#the lost tales of lemuria

[exactlycleverpirate]

What happened to Lemuria and Rafayel?

A mix of facts and theory. I try to quote where I got stuff from in the game, but let me know if something is unclear.

This is a monster. For TLDR, jump down to the bold words, as this sums up the general idea of this post.

SPOILERS for Main Story, Anecdote 3, and some Memories.

(MS stands for Main Story)

What we know:

Rafayel is Lemurian (Ebb and Flow and MS Chapter 7)

As a child, a long long time ago*, he lived in a Lemurian community in the ocean, specifically in the Deep Sea. He would sneak away from his home to explore the ocean and the surface world. (Nightly Stroll, Whalefall Lament,  Ocean At Night).

*(What is a long, long time ago? 10-15 years? 800 years? He says his age is “24…probably” (promotional video). What does that mean? Has he forgotten exactly when he was born or is he alluding to the fact that he is much older? He made his vow to MC when they were both children (MS Chapter 7.11). Was that current MC or a previous reincarnation of her? If current, then he must be actually around 24. If a previous life of MC, then he could easily be 800 or more.)

Lemuria was believed to be mythical, and/or to have disappeared thousands of years ago. It was confirmed to really exist when, on December 31st, 2034 (the same year the Deepspace Tunnel appeared and the Chronorift Catastrophe occured), a tsunami and earthquake southeast of Linkon opened a rift in the ocean, revealing an ancient Lemurian city (MS, in-game article, and promotional video). When asked how he can be alive today if Lemuria disappeared thousands of years ago, Rafayel says to think of him as “a lost pearl that washed up on the beach”.

Other Lemurians are still alive. Rafayel’s Aunt Talia appears to be a Lemurian herself (his only remaining family) as she has known him a long time, knows about Lemurian ceremonies and other Lemurians, etc. In 2047, a Lemurian named K died. Rafayel attended his Seamoon Ceremony (essentially a funeral of sorts, returning him to the ocean to pass on and return to the water from whence he came), as did other remaining Lemurians (Anecdote 3). 

Now that we have that foundation to work with, let’s start with Louis’ Tale in Anecdote 3. 

For the sake of argument, I am going to assume that Louis got most of the story right, since Rafayel doesn’t contradict him on most points, aside from dismissing him in general, which I feel was to downplay how close Louis was to the truth.

They are discussing the opera Rafayel just performed in, particularly, the Siren’s Ballad. In the opera, the siren is a woman and the human is the man (played by Rafayel). Louis says they got this wrong. The Siren was “a charming, handsome merman”. Presumably this Siren is Rafayel.

Simple enough so far, but now it gets confusing.

The Siren (Rafayel) “met a woman on the beach, but she took his tail and cut off his scales”. This sounds similar in some ways to MC, but opposite in others. MC was a child, not a grown woman. And Rafayel got stranded on the beach (No way out, no hope, and waiting to die) and MC rescued him from death, rather than taking his tail and scales. 

However, if we assume Fragrant Dream was a memory and not just a dream (Rafayel acts as though this dream is significant somehow), Rafayel gave a scale, his blood, and his voice to save MC, and ultimately sacrificed his life for her, in some past life. The perfume (bitter like fermented aquatic plants, the same description as the potion in the dream) that brings the possible memory to MC’s mind is from Your Fragrance. Rafayel has some very strange lines in Your Fragrance when he is under the apparently intoxicating effect this perfume has on him. He says the perfume smells familiar, then goes on to say:

“It must be an allergic reaction. This isn’t perfume. How dare they use such underhanded methods to trap me…”

“Who gave you the perfume?”

“Are you trying to run away again?”

“I’m not going anywhere. You’re gonna lock me up again… You’re with them, I just know it. Don’t think I’m unaware of what you’re about to do. (MC name), I won’t fall for it again. Not this time.”

This all implies that Rafayel was trapped and locked up in the past. And that on at least some level, he feels like MC played a role in him getting tricked. (Which might explains why he considers abandoning her when she is drowning in MS Chapter 7.11. See an alternate theory for this here.)

Back to Louis’ story, he describes the fate of the woman. The Siren is on the verge of death, and he sings the Siren’s Ballad. (Later, we learn this portrayal of the Siren’s Ballad is inaccurate: ““Siren's Ballad” isn't a song of revenge. It's an elegy sung for Lemuria”.) According to Louis, “Ultimately, the woman on the shore passed away with a smile as he sang.” Obviously, MC is currently alive. Did Louis get this wrong? Was this a past life? A different woman?

Louis then describes what he believes those who die by the Siren’s song experience. 

“People lured by the siren's ballad don't die peacefully. Their smiles are just a mask bestowed by the Siren. Instead, as they near death, they witness bizarre visions as they're plunged into endless torment.” 

The man, Mr. Fallon, who died during the opera is described as having died of no obvious cause with a smile on his face. After singing during the opera that Mr. Fallon died watching, Rafayel goes backstage. 

“A searing pain throbs in his throat, pulsating in tandem with his heartbeat, rapidly stimulating his nerves. As he touches his Adam’s apple, he pulls out a new tie from his leather briefcase, a smooth satin entwined between his fingers. The cool texture gradually envelops his neck. It’s like sheathing a blade.”

This strongly implies that Rafayel used his voice for something more than singing, hinting at it being a weapon. I think it is safe to assume Rafayel somehow killed Mr. Fallon man with his song, presumably in the way Louis describes.

