#this is vary's stats for the start of book 3

[emmodii-mode]

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Hm....

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HM........

[guardian-of-time-if]

Hello! I was wondering if we could get descriptions about what the races in your world look like? What are leodra? What do they look like? What physical traits to the half-leodra have? Do elves look human except with pointy ears? Do the changelings have a "fae" form/"true" form?

What other races exist in your world? We know about the existence of mages and elementals but what do they look like? What are their powers? Their advantages and disadvantages?

Also if MC is a leodra can she straight up FLY?

So basically I want to inhale all the information about the magical races LMAOGFBUWAO

PS: Also can we get this information in the games glossary, please? That would be really helpful 🙏

IHi Anon. There are a lot of questions here, but I’ll do my best to take them one at a time. And I’ve decided to turn the glossary into a full codex, so all of this information will be added to the codex, and an in story explanation will be given in chapter 3 for players who prefer to find out organically instead of through the stats screen. It will probably not be quite as extensive, but enough for everyone to understand the basics.

What are leodra? What do they look like? What physical traits to the half-leodra have?

So leodra are a race of fairyesque creatures with a strong affinity for magic. They have  about the same body proportions of a human, but tend to be thinner on average. Their skin spans the same range of human skin tones, and sparkles like a permanent body glitter. Their hair is the opposite. It’s generally pretty colorful, but can also be naturally multicolored. This can be one base color with some strands of a different color, or it can be flat out patterned in a way that never changes no matter how short or long the hair gets. (i.e. yellow hair with pink polka dots, or tips a different color than the rest of the hair.) For hair that is multicolored what humans would consider natural colors might appear, they just won’t be the dominant color.  (This is one of the distinguishing traits with half leodra who typically have a natural hair color with some strands on a non natural one). Their eyes are only blue, pink, or purple, but have varying shades. Half-leodra tend to stick to these eye colors. As I mentioned in the book, they have wings which are located around the small of the back and about as tall as the torso. They are a translucent silver. Half-leodra do not have the wings which is the primary marker that they are not full leodra.

Do elves look human except with pointy ears?

Elves pretty much are humans with pointy ears, but tend to be slightly smaller. The average human height is about 3 inches taller than the average elven height, but individuals will vary. Elves also cannot grow body hair or facial hair, only hair on their heads. The only other defining characteristic is that they have different eye colors. When their eyes are blue, green, brown, grey, or violet, they tend to have either gold or silver specks in them, but they can also have eyes that are just pure gold or silver. 

Do the changelings have a "fae" form/"true" form?

Changelings in my world are not considered fae. They are they’re own race, but they do have a “true” form, ish. Their skin ranges from dark grey to black, and their hair is either white or silver. They also don’t have irises, so their eyes are just pools of white. Their actual facial features are either subtle or nonexistent.

What other races exist in your world? We know about the existence of mages and elementals but what do they look like? What are their powers? Their advantages and disadvantages?

Okay, so to start off with, mages aren’t a race. Anyone can become on through the proper study of magical arts. People who are born with inherent magic are just regular people of a specific race who happen to have magical powers. 

Races in Tarken are divided into the “intelligent races”, the “subservient races”, and the “monstrous races”. The intelligent races are comprised of: Humans, Elves, Leodra, Changelings, Dwarves, Halflings, and Elementals. The subservient races consist of: Dragons, Half-Orcs, Mermaids, Sirens, gnomes, and one more I don’t want to list because they are very plot relevant. (sorry) The monstrous races are a little more tenuous because it’s basically everyone who isn’t in the above groups, but it is sometimes fuzzy where the line between “monstrous races” ends and literal monsters begins. Generally, the monstrous races are considered to include: Orcs, Goblins, Trolls, Giants, Centaurs, and Erdholites, an original race I made up that I will not elaborate on because they are a major part of the story. 

Any combination between multiple races, such as half-elves, with few exceptions, are considered to be in the category of the lowest tier race, if that makes any sense. So a half-elf as a combination of two intelligent races, would be legally considered a member of the intelligent races with equal standing, but a mix between an elf (an intelligent race) and a siren (a subservient race) would be considered a subservient race. The most notable exception is the half-orcs, which has been an international dispute for centuries. As a mix between humans (an intelligent race) and orcs ( a monstrous race), half-orcs should be considered one of the monstrous races, but are instead considered to be a subservient race. But generally, that’s how it works, at least in terms of legal issues. How a mixed race is treated socially can vary widely depending on country and social class. (I also consider the world to be constantly changing as I add more stories to it, so I may add to this list as I see fit.)

In the effort to keep this post at least a semi reasonable length, I’ll focus on the high races for now. (But if anyone wants more information, send in a follow up and I’d be happy to elaborate on any of the races listed in the preceding paragraph.)

Humans: As with most fantasy worlds, the power of humans rests in their ingenuity. They have better technology than the other races, and take the best things about the other races and utilize them to their advantage. They are also the most numerous race in Tarken, but they tend to suffer from infighting and only act as a unified front when threatened. Currently, the four most powerful kingdoms in Tarken are all human controlled which afford the humans a great deal of power, but they seem more interested in warring with each other than with the other races. 

Elves: Once they reach adulthood, elves stop aging, so they have the capacity to live forever. Their long life is considered their greatest strength, but they are also often considered fragile by the other races. They are the most persecuted of the intelligent races, and have had to rebuild their kingdoms multiple times in different parts of the continent. Now, they have been reduced to living in smaller separate settlements instead of the great kingdoms of the ancient past. Elves have a strong collectivist mindset and remain connected by a strong sense of cultural unity. They are often considered to be the wisest of all races, and those who believe in the gods, the most divinely favored of the high races. Apart from their wisdom, elves are widely admired for their arts (mostly music, poetry, and woodworking, though occasionally their jewelry and architecture), and archery techniques. 

