fantastic BDSM-series with a guest appearance of Knight-Captain Rylen (look here!) and I couldn't get this idea out of my head. And now here we are!)

Oh, TW rape and PTSD for the following, people!

Mina Russelton

Regarding appearance, background and personality, Mina is mostly the same person as in Light and Shield. The differences are: she has more scars on her skin because of Ser Albert's brutality, some really special quirks (e.g. avoiding taking things in her mouth, don't like being touched or feeling wood in her back) and her PTSD has a far more impact on her character at the beginning of the story. She has nightmares, flashbacks, panic attacks and tends to self-harm under pressure. Also, she sometimes shows small cognitive impairments. She was made violently infertile at the age of twenty-three and healers told her she would never have children of her own.

The Inquisitor sides with the templars and disbands the order. Her fate would be to become a slave of Tevinter. Instead, she flees from Redcliffe to the Inquisition where she meets Cullen.  (my headcanon) Cullen is much more sexually experienced and also more self-confident, he is dominant and his character development is more advanced than canon as well. He knows the failures of the Templar-Order, the Chantry and himself and wants to do better with the Inquisition. As commander, he is determined to protect the mages that have already joined the Inquisition, which means he has to find the mage hating and guilty templars in his army and render them harmless. He also suffers from his own PTSD and the lyrium withdrawal. 

When Mina arrives in Haven, he recognizes her and takes on the task of protecting her. She remembers the friendship they had back in her childhood and starts trusting him. She becomes battle mage of the Inquisition. Cullen falls in love with her. However, he hides it because of her past in the Circle. He is sure she will never reciprocate it just as never having sex at all. In particular, considering his special kinks in bed. But their relationship grows deeper and deeper. When the Inquisition settles in Skyhold he publicly announces that they are romantically involved, primarily to keep Mina safe and unmolested. He is truly surprised when she confesses she developed romantic feelings for him. So, their relationship is general knowledge. Not everyone takes this well at first.  Cullen works a lot for her sex education and she slowly starts discovering her own sexuality and battling her trauma. She is submissive (and quite kinky actually) and becomes Cullen's pet.  The discipline as a Sub helps her a lot in controlling her magical power. Cullen arranges for her a (secret) short time affair with his best friend and second-in-command Rylen, which leads to them falling in love with each other and ends up in a triangle relationship.

Because of her openly known romance with Cullen Mina has a close connection to the inner circle of the Inquisition. She hates the attention she receives as Cullen's partner and tries to avoid it. Nevertheless, she has to deal with the responsibility for the mages, which she reluctantly accepts.  In Halamshiral she gets announced as "Lady Commander Mina Russelton, former member of Fereldan Circle and battlemage of the Inquisition". She will never get rid of the title of Lady Commander.

Cullen calls her Love, his pet name for her is Kitten. Rylen names her Sweety (I'm still indecisive about the translation of Rylens german nickname for her). In the barracks, they call her Commander's Ruby because of her red hair, his protectiveness (and the fact, that she sometimes smooth Cullen's mood with sex, so he is a little more lenient with the recruits). She has a fondness for Starkhaven whisky and likes to snack nuts because they're small and easy to eat.   Thanks to Cassandra and Cullen Mina is well trained and a real horror on the battlefield for enemies. Besides fighting with her staff and staff blade, she is later able to handle small daggers. Varric mentions she is good at breaking noses of cheeky soldiers.

And again, important supporting characters under the cut! :)

2. Ser Raphael

Look here!

3. Telven Lavellan

Herald of Andraste and later Inquisitor in The Commander's Ruby. He is an archer rouge, Tempest specialisation and romances Josephine (after having a crush on Solas who rejects him). His plan to bring the Templar-Order under the control of the Inquisition and then offer an alliance to the mages fails because of Corypheus and the Venatori. He is allergic to injustice and oppression (and bullshit), judges Cullen's past at Kirkwall's Circle harshly but supports him in becoming a better man and getting trough his lyrium withdrawal.  Telven likes Solas but can't stand his ancient elven-superiority-shit.  He makes softened Leliana Divine. Varric calls him sometimes Tree Cuddler.

4. Bella Thornten

She is a mage from Ostwick and spirit healer. She becomes responsible for Mina's health after she arrives at Haven and is one of her very first friends. 

5. Flora

Flora is a middle-aged mage from Starkhaven and Mina's roommate in Haven. She is one of the Inquisition researchers, lesbian and keeps an eye on Mina. Later she teaches her a bit of Starhaven accent and culture. Flora is often Mina's first point of contact for questions of all kinds.

6. Ser Albert Dubois

For his character and background look here!  He is part of the templars that get committed by the Inquisition. He can hide at first, but Mina recognizes him at Haven and panics. She decides with Cullen’s help to do a testimony about his crimes which leads to some mages follow suit and a lot of arrests. The Inquisitor later judges and executes him. 

7. Lillith Mahariel

Hero of Ferelden and Warden-Commander of Fereldan Grey Wardens, in a relationship with Leliana and currently on the search for the cure of the Taint. Two-Weapon-Rouge who is completely oblivious to the fact that Alistair felt hopeless in love with her (he never said anything as he didn't want to bother the luck of his friends. Leliana knows anyway.) Named her mabari Pumpkin. Sometimes luckier than wits but has a good heart. 

Thoughts, ideas and questions are highly welcomed! :)

[zetalial]

FMA fanfiction recs!

Hey, so in my recent fma survey, I asked people for FMA fanfiction! And they delivered, yay! Thank you. I decided to make them into a nice list for all to see.