Another interesting thing of note in this part of Louis’ description is: “A blue pattern, representing the Siren, appears on their chests. It's a constant reminder of the sins they committed against the sea.” At first, I thought this may be the pattern we see on Rafayel’s chest in Chapter 7.11, implying he sinned against the sea, but on rewatching it, I realized that the mark is red, not blue. So I am inclined to go with my first impression that Rafayel’s mark is related to his bond with MC (since it responds to her calling out to him).

So, now that we are thoroughly confused about what has taken place between Rafayel and MC, let’s move on to the next part of the story. This is when everything takes an even more heartbreaking turn.

“The Siren returns to the sea, believing everything has ended. But he discovers his underwater kingdom has turned to ruins, soaked in blood. His people have either vanished, turned into bloody foam, or were kidnapped. His homeland has turned into a silent, deserted city overnight. Oh, and as for the name of this underwater kingdom - Lemuria.”

(Interesting side note: After this part of Louis’ story, Rafayel’s meal is served: “a fish laying amidst white rosemary”. Rosemary symbolizes fidelity and remembrance.)

Later, in his memories, Rafayel adds to this scene for us.

“The young boy sits alone in the middle of the coral reef, softly humming “Siren's Ballad.” Waves lap the shores, staining it dark red. The color blends almost seamlessly with the bloody setting sun in the distance. Those who deceived him have long since sailed away on their massive ships, laughing all the while. “Siren's Ballad” isn't a song of revenge. It's an elegy sung for Lemuria.”

He also remembers:

“The dying cries of his people echo in his ears, fizzing and crackling like a broken record that's been ground into pieces.”

“In the darkness, the shadows of those he personally laid to rest emerge and drag him down, lower and lower into the depths.”

Now, let’s talk about the painting Raymond bought from Rafayel. 

But first, let’s talk about Raymond. He is a former patient of Zayne’s with a congenital heart disease. In his mansion, he has a giant fish tank with no water in it. Instead, it has a dull and pale skeleton. (MS Chapter 2.2-2.3)

“Fin-like bones protrude from its pelvis. This skeleton lacks legs, its spine extending like a long string. Its pose is ominously beautiful, resembling a girl sitting cross-legged.”

I think it is pretty safe to say this is a real Lemurian skeleton. 

Additionally, Zayne notes that “According to the Akso remote monitor, your vital sign data has improved. The equipment also determined your age to be far younger than what it actually is.” In other words, Raymond’s health has improved, and he is unnaturally youthful for his age. Raymond even suggests he should be dead by now and asks Zayne if he is curious as to why he is not dead. Zayne admits to initial curiosity, but then moves on.

Before K died, he said “They took away my scales and drew my blood. Over and over again. I’m no longer Lemurian.” The doctor told Rafayel that K had endured “such agony”. This appears to be something many of the Lemurians on land are facing or trying to hide from.

In Rafayel’s Myth (Chapter 3), it says that the humans of that time believed:

"Every Lemurian was blessed with beauty. Their tears turn into glimmering pearls, their voices brought dreams of wonder, their blood made one live forever or could even resurrect the dead. Once you tamed a Lemurian, they were the most loyal, powerful servant. They listened to every command, even if it cost them their life."

Even if only parts of this are true, it shows that Lemurians are considered highly desirable as slaves or for parts. And the part about the blood seems to have at least an element of truth, given Raymond's health.

It seems reasonable to conclude that Raymond has been harvesting something (scales, blood, etc) from Lemurians to unnaturally lengthen his life and make him younger.

Now enter Rafayel’s painting. 

He used blood red coral, infused with Metaflux, from the ruins of Lemuria for this painting.

When MC resonated with the painting in Raymond’s house, this is what she experiences:

“A stunning oil painting hangs on the wall opposite of the sofa. It depicts a brilliantly blue sea with cascading white waves. Each brush stroke feels alive as if countless fairies are jumping out of the water.

At the edge of the sea, the water is gradually stained crimson like something is being torn apart, swallowed, and coalescing into a blood clot.

The gloomy weather, the sound of the ocean - a salty humidity slowly creeps into my hair.

A girl by the shore, the lower half of her body submerged in the water. Strange. It's almost like she’s crying and laughing at the same time.

The swirling fog carries a faint, ethereal melody on the sea breeze. It sounds like a song, yet is also a lament.”

Mermaid Song plays in the background while MC is resonating with the painting. The translation of it is: 

“A fish in your hand. Please burn with passion. Nets of moonlight. With coral, a prison. When waves kiss the morning sun. The scent of roses pierce. With a fish in your hand. Blood. Blood. Blood covers the sea.”

When MC visits Rafayel’s art gallery, we learn a bit more about this painting.

“When I was a kid, I had dreamed I turned into a fish.

I swam and swam and swam from the deep sea, seeking a place beyond the water's surface. Only to end up in blood-red seawater.

It was the first time I ever saw such a color. Who knows how many years I've spent trying to recreate it. But I never really could get that same shade of red.

It was always a slightly different hue, you know...”

All of this put together paints a scene along these lines for us:

A young Rafayel returns from an encounter with a human woman on the beach (MC?). He finds that Lemuria is in ruins and empty. He swims to the surface. It is nighttime on a coral reef. There is a smell of roses in the air. As the sun rises, he sees that the water is filled with blood. Perhaps there is a Lemurian girl there singing mournfully, or the girl in the painting is representative of Rafayel’s experience and the experience of other survivors. (Perhaps it is even her skeleton in Raymond's home). Some Lemurians are dead or dying in the water or on the beach. Rafayel hears their dying cries and returns those dead on land to the sea to become one with the water. He then sits alone on a coral reef, surrounded by bloody water, singing an elegy for Lemuria as the sun sets. He knows he was deceived and that his deceivers have already sailed away. Some of the Lemurians have been kidnapped and taken away with the deceivers.

