#the-rat-empress

[thehomelybrewster]

1d8 "Free" Fantasy RPGs To Replace 5e At Your Table

D&D 5e sure is a roleplaying game, and it's one that I have enjoyed a lot. However, that doesn't mean that I'd recommend it automatically for other people. This has many reasons, which I won't elaborate here. It has also shaped the perception of TTRPGs significantly thanks to its market dominance, and not in a good way.

5e has a reputation for being an expensive, complex game, and 5e players fear that other RPGs might just be the same. That it's too much of a hassle and too much of a financial burden to switch systems.

So, to help 5e players pick out a different system, I've made this handy 1d8 rolling table to help them pick a fantasy TTRPG with a combat component that they can try instead!

Let's now go through these eight nine RPGs and see what's up with them, right below the "Keep reading" section!

I'll be listing some metrics like the page count for the rulebook(s), the core resolution mechanic, how complex the game is in terms of character creation & combat, and how well-supported the game is by their publisher and the community-at-large.

1. Cairn

Author: Yochai Gal

Release Year: 2020

Cost: Free PDF, printed copies cost between $3 to $10 depending on the print quality.

Page Count: 24

Website: https://cairnrpg.com/

Resolution Mechanic: 1d20 Roll Under system for ability checks/saving throws, attacks hit automatically, "fiction-first".

Action Economy: Movement + one action per round.

Characters: Random character creation, class-less and level-less, advancement based on "Scars" (suffering damage that reduces your HP exactly to 0)

Setting: Implied. Low-magic European-style fantasy; mysterious woodlands.

Other Noteworthy Mechanics: Hit Protection and Ability damage instead of HP, Slot-Based Inventory.

Degree of Support: Very high. Available in fifteen languages (e.g. Spanish, Russian, Chinese, and German); full rules text is under CC-BY-SA 4.0; multiple published third-party adventures & supplements available; some official bonus material (e.g. bestiary, magic items/relics, and spells) is available for free on the website.

Addendum: An expanded 2nd Edition is currently on Kickstarter (ends April 26th 2024); Cairn is legitimately easy to learn, however the Hit Protection system and the connected Scars system is a very different abstraction to health and advancement compared to 5e.

2. Cloud Empress

Author: worlds by watt

Release Year: 2023

Cost: Free PDF of the rulebook and the creator-written sample adventure "Last Voyage of the Bean Barge", $20 for the print edition of the rulebook, $12 for PDF supplements, $25 for print + PDF supplements; free solo rules also available as PDF only.

Page Count: 60

Website: https://cloudempress.com/

Resolution Mechanic: d100 Roll Under system for stat checks/saving throws, critical successes or failures on doubles (11, 22, 33, etc.), 5e-style advantage/disadvantage, attacks generally hit automatically.

Action Economy: Two actions per round with no free movement.

Characters: Semi-random character creation, four classes ("jobs"), no rules for character advancement in the ruleset.

Setting: Specific. "Ecological science fantasy" heavily inspired by Hayao Miyazaki's "Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind"; costly magic, giant insects, dangerous mushrooms; only human player characters.

Other Noteworthy Mechanics: Damage points culminate in Wounds; Wounds and Stress as ways to track your character's physical and mental state; slot-based inventory system.

Degree of Support: Low-ish. Several official supplements exist, however third-party material is very sparse. May improve due to the recent establishment of a Cloud Empress Creators Fund, has a simple 3rd party license system.

Addendum: A supplement, "Cloud Empress: Life & Death" is currently on Kickstarter (ends April 26th 2024, yes, the same day as Cairn 2e) and as a disclaimer I even backed that current Kickstarter; Cloud Empress is built on the engine of the sci-fi horror RPG "Mothership"; clearly built for one-shots and short campaigns; has a wonderful resting system that encourages roleplay between players.

3. Iron Halberd

Author: level2janitor

Release Year: 2023

Cost: Free PDF of the rules; no print option available.

Page Count: 60

Website: https://level2janitor.itch.io/iron-halberd

Resolution Mechanic: 1d20 + Bonus Roll Over system against difficulty or armor rating, however most non-combat-related actions follow a fiction first approach without dice rolls.

Action Economy: Movement + one action per round.

Characters: Semi-random character creation, class-less but there are four different "gear kits" that nudge your character towards certain archetypes, levelling up with XP.

Setting: Essentially non-existant. General European fantasy with magic, gods may or may not exist/shape the world, various fantastic ancestries included.

Other Noteworthy Mechanics: Includes rules for building strongholds and maintaining warbands; slot-based inventory with a durability mechanic.

Degree of Support: None. The game is intended to be relatively compatible with other OSR content and the creator suggests using adventures made for the D&D retroclone Old-School Essentials if you wanna use pre-published ones. An official introductory adventure, "Sea-Spray Bay", is apparently in the works. No 3rd party license available, as far as I know.

Addendum: One thing about Iron Halberd I like especially is how it uses random tables for generating equipment. Most of the equipment is listed in a numerical order by category, and the various gear kits include references on different rolling formulas for those equipment categories. For example someone taking the "soldier's kit" rolls twice on the d20 Weapons table and takes their preferred pick, while someone taking the "sage's kit" only rolls a d4 on that table.

4. Mausritter

Author: Isaac Williams

Release Year: 2020

Cost: Free PDF of the ruleset available; box set with the rules and several goodies including an adventure costs $55; additional box set + PDFs containing eleven official adventures costs $55 (or $20 digital-only).

Page Count: 48

Website: https://mausritter.com/

Resolution Mechanic: 1d20 Roll Under system, 5e-style advantage/disadvantage, attacks always hit.

Action Economy: Movement + one action per round.

Characters: Random character creation, class-less, levelling up with XP.

Setting: Vaguely specific. You play as mice and everything is related to mouse-size; cats are the equivalents of devils or dragons; humans exist as a setting background but may or may not be present in a campaign.

Other Noteworthy Mechanics: Includes rules for recruiting warbands; slot-based inventory with a durability mechanic.

Degree of Support: Very high. Several official supplements exist, as well as loads of content, be it adventures or supplements, made by other creators. Available in seven languages (all of them however are European). Has a simple 3rd party license system.

Addendum: Mausritter uses the phrase "adventure site" instead of dungeons. On the website a free adventure site generator is available, as is a digital tool that can be used to generate your own item cards for the slot-based inventory system.

5. Maze Rats

Author: Ben Milton

Release Year: 2017

Cost: $4.99 for the PDF, no print option regularly available.

Page Count: 32

Website: https://questingbeast.substack.com/

Resolution Mechanic: 2d6 + Bonus Roll Over system; advantage system that uses 3d6 drop the lowest + Bonus.

Action Economy: Movement + one action per round.

Characters: Semi-random character creation, class-less but instead there are character features (e.g. spell slots or attack bonuses), levelling up with XP.

Setting: Essentially non-existant. Magic is very irregular (s. the section below), but otherwise it implies a vaguely European fantasy setting.

Other Noteworthy Mechanics: Spells are randomly generated each adventuring day and spell effects are negotiated between the GM and the spellcasting player; includes several fantastic d66 tables that can be used to randomly generate worlds.

Degree of Support: Decent. The rule text is licensed under CC BY 4.0 and unofficial translations are available. Some third-party content has been made specifically for the game.

Addendum: The only purchase-only game on this list. However "unofficial" distribution of the PDF is very common. Also this is the oldest game on the list. Ben "Questing Beast" Milton is a prolific OSR blogger and runs a YouTube channel on the OSR. Great dude.

6. Sherwood - A Game of Outlaws & Arcana

Author: Richard Ruane

Release Year: 2022

Cost: Free quickstart PDF titled "Sherwood - A Quickstart of Outlaws" available; digital rulebook costs $7.50 and the print edition (including PDF) costs $15.

Page Count: 25 (Quickstart), 32 (Rulebook)

Website: https://www.r-rook.studio/

Resolution Mechanic: 2d6 + Bonus Roll Over system for skill checks (including attacks), 2d6 Roll Under system for saving throws; advantage & disadvantage system that involves rolling 3d6 and using the higher/lower of the two results; almost all rolls are player-facing

Action Economy: "Conversational", assumption of movement + action.