You’re very sweet, Anon but I’m afraid it’s already too late. This ended up quite, quite long. And I’m amazed at how long some of these stories are - if you’re looking for stuff to read, hopefully this list will occupy you for a while, (especially if you check some of the author’s other works). 

Most of these I have not read, but hey, they were recced so they’ve got to be good, right? Range of ships and stories from both canons. I’ve included the ships but haven’t included ratings so be warned that some of these may be explicit. (The author will probably indicate it themselves though.)

Full list under cut!

-Fullmetal’s Company by Roseveare | 18434 words | Gen, takes place pre-series. | Ed should have never flashed the silver pocketwatch in a warzone.

-A Wicked Game by Tierfal | 59921 words | RoyEd, Modern!AU |  Roy has lucked into the all-expenses-paid vacation of his dreams – all he has to do is convince a bunch of happy couples that he's head-over-heels in love with Ed Elric. What could possibly go wrong?

-Be light from now on by Merel | 2363 words | GreedLing, Modern!AU |  “Let’s go inside, sweetheart.” Cat café

-Number 28 by Sevlow | 63347 words | Gen, Parental RoyEd, divergence |  As of today, Edward Elric had been missing for four months, two weeks, and five days. Warnings for angst, some gore, and Chimera!Ed.

-In the Gaslight by UnorthodoxCreativity |13542 words | RoyEd |  Ed hates military parties. This is no surprise. But when a certain bastard of a colonel takes it into his head to make Ed's night a happier one, well. Ed's not complaining.

-Through the Gate by PreelikesWriting | 3 part series totalling  252736 words | Harry Potter crossover with BH Ed Pre-promised day covering books 5-7 of the HP books. Last part is still incomplete. |  Edward is transported to the Wizarding world and must fight his way back home.

-Playing God by the Flamel Cult | 44445 words | Harry Potter crossover  |  I thought the dull aching was something other than my demise. As it turned out, I was sorely mistaken. Perhaps I should listen to Alphonse more; maybe then there wouldn't be another bloody tragedy that would, inevitably, end it all. For good.

-snipers solve 99% of all problems by silentwalrus | 134066 words | Harry Potter crossover, incomplete post-Promised day | Ed had thought, after the whole Promised Day, homunculus, entire country harvested for alchemical batteries thing, the batshit quotient of his life would have settled down some. He really ought to have topped out the meter with that one. But no. The bullshit is just getting started.“Are you fucking kidding me,” Ed demands. “The wizards?”

-Harry Potter and the Eastern Sage by LiteratureWork | 141609 words | Harry Potter Crossover Brotherhood incomplete |  Nicholas Flamel was famous for creating the philosopher's stone, but like Lockhart's smile it was all a lie. Flamel stole a part of the stone and it took Edward 642 years to get it back along with the souls inside of it, one which was his brother. But after traveling to Hogwarts to retrieve it, Dumbledore has other plans for the ancient hero.

-Reversed by Autzulfrost | 162206 words | Harry Potter crossover post 03 anime |  At the end of the first anime, Ed is sent back to London. But he's a kid again and through a twist of fate gets involved with the wizarding world. Will the alchemist help save wizarding Britain? Will he find a way to return to his home and true family?

-Stray Hayate by Famousfault | 3436 words| Harry Potter crossover |  Hayate had no idea how he had ended up there, but he had no other choice but to accept the situation. Harry at the other hand is not quite as satisfied with it.

-Demon Alchemist by Metisket | Series, 88462 words | Brotherhood divergence covers whole series | Al died in the transmutation. In which Ed becomes Central's local vigilante, thereby becoming Maes's problem. Roy finds something poetic in this.

-No Crueler Punishment by Gomboc123 | 2504 words | Post-promised day humour |  Instead of taking away Roy's vision, Truth decides to take something much more precious from Roy, and defaces him in the worst way possible.

-The Bond we Share by DiaHonkers | 23750 words | What if Brotherhood where Ed and Al share a body incomplete |  The Fullmetal Alchemist was a weird person. He joined the military at only 12 years old. But the weirder thing about him was that he changed personalities in the blink of an eye. One moment he could be screaming his head off at you and the other he would be profusely apologizing. He would constantly talk to himself, and his commanding officer didn't bat an eye. But what they didn't know that it wasn't just one person. It was two.

-Another Journey by Isil'zha BLZ | 254486 words | Whole series rewrite. |  The Elric brothers embark on another journey, but this time it's different than the ones they've been through before. A reimagining of the FMA story that combines elements from both anime to create what is (hopefully) the best of both worlds.

-A boy named Ed by BelloftheSea | 302732 words | Post-canon but Ed is young again without memories of his old life. Incomplete |  Ed knew he was different. It wasn't just that he was smarter than the other kids or even that he had automail. No, it had more to do with the way people would occasionally look at him, like they were expecting somebody else. It was the way his mechanic cried the day she met him. It was the way his dad would sometimes slip – and call him Fullmetal.

-Nothing Gold by Rydia Highwind | 23230 words | EdLing Post-canon, AU ending |  Ling has gained immortality. Ed has not.

-Unto the Shores of Acheron by LAXgirl | 99904 words | Gen, post 03 AU |  Everyone thought Edward was dead. But when someone tries to resurrect him, no one's prepared to deal with the soulless look alike that's created instead, or its hurt and anger when his original half unexpectedly returns from the other side of the Gate.