("A fish in your hand" from the Mermaid Song seems to refer to the Ocean Emissaries (little blue fish) that come from making a Lemurian vow (though Rafayel also seems to be able to summon these on command). Is this a reference to the promise between Rafayel and MC? How does that play into the rest of this scene?)

Given how vulnerable Lemurians are on Ebb Day, I think it very likely that this occurred on Ebb Day. (Perhaps this vulnerability was revealed to those who killed the Lemurians by MC or Rafayel himself. Did one or both of them trust the wrong people with this information? This also might be why Rafayel was stranded on a beach in the first place when he met MC.)

So now we have some kind of a picture about what happened to Lemuria. Is this ancient or recent history?

Either way, Lemurians still live and are still being harvested for parts.

Louis concludes his story by asking Rafayel, “When the Siren returns to the beach…How does he exact his revenge on those responsible for Lemuria's destruction?”

To which Rafayel responds, “I think he’d first learn from them. He's gotta study their wits and cruelty, you know.”

Which brings us back to Mr. Fallon dead with a smile on his face at the opera. And also Raymond drowned in his bathtub after carving fish scales into his body. The painting has vanished from his home. (MS Chapter 7.3)

I think this is why Rafayel has a bounty on him, since those participating in harvesting Lemurians are being killed by him, but can't exactly go to the authorities about it.

I also think Rafayel is not solely motivated by revenge. He tells Aunt Talia “Not every Lemurian survivor can wait.” Somehow, what he is doing is supposed to prevent other Lemurians from ending up like K.

Talia notes that Rafayel has changed "After that incident in Lemuria." He seems unrecognizable. Past Rafayel was like a blazing flame, whereas he "now resembled a reef battered by relentless waves - outwardly cold and hard, yet riddled with cracks, vulnerable to crumbling from the next wave." Talia is helping Rafayel gather information for his goal, but she isn't convinced that they are doing the right thing.

What are your thoughts? Was this helpful? More confusing? Is Rafayel ancient or young? What the heck happened between Rafayel and MC? Let me know your thoughts!

[tyrannoninja]

"Sinbad and the Lost Continent" Book Trailer

A daring sailor from the Arabian Nights…a lost world where the past survives…a fierce tribal princess with a proud legacy…and the adventure of a lifetime.

This is the tale of my upcoming novella "Sinbad of the Lost Continent", in which a poor Baghdadi landsman named Sinbad ibn Hassan, after hearing about the seven voyages of his more famous counterpart of the same name, sets out in search of treasure in the lost continent of Lemuria. There, along with his loyal friend Kishore, their navigator Omar, and the fierce and beautiful local princess Nemong, will brave the Mesozoic monsters that call the continent's jungles home. But dinosaurs are not the only peril they must face together on their treacherous yet romantic quest…

COMING SOON TO THE AMAZON BOOKSTORE!

[captainsvscaptains]

1 - Any player can build a wooden boat. It's color depends on the type of wood used. A boat can be occupied by two entities, they can be used to transport mobs, players, or a chest.

2 - It's Kirby transformed into a submarine. He shoots torpedoes. He's Kirby! He's adorable!

3 - The Lemurian ship was created a long time ago by the Lemurians (Lemuria is pretty much the in universe version of Atlantis or smth). It does not have sails unlike the other boats in universe. It can only be controlled by Adepts (people with psychic powers), by using a Black Orb to amplify their psychokinesis. There are three Lemurian ships in game, but the one used by the player belongs to Piers. After a while, magical... er, enchanted psychic wings are attached to it, which allows it to hover briefly. Later you also get a cannon!

4 - it’s a pirate ship! the captain is a strong buff lady who once killed a sea dragon with only a claymore and is DEFINITELY a lesbian. she used it to fight a giant sea god literally hundreds of times her size. she used it to smuggle a criminal wanted by the literal GOD of a country to safety. the rest of the crew are also mildly insane and every day I wish they weren’t npcs so we could learn more abt them. AND they commit tax evasion <3

5 - owned by captain caviar cookie, crew of mostly children, not sentient, usually doesn't take passengers

6 - A switcher from the Star Fleet. He's just nifty tbh. Bro has seen some shit. i love him. his voice is kinda gender ngl.

7 - Sentient taling ship owned by Pirate Percy. "YOU HAVE...TO GO...INSIDE"

8 - Physical manifestation of the Argo Navis constellation and summoned by the constellation witch to traverse the ocean. It's fucking beautiful and also has ancient mythological roots

9 - It's shaped like a whale that's so awesome! Like don't you just want to get in it??? If I had a ship I'd make damn sure it was shaped like some kind of creature.

[wyrmfedgrave]

Pics:

1. Photo of Richard Shaver, savvy author or mad welder?

I mean who shares memories with machines? Oh, wait... We do!!

2. Ray Palmer, shrewd editor of the pulp Amazing Stories.

Also the name of DC's hero, the Atom - who discovered lost civilizations in the Amazon & in the Microverse!

3. Best cover I could find of the novel being discussed. Sadly, not illustrated. Though I've read of a comic book version being in the works...

4. Cover of zine(?) about all of the "Shaver Mysteries" & "Inner Earth" volumes. Note the highlighted stress on the 'reality' of it all.

5. Ad for the 1939 printing(?) of "I Remember Lemuria." Promotes the plot idea as being all too 'true'.

1906: The Earth (is) Not Hollow.