Characters: Largely choice-based character creation. Combine two (of six) background abilities with the benefits of seven different careers. Big focus on interpersonal relationships during character creation. Limited character advancement takes place during downtime.

Setting: Specific. Takes place in a fantastical version of 13th century England, with fey and magic coexisting with outlaws and crusaders.

Other Noteworthy Mechanics: The group of outlaws possesses two shared resources (Resources and Legend) that can be spent to gain certain benefits; spellcasting is divided into two categories: arcane talents and sorcerous rites, with the former being immediate and the later taking significant time; slot-based inventory.

Degree of Support: None. No further publications exist for the game and while it is published under the CC-BY 4.0 license, no third-party content exists as far as I know. It does include a guide on how to convert D&D and Troika (N)PCs into Sherwood characters, as well as three adventure seeds (one in the Quickstart, two in the rules), which is at least something.

Addendum: Might just be the game on this list that encourages the most roleplaying; the character sheet is sadly very provisional-feeling and the Quickstart feels outdated compared to the finalized rulebook.

7. The Electrum Archive

Author: Emiel Boven

Release Year: 2022

Cost: Free Rules PDF available, zines cost $12 as digital PDFs or $24 as print + PDF combos; the first zine contains the entire contents of the Free Rules PDF

Page Count: 26 (Free Rules), 72 (Issue 01)

Website: https://www.electrumarchive.com/

Resolution Mechanic: 1d10 Roll Under system, attacks always hit.

Action Economy: Movement + one action per round.

Characters: Largely choice-based; three archetypes roughly corresponding to fighters/rangers (Vagabonds), rogues (Fixers), and spellcasters (Warlocks); player characters are presumed to be human; levelling up with XP.

Setting: Specific. Mechanics heavily tie into the lore; humanity has abundant access to minerals but requires a rare substance known as Ink to operate certain pieces of tech (like guns) and cast spells but cannot produce Ink themselves; spirits of various sorts can be foes, targets of worship, or sources of power.

Other Noteworthy Mechanics: Uses a spellcasting system for the Warlock archetype that's heavily based on the one used in Maze Rats, as in it uses randomly-generated spells whose effects are negotiated between the player and the GM; slot-based inventory with a durability mechanic.

Degree of Support: Minimal. The game consists out of the free rules and (soon) two zines; a third party license exists but content produced under it is very rare.

Addendum: I need to disclaim that I recently backed the Kickstarter campaign for the second zine for this game; the free rules feature wrong page numbers in its table of contents which is unfortunate; The Electrum Archive uses incredibly simple stats for NPCs which makes creating new ones based on other games rather simple.

8. Shadowdark RPG

Author: Kelsey Dionne

Release Year: 2023

Cost: Free player and game master quickstarts exist as PDFs and are available in print for $19, the core rules cost $28 in PDF form and $57 in a print + PDF bundle

Page Count: 68 (Player Quickstart Guide), 68 (Game Master Quickstart Guide), 332 (Core Rules)

Website: https://www.thearcanelibrary.com/

Resolution Mechanic: 1d20 + Bonus Roll Over system, 5e-style advantage/disadvantage, natural 1s are critical failures and natural 20s are critical successes.

Action Economy: Movement + one action per round.

Characters: Largely choice-based; players have a fantasy ancestry and a class; levelling up with XP; class progression largely random.

Setting: Vague. General (dark) western fantasy conventions apply; alignment is a force in this universe and a sample pantheon is provided; the most potent enemies in the rules are named individuals that fit classic TTRPG monster types; illustrations and lore snippets have recurring motifs.

Other Noteworthy Mechanics: The key mechanic of Shadowdark is how the game handles light, namely that light sources are tracked in real time (i.e. a normal torch lasts 1 hour), which increases tension; slot-based inventory; has a 0th-level character creation option using an eliminationist "Gauntlet".

Degree of Support: Fantastic. Several official supplements and offically sanctioned digital tools exist; lots of third-party content available under a generous third-party license.

Addendum: Definitely the most similar game to 5e on this list besides the next entry; very robust mechanically and the Core Rules features extensive lists of magic items, monsters, and spells; also for early play giving your players only access to the quickstart is a totally valid choice; and finally, before Dionne made Shadowdark, she made 5e adventures for years and it shows (affectionate).

9. Pathfinder

Authors: Logan Bonner, Jason Bulmahn, Stephen Radney-MacFarland, Mark Seifter

Release Year: 2019 (initial release), 2023 (remaster)

Cost: Free and comprehensive SRD available via the platform Archives of Nethys, free "Pathfinder Primer" abridged rulebook available via the Pathfinder Nexus (powered by Demiplane), Core books are priced $20 for PDFs and $30/$60 for print as a softcover/hardcover; a Beginner Box set with shortened soft-cover rules costs $45

Page Count: 464 (Player Core), 336 (GM Core), 376 (Monster Core), 160 (Combined Beginner Box Softcovers)

Website: https://paizo.com/pathfinder

Resolution Mechanic: 1d20 + Bonus Roll Over system, 5e-style advantage/disadvantage, four degrees of success based on result compared to target number.

Action Economy: Three action points per round; various actions may require more than one point; every character can use one reaction per round of combat.

Characters: Choice-based; players first pick an ancestry and a background and a class (the ABCs) and then tend to have meaningful choices after each level-up; levelling up with XP.

Setting: Important. Golarion, the game's setting, is a world that has been long in development and it shows; powerful magic and influential gods; very clear notions of what the societies of the various peoples of the world are like and how they should behave.

Other Noteworthy Mechanics: Balance between character classes and reliable combat challenge calculations are an important design goal; weight-based inventory system; archetype system for "multiclassing".

Degree of Support: Fantastic. Loads of content gets regularly produced by the game's publisher Paizo; the Pathfinder Infinite program (similar to D&D's Dungeon Master's Guild) provides lots of lore-compliant third-party content; uses the ORC third-party license for content produced outside of the Pathfinder Infinite program. Translations into other languages available but Paizo does not provide a comprehensive list of available languages (only German and French confirmed after brief personal research).

Addendum: The most popular and commercially successful of the listed games; but also by far the most complicated, though it is easier to GM for specificallty than 5e; also I dislike how certain feats create situations where fairly mundane actions get mechanics through these feats instead of being things you can generally do; anyway the reason why it's a 9 on a 1d8 table is because if you wanted to try out Pathfinder 2e you already would have and because while Paizo is better than WotC it's still a flawed big company.

...

So this was an exhausting little project. I hope you found this helpful and I hope you give at least one of these games a shot! A follow-up to this post is not out of the cards, but I don't plan on one.

Before we go, have this poll about which of these systems you're most looking forward to try! Shame it can only be open for one week...

[tangleslime2]

[swannposting]

Jack (on a side adventure with Lizzie?) comes across some supernatural thing that even he isn't about to fuck around and find out about. Something insane like a wardrobe being guarded on a ship and he opens it and snow comes out.

♡ Hi, anon! Thank you dearly for this prompt. I had a great deal of fun playing with this today. ♡ -> askbox is open for prompts whenever

“We never should have sailed north of the Carolinas, Lizzie.” 

Shivering like a wet dog, Jack trudges along a rocky beach at the heels of his Captain. He rubs at his elbows for warmth and lets out an ostentatious sneeze. 

“You know I hate the cold,” he grumbles, his voice thick and snotty, “And the clouds. Where’s the sun? Feels like me bollocks are goin’ to freeze off…”

“Keep that up.” Elizabeth taps at the compass cradled delicately in her palm. She pauses, squinting at the twitching needle, and Jack catches up beside her.

“Huh?” 

“You are being thoroughly annoying,” she informs him, “It’s stopping the compass from getting distracted by you.” 

“Hm. Well, you’re welcome. Can we leave now?” 

Her eyes roll irritably in his direction and she just walks onward, leaving him stewing in his bad mood. Jack stumbles on the unfamiliar terrain as he hurries after her. 