-Nequitia Est Manus by Azei | 103304 words | Divergence story incomplete | Madame Christmas meets a blonde brat with a fondness for drinking all her whiskey and giving her more headaches than Roy ever did. AU in which Ed fakes his death at the end of episode 26 and uses it as a means to stop Father's plans from the sidelines.

-Beast of a Burden by Shoulderpads | 66416 words | Diverges Pre-canon, BH incomplete |  Alternate universe where Ed and Al don't get the chance to try and bring their mom back before they're taken to the labs as subjects for chimera experimentation.

-The Colours of the World by MaiKusakabe | 114228 words | Harry Potter crossover Post Promised day, incomplete |  When Roy Mustang went to retrieve his eyesight from Truth, he wasn’t expecting to end up doing a job in exchange. It couldn’t even be an easy job, of course, because Edward’s assessment of Truth was a pretty accurate one.

-Confirmation Bias by Cryogenia | 3327 words | RoyEd vague timeline. | (No summary) 

-Phylactery by Shade40 | 250666 words | Post-Promised day AU, incomplete |  Six years after the Promised Day, Selim is Homunculus and child. As he studies alchemy, Selim realizes it is possible to resurrect his family. The Homunculi deserve the same second chance that he was given, but while they struggle to embrace their newfound humanity, an unknown player comes with a deal that divides them. Post-FMAB with bits from 2003 series.

-Inhuman Beings by wllw | 3173 words | Mid BH, Pride + Kimblee centric |  At the edges of his vision, the shadows followed him.

-The Twelve Days of Disaster by  MEOW-I'm-A-Dog | 47932 words |  A series of oneshots about Christmas that go from crack to full cocaine. Written on a whim, not to be taken seriously unless you want to. Characters: Breda, Ed, Al, Havoc, Fuery, Hawkeye, Falman, Mustang, Hughes and the occasional Armstrong

-At Gate’s Edge by Winds of Water | 455478 words | RoyEd 03 AU where human transmutation went awry and Ed is a ghost. Incomplete |  Love's never easy as it is, but it's twice as hard when you're separated by life and death.

-Grand Arcanum by The-Immortal-Moon | 343781 words | Series AU and roleswap blending 03 and BH. Incomplete |  Brothers Edward and Alphonse tragically lose their bodies in a failed attempt at human transmutation. Now, they partner with their childhood friend, Winry, and scour Amestris in search of the Philosopher’s Stone.

-Abandon All Hope, Ye who enter here by Anonymous | 17171 words | Dark! Au from end of 03. Ed being held by Dante. NonCon. |  Everything went wrong. Al is gone, Dante has the Stone, and Ed is a prisoner to the fanciful whims of his new captor.

-Love Can Melt the Ice by Winryofresembool | 63640 words | EdWin Modern!Au |  Edward Elric, a hockey player from Amestris, participates in his first ever Olympics. The only thing he's planning to get from there is a gold medal. However, when he accidentally bumps into a childhood friend, a talented figure skater Winry Rockbell, he learns there are things bigger than hockey.

-Our Embalmed hearts, our desolate kingdoms by spooky_bee | 155853 words | Neon Genesis Evangelion fusion with FMAB RoyAi | "He leans back, palms connecting with the concrete, and looks up over their city, their desolate kingdom. In the rain, Central City might as well be the ruins of Xerxes, empty and grey, and he and she may as well be the last two people on earth."Or, Love in the Time of Giant Robots

-Talking With Ghosts by em-witchwood | 2801 words | EdRiza, Post FMA 03 |  Out of all of them, she was probably the only one that didn’t regret all the things she had never said to him, because she’d said all that she wanted.

-We That Are Young by Stoplight Delight | 277131 words | Pre-canon |  It's a well-known fact that innocents make poor soldiers. Fortunately, Riza Hawkeye's childhood was not entirely innocent. She had to grow up fast... though she wasn't the only one. The early years of the Colonel and his First Lieutenant.

-Tempest by Bookwrm389 | 16810 words | Gen, vaguely mid-series Parental RoyEd |  Ed is adamant that he doesn't need a father. And it's only when he's about to lose the closest thing he has to one that he understands how very wrong he is.

-Flames of Consequence by EnviousMonster | 67018 words | Gen, Envy lives AU post BH. Incomplete |  Where Envy survives and is given a second chance to become something more than they were made to be. Will contain depictions of violence, emotional and mental duress, etc.

-Stock Market Crash by VIKAN | 29301 words | Gen, vaguely canon timeline |  Stranded in the middle of the Eastern Desert, Roy Mustang must try to get himself and a concussed Edward across it safely before he completely loses his mind.

-Mendacium by ChaoticClueless | 15558 words | My Hero Academia crossover with BH Ed. Incomplete | Edward didn't want to help Truth. He didn't want to go to a different world to defeat yet another Father. He didn't want to become a vigilante there.He also wanted his brother back. The choice was obvious, even if Truth is a massive asshole.

-Reverti Ad Praeteritum by Batsutousai | 288908 words | EdRoy Timetravel story, BH |  Unwillingly forced to serve as a human trial for a crazy alchemist experimenting with time travel, Edward Elric finds himself standing across from Truth in the moment it takes his leg from him. Armed with the knowledge of what's to come and burdened with guilt for the choices he'd made as an adult, Ed sets out to fix every mistake he ever made and save every life they ever lost, no matter what it takes.

-Best Kept Secret by MoonStarDutchess | 523815 words | RoyAi BH canon-compliant incomplete |  What if Roy and Riza were secretly married through the entire series? This story tells you that.