Well, folks, that's it for the Hollow World/Inner Earth books that might have inspired Lovecraft's 1906 "Earth Note Hollow" science article.

At least, the ones that I know about...

The rest of these entries will take a quicker look at the more interesting of these type of novels.

Think of the entries as legacy list. More space will be given to those I find important...

First up - Richard Shaver's "I Remember Lemuria."

Author: Shaver was a Leftist art student & Ford factory welder - who began "hearing voices" warning him of the Derro, Inner Earth cannibals!!

In 1944, Shaver wrote a large document that Palmer reedited & published in 1945.

The story was presented as, both, real & fiction - readers had to make up their own minds about it. This turned out to be an interesting bit of popular audience 'participation.'

But, it also led to a flood of letters from people claiming to have 'seen' or being 'abducted' by the Derro!!

There would be some 20+ sequels to the original work. But, some fans were appalled by Palmer's exploitation of Shaver's tall tale.

Shaver & Palmer did have vehement arguments on how to present the events of the series.

Shaver swore that he had been to these places - in reality!

But, Palmer presented it as ancestral memories & as out of body, ghostly experiences!!

In 1948, Amazing Stories banned Shaver's works & Palmer 'quit.'

Plot: The tales claim that Shaver was remembering the memories of an inhabitant of Sub Atlan, one Mutan Mion.

In their final 'days', Mion's race fled to a coal rich planet in the Nottan star group.

Later, the Derro cannibals settled in Sub Atlan's ruins & learned to use its leftover equipment...

Legacy: Embedded in these works can be found many of the early tropes which promoted modern UFO belief systems & its all too intricate canon.

Yet, even today, Central Asian Buddhists still believe in a physical Inner World!

A 'place' where living beings are more beautiful - &, wiser - than all surface dwellers.

The "King of the Inner World" is so powerful that he can read the 'emanations' of our souls...

Modern esoteric Nazi groups hold similar beliefs in their own Hollow Earth. This version is the under- ground kingdom of Agartha & it's capital Shambala.

Like the extinct(?) "Thule Society", the Nazis believe this underworld is a land inhabited by a pure & perfect race of Aryans...

But, the names alone are of obvious Asian origin.

[lostlegendsgallery]

🌄 Journey to the Lost Land of Lemuria 🌄

🍃 Step into the ancient legends of Lemuria, a mystical continent said to have flourished in the heart of the Pacific Ocean. With whispers of lush landscapes, vibrant flora, and a deep spiritual connection, Lemuria beckons us to explore its secrets. 🌿

🔮 Immerse yourself in tales of Lemurian wisdom and harmony, where nature and humanity coexisted in perfect balance. The echoes of a utopian society reverberate through time, inspiring us to seek unity with the natural world and embrace our inner selves. 🌻

🌀 The lost continent of Lemuria reminds us that even in the midst of myth and legend, there are timeless lessons to be learned. Join us as we journey through the ethereal haze of history, embracing the enigmatic allure of Lemuria and its profound impact on our perceptions of existence. 🌊

[lets-talk-spirituality]

What are your favorite books?

Do you have motivational or spiritual book recs?

Hi! Thanks for asking me :)

Ummm I really love A Thousand Splendid Suns, I read it in high school and it just really awakened this warrior spirit in me. It made me really want to go to the Middle East to help people. It’s something I still hope to do one day, go to the oldest places on earth and help women and girls.

Life of Pi, I also read this in high school and it sort of woke me up to how indoctrinated religion is and how we don’t have to follow that indoctrination.

The alchemist and Siddhartha are both sort of spiritual hero journey books that gave me a lot of insight and I really enjoyed.

The awakening by Kate Chopin and A lost lady by Willa Cather were really important to my feminist awakening as they are both books about women going against the grain of their time period to pursue their own happiness.

This year I read Lost Horizon and really loved it. It kinda plays around with the concept of aging and finding heaven on earth.

I love A Separate Peace. Just one of my favorite books in general. The only book where I really fell in love with a character.

I also read codependent no more this year, which I think is a really awesome book for anyone dealing with people pleasing and codependent behavior.

Finally, I read Tales from the Night Rainbow and I’m reading a book called Children of the Rainbow. Both are books that kind of deal with Hawaiian religious and mythological origin stories. There’s a real belief and understanding here that there were people on the islands before the Polynesians came here. Many believe that this group, called the mu, is directly tied to god source and lived very loving and kind lives. Hawaii is thought to possibly be where Lemuria was. Lemuria, like Atlantis, is thought to be ancient advanced civilization that lived within higher dimensions of the earth. Many believe starseeds from other planets were seeded into these societies to help move humanity along but were destroyed ultimately. That’s what many believe happened here as well. The original Hawaiians kind of bred with and took on customs of the Tahitians who conquered the islands. These original people are also sometimes called Menehune which means small person. Which people assume means they were short in stature but in Tales of the Night Rainbow, this oral history passed down from a family in Moloka’i, it’s suggested that the term was pejorative and used as a way to oppress the original inhabitants.

Anyway! I guess those are my suggestions.

[lowkeynando]

Reptilians (also called reptoids, [1] archons, [2] reptiloids, saurians, draconians, [3][4][5] or lizard people (6]) are supposed reptilian humanoids, which play a prominent role in fantasy, science fiction, ufology, and conspiracy theories. [7][8] The idea of reptilians was popularised by David Icke, a conspiracy theorist who claims shapeshifting reptilian aliens control

Earth by taking on human form and gaining political power to manipulate human societies.