“Do you truly think there will be something of value here?” he says, following her around the corner of a cliffside, “Seems like this rock is entirely devoid of anything shiny.” 

“The compass seems to think so,” she replies, “I suspect it’s got something to do with the chalices. I’ve been wanting them terribly.” 

“Compass doesn’t work like that.”

“Sure it does,” she says matter-of-factly, “When one learns to get a handle on one’s own desires, she can be incredibly responsive.”

Jack scoffs, unwilling to believe that Elizabeth could have mastered the compass that has been his uncertain guide all his life. They continue along the base of one of the myriad of cliffsides found in the scattered islands north of the British Isles until they come across a break in the rock formation. It is almost like a staircase of stone. It isn’t man made, but it looks simple enough to scale. 

“Allow me, dearie,” Jack offers, stepping forward to take the lead as they climb. 

“No, you stay behind me,” orders Captain Swann, hopping gracefully up onto the first ledge. 

Of course, he should have known. If he is to take the lead, Elizabeth will be unable to discern if the compass is leading her to the treasure they seek, or in circles, following her dear old Jack. That gives him something to grin wickedly about as they ascend into the cliffside. Distracted by his own celebratory musings, he walks right into Elizabeth. They have reached the top of the cliff, where the ground is patchy with grass, and their anchored ship is visible in the distance. The captain has halted to look out at what they’ve found. 

“Huh. A shortcut?”

Elizabeth approaches a large opening in the ground. She kneels at the edge and peers down, then takes a pebble and drops it into the pit. It sinks with a whistle of air, and a splash echoes upward. 

“You aren’t actually thinking about going down there, are you?” asks Jack from where he stands at a safer distance. 

“I was considering sending you down there.” 

“Contrary to popular belief, I do not enjoy exploring massive, unfamiliar holes.”         

Still, he cannot help his curiosity, and he steps forward to peer down as well. 

“This must be the cave that they spoke of,” Elizabeth says thoughtfully, “You can hear the tide within. Seems like the compass just took us on the most direct route.” 

As she contemplates the sea cave below, Jack is suddenly spurred by a spirit of mischief. He does not mean to push Elizabeth into the pit, really. When he jolts her shoulders, he is only trying to give her a lighthearted scare, perhaps providing more of that helpful annoyance she asked for. But she startles, and slips, and the fragile earth beneath them crumbles at the edges. Gasping, she grasps at his coat as she falls, dragging him down into the abyss with her. Their shrieks shatter the silence of the cave, surely alerting anything that dwells there of their presence before they splash into the water below. 

The water there is dark emerald, illuminated by what Jack first thinks are some kind of gemstones. Until the gemstones move, and he realizes that the glow comes from the eyes of several creatures swirling past him underwater. Bubbles escape his mouth in a silent shout. He swims upward at top speed.

“Selkies!” he cries as he breaks the surface. Treading water, he spins about, searching for Elizabeth. 

“I know!” Elizabeth calls back. Jack spots her a ways away, being guided to a dark shore within the cave by a large seal. “They’re nice!” 

“No, they are not!” Jack splutters through his breaststrokes as he makes for shore, “They’re like mermaids, ‘Lizbeth. They’ll trick you!” 

But she pays no heed to his warning, and ends up on the ebony sands just before he does. Several of her new selkie friends follow, and as they emerge from the water, their seal skin transforms into pale, naked, human forms. Their eyes, huge like saucers and darker than the Black Pearl, lock with Elizabeth’s inquisitive gaze. He hears her whisper, “Beautiful…”  as she extends a hand to one of them. 

If Jack was cold before, he is positively turning to ice now. Drenched from head to toe, Jack wobbles to his feet and hurries to Elizabeth, tugging her away from the spell of the selkies. They hiss at him, exposing razor sharp teeth. Elizabeth yelps. Dozens of selkies within the water and on the shore all begin to circle the small strip of land upon which they stand, shivering with cold. 

“Do you think they are guarding that?”  

Elizabeth points further back in the cave. It seems that a bit of sunlight has broken the cloud cover and now shines through a small opening in the roof of the cave. The sliver of light reveals the remnants of a ship, wrecked and run aground. 

“Lovely observation, Lizzie dear,” says Jack, checking that his sword is still strapped to his belt, “Now what do you say we leave them to their duty, shall we?” 

Instinctively, they side-step until they are back to back, ready to draw their weapons and defend one another should the selkies use their teeth for more than just an unfriendly hiss. 

“No!” Elizabeth protests in a near whisper, “I want to see what’s in there.” 

“I expect more things that would love nothing more than to kill intruders such as you and I.” 

“We don’t know that! They could be nice.” 

“You almost became dinner for these things a moment ago.” 

Jack groans, covering his eyes for fear of the sekies’ spell. He hears movement beside him and peeks between his fingers to see that Elizabeth is boldly approaching the creatures. As fond as he is for his darling captain, he considers making a break for it and leaving her to sort out her own questionable decisions. 

“Hello!” greets Elizabeth, cheerily as she can muster to conceal the fear that Jack sees in her shaky smile. She gives a wave and holds up both hands in a sign of peaceful surrender. “Lovely to meet you all! And thank you very much for helping me to shore. I am Elizabeth Swann, Pirate Lord of the South China Seas and King of the Brethren Court.”

The selkies exchange looks and start to whisper among themselves in an unfamiliar tongue. Elizabeth casts a nervous glance at Jack, who is becoming very distracted by the terrifying visions of beauty that surround him. Before he can run, two selkies slink out of the water and come up behind him, sliding their long, dainty arms around his shoulders. The tallest of the selkies, and perhaps the most stunning of them all, steps up to Elizabeth, who holds her ground. 

“A woman king?” inquires the selkie in a melodic voice. Briefly in awe, Elizabeth blinks a moment before answering. 

“Indeed, I am.”

“And this man here– We saw him push you into the water. Would you like us to kill him for you?” 

“That was entirely accidental!” Jack calls out, struggling against the creatures and their pointy nails, “An awful misunderstanding really! Now if you’ll just kindly call off your ladies we can—”

Elizabeth shoots him a glare and holds up a hand to silence him, then smiles sweetly at what might be the selkie clan’s leader. 

“That is very kind, but no, thank you!” 

“Oh. Is he your… consort?” 

“Yes. I- I mean– no. Not exactly. He is more like my second in command. And I would like to keep him around. I do apologize for our intrusion. I can assure you we mean no harm.” 

“A pirate that means no harm?” says the leader, tilting her head. The other selkies let out a chorus of taunting laughter that makes Jack squirm. 

“Yes,” Elizabeth insists, “We mean you no harm.” 

“In our experience, pirates are liars who befoul our homes and slaughter our children.” 

The selkie leader’s anger is palpable. Elizabeth takes one step back, shuddering as a cold wind blows through the sea cave. 

“Those pirates are not our allies,” says Elizabeth, choosing her words carefully, “And I will make certain that any pirate who lives by the Code of my Brethren shall never harm you, or any of your children...” 

Jack winces. That sort of grandiose promise does not sound like something that could be easily enforced. But perhaps these are just words. Perhaps Elizabeth has seen sense and, like him, wants to get as far away from these isles as—

“...All I ask is to be permitted onto that ship you guard.” 

Bugger. Jack drags a hand down his face and groans again. If he ends up gnawed to death by a gorgeous seal-lady, he swears he will have a nasty message for William when the Dutchman comes to retrieve his soul. 

“That  ship?” The selkie leader inclines her head toward the back of the cave. Elizabeth nods. 

“I believe there might be something there that I am seeking. That is all we have come here for.” 

A disarming smile graces the selkie’s face, and her red lips stretch over teeth like sharpened pearls. She advances on Elizabeth, and Jack holds his breath, fearing that he is about to watch the gruesome demise of someone quite dear to him. Instead, the creature takes Elizabeth’s face in both her hands. 

“You are a very interesting Pirate King indeed. Have you been blessed by the sea?” 