-Ash Like Snow by Laora | 6723 words | Harry Potter Crossover |  His sanity is crumbling away, but then, so is the entire wizarding world.

-Penance by Laora | 125965 words | Harry Potter Crossover around Promised Day |  The Gate was opening; the black arms stretched toward him and Pride. Ed knew he had no say in the matter. He would be pulled to this parallel dimension, alternate universe—whatever it was—and Amestris would be left to die. Truth merely grinned.

-Jiǔ by agentcalliope | 3131 words | Roy-centric piece, RoyAi |  the nine steps Roy Mustang takes towards acceptance

-Homefront by hlwim | 50895 words | BH AU, some RoyAi |  Miss Riza's arrival in Resembool has the potential to ruin everything.

-Infernia by mitsys | 3899 words | Royai, Pacific Rim AU |  Some stories aren't told in headlines or newspapers, but in the touch of hands and minds. They linger together in the Drift, lines melting together into the seams, and they don't mourn the lost letters. They've been writing their story long enough to do it without words.

-Wooden by tobu_ishi | 1928 words | Gen, Post 03 anime, Ed in other world |  He never realized how useful automail could be until he was an entire world away from it, or what a pain simple daily tasks could become.

-Mirrorworld by Tramontana Keeper | 305134 words | EdHei, Pre-CoS AU |  Ed managed to prove that he was truly from a different world, and Alfons finds himself captive in Ed's dream of opening the Gate. 

-Fragile Worlds by The Prettiest Frog in the Pond | 5635 words | Gen, 03 anime AU |  He'd been stuck in this place for months now, but no matter what he says, nothing changes. He's Edward Elric. He's been Edward Elric all his life. So why won't they believe him?

-One Foot in by Firewind | 7008 words | Gen, 03 anime AU |  Envy shows Ed why it's unwise to break a deal with homunculi.

-The Circle by Elfpen | 3007 words | Gen, promised day |  Edward Elric teaches alchemy at Central University. A particularly horrible student leads them down a path of dark discussion, which somehow, leads Edward back full circle.

-Ignis Fatuus by Mikkeneko | 5787 words | Gen. |  Edward attempts to break apart a chimera made from an animal and a child.

-Abstention by Asidian | 11117 words | Vague timeline |  An assignment to snow country under Colonel Mustang is bad enough for the damper it puts on the Elrics' search for the Stone, but downed supply lines lead to cut rations, and Ed discovers that he can't take the deprivation as well as he'd like to pretend.

-Never break the chain by haganenobeato | 4199 words | RoyAi BH, vague timeline | The nights were not kind to Riza Hawkeye. Sleep felt elusive following the failed operative to capture a homunculus after Gluttony swallowed the Colonel whole with Edward alongside him. Before she could gather her bearings and make sense of what was happening, Mustang’s men were transferred at different cardinal points in Amestris with herself at the center as Bradley’s assistant.As for him… he had been changed.

-Men and Angels by Laora | 56333 words | Timetravel AU |  Trisha can't understand; she's terrified, but she has to stay calm. Her boys are gone, replaced by her sons from the future...and something, she knows, is terribly wrong.

-The Really Ridiculously Good Looking Summer Festival by VerboseWordsmith | 45594 words | Modern!Band!AU RoyEd |  Quasi-indie newcomers, Fullmetal Alchemist, just hit number one with their second single on the Amestris Hot 100 Rock chart and they've been added to the lineup of this summer's Transmuted Tour.

-To Love is to Sacrifice by Konfessor2U | 6372 words | Edvy, BH |  Edward is held captive as a human sacrifice and Envy is set to watch over him.

-Not in His Job Description by alightintheshadows | 1331 words | Gen, BH Post-promised day, Parental Roy |  General Mustang receives visitor much too early on a Sunday morning, but he doesn't mind in the slightest.

-Aftermath by Asidian | 32148 words | Elricest, vaguely post-series |  Not even a year after Al receives his new body, Ed requests a mission that will take him far from his brother's side. When things go terribly wrong, they must pick up the pieces together.

-Ignis Aurum Probat by writing_addict | 34827 words | How to train your dragon AU, FMAB, incomplete | Edward Elric is born early into the dead of winter, on an island twelve days North of Hopeless and a few degrees south of Freezing-To-Death. He comes into the world sickly and small--and endlessly defiant, burning with the kind of rage that can shake the foundations of the universe. The gods themselves hear that scream, that roar of fury and thunder promising to remake the world as they know it, and wonder. Fifteen years later, Ed brings down the Night Fury that's been plaguing his people for generations, stands over it with the perfect opportunity to make the kill...and spares it.

-Satellite by SpicyReyes | 103170 words | EdRoy, Timetravel, BH incomplete |  A rogue alchemist, desperate to restore the alchemy of the famous Fullmetal Alchemist, pushes Truth into playing a new game - one that has Edward Elric waking up on the floor of his house where a transmuted abomination should have been, just in time to save his younger self and brother. He might have a chance to do everything again, now, though...He would never hold anything but bitterness for the title of 'dad,' but maybe an older brother could make things better.

-With Eyes Anew by Rider_of_Spades | 500 words | LustScar FMA 03 | "She’s not your second chance– she’s your first." On the implications of being in love with a Homunculus.