Icke has stated on multiple occasions that many world leaders are, or are possessed by, so-called reptilians. Michael Barkun, professor of political science at Syracuse University, posits that the idea of a reptilian conspiracy originated in the fiction of Conan the Barbarian creator Robert E. Howard, in his story "The Shadow Kingdom", published in Weird Tales in August

1929. 9 This story drew on theosophical ideas of the "lost worlds" of Atlantis and Lemuria, particularly Helena Blavatsky's The Secret Doctrine written in 1888, with its reference to

'dragon-men' who once had a mighty civilization on a Lemurian continent". 101[11]

Howard's "serpent men" were described as humanoids (with human bodies and snake heads) who were able to imitate humans at will and who lived in underground passages and used their shapechanging and mind-control abilities to infiltrate humanity. [9] Clark Ashtons AND

[gameanglia]

GAMES LINKED TO MENTAL HEALTH

LIMBO :

Limbo is a game which contains puzzle elements in the game, a place between life and death where your character is dead and he wakes up in his own Limbo, in a way, his own version of hell. It is a quiet world with no music or colour. Limbo is a game which demonstrates loss and grief with an attack to your senses of sight and sound. The game demonstrates how lonely it is within the game as it's a game which shows grief and depression. Within the game there is a city area which represents adulthood and within the city there is a hotel, symbolling one's first experience with adult relationships. This can correlate about how you can feel losing a loved one or to fall into depression and not know how to climb back out, only able to move within one direction. The character must find their way out of his depression, back into the light.

CHICORY: A COLORFUL TALE :

Chicory: a colourful tale is about a top-down adventure game in a colouring book world where you can draw on anything, however a terrible incident happens and Chicory, a superstar artist and wielder of 'the brush' is missing, and you fill in for her job. This game is about colouring the black and white lines and drawings into a colourful world using the magic brush, it is a game that makes it perfect for those who want to relax and are fighting with anxiety. The story is also about how Chicory's story is about fighting depression, a mental illness that turns into an enemy you have to beat within the game.

CHANGE: A HOMELESS SURVIVAL EXPERIENCE :

Change: a homeless survival game is about where you pick your character based on what story you want to express. Its a game where it is an emotional journey that displays realism on how it is like in real life and for many people (from official statistics, more than 300,000 people are homeless, yet there are many people who are on the verge of going homeless too, the world is a cruel place to be). In the game you explore, earn perks, find items and kindness to develop your character to create a new life and environment for yourself, but the most important is the fact you must survive. This game has probably been my favourite by far in research on mental health because you don't know anyone's story on why they may be homeless or what caused them to be in such a situation.

CHILD OF LIGHT

Child of light is about a character named Aurora, a young girl from 1895 Austria who wakes up on the lost fairytale continent of Lemuria. She falls into a cold sleep after the death of her mother and a re-marriage of her father. It is a game about how she arrives in a dreamlike fairy-tale and she must experience how to love, grow, learn and battle the grief of loss. This is a storybook styled game where it talks on adult topics. It's an emotional roller coaster in this game because each character she journeys with, all have a sad reason why they travel with her as her companions.

ACTUAL SUNLIGHT

This game is about Evan Winters who is a Canadian citizen, working a dull corporate job. The game itself isn't what you would predict in a normal game with melodies of music everywhere and amazing plot twists with eye-catching animations and gameplay movements, instead it tells the story of a person of a very bleak life routine; he wakes up, takes a shower, goes to work and goes home to sleep - rinse and repeat. This alone makes it already engaging alone because knowing the fact you play as this person, many people may already correlate to Evan and sympathise with him. But with this, Evan hates himself, his apartment, and his job. However he never has the energy to get angry or express his feelings, he's just trapped in nothingness yet determined to do something. The game's themes revolve around suicide, anxiety and depression which has an intense and heart breaking story.

MY COMMENTS AND THOUGHTS THROUGH THE RESEARCH: I felt like out of all these games that I looked up on, researched, tried to find ways to explain each game, the most which caught my eye was 'Actual Sunlight'. Yet it is the most simplistic game out of all five. I wanted to take more time into researching the game because reading about the game and watching some of the gameplay was more intriguing than the others. I couldn't pinpoint why out of all five it was the one which hit me the most, but it had the most captivating story to me. I say this because maybe even at my young age where life has barely started for me, i somehow correlate a little to the game? Of course in my own way with my own story but the similarities are probably what compelled me to the game itself. I also enjoyed researching about Limbo as well, between the five, i enjoyed most was Limbo and Actual Sunlight. I tried to write quite a bit for each game however through the research these two games most compelled me. Limbo resonated with my feelings because it is a story on losing a family member (the boy's sister). Losing family isn't easy and it's hard to get out the deep end once you're in it, especially with strong emotions; grief, depression, sadness, etc.

[ultrachoppedpenguinbouquet]

Atlantis,Lemuria

Throughout history, civilizations have told tales of lost lands and civilizations that have become the stuff of myth and legend. Two of the most famous of these lost lands are Atlantis and Lemuria, which are often referred to as the mythical lands of the Antediluvian, or pre-flood, era. These ancient civilizations are said to have been highly advanced and prosperous before being swallowed by the…

[romxnticism]

Hey Raf? What's the culture of Lemuria like? What are your customs? What are your traditions and norms? Is the art created there different from ours? I'd love to hear it if you'd like, because I'd really like to learn more about you, what shaped you, and what you care so much about. Maybe I could even participate in doing some of the customs too! It would be an honour Raf ^_^

💌 —

“Lemurians are passionate creatures. To us, art is also a sensation. If you only rely on your eyes to judge, it loses its emotional meaning.” It's evident from what you see, Lemurians are driven by what they are dedicated to the most. When they put their heart onto something, the intensity of the devotion towards their craft often gets them recognized for it. Talia with her singing, Rafayel with his paintings, and the picturesque beauty of Lemuria's art history. Perhaps it is what differentiates both worlds from one another. Humans focus too much on the process of making rather than the sensation that comes from it. The idea comes from their minds, not from their heart. Expressionism is slowly getting lost through time, and the concept of art is barely comprehended anymore. In fact, the judgement that came from others towards his art seldomly bothered him. In the end, his feelings are only his to understand.