Elizabeth’s lips part and her eyelashes flutter. It might be magic that has her entranced, or she might just be enraptured by this supernatural beauty. Jack can barely hear her say, 

“In a way, I am married to the sea.”

Her response pleases the leader, who touches her lips to Elizabeth’s forehead. 

“Then you have our blessing as well.” 

As the selkie leader draws back, Jack sees that Elizabeth’s face is bright pink, either from the cold, or that blessing. She and the selkie leader share a saccharine smile that Jack does not understand in the slightest. 

“Whatever it is that you seek is none of our concern. That ship is all that remains of a crew of men who failed to defeat us. We do not guard it. It is yours to explore.” 

And that is that. The leader calls off her fellow selkies, who retreat into the water and into the darkened corners of the cave. Jack scurries after Elizabeth, who heads straight for the shipwreck after graciously thanking the selkies. Together they shimmy up a splintering column of wood and nearly collapse onto the first deck they reach, which seems to be a captain’s quarters.

“Well, that was—”

“What the fuck  did you do that for?” hisses Elizabeth, her teeth chattering now, “We were lucky enough that they d-didn’t kill us, but our wet clothes may very well s-send us to our graves!”

With trembling hands, she opens up the compass again. She gives it a shake and lets out an exasperated sigh. 

“It’s spinning like mad now. What I w-want m-most in this world is t-to get warm!” 

Jack wraps her hands in his and rubs them together. When that fails to generate any real warmth, he gently takes back his compass and she hugs herself. 

“Let me try…”

Though it wouldn’t surprise him if the compass’s needle pointed him in the direction of the equator. He told  her that he hated going north, and for good reason. Jack rises to his feet and starts to pace the dusty old cabin. The needle settles and he turns to where it points. 

“Ah! How about this for a heart’s desire!” 

He stands before a large wardrobe, and to his delight, it is unlocked. Some sort of clothing must be inside, he hopes. Anything dry would do them good for now. However, something strange seems to emanate from the knobs. He hears Elizabeth come up behind him as he tugs open the doors. He expects the wardrobe to be full of dust. What tumbles out is a shock, to say the least. Heaps of powdery snow avalanche out onto his boots, and a cloud of the stuff goes fluttering outward as though an icy winter wind has been released from the depths of the wardrobe. He turns to Elizabeth, his dreads and facial hair covered in snowflakes. 

“Captain Swann?” 

“Yes?” 

“May I suggest we get the hell out of here?” 

Blinking away snow from her lashes, Elizabeth nods fervently. Jack steps back, kicking ice and snow from his boots, and something catches his eye. 

“Oh…? What’s this?” 

The cold bites at his bare hand as he stoops to reach into the heap. There, glinting beneath this bizarre indoor snowfall, is one of the two silver Chalices of Cartagena. Precisely what they have been searching for. He hands it to Elizabeth for her to marvel at. Then he snaps his compass shut and kisses it gratefully.

“Incredibly responsive. Seems this blasted thing knew where she was taking us after all!”

[omgeto]

MAHITO CAN GO HUG A LANDMINE.

Ugly ass frankstien wannabe.

Fucking bubble blowing fool

Bitch ass no shoulder sleeves on his shirt

No style havin ass

Weird monster fucking fool

That crusty ass tone nails piece of shit

Weird tongue mother fucker

well there you go. you said it not me.

[torntruth]

the funniest thing about emily ( and there's actually a lot ) is that so many people overlook that she had to survive even as an empress and that she isn't just rich and prissy. she sometimes had to pick rats up off the street and just eat them. for the sustenance.

[crepusculum-rattus]

📂and techno :D

okay ummm i do this to a lot of characters that i love, but he enjoys pottery ❤️ to me ❤️ (idc if that man got hooves, i think he makes it work)

[ send a 📁 & a character for a random hc ]

[trulyumai]

soon to be heir

—pairing: emperor Geta / empress! reader

synopsis: word of your pregnancy spread fast. Geta had to act even quicker to ensure your safety.

warnings: talk of violence, short tempers, grabbing. geta tries to be soft.

a/n: this was very heavily requested, enjoy everyone!

The news spread like wildfire.

‘Empress with a soon to be heir!’ For the gods, your own servants whispered about it.

It was true, of course. How could it not be, for Geta would make sure to fill you almost every night. Inching his fingers to touch below and shove the remainder of his seed into your wet mound.

He had planned for this. Dreamed of it.

Of you swole with his child; all his own doing. You didn’t, or hadn’t, planned on becoming a mother this early into his reign. But life was funny that way. Life and a certain ginger haired emperor.

You sat now, swelled next to the man during dinner time. It was unfortunate on the servants really, to abide by all your silly cravings. grapes here, jackfruits there and oh! Don’t forget about the sweet bread. Did I mention the berry spread?

“Wife,” Geta’s voice drew you from your thoughts. A hand, warm and callous placed itself upon your tummy. “Would you be receiving anything else?” He was ever so doting on you now. His eyes even held a bit of love to them from time to time.

“Ahm,” thinking you tried to place the current craving at command. But with a newfound shyness and tinge of embarrassment, you decided against it. “It’s— it’s nothing, dear husband.”

Almost immediately, Geta sensed the lie. And oh, how he hated those.

For gods sake, half of the palace lay in waste for the rumor of there being a rat, so for the audacity you displayed? It was dangerous.

He squinted and with the same arm, draped it across your shoulders, pinning your shorter body to his. “You wouldn’t be lying to me, little wife, would you?” A fire sprung up inside your body. Automatically, fight or flight seemed to be kicking in.

“It’s just a small thing. Not even worth mentioning really,” spit had gathered in your mouth incessantly out of fear. Gulping it down, the emperor leaned in further, until his nose brushed against yours.

If it were any other man, you would have called him pretty.

If it were any other man, you would have danced kisses upon his cheeks, his eyelids.

But it was Geta.

So you just watched, holding back a whimper as he applied more pressure with his hand upon your back.

Wordlessly, you knew what he wanted. He had become so infatuated with your wanton needs lately.

Oh, a bath? He’ll start it.

Those rare flowers by the bay? He’ll send word for them.

What’s that, that man is staring little too long? Beheading it is!

The last one was on his account, Geta had the man seized while you woddled back to the chambers, unaware of the whole predicament until your faithful servants informed you.

Geta had lobbed his head off right in the middle of the throne room. Screaming on about loyalty, fealty. What was his.

Geta’s fingers slowly perched there way below your chin, mulling you out of the violent place you put yourself in.

“Well?” The man wasn’t known for his patience, and you were surprised he lasted this long already.

“It’s… honey bread.” The emperor had to stifle his laughter. To hear and worry over such a dumbfounded thing.

“Honey bread.” He repeated, already raising his palm to signal for the chef.

“It shall be done, my wife.”

“It’s not necessary—

“It shall be done.” That was the end of it, you supposed.

Slowly, cautiously you sat up, legs already shaking with the added pressure.

Geta’s hands lay tensed and ready, just in case he needed to grab or hold you.

Unfortunately for him, you noticed this. Wanting to grant the man his sought out intention of protection, you reached out and cradled his hand in your own.

“Walk me back to our room?” And with a look as pathetic as that, how could the man say no.

He stood with you, and automatically, the servants in the room bowed their heads.

Fearful to take a glimpse of you and it be mistaken for something else.

Fearful to lay eyes upon the gruesome emperor with the short temper.

Now, with his big palm splayed out on your lower back, you began your stroll. Leaning into his soft robes your eyes shut. Geta had no problem taking the lead, holding onto your body with desperation and dare he say, infatuation.

[tinynerdycthulu]

blah blah blah moshang/bingqiu fic that seems like your stereotypical bodyguard/noble fic but no one realizes shang qinghua is the noble and shen yuan is actually just the third son of a mildly prestigious family who became a knight.

shang qinghua is arranged to be married to mobei-jun and luo binghe, mbj's assistant, is the one whoe escorts him and his knight sy to the castle. the journey is pretty long so they end up talking to each other and luo binghe somehow comes to the conclusion that shen yuan is the prince.

shang qinghua doesnt bother to correct him and he orders cucumber-bro not to. to him it makes sense because hes not really princely. plus he can admit shen yuan is extremely unintentionally seductive and lbh is clearly already smitten anyway. plus its super fucking funny to see cucumber-bro completely oblivious to lbh's desperate pining.