-Son of the Desert by ShanaStoryteller | 10445 words | Ishvalan!Ed AU, BH EdRoy | Every time Edward sees the circle on the back Mustang's hand, he wants to scream, wants to reach across the desk and shake him, wants to wrap his hands around the older man's throat and ask if it was worth it, if this desk and his rank is worth the screaming, crying, writhing, burning bodies of his people-

-Tears and Rain by BeautifulFiction_FMA | 196772 words | RoyEd FMA 03 vague timeline |  When Ed stops an assassination attempt on Roy's life, he foils one of the opening moves in a massive military intrigue. Can he and Roy stay one step ahead of those who want them dead, or will they both lose the fight to survive?

-The Lost Language of Swans by Mirabella | 2258 words | Elricest, Wingfic Post-series |  They smuggled Al out of Central and back to Rizembul, where they rented a small house with room for Ed's books and Al's wings.

-For the night has been unkind by CoolJellyBean25 | 159980 words | RoyEd PostBH AU, Incomplete |  Even with the straitjacket off, Ed never feels like it's really gone.

-conflicted by the very air i breathe by writing_addict | 149707 words | some RoyAi, BH AU, incomplete |  Edward Elric vanishes after what was supposed to be an ordinary mission. A year later, Roy Mustang gets a call that changes everything.

-World without Roy by Manalfedz | 41482 words | Gen, BH AU, incomplete |  Wherein...Roy tries not to freak out in an alternate world where everything has gone horribly wrong.

-A sudden alchemy by LadyMerlin | 5388 words | RoyEd Modern!Au |  The one in which Roy is a Knight in Shining Armour

-A Pyramid Scheme by PhantomRose96 | 1662 words | Gen, immediately Post!BH | “Why didn’t you run?”   “Sorry?”  “Why didn’t you run away, Fullmetal?”

-From Ashes by JordannaMorgan | 22864 words | Gen, canon-compliant set right after the human transmutation attempt. |  Edward and Alphonse had a long journey to make before they ever left home.

-Babylon by BeautifulFiction_FMA | 261096 words | RoyEd, post FMA 03 AU |  Two years after retrieving his brother's body from the Gate of Truth Edward Elric is still paying the price. Will his debt ever be repaid, or will it finally cost him everything?

-Havoc’s Foolproof Plan by 1stTimeCaller | 9187 words | vague timeline, some RoyAi shiptease. |  Havoc's love life is constantly interrupted by his womanizing boss. So he decides to try it on with the one woman who is immune to Mustang's charm.

-The Ordeal of Being Known by budgeWrites | 20254 words | FMA 03 AU LustScar Lust and Scar both live, Incomplete |  On conquering demons, remembering how to live, and coming home.

-Focus by Sevlow | 37665 words | Gen, vague timeline |  Mustang, Edward, and all the other Alchemists of fair Amestris are starting to lose their grip on their own minds and bodies. The Amestrian military is in chaos as dozens of its higher-ranking officers start losing their minds to an unknown sickness.

[hellzyeahthewebwieldingavenger]

Peter David’s 2010s Spider-Man 2099 run. Some quick thoughts.

Now I’ve finally read through every (and I do mean every) instalment in PAD’s 2010s 2099 work I want to share some brief thoughts about it over all.

It’s flawed basically. Fundamentally broken? You know what arguably so. But...whilst it was going on...it was unquestionably among the best material the Spider-Man line was putting out. At times it was simply THE best.

Given we were suffering through Spider-Verse, then Parker Industries (along with Clone Conspiracy, Power Play and all that rotten shit) that’s a low bar I know.

But that’s why I can’t simply dismiss this run (let’s call it a run for brevity’s sake) out of hand. At a time when Peter Parker was broken, when so much bad material was being put out, this 2099 work was at worst...flawed.

Just about the biggest sin it committed was seemingly fridging Tempest at the start of volume 3 and putting Miguel in an ugly looking costume that ripped off Batman Beyond. There were other sins (see my post regarding the final arcs regarding the confusing time travel and lack of pay off to stuff).

But PAD was at least trying to deliver something of substance, trying to give us stakes, and often times he delivered on it.

Miguel O’Hara as a character always shined though.

This was a time when:

·         Peter Parker was unrecognizable

·         The only recognizable Peter Parker was off in an alternate universe with a Spider-Family

·         Spider-Gwen and Miles were great ideas being bungled

·         The Web Warriors was wasting decent-great characters (often over simplifying them)

·         Silk was slowly but surely being reconstructed into a character worth a damn

·         Flash as Venom was stuck with Guardians and Space Knight bullshit

·         Brock had become Venom again but no one knew what else to do with him afterwards

·         Cheap variant Spider-Man actions figures were thrown against the wall to see what would stick

During these dark days, Miguel O’Hara was by far the most consistent Spider character around. Not just consistent, well defined. Maybe he didn’t change all that much (arguably). But there was never a moment you felt his character was off the mark. You never felt he was mere surface level.

Amidst the above chaos Peter David and Will Sliney kept Miguel steady and sure, effortlessly illustrating to us that he wasn’t a typical do gooder and absolutely not Peter Parker. Miguel as a character didn’t fit neatly into the box of hero, nor anti-hero. He was a man undeniably on the side of the angels but also undeniably not one of them.

The same might not have been true of every other character they presented to readers, but none of them were awful and most of them were likable. Even when their characters were mostly surface level, PAD’s inventiveness allowed for fun futuristic spins on familiar characters and so you wouldn’t mind seeing more of them!

More than this, at a time when diversity and representation were hot button topics within the comic book community, this run delivered on that in subtle and organic ways.

Miguel himself was a person of colour. So was his love interest. Arguably his staff too, one of which was a queer woman. There was a dwarf as a recurring character, a musclebound Hispanic/Latina (sorry I’m british, I’m not clear on the distinction and the comic never spells it out either) woman as practically the partner of our protagonist and that’s not even diving into all the 2099 versions of familiar characters.