”And as for our culture...” The boundless land and sky had once been a dream of many Lemurians, yet they couldn't have imagined turning it into a never-ending nightmare. Lemurians... Are also sentimental, just as they are passionately driven. Their heartfelt traditions aside - Lemuria is a civilization not only forgotten about, but also heavily misunderstood. Tales of sirens and mermaids never let on the true beauty that was of Lemuria. Deceived, taken advantage of, captured and tortured as he was forced to endure the loss of the spark inside of him, Rafayel still remembers the hoarseness tone in his voice from that very day. He sung not to serenade, but to mourn the loss of his beloved.

Rafayel blinks, finally reawakening from the repetitive call of his name. He realizes that he is no longer stuck in the velvet waters of what he used to call his home, and his hands aren't dyed from the crimson traces left by his comrades, but with the paint he made together with you.

You.

He graces you with a wistful smile, stringing in between the borders of longing and pain. They say the eyes are the windows of the soul, yet you cannot understand the emotions that dance around his irises. “Nevermind, I don't want to talk today. Can I just spend some quiet time with you instead?”

In between painting and holding your hand, Rafayel hums a melancholic tune. Perhaps in the future, you'd know of its meaning.

[deblala]

https://nexusnewsfeed.com/article/ancient-mysteries/tales-of-lemuria-the-missing-continent-of-a-long-lost-ancient-civilization-1

[exactlycleverpirate]

Rafayel's Timeline Redux Part 6

Spoilers below.

See Part 1. Part 2. Part 3. Part 4. Part 5. Part 7.

Rafayel and MC are reunited as adults on her 99th attempt to escape the palace. They meet several times and grow close.

There are other Lemurians on Philos with Rafayel,  including Amund. They are killing human nobles, with the belief that by doing so, it will help restore the oceans and Lemuria.

MC: “Why do Lemurians need to kill humans? Revenge?” Rafayel: “Your Highness and I know revenge is meaningless. The seas are but sands for 30,000 years. We only want one thing.” MC: “The Lemurians want to go home?” Rafayel: “...Yes. We must awaken the seas and return to our homeland.”

MC can use a Lemurian Fishtail Beacon to summon Rafayel.

Rafayel and Amund are plotting to recover “the God of the Sea’s (Rafayel’s) heart from MC by cutting it out with a dagger on the Island of Songs. However, the heart must be given willingly. Rafayel is uncertain whether the legends are true about killing MC to restore the oceans and Lemuria. Per the legend, the goal seems to be attaining Absolute Power. 

According to the legend, “Lemurians who seeketh Absolute Power: Combat the treacherous tides. Dive into The Deep for pearls. Find a true love. When blessed with a true love’s kiss, claim her heart by your own hand. A heart, pure, flawless-and filled with love. It is the best offering humans can give to Lemurians. -Lemurian Ruins, Slate No. 0065, Lemuria: Tome of the Sea God”. 

(Amund has served multiple Gods of the Sea over the centuries. Are these all reincarnations of Rafayel or are there multiple Gods of the Sea?)

6 months after Rafayel and MC celebrate her birthday, he and Amund take her to the Island of Songs (now no longer an island), which she recognizes. She remembers her past life with Rafayel and realizes that Rafayel will fall into eternal slumber and the seas will never be restored if she does not return his heart. She offers to cut it out, but Rafayel refuses, saying he and the Lemurians will have to find their own way to change the story. He attempts to erase her memories and sever their bond to save her. Rafayel calls her his beloved bride.

Rafayel's flames are black because his power is dying.

“The black flames don’t flicker. They burn silently like the man who lit them. No energy, no warmth, and no hope in sight.” (This is similar to how Rafayel describes being trapped on the beach to MC in Nightly Stroll: “No way out, no hope, and waiting to die.”)

Rafayel: “The…seas will dry up.” MC: “Anything else?” Rafayel: “When the God of the Sea is revived, the seas will awaken. To take back what he’s lost, the God of the Sea must kill his beloved.”

Rafayel: “A god must protect his followers. If the legend pertaining to the God of the Sea is inevitable…”

Rafayel: “Shouldn’t the God of the Sea himself change the story?”

Rafayel: “If the ending is fixed, let us start anew and be rid of this tale.”

Rafayel: “Lemurians must rewrite their own story, with their own hands.”

Rafayel: “Goodbye, my beloved bride.”

Continue to Part 7.

[tyrannoninja]

Cover Art for "Sinbad and the Lost Continent"

This is the cover art I designed for my recently drafted novella "Sinbad and the Lost Continent" (which I am currently in the process of editing). Inspired by the tales of Sinbad the Sailor in the 1001 Arabian Nights, it follows the story of a separate Sinbad identified in those chapters as Sinbad the Landsman, who seeks to replicate his more famous counterpart's success by searching for ancient treasures in the lost continent of Lemuria out in the Indian Ocean. Guided by the fierce and beautiful local warrior Nemong, Sinbad the Landsman and his companions must brave not only the savage holdovers from prehistory that populate the continent's wilds, but also peril lurking within their own ranks...