(luo binghe's inner monologue: i can't,,,he's my lord's betrothed,,,but he's so kind,,,so lovely,,,i must Resist my base urges,,,)

anyway they finally make it to the palace and lbh is crushed that shen yuan doesnt seem sad at all (is he just fine with marrying a complete stranger? even his bodyguard is sadder than he is!)

before the "official meeting" shang qinghua literally runs into mobei-jun. b/c he's gotten into the bodyguard role he immediately prostates himself and apologizes. cue shock from lbh when mobei-jun falls over himself (well, reaches down 1% quicker than usual) to help his fiance up.

lbh: is my lord smitten with...the ugly rat man? ths servant? when yuan-ge is right there???

(yes they've dropped honorifics, they dropped honorifics like 1 day into the journey bc shen yuan doesnt know what boundaries are)

mobei-jun for his part is completely perplexed. shang qinghua is obviously his future empress, who else would it be?

lbh ofc doesnt care about the whole trickery thing once he realizes he can court shizun to his hearts desire.

bonus cumplane double wedding. everyone thinks mobing were the ones who arranged it because cumplane get into a violent fight during the feast. actually luo binghe cried for 10 straight hours at his shizun's feet trying to convince him to change his mind.

[blueiscoool]

1,800-Year-Old Roman Carved Head and Gem Discovered at Hadrian's Wall

Archaeologists excavating a site near Hadrian's Wall have discovered a wealth of Roman artefacts including carved heads, gems and mysterious ritual platforms.

Archaeologists have found several exciting millennia-old Roman artefacts near Hadrian’s Wall in Scotland.

The findings, which are estimated as being around 1,800 years old, include an exquisite gem that depicts Silvanus, God of the countryside, and a meticulously crafted ring with an inset gem depicting a rat munching merrily on a poppy seed.

A team of volunteer archaeologists in England have unearthed the intricately carved head of a statue believed to depict an ancient Roman empress. The discovery was made at the site of a Roman bathhouse, the largest known building on Hadrian’s Wall, located near Carlisle Cricket Club.

The head, measuring 18cm by 13cm, is remarkably detailed and finely crafted, surpassing the quality of two larger monument heads discovered at the same site earlier this year. Experts believe the head, which depicts a woman wearing a headdress resembling those favored by Empress Julia Domna, dates back to the same period as the bathhouse.

“It refers more to the Classical Roman style of sculpture,” said lead archaeologist Frank Giecco. While the identity of the woman depicted remains unconfirmed, the headdress offers a tantalizing clue. Julia Domna, wife of Emperor Septimius Severus, popularized this particular style of headdress during her reign.

This latest find adds to the impressive collection of over 4,000 artifacts recovered since excavations began in 2021. The site, initially thought to be solely a bathhouse, has revealed itself to be a multifaceted complex.

“It looks like thermal baths, a collection of disparate offices, religious and social spaces, recreational spaces and administrative spaces,” said Giecco, who expressed amazement at the volume and value of the discoveries.

[max1461]

Continuing on with my America/Europe dichotomy, and this one's gonna be a doozy. This one's for the real thinkers. Ok so basically, Americas are uh, patriarchal and Europes are Oedipal. Ok. Look. This one, right, you're really gonna have to follow me on this one.

Look. In America, right, we do the whole single family home, like, patriarchal homestead medieval Icelandic family farm thing, the man is in charge of the house, rugged individualism and/or suburbia. But it's patriarchal. American man goes out and gets a hot trophy wife, who looks good and bleach blonde hair and signifies "this man is a Real Man, cause he got a hot trophy wife". Wife is like a fast car, wife is like a ferrari you get, to show off. For the American man. Remember China is also an America. Chinese gucci fuckboy chainsmoking guy needs to own a house, he needs to own a house and make one bajillion dollars to land a Chinese beauty standards thin and swan-necked hot Chinese babe to go with his gucci and his car. JUST like American man. Remember that China only ever had one empress in its million year history. Patriarchal.

In a Europe, right, every man wants to fuck his mom. He just does, I've met European men. They all want to fuck their mom. Italian guys? Fuhgeddaboudit. His wife is NOT a trophy to show of to other guys. He will expect her to cook, clean, wipe his ass. And there's this reputation, I know because I have family members who habitually date European men, there's this reputation where they literally live with their mom who cleans their underwear until they move in with their wife and now she cleans his underwear and pops out sixteen Catholic children. Right? Europe is oedipal. Ancient multi-generational homes... it breeds wanting to fuck your mom wanting a fucking mom-wife. Japan has had nine empresses. Squarely a Europe.

This is the source of all the other differences. They don't mind reusing old bathwater in Japan for the same reason moms don't mind when their kids barf on them... in America we don't mind poisonous chemicals in our food because young men don't care about that kind of shit. This is the fundamental difference.

IDEAL state of affairs, ok, is to be born in a wild and crazy America such as America or China, or maybe Russia (edge case), and then move to a nice and peaceful Europe in adulthood. They're great at walkable cities and shit in Europes, they love that shit. Doing what mommy tells them. And as an American it's a breath of fresh air. But it's important to be born and raised over here, you see, so you have that fuck you attitude, so you don't want to fuck your mom. Have I ever told this story? My grandad ate rat poison once, when he was a kid in the great depression riding the rails. I'm not making this up. Apparently he ate so much that his body didn't even try to digest it and it went right through him. He was fine. 🇺🇸

[travelers-of-the-multiverse]

"Indeed. I am not as experienced in adventuring as my husband or wife, let alone yourself I'm sure. But I'm excited to journey around more and hone my own skills." Sadha says with a warm smile, that almost makes Daroach's own heart melt.

"It has been a bit for me since my last excursion. I found myself with some free time, and decided to join Reyna on this one. Sadha wished the same, and I could not deny her desire after all. So, here we are, and I for one am looking forward to seeing how you handle yourself Daroach." Sadan says with a confident smirk, but one of genuine confidence.

"Well, with introductions out of the way, I'd say it's time to get on our way. If you all would please, take your seats, and we will take off shortly after." She says as she and the other two take their seats. When everyone is seated, the ship begins to take off into the air, before blasting off at incredible speeds!

If his eyes could sparkle, they very well would be. Not only where the newcomers as eye catching as Reyna, but their armors and silks and weapons alike... it made the hearts of both the thief and adventurer in him flutter.

"It is a pleasure to meet you both." Daroach says, removing his hat to take a deep bow as he is wont to do. "My name is Daroach, leader of the Squeak Squad, although I have come on this particular trip on my own." He would bring the squad here someday though, he would make sure of it. "I am as intrigued as you are for what the future holds. This land is very new to me, after all."

[harunayuuka2060]

Lucifer: What happened?

Diavolo: We immediately came here when we received your message, Barbatos—

Barbatos: I...! COULDN'T FIND...! THE EMPRESS!

Lucifer: ...

Lucifer: I've never seen you lost your cool. Except when you got freaked out seeing a rat.

Diavolo: Have you checked all the rooms? How about the labyrinth?

Barbatos: I've looked everywhere, my lord!

Lucifer: ...

Lucifer: Have you tried using a bait?

Barbatos: ...

Lucifer: I'm sure the empress wouldn't leave the palace grounds. Because if she did, she would've informed Diavolo.

Diavolo: Oh! You're right about that, Lucifer!

Barbatos: She's hiding. Why would she tell my lord?

Lucifer: Don't be stupid. She's still her husband.

Lucifer: Anyway, I've bought her a fountain pen which never runs out of ink—

*a floor tile starts moving a few meters in front of them, revealing a hole*

MC: *emerges from it*

Barbatos: ...

MC: *approaches Lucifer* *looks at the pen in his hand*

MC: Can I have this?

Lucifer: I—Yes. Of course. It's my gift to you.

MC: Thank you.