The cruel irony of this is that I’ve never seen anyone in the course of discussions regarding diversity or what not bring up this run.

Maybe that’s a testament to the craftsmanship in play. Because it never occurred to me that the series had that much diversity, representation, etc until after the fact. Whilst reading it, they were just decent-great characters.

I’m not suggesting that stuff excuses the flaws in the series of course.

Speaking of the flaws I’ve kind of levelled some of it against PAD, but I think Marvel themselves are owed at least half the blame.

Marvel’s obnoxious insistence upon events directly or indirectly caused this series to have to pivot more than once. It built up steady steam for 4 issues before being derailed for 4-6, then having to wrap stuff up in two before being put on hiatus. One relaunch and 5 more issues later we’re doing an Inhumans thing for another 2 issues, then 5 more issues later we have to do another 4 part event tie-in.

PAD is consummate enough to have turned some of these into strengths, but we can only dream about how much more he might’ve accomplished if he wasn’t derailed at all. Shit, the post-Secret Wars volume might’ve had to change course to accommodate the Parker Industries garbage too!

Were I to rank some of the stand out arcs it’d go something like:

1)      Vol 2 #1-4. In my view, this is top to bottom simply the best arc of the entire thing, which isn’t me damning the rest of the run. The set up for the status quo is there. The establishment of the protagonist and supporting players is sleek and efficient. There is super hero action, clever subversions and sharp dialogue. I don’t dislike the rest of the series but in all honesty, these first 4 issues represent a direction that could have, and probably should have been compared to what we got.

2)      Vol 2. #6-7. Miguel in the future, which is what the series frankly should always have been.

3)      Secret Wars 2099: Avengers 2099 vs. Defenders 2099. PAD and Sliney essentially found logical gaps in the original 2099 titles from the 1990s and organically filled them with fun reinventions of classic characters.

4)      Vol 3. #10-12: Probably the highlight of the third volume and a clever way of integrating the lore of 2099 into the status quo of a Miguel situated in the present day. Fanservice for old school 2099 fans for sure!

5)      Vol. 3 #13-16: Every once in a while a miracle happens and a mandated event tie-in story winds up being a fun time. This is such a miracle. More than any arc, this one truly celebrates the 2099 universe cast of characters and delivers a fun ride!

And an honourable mention to the final issue, Vol.3 #25. For all it’s flaws it succinctly showcases for you Miguel O’Hara’s personality.

So that’s it, I’m all caught up and fully primed for the 2019 Marvel 2099 event!

[shrewful]

why we worldbuild

In Corsiva, the city that Apex Tempest takes place in, 90% of the population is white-collar. You’re either hired by the Haelian Alliance to do paperwork, the Else-Pfafa to defend/police the city, or TIOM to research stuff (and subsequently be made fun of). Physical labor is far rarer and thus paid more. This, combined with the fact that most Corsivs find people in those fields admirable — people who teach the skills required are few and far between, resulting in most blue-collar workers being from lines of extremely talented craftsmen or disciples — and you get the fact that Corsivans see a muscled, hard working farmer like most baby-boomers see a billionaire businessman in a suit. I hammered this out before I made El’ai.

Now. El’ai has spent her entire life chopping down trees, manhandling almost-kaiju, and generally being a beast 24/7. She is quite possibly, if not without a doubt, the most muscular person the everyday Corsivan has ever seen.

One of the main conflicts of the book was going to be El’ai’s status as an outsider. But, accidentally, thanks to my worldbuilding, El’ai is now a walking dreamboat by Corsiv standards — something I find 100000% more interesting.

Imagine. You’re doing research on the quills of some species you’ve never even seen. Your mom doesn’t understand the purpose of your job. It’s been a long-ass day. You need coffee. Suddenly? The most muscular woman you’ve seen in your life walks into your workspace, blatantly ignores all the bullshit etiquette your society works upon, and compliments your shirt in broken English. You start crying.

[written-in-starlight]

Quotes I Shouldn’t Include In My Paper part finale bitchesss

“As he sweet talks Sebastian” Boys am I back on my bullshit or what (it’s also 6 am and imma sleep soon bc this ain’t due till midnight but still)

Anyways before I forget to explain this from my quotes part 3: Ok so we had to write two mini papers on two plays. I chose Twelfth Night and Hamlet. NBD, right? Paper 1 is on a performance of Twelfth Night or Macbeth. Eh NBD I’ll do Twelfth Night again Paper 2 is ONLY Twelfth Night. Fuck me I guess whatever. Paper 3. Fucking Paper 3. So I’m walking to class and I’m like “Oh yeah I could write a bitchin paper about controlling dads in Hamlet and The Tempest! Hell yeah!” Gets rubric: “You can either write about Hamlet and Henry IV or Twelfth Night and The Tempest. No other options. No Hamlet and Tempest. Do not pass go, do not collect $200” Me: *middle fingers up* GDI And since I didn’t read Henry IV nor am I terribly interested in it after the discussion I GUESS IT’S TWELFTH NIGHT PAPER NUMERO 4 BAYBE ugh but seriously fuck that clause in particular. 