[lacaballotalaprraladivalapotra]

"he built his identity on his inability to murder you"

someone cooked here.

Nah fr to anyone who actually ponders this, in this essay i will-

Rafayel burned down the temple that sacrificed her

Gave her the choice to leave even tho he didn't wanna separate from her at all(literally abducted her)

Didn't take the heart the first time and made everyone believe he did

Rescued her from the depths of the ocean where she had her memory erased and was turned into a witch, giving his scale voice and blood while profusely assuring Witch MC his feelings WOULD NEVER change for "the girl he wanted to turn human for"

As soon as he got a clue on her whereabouts he fucking sailed away to Linkon city, when he wears the outfit of the anecdote where he 'stalks' her at College he says "i came back to Linkon for one thing and one thing only"

'Someone he's been chasing after for many years'

'Rafayel recognizes her at first glance, so many years later'

He goes to her college to literally work there for a year as a art teacher just to be near her, saying 'He's willing to spend the rest of his days with her'

Recognizes her voice instantly

Threatens the raincoat's life when he gets too close for his liking to her, he burns the documents BUT NOT THE PHOTO RAINCOAT GAVE HIM OF HER

'he counts 50 steps , in 50 steps he'll be that much closer to her'

"he has yet to invite an art appreciator" (only MCs opinion matters to this man)

He admitted himself to the hospital because he wanted to see her and was worried she wasn't answering her phone

He touched a cat because MC suggest him to do so

In Sea of golden sand myth he gave his scale to MC again disguising it as a fish as soon as he found her after he was captured as a gift for her. Promised to come back for her after he told her to come with him and she said she couldn't go with him cause she can't swim.

Saved her from potentially drowning in the palace lake, entertained her for probably weeks even tho Amund only came with him specifically to take her heart, went Gerbil hunting because she liked them, it was his next step in his plan 'to gain her favor' but c'mon, thinking of the twinkle in her eyes and getting lost in thought about her, isn't really calculative of him.

The romantic tension in that myth's secret times bro.

Post first escape of Rafayel with MC in the market "why didn't you do it?" "the time is yet to come" "your quintessence is not one to hesitate" Rafayel ignores him "Rafayel she is no longer that girl! your quintessence is no longer god of the sea either!" "Your tongue's flapping is better now that you're older" "The fire is about to fade... how much time is left? Lemuria's final hope is within our reach" "We require a complete Sea god's heart" "It must be offered willingly" (excuses, because he never planned to take it)

Took MC out of the palace exactly on her birthday, bringing her the gerbils and cake.

"With a trident you could be an actual god of the sea" "Cumbersome i dislike it"

"Worry not i can only be captured if i wanted it to happen" "In other words you allowed yourself to be captured to see me?" it was a joke but when Rafayel remains silent i feel awkward "Is that the truth? so do you want something. otherwise, why else..." "Even if i had a scheme at my fingertips i will be honest"

And most important of them all, when MC found out the heart was his and he needed it she offered it back pressing the dagger Rafayel was holding against her own chest.

"though you are resolved for its return i cannot accept it" "why not?" "A god must protect his followers" (MC is his follower, if he takes her heart he isn't protecting her) "if the ending is fixed let us start anew and be rid of this tale"

He had her literal consent, she was willing for him to take it out but instead he erased her from the damn tome with his flames and erased her memories.

MC describing feeling something being torn from her body 'its my bond, my vow with Rafayel engraved deep in my soul' "Rafayel! stop! no!" "I don't want to forget..." "Lemurians must rewrite their own story with their own hands" "Goodbye my beloved bride"

Then left the city empty handed much to Amund's clear distaste for his decision having repeatedly tried to persuade him to take the heart back, calling MC a traitor that is no longer the woman he knew, that they're running out of time.

"I have served as a lemurian elder for centuries, your quintessence is the first god of the sea who dared rewrite The tome of the sea god." "Refusing to take her heart, Your quintessence's life must burn away, Your-" "What matters is our oppportunity to return home" "Having a god of the sea makes no difference"

"A sensation akin to sprouting vines slowly climbs from his heart ensnaring his very soul" "Amund spots a glowing fishtail beacon being held" "Didn't your quintessence say the bond was destroyed?"

And even when it was time to leave he kept looking into the city as if he was waiting for MC to appear because she called him with the fishtail beacon when she remembered him, why did he leave the fishtail beacon with her?

And when MC comes running towards him and decides to leave with him he says "I may actually take your heart" trying to test her resolve and she offers it again

A very important detail is that Rafayel will 'fall in eternal slumber if he doesn't take his heart back' his flames already turned black and the only thing that makes them red again is MC's blood.

Rafayel will very probably die eventually without his heart according to what the tome said, he decided to rewrite destiny instead of taking his heart back, looked for MC every lifetime and recognizes her at first glance after potentially centuries of not seeing her, or in a more confirmed way, atleast decades.

I accidentally wrote a fucking essay so i'll make my own post with more info later but for now this is it LMAO

when i said i wanted fandom to take rafayel seriously in his complexity as a character I DIDN'T MEAN PEOPLE IMMEDIATELY JUMPING ON THE VILLAIN TRAIN. it's post chapter 7 all over again i cannot do this

[wyrmfedgrave]

Pics:

1. Front cover of an illustrated version of the story being discussed.

2. Back cover of the same book, showing the kind of quality that truly sells books.

Note Cthulhu's statue in the back ground. And the semi-human pack animal in the mid ground.