Diavolo: *laughs* Have you built your own hiding spot, my empress?

MC: Yes. Barbatos scolded me this morning.

MC: I was hurt so I hid myself for a while.

MC: I dug that hole when he was busy preparing breakfast.

Lucifer and Diavolo: *could literally see the sparkles around her*

Lucifer: You look proud with your work, empress.

MC: Yes.

Barbatos: Trust me that I'll be hiding all the shovels in the palace. *smiling*

MC: ...

MC: I still have hands.

Diavolo and Lucifer: Snrk—

Barbatos: *frowns*

Barbatos: *has wrapped MC like a burrito with only her head poking out*

MC: I have work to do.

Barbatos: You've finished them all, empress.

MC: ...

MC: But I've seen some—

Barbatos: They are for the next decade.

MC: ...

MC: What should I do now?

Barbatos: Take a nap, empress. I'll wake you up later in the afternoon.

MC: ...

MC: *tries to sit up*

Barbatos: *lightly pushing her down* You still haven't apologized to me, empress.

MC: ...

MC: I'm sorry.

Barbatos: *smiles* Sleep now, empress.

MC: Can't I really do the next decade's work?

Barbatos: No.

Diavolo: You should take a break as well, Barbatos.

Lucifer: Right. You look exhausted.

Barbatos: Physically, I'm fine. But the empress has been stressing me out lately.

Diavolo: A good type of stress, you mean?

Barbatos: ...

Barbatos: *smiles* I'll be lying if I say that it's not.

Barbatos: *sigh right after* Though her hyperfixation has been a huge problem to me.

Lucifer: How so?

Barbatos: She tried building a castle from scratch.

Lucifer and Diavolo: ...

Lucifer: You're talking about a miniature model, aren't you?

Diavolo: *troubled chuckle* If that's the case, you should let her be—

Barbatos: Did I mention anything about it being miniature?

Lucifer and Diavolo: ...

[revoevokukil]

TW3 Story Leaks

It's Saturday, and I bring you some cold, hard rumour.

It seems somebody on reddit is working through the leaks of The Witcher 3, claiming approximately 300k of lines relating to the previous story iterations also leaked in 2021. Much of what they are claiming matches with the leaked files from 2014. There is completely new information too, though, and they plan on publishing their work-through early 2025.

So far, this is the information I've gathered from their posts:

Iorveth's daughter was Vernossiel. Her quest had her involved with a cult of the Bloody Mother; spores from a particular "flower" affected her thinking so she got brainwahsed into being sacrificed in a ritual killing in order to rise as the Bloody Mother herself.

Cerys was fake-Ciri.

The Baron (or Baron’s men?) was originally a rapist.

The Big 4 was originally Big 5, including Isengrim. Isengrim and Iorveth had houses in Novigrad.

Vincent Meis' model existed.

There was a quest with “thralls” (most likely Following the Thread involving Jad Karadin and the Faroe island) where Geralt would temporarily get married to a chieftain’s daughter.

We’d lock Yennefer in dimeritium handcuffs at one point to prevent her from interfering with the King’s Gambit questline.

Avallac’h provided Geralt with the means to warg as a rat in order to eavesdrop on the meeting of the Big 5 (including Isengrim) on Dijkstra’s ship. (Iorveth was planning on blowing the ship up.)

The Catriona Plague questline. It had a Nilfgaardian general Martin running a krankenhaus, where was infecting his countrymen with the plague and stealing their valuables. He made deals with Gaunter O’Dimm (his involvement in HOS is as a leftover from here) to get a cure for the Catriona, then with Gaunter’s archnemesis to get to keep the cure. Geralt had to figure it all out as Catriona was becoming more and more rampant and the faction with the cure would have huge leverage in how the war questline would resolve. Geralt would get the chance to hand the cure back to Gaunter, to Radovid, or Emhyr.

Iorveth got infected with Catriona, then infected Thaler to improve his morale on getting a cure (Thaler promised Iorveth a cure for assassinating Emhyr or some such.)

The war quest lines were somehow related to the dreamer Corinne Tilly who was a Nilfgaardian spy.

Voorhis laid siege to Crow’s Perch because Temerian rebels took it over.

The Sabbath originally had slave markets, an orgy meadow, and ritual suicides. Changed after 2014.

There was an option to assassinate Radovid after taking out Roche, so Dijkstra's rule was always an option.

Roche originally preferred fighting for Temeria no matter what. Reason of State had Roche vs Thaler and Dijkstra.

Radovid was more like his W2 self. Emhyr "more like Stalin."

Radovid took over the Temple Isle.

Emhyr was supposed to appear in the army camp center.

If Emhyr lost, Voorhis would overthrow him.

All the content showcasing Nilfgaardian war crimes was cut: a Nilfgaardian general was spreading the Catriona plague, robbing his dying countrymen; Voorhis' cruelty during the siege of the Crow's Perch, Nilfgaardians' direct attack on Kaer Trolde.

Crach died during the battle for Undvik and Voorhis negotiated over his body; the corpse was returned and Nilfgaard respect local burial traditions.

Melusine quest line had more content related to blood shrines.

There was an opportunity to try and convince Caranthir to betray Eredin, after which he'd get replaced by some elven lady (Isilira?). (Conflicted about this, as in 2013 leaks it seemed Caranthir knocks Avallac’h out on Naglfar when Geralt and him try to infiltrate it.)(Isilira is the lady you meet in Avallac’h’s lab in the released version.)

There was a sequence in White Orchard in the Empress ending where Voorhis had announced he'd arrive and propose to Ciri in few days, but Ciri lost Emhyr's signet ring to prove his approval of the marriage. Then some kind of gamble ensued under the influence of a Korred, and Ciri decided if she'd win she'd marry and if not she'd run away (not sure if this shouldn't it be the other way around).

Gameplay-wise:

There was a 'vital spot' system, where you gained points by performing various actions and could then use those points to perform combat moves that would either weaken of 1-shot an enemy.

Manticores were cut.

Players could buy boats and horses; rowboat for rivers and lakes.

Wind tunnels and proper storms in which a boat could tilt over.

Water combat was cut.

Focus mode in combat was cut.

[writing-whenever-whatever]

Little song bird - as our future empress 

Emperor geta x emperor Caracalla x reader 

Part 1 part 2 part 3

Summary: After the romans invade your home you’re father sets up an alliance with the twin emperors they will marry you and gain the land and titles to your name once your father has past little did you know how much you’d enjoy Rome 

Warning: Threats, no smut in this part sorry xx , arranged marriage not proof read 

———————————————————————

After Caracalla and geta took the role of emperor after the death of their father there was no surprise to the sudden change in Rome. 

Geta wanted success and victory he wanted to win every battle his army fought without thinking of the consequences, while his brother Caracalla wanted what rome would describe as chaos but he would call it happiness. While both boys lusted over the blood shed of the coliseum and hated the time spent with the boring men of the senate, who blabbered on and on about the importance of the peoples support, as if both boys were ignorant. 

 if there was one thing to know about the emperors it was that they may be young but they aren’t foolish. They know what the people wanted, they wanted Rome to be successful and to do that that meant war, many of the lower class despised the emperors love for violence but little did they know how necessary it was to protect everyone in the Roman Empire from harm. 

———————————————————————

For the last month my home has been  invaded by Romans innocent people are being slaughtered like rats in the streets their families left weeping over their corpses. Finally my father had had enough. my father, the leader of our land , took the responsibility to meet with the general Acacius to negotiate. they sit at a round table facing each other as I sit next to my father a little behind him, silently as the men speak picking at the bowl of fruit that was placed between them trying to be as civil as possible. 