Anyways back to the regularly scheduled programming with a guest appearance from special stand-in title: The Last Titley Title Title of This Quarter

“we see how much Olivia loves her brother even after his death. Wink necrophilia”

“After all, ya gotta love somebody a whole lot to vow to give up all dick for 7 years after they’re dead”

“Oh my sibling is dead. Alexa this is so sad play Despacito”

“Prospero says that Antonio is a traitor and a scoundrel” quoting Llamas with Hats lol

“Sebastian is willing to throw down to become king”

“Despite power being a powerful motivator” dammit

“Since Alonso is too busy being a mourning bitch”

The title is now “Of Fratricide and Presumed Drownings” I am proud of this one lol

I don’t remember all my sarcastic commentary because it’s due in like 10 minutes so I just said it out loud to the two other people writing their papers with me while I was frantically writing so I’ll add more as I remember them lol

[aeondeug]

I have decided. Claude is a hill lord from near the Barrier. He is troubled by things and also a curious man who has found out many curious things in the Tais. This has led him west over the Ebonbane and to the Riverland to see if can learn more and maybe help the Kencyrath not be such little shits given that the end of the world seems to maybe be slowly encroaching. He uses his sexy smooth talking wiles to try and get closer to the Kennies, weird fucks though they are. Dimitri’s house is a major patron of the Priest’s College. Dimitri himself is a berserker prone to flaring and the last remaining man of his house. His habit of flaring has made him infamous among other Kencyr and he is called Boar Lord, partly out of fear of his bullshit and partly to mock him. Haha the last Lord Blaiddyd is as wild as a boar. The Hresvelgs are a failing house who have lost much ground in the Riverland due to secretive moves against them by other houses in the area. They are basically being cannibalized by their so called allies. Edelgard and the other daughters of the Hresvelg family had ended up tortured and used as test subjects by these groups in conjunction with the Master’s House and parts of the Priest’s College that are working with the Master’s House. Rhea is an Arrin-ken who is not terribly fond of the rest of the Kencyrath because most of them aren’t. And why in the fuck would they be. Flayn is a damned fool and young and is more on the side of maybe we can talk with at least a few of the others. Rhea and Seteth are joined with most in the realm of That Is A Stupid Plan. I am not entirely sure what her deal with Byleth is but she will have a deal with her and Byleth will be like. The one acceptable non-Arrin-ken Kencyr for her. Precious in her own weird way. Byleth is a yondri-gon whose father stole her away over the Ebonbane and into the east where they have wandered. Until at last they were sent back over to the Riverland by need of food, money, and shelter. And also a deep suspicion and fear of a particular Arrin-ken that Jeralt wants nothing to do with for reasons he will not speak of. Being that she was never bound Byleth is kind of amazingly muted emotionally due to being super depressed 24/7 and she seems to take to the state worse than even most Kendar do. Edelgard is a very unhappy lady. She is the last child of her house and very fond of her Kendar servants, some of whom are bound to her. And she is extremely pissed at how the Lord Varley treats her sisterfriend Bernadetta. She is also aware of the fact that Glendar’s decision to name himself Highlord was illegitimate. But Gerridon is a coward and will lead the world to destruction. They are both to blame for the current lot that the Kencyrath is in and God is most at fault. As a result she has hatched up the brilliant scheme of conquering the rest of the Kencyrath and destroying the Knorths entirely. And then naming herself the Highlord of a new godless Kencyrath. So working with certain minor lords, some of the Riverland hill tribes, and the Master’s House she is off on a quest of civil war which, when over, will then lead to the destruction of Gerridon and then Perimal Darkling and everything will become better. The Arrin-ken will also go if they will not align themselves with this new ‘free’ Kencyrath. This Does Not Work Out Well For Her At All The Boar Lord will become a Tempest Lord and stop end the Flame Lord’s attempt at destroying Kencyr society to build a new thing. But as he can simply Preserve his line ends with him and new things cannot be created. He will win a sort of peace and some fame for his allied houses, however. The Flame Lord will fail because Destruction alone cannot fix things and certainly not when it is casting off God entirely. As though it can. Claude sadly was born at the wrong time and was too early to meet the Tyr-ridan. Rhea falls to a dark anger and is killed. Byleth cannot handle the strain of having lost a lord that had her bound. this is but a paltry footnote in the tragic history of the kencyrath

[book-warehouse-broadway]

Another great reading month coming our way!