HPL: Output.

"The Mound" is a novella by Lovecraft & Zelia Bishop. That this is a 'true' collaboration has been, frankly, called into question.

It appears that HPL was working from a mere 'suggestion' from Bishop. But, she sold all of Lovecraft's 'revisions' for her, as being solely her work...

But, modern literary research has 'put the lie' to that.

Plot: An ethnologist visits 1928's Binger, Oklahoma to explore a local mound that's doubly haunted!

He finds an ancient scroll from the time of Coronado's expedition thru this land.

The scroll reveals that the mound is actually a portal to a vast world - underground!

Following Grey Eagle, a Native American, a Conquistador is led to a place teeming with gold, a Lost Race & alien life!!

A group of seeming American natives treat him royally but, keep him from leaving.

One of his lovers helps him to an unguarded portal - loaded down with the gold he's being lusting for.

Captured, his lover is beheaded & set to guard the once unguarded portal...

The Conquistador is given another chance to fit in with the local alien culture. But, he didn't learn his lesson & tries to escape once again.

Now, our ethnologist believes this is all a grand hoax - until he ends up facing the mound's guard!!

As the story finishes, our narrator comes to realize that the guard is "what's left" of the Conquistador...

Pics:

1 & 2. Covers of the story on 'trial' now.

1 is the unguarded portal in & out of K'nyan.

2 shows Tsathoggua & It's followers/ 'children'?!!

Notes:

1. This story isn't a Hollow Earth tale. It's about an underground world, a slightly different setting. Think, larger Batcave!!

The city of Tsath is set in the wide land of K'n-yan/Xinaian. The 'people' here worship Cthulhu, as our hero tried to hide in 1 of Its temples.

But, there's a 2nd deep cavern, the mysterious Gulf of N'kai. Where another Lost Race worshiped Tsathoggua, a different Old One...

2. The telepathic 'folk' here claim to trace their lineages all the way back to the lost island nations of Atlantis & Lemuria!!

But, the Conquistador finds them as being too decadent, too cruel & totally nihilistic.

3. Sadly, such mythical & displaced 'people' is a racist idea. One that downplays the achievements of the indigenous natives.

It 'argues' that American 'Indians' didn't have the capabilities to build such structures. Nor, that the natives had the artistic/political will to have complicated skills/thoughts...

4. Grey Eagle turns out to be HPL' s most prominent Native American character. But, he's treated like a dime store stereotype.

Which is probably due more to HPL's ignorance rather than any real malice. This kind of overt racist depiction lasted well until the 1970s...

5. The Conquistador is horrified to learn that the 'men' & weird animals both share the same genetic ancestry!

Though, he's treated like an honored guess & is showered with a luxury apartment & lovers, he lusts only for gold & freedom - after 4 years of 'captivity'...

6. In the end, our unbelieving narrator finds the portal to Tsath. Following it, he sees enough evidence of K'n-yan's existence.

But, he waits too long & is caught by the undead guardian - which is the Conquistador's torso!!!

7. This is 1 of Lovecraft's last Mythos stories to see print. He turned Zelia's conventional ghost story suggestion & expanded it into a brand new 30,000 word novella.

It would actually have to be edited twice before it could be sold. But, hopefully, the unedited version still exists...

8. Though the earlier "Curse of Yig" is also set in Oklahoma, it's not a direct prequel to "The Mound." The novella is really much more Lost Race than true Lovecraftian fiction.

9. Bishop's initial idea seems to have been spurred on by the local legends surrounding Caddo Mounds near the real Binger, Oklahoma.

"Ghost Mound" & "Dead Woman's Mound" are actually a local group of rocky hills & not Native mounds...

10. Lovecraft didn't, perhaps couldn't, transcend the moral limitations of his times. The racism that HPL took to, so early in life, reaches a kind of peak in this tale.

His use of a "master race" motif is likely from American slave rhetoric, rather than the 'scientific' racism of the time.

(When the Nazis 1st rose to power, Lovecraft actually liked Hitler! But, later changed his mind...)

Pics:

1 & 2. Is this where Zelia got the idea for a haunted mound - which is, only sometimes, male?

Quotes:

1. HPL, "The usual (pulp) sci-fi tale is just a camouflaged Western! With pioneers becoming 'space explorers' & 'Indians' being called 'Lunarians', 'Martians', etc."

2. Visiting R.A. Barlow (in DeLand, Florida), Lovecraft's friend asked to buy the unsold manuscript - to systemize the Mythos lore within.

HPL, "(I'm) interested to (see if Barlow's) account can be reconciled with the 'rambling' lore gathered in... K'nyan."

3. Clark A. Smith came up with a 'fix' for a 'proper' reconciliation of mixed up background info.

Smith, "Thru eons, (these myths) varied from the original (true) knowledge. The cavern dwellers... came to believe (it was) the images - & not (their) God (itself) - (that) emerged... from the inner N'kai Gulf. (Later, they) regarded N'kai as Tsathoggua's (their God's) place of origin."

Lovecraft's response, "I am especially impressed by... Tsathoggua's... whereabouts. Suppose an expedition were sent to unearth (it's statue)? What would ensue?"

PS: As of 1936, when HPL became hospitalized, Zelia Bishop still owed him $26. That sum would remain out standing at the time of his death - in 1937...

As to Bishop's other works (that HPL worked on), such as "The Unchaining", they are mentioned in her letters. But, sadly, they all appear to no longer exist...

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