“ general Acacius I wish to request an alliance to stop this invasion and to prevent further tragedy” my father places his elbows on the table resting his head in his hands “ an alliance?“ the general scoffs looking my father up and down “ and what do you have to give the emperors Geta and Caracalla that they do not already have“ he raises his eye brow trying not to laugh “ I wish to present my daughter to them” 

I look up at him my mouth opening slightly as if I want to protest yet as I lean forward to speak my father glares at me a cruil look spreading across his face “ and what would the emperors do with your daughter they have enough whores around the palace as it is “ the general says smugly taking in the expression on my face “ not as a whore general, as a wife” he leans back resting his hand ontop of mine as the general stares at me “ what qualities does your daughter hold that will benefit the Roman Empire” he sits up looking at us more intently “ she is my only blood and when I pass my titles will pass down to the man who marries her” he looks at me running his thumb over the back of my hand a smile on his face as the general stands “very well, we shall bring your daughter to Rome” he smirks looking at me as he walks over holding his arm out for me to take I push it away standing up on my own “ I do not need your help to stand general I have legs” I look up at him smiling sarcastically 

“ have your servants pack her things, then we’ll be on our way. it’ll take several days to travel to Rome so it’s best we leave as soon as possible “ he looks at my father as he nods then turning back to me his voice rough and stern“ say your goodbyes” I bend down placing a kiss on my fathers cheek whispering in his ear as I hug him “ you shall be damned in hell for what you’ve done to me” his face falls to a concerned look as I stand back up giggling as I walk away through the doors and to the chariot waiting outside. 

As I sit in the chariot waiting the general comes and joins me “ don’t you have anyone else to say goodbye to “ he asks his voice gentler than before “ no. I have no friends, no siblings, no mother. tis just I and father” he leans forward resting his calloused hands on mine I pull back slightly scowling “ do you not want to spend more time with him to say goodbye “ I shake my head “ why would I want to do that I’ve spent 17 years with that man and he’s been nothing but hateful.” He looks at me shocked as I sit back in my seat staring out the window . “this is the last straw he has damed me ” the general shakes his head his eyes soft and caring as he looks at me as if I’m his own daughter “ why do you think that? Rome can be a place of growth “ I smile baring sharp teeth as a chuckle escapes my lips “ do not lie to me general. I have heard of your emperors ” he sighs looking at me “ I know you do not deserve this. but this can lead to great opportunities for you, you’ll be powerfully by their side” I look down as my bags are packed into the chariot “ I won’t believe you till it happens “ i turn to look out the window again as the chariot finally starts moving I watch as my home slowly moves further into the distance. 

———————————————————————

Days pass and I’ve been sat uncomfortably in the chariot the whole journey I have my head rested against the window as I sleep peacefully. The chariot suddenly pulls to a violent halt causing me to fall forward out my seat I wake up sitting up on the floor my hear messy in my face as I sit up holding my head “ welcome to Rome” general Acacius smiles at me as I move back into my seat “ you could have woken me” I grumble running my hands though my hair pushing it behind my ear as the doors of the chariot opens. 

 the light beaming through the door the general walks out holding out his arm for me I take it holding onto it for support as we exit. seeing the streets of Rome for the first time is overwhelming hearing the cheers of the people and the buildings that tower over everything I stare around completely stunned as I hold onto Acacius arm tighter he pulls us forward walking towards the steps to a large temple like building where millions of guards stand holding swords and weapons ready to defend as two pale men stand together grinning down at us as we start to draw closer, children run up to the general throwing rose petals at his feet I sigh holding his arm tighter “ are things always like this” I ask raising my eyebrow as he nods his head at me his lips making a thin line as we get closer. 

 As we finally reach the top of the steps both emperors stare down at me with a predatory look in thier eyes I look up at them bowing slightly ” it is great to be in your presence emperors “ I rise myself up looking up at them “we hope your journey wasn’t to uncomfortable and wish to welcome you to Rome” geta says a smile smeared across his face as he holds out an arm to me, I take it my grip gentle as Caracalla takes my other arm. They turn and start to walk into thier home holding me between them as if I’m already theirs “ we hear that your father wishes you to marry us do we hear correct” Caracalla questions me his golden tooth twinkling in the sun as his lips curl up “ you have heard right emperor, my father wishes for an alliance to stop the war and give you both a claim to our titles “ I look up at them both they both seem glossed over as if under some sort of spell “ you are quite the beauty, for a lady from such a savage place” geta  pulls me out of his brothers grip twirling me around taking in every inch of my figure.

 I watch as both brothers exchanged a predatory look as I stumbled slightly going dizzy Caracalla catches me holding me up “ don’t fall silly we would want you to get hurt” he chuckles as I look up at him “ thank you emperor” my face flushed from embarrassment. As I get stable on my feet again I turn around looking at Caracalla smiling sweetly at him “ from what I’ve seen from Rome it’s incredible “ get tilts his head “ you’ve seen very little of Rome yet you’re already fascinated by it” he chuckles looking at me “ brother we should take her to watch the Colosseum” his eyes appear darker as Geta walks over to him whispering into his ear through gritted teeth. “ it can wait till we are married we don’t want to scare her off” Caracalla pulls away from his brother nodding looking down slightly less confident with himself as I look over at them smiling sweetly. 

“ you must be exhausted “ geta rests his hand on my shoulder “ we shall get someone to draw you a bath then escort you to your room to rest we have a dinner arrangement tonight to celebrate your arrival in Rome and our marriage arrangement” he smiles down at me as I nod “ thank you emperors you are both too kind” a smug look crosses their faces as a servant rushes over whispering something into getas ear that causes his hands to form fists “ we must go something needs our attention, we shall leave you in the care of this servant “ I nod bowing slightly as they walk away. 

I look at the servant a small smile on my face not realising the fact  they refuse to make eye contact with me “ come along my lady, I shall assist you in your bathing” she guides me towards a large room full of baths of steaming water I look down into the bubbly water as the servant helps takes off my clothes “ how long have you worked for the emperors” I ask curiously trying to initiate conversation, but this only seems to make her more anxious, her breath  halts as she final looks up at me her eyes full of terror “ I-i was born here, i-i s-started serving at the age of 12” I sit on the edge of the bath listening splashing the water with my feet a teasing smile on my face as I look up at here “ you seem frightened” I giggle laying my head back on the cold mosaic tiles that decorate the floor my hair sprawling out like a hallo 

“ the emperors are strict with what they want you to know” she stammers her hands trembling “ there’s no need to be frightened “ I reach my hand out resting it on hers gently she goes quiet as she looks at me she leans in her voice a whisper “ my lady you must be careful here, keep them happy. I fear what will happen other wise” my eyes widen at her suddenly statement “I will do what I want if that will be a problem they can tell me their selves” I snap finally sinking the rest of my body into the hot bath. The rest of the time I spend scilently ignoring the servant who stands watching me scrub my skin with sweet smelling oils cleaning away the dirt of my journey. 

Once I’ve finished cleaning myself I sink under the water letting my head fall under  small bubbles escape up to the surface from my nose and mouth as I open my eyes letting the water flow around me i suddenly here a splash as someone jumps in pulling me up to the surface I blink a few times coughing as a guard comes into my vision “ I was perfectly fine sir “ I grumble wiping the water out of my eyes as I cough “ what were you trying to do drown yourself “ he glares down at me his armour soaked I look up at him a small smirk climbing onto my face “ more like trying to drown out my thoughts “ he lifts me to the side of the bath sitting me there as he climbs out “ sounds like the same thing to me” he wraps a towel around my shoulders 

as the servant comes closer to me trying to dry me off I push her away standing up “ I can do it my self I do not need the help from someone who sees me as weak” I glare at her drying my body off quickly and platting my hair into a long braid “ my lady please let me assist you the emperors instructed me to help” she begs as she gets closer to me again her hands reached out to try to take the towel “ I said no do not touch me or I’ll scream” as I wrap the towel around me I stand up “ you may assist me by either getting me clothes or taking me to my room that is all” she looks at me nodding as she rushes off to get me something to wear. 