May 1

Flannery - Lisa Moore

May 2

Vietnam - Max Hastings

May 7

Anger Is a Gift - Mark Oshiro

The Assault on Intelligence - Michael V Hayden

Baby, You're Gonna Be Mine - Kevin Wilson

Becoming Dr. Seuss - Brian Jay Jones

Broken Throne - Victoria Aveyard

Bullshit Jobs - David Graeber

The Burning Chambers - Kate Mosse

The Colors of All the Cattle - Alexander McCall Smith

The Dark Angel - Elly Griffiths

Every Tool's a Hammer - Adam Savage

Exhalation - Ted Chiang

The Flight Portfolio - Julie Orringer

Genuine Fraud - E. Lockhart

Humans - Tom Phillips

I Have an Idea! - Herve Tullet

The Killer Across the Table - John E. Douglas

Kings, Queens, and In-Betweens - Tanya Boteju

Little Fires Everywhere - Celeste Ng

Me, Myself, They - Joshua M Ferguson

Middlegame - Seanan McGuire

Milk! - Mark Kurlansky

Mr. Lemoncello's All-Star Breakout Game - Chris Grabenstein

Nine Lessons I Learned from My Father - Murray Howe

Nocturna - Maya Motayne

The Perfectionists - Simon Winchester

The Pioneers - David McCullough

Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors - Sonali Dev

Resistance Women - Jenifer Chiaverini

The Runner - Peter May

Save the Date - Morgan Matson

Ship It - Britta Lundin

Shuri - Nnedi Okorafor

Spinning Silver - Naomi Novik

The Stone Circle - Elly Griffiths

Stop Doing That Sh*t - Gary John Bishop

Stories for Kids Who Dare to Be Different - Ben Brooks

Tempests and Slaughter - Tamora Pierce

There There - Tommy Orange

Upheaval - Jared Diamond

The Woman in the Blue Cloak - Deon Meyer

May 9

Indigenous Relations - Bob Joseph

May 10

The Sect of Angels - Andrea Camilleri

May 14

109 Walks in British Columbia's Lower Mainland - John Halliday

A Bend in the Stars - Rachel Barenbaum

Bina - Anakana Schofield

A Brightness Long Ago - Guy Gavriel Kay

The British Are Coming - Rick Atkinson

Everything Is F*cked - Mark Manson

Figures in a Landscape - Paul Theroux

From Cold War to Hot Peace - Michael McFaul

The Go-Away Bird - Julia Donaldson

How to Change Your Mind - Michael Pollan

I Wish You all the Best - Mason Deaver

The Loneliest Girl in the Universe - Lauren James

Red, White & Royal Blue - Casey McQuiston

Robin - Dave Itzkoff

The Sleeper and the Spindle - Neil Gaiman

The Song of the Jade Lily - Kirsty Manning

There's Something about Sweetie - Sandhya Menon

A Thousand Small Sanities - Adam Gopnik

Trans Mission - Alex Bertie

The Unhoneymooners - Christina Lauren

We Contain Multitudes - Sarah Henstra

When Einstein Walked with Godel - Jim Holt

[star-killer89]

MY LITTLE PONY: FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC - SCHOOL DAZE Part1&2 *OPINIONS*

Another new season of ponies is ahead of us. Let’s do this!

I must say, this was not the wreck of a season opener I was expecting when the trailer for the new season started to circulate around.

First of all, they immediately gave a little recap of what happened in the movie and explained why Emily Blunt Fizzlepop Berrytwist Tempest Shadow won’t be present in the upcoming episodes (if not for the whole season)… A little sad about that, but I can understand why they didn’t want/couldn’t include her as a recurring character (from the beginning?). At least it was nice of them to address her absence (unlike what they did with Discord’s absence for 99% of the movie). 

Moving on with the episode, I found myself battling with trying to remember where did I’ve heard Chancellor Neighsay’s voice (at first it gave me the Christopher Walken vibe for some reason), only to discover, during a commercial break, that it was actually Maurice LaMarche, Brain’s (from ‘Pinky and the Brain’) voice! 

Are you pondering what I’m pondering? MLP x Pinkie and the Brain crossove-…. no, ok, that’s a stupid idea.

When the first song started, I immediately foreshadowed its theme would have shifted from the Mane5 having fun teaching in their own way to them and the scholars being bored when Twilight started to interfere to make things go more like the book….’Cause that’s a new from her, right? (But hey, as they say: if it ain’t broken….). But that’s why I was fearing for this episode to become a borefest, because I thought the whole two-episode opener would have been like that….Luckily, they decided to cut it into a 2-minute song montage, with my greatest relief.

I was actually a little surprised with the end of the first episode. I mean, Chancellor Neighsay showing such a blatant racism towards the other creatures of Equestria was like a sudden slap in the face for a show like MLP. Where did the good old times of racism being only kinda veiled from season 1 (talking about Zecora in ‘Bridle Gossip’ here) go? Also, it’s incredible how all the creatures and ponies present there didn’t aim for Neighsay’s throat as soon as he stopped spitting all that racist bullshit (or Celestia to just fire him on the moon spot in Part 2).

Another out of place thing was the first portion of Part 2. The speech Twilight did in the Map Room felt more like a resolution from the near end of an episode rather than something from the first half of a new one, but it wasn’t bad.

What was kinda bad (or, rather, an odd choice) was that, in order to show the scholars have gone missing, they decided to show the other Mane5 going to their respective lands only to be told they went missing. Shouldn’t the leaders be more concerned that their subjects decided to run away and immediately should have gone to Canterlot to complain? I don’t know, in my head it would have worked better if that portion was cut off and we immediately saw them going to Celestia to say the kids were gone (like they did after the second commercial break).

Something it kinda surprised me from this second part was to see Silverstream changing from a hyppogriph to a seapony on the spot. I thought only the orb from the movie could do that… or perhaps I missed a line and she has a fragment of it in her necklace? If not, maybe they will explain that in a later episode.

Finally, as I wrote above, I was kinda surprised they let Chancellor Neighsay get away a second time with all the racism he spouted, in front of Celestia nonetheless… Does that mean he’ll become the villain of this season? What about that spoiler clip where they showed once again Chrysalis (which I was kinda expecting to see right away by the end of the episode)?

Only time (and more episodes) will tell. That, or:

Chrysalis: “Gee Neighsay, what do you wanna do tonight?” Neighsay: “The same thing we do everynight, Chrysalis…” Neighsay: “…try to take over the world! take down Twilight’s Friendship School! 

↑ Wouldnt that be a great ongoing arc for Season 8? XD

Final Verdict: 7/10. Not a bad season opener, but not a spectacular one either. An above the average one at best.

Next Episode: Another episode focused on the sisterly bond between Pinkie and Maud. Off on a great start for season 8! (Pleasebeagoodepisode, pleasebeagoodepisode, please be a good episode!)