I sit back down my feet sitting in the water again as I take a deep breath calming myself as I rest my head in my hands “ does she offend you my lady” the guard asks sitting next to me I look up at him shaking my head “ I’m just exhausted and I’m extremely tired of being lectured like a child” I look up as she comes back with a deep blue and gold tunic that goes down to the floor my eyes light up slightly as I get up “ this is beautiful “ I run my hand over the expressive silk “ I’m glad you like it my lady emperor Geta chose it himself for you” the servant looks at me nervous as she talks “ I love it “ I smile as I slip it on it drapes over my figure perfectly fitting my body beautifully “ they agreed if Geta chose the outfit Caracalla would do the jewellery” she adds “ but if you wish to rest for now they can wait “ I shake my head “ no no I must see it now “ I smile more my teeth grinning together “ very well my lady come along” I follow her the long tunic dragging along the floor behind me as we make our way towards the bed quarters.

We enter a large room with extreme decorative elements across the room, gold draped across the walls and furniture as I look around excitement fills me more “ this will be your bed quarters my lady” she looks over at me “ I hope it’s to your liking “ I nod feeling speechless as I sit in the edge of the sofa taking it all in. 

The door suddenly swings open and both emperors walk in “ ah there you are” Geta smiles as he gets closers seeing me in the extravagant outfit he chose “ and don’t you look gorgeous “ he takes in how the clothes hugs my figure then turning to his brother a smug expression on his face “ where’s her jewellery “ Caracalla snaps looking at the servant “ I told you what jewellery I wanted on her” he glares “ she was just about to put some in me, we got caught up in chatting tis all” I smile sweetly as his hash expression fades away turning soft as he looks at me. 

The servant picks up the extravagant gold jewellery scattered in sapphires to match the blue dress I gasp looking at it “ this is beautiful emperor Caracalla “ he looks at his brother sticking his tongue out childishly as he moves to sit next to me on the bed “ it was chosen specifically for you my love” I blush violently as I look at him “ you both seem to know me so well already” I giggle looking in the mirror as the necklace is fastened around my neck bangles wrapped around my wrists and rings placed on every finger “ you both spoil me so” I look at them both “ you deserve it as our empress to be” Geta rests his hand on top of mine his touch surprisingly gentle as if he’s scared I’d break beneath his hand. 

“ we wanted to inform you we’re having a dinner party tonight with some friends and some members of the senate “ Caracalla looks at me smile “ we wanted it to be an opportunity for you to meet some people “ geta strokes the back of my hand gently “ that’s will be quite lovely” I look up at them “ I shall try to be on my best behaviour “ I giggle slightly watching as the brothers look at each other “ we can’t really promise you the same thing” geta chuckles “there’s no need to be behaved you’re our future wife and thier future empress you can do as you please” Caracalla smirks as he runs his hand up my thigh “ with in reason of course “ geta interrupts his brother “ i understand my emperors “ i pull a loose blanket off the back of the sofa pulling it around my shoulders “ would it be alright if i rest a little before the dinner party” i look at them smiling softly a tired look glazing over my eyes “ of course its best you have my energy for our guests “ Geta smiles softly running his hand over my soft flushed cheek “ we will have someone wake you in time” Caracalla adds looking at me as he stands up “ sleep well empress” they smile leaving me in the room as they close the door 

[brittle-doughie]

Welp. I FINALLY got the Y/N and Blood Orange costume set done. Now I’ll do the same thing I did last time. Only a little differently. That includes the mini fics I guess.

Vanilla Kingdom: 

“You sure he’ll like it?”

“Positive. He might get a good laugh at it.”

“Alright, let’s hope.”

Blood Orange is not only Y/N’s bestest friend… but also his personal tailor. He sticks around Y/N just to make sure he doesn’t get hurt. When he suspects Pure Vanilla has “feelings” towards Y/N, Blood Orange will back off. Letting things play out.

Dark Cacao Kingdom:

“Status?”

“The wall is reformed, trades to different kingdoms are up, and tribes are thriving. The warriors are doing great as well…how’s the rat?”

“Starved. Guards forgot to feed him…anything about the king?”

“…word spreads that the king is down south of the citadel. Let’s hope he’s alright.”

Blood Orange had been helping out with Y/N during their time as emperor/empress. Making sure things are going well and Y/N gets enough rest. He does hope that Dark Cacao returns soon. All he wishes is that Y/N rests soon.

Hollyberry Kingdom:

“…remind me, WHY did you bring me here?”

“Well, you helped me out with the clothing, so I thought to repay you with this.”

“But I don’t-… fine.”

“Ok, let’s go.”

Y/N had always thought about where an outfit from Hollyberry Kingdom culture, but never knew what to wear. So with Blood Orange’s help, they found their outfit. They seem to like it. And Hollyberry loves it. A bit too much tho.

Golden Cheese Kingdom:

“That’s it?”

“Yup.”

“Not even pants? Just a jumpsuit?”

“Wanna switch then?”

Not much to say, only thing to note that Blood Orange left after getting all the information he needed from the culture. And he also helped with Y/N’s wings.

Silver/ White Lily Kingdom:

“Ready for this?”

“You bet, let’s hope White Lily loves it.”

“I’m sure she’d love to dance with you.”

Now for this one, this is special. As the way White Lily found out about this was kinda funny.

In a field of flowers, two figures dancing together without a care in the world. Alpine closer inspection, Y/N was in a beautiful dress while Blood Orange wore a suit of some kind. Once the duet noticed their only participant(White Lily) Blood Orange let go as Y/N spun around before stopping to reach out a hand.

“Care for a dance?”

Outfit goals out here.

[yanderehsr]

What's up doc? 🥕. For this time may I reguest with something suprise? Basically, you can choose any four fem characters that would be the most unsettling, creepy, and controlling yandere for their yandere. Plus, which Ines would most likely break their darling?

Aight then, Hope you'll enjoy😁

Trigger Warning: Yandere, Obsessive behaviour, Possessive behaviour, Murder

Ruan Mei: She is increadibly controlling and she can be real creepy as well, before you get kidnapped by her she kinda just stares at you... all of the time, she doesn't even look away when you catch her in the act.

It is Ruan Mei's way to study you, what if you do something when she isn't looking, she could miss important details about you, detail she can use to control you better. I would rank her 3rd on this list most likely to break her darling, she actually will try to make sure you stay sane.

"I think you need to calm down, do so before I lose my patience as well, If you just do as I tell you we could skip all this"

Edelgard: She isn't the most controlling of yanderes but she's pretty high up there, but it would be rather unsettling to have her as your yandere, she tends to force herself into any conversation you have with others and isolates you from everyone else, she also tends to be rather touchy even if you aren't in a relationship, not like you can stop the future empress from doing what she wants.

Edelgard's controlling side is that she chooses who you can hang out with, she gets really mad if you ignore her commands, Hubert is fine but people like Hilda or Sylvain... yeah no, if they ever get near you their heads will be detached from their bodies, I will rank her as the 4th on how likely she is to break her darling, it's more likely for you to get stockholm syndrome with her than to break.

"It feels nice spending moments alone with you like this... I just have to ask, did I see you speak with Sylvain earlier, I hope not, that would be... tragic"

Junko Enoshima: Unsettling and Creepy to the max, she isn't very controlling tho if at all, she will openly talk with you about murder, torture and any subject you might find horrible, hell she might even kill someone in front of you to see your reaction, she loves seeing you squirm and look afraid. She makes sure you will never feel comfortable with her all so she can see your delicious despair.

Junko isn't afraid either of you telling others anout what she does, why would they believe you over her, it's almost laughable how easy it is to keep you around even with how abusive she is. Very much the most likely to break you, she might even kill you just so she herself can feel despair.

"Did you really try to rat me out, it's almost adorable, tho if you do that again I might just need to kill some of your friends, don't make me too mad darling"

Cocolia: Yup, controlling as all hell, you would also have this unsettling fear every time she looks at you, like you are a possession rather than a human, like you are hers. The sad part is that no one can deny it, you are hers and no one can help you.

Cocolia isn't afraid to get physical with you if you step out of line, she can't have you breaking her rules thats she sets for you, and in her opinion pain is the best way to learn, she doesn't really care if you break as well, if she can't get an obedient lover she would rather have a broken one. Second to most likely to break her darling due to all the physical abuse and uncare towards your feelings

"You are really testing my nerves here you know. It shouldn't be that hard to listen yet you always defy me, such stupidity needs to be punished"