Leodra: Not much is known about Leodra at all, and even less is known about their societal customs. The leodra are an island dwelling race, but their island is protected by a magical barrier preventing any other race from entering. They have a port just off the island for trading, but the leodra never go further than that port nor do they allow any to come closer. Any leodra seen on the mainland of the continent are social pariahs who have been banished from their home, and thus not truly representative of their culture. Their greatest strengths are considered to be their natural magical affinity, their ethereal beauty, and their charisma. Like elves, they can be considered fragile by the other races and are not as physically inclined. 

Changelings: The obvious strength of the changelings is their ability to shapeshift and assume any form. I should add that changelings can only take the form of living creatures of relatively equal size, so a dragon or a giant would be too large, and a house cat or a gnome would be too small. Changelings also cannot change their voices when they shift forms unless they have a natural talent for it. Due to their powers, they are often treated as outcasts. Non changelings have a hard time trusting them because the limitations of their powers are not fully known, so there is an implicit assumption that anyone acting suspicious might be a changeling in disguise. 

Dwarves: All dwarves live underground. They are naturally more resistant to harm to the body, disease, and pain. In exchange they are heavier and move slower. This makes them very skilled warriors, but more susceptible to something like drowning, which is why they tend to stay in the mountains. They are widely known for their weaponsmithing which until very recently was considered the best in the world. They also mine most of the world’s gold. As for appearance, they are short, and stocky. Typically having more heavyset builds, and span the same skin tones and hair and eye colors as humans. They also all have beards.

Halflings: The majority of Tarken’s food supply is farmed by halflings. While every country has their own farmers, in cases of famine it is the Kalance (a country of halflings) that supplies them with food. Halflings are small which is both their greatest asset and their greatest weakness. They are also extremely insular, more so than elves, but not as bad as the leodra. Halflings tend to be short and thin. They also have pointed ears like elves, and have the same range of coloring for skin, hair, and eyes as humans. 

Elementals: The powers of elementals depend on what element they are: fire, water, ice, plant, rock, wind, or storm. For the most part, elementals seem completely human with one key identifier marking their heritage and an affinity to control that element. The identifying markings for each type of elemental is that fire elementals will have eyes of fire when they get emotional, water elementals have more fluid skeletons if that makes sense, ice elementals have frost covered skin, plant elemental grow flowers in their hair, rock elementals have stones for elbows and kneecaps, wind elementals’ hair floats, and storm elementals have birthmarks that look like lightning on their pulse points such as the neck or wrist. The tradeoff for power over one of the elements is increased susceptibility to another. An ice elemental may be able to control ice and snow, but will burn much quicker than a human will.

Also if MC is a leodra can she straight up FLY?

Yes. Actually Leodra, weirdly enough, naturally hover about 2 inches off the ground without using their wings. They have to concentrate to walk along the floor which is usually more effort than it’s worth, but when they float, sparkles trail off their feet.

I hope that was enough information to digest Anon! I tried to be both clear and concise, but if there is anything unclear, feel free to send me another ask, and I’ll do my best to clarify the confusion.

[gorbalsvampire]

Gehenna War

It's pretty neat, yo.

Like Blood-Stained Love, it transforms the core "personal and political" horror of Vampire into another subgenre. Unlike Blood-Stained Love, it has a lot of concrete advice for Storytellers on structuring scenes, assembling pools, building characters to interact with, and making that subgenre work at the table.

An effort has been made, here. There's a little chart in the introduction claiming that Chapters 2 and 3, and the Appendices, will be of use to any action chronicle, be it more high concept or street level, and having read the durn things I think that claim's borne out. I'm gonna talk about those sections first, and later loop back around to the specifically Gehenna War stuff.

Chapter 2 has neat archetypes for characters in various armed conflict roles - generals, spies, intelligencers, recruits, veterans - with recommendations for priority stats rather than statblocks, so these can be flipped for player or Storyteller use. Suggestions for bonus XP amounts if you want more powerful starting characters, and focused specialisations that advise you to focus particular areas of your character sheet - almost like soft classes, or playbooks. A handful of new Merits and Flaws (one of which is getting slammed onto Penny), and a mixed bag of Discipline powers. Bloodform is back? Woo! There are "reroll Rouse checks for raising this one Attribute or using this one Discipline" openers for the Physical Disciplines? Swing and a miss, more filler. There's two incredible new high-end Blood Sorcery rituals (I shall be using both of them very soon), and some funky Thin-Blood Alchemy if you want your Duskborn to join a Methuselah cult.

Then: advice on running Basic Combat, and explicit guidance on the modularity of the Advanced Combat rules, and a few new ones. This is brilliant stuff for new Storytellers, reflective of the demand for the Combat Primer, and it's given me some ideas I didn't have before, and ALSO. VINDICATION. OBSERVE.

One of the things that waters down play over time is if the characters need to build the same dice pool every time for the same task. To avoid this, Storytellers should vary the traits involved according to the situation, to keep things interesting and to curb players trying to optimize their pools.

Leaving aside that awful syntax at the start - "Play becomes predictable if the characters need to build the same dice pool every time they attempt a task" - activate your voice, and dismiss "is" clauses, you cowards! - anyway, leaving that aside, this is how I've been doing things all along and I love that a book explicitly says "do it and don't get hung up on the exact RAW every time."

Car chase mechanics, cute new gear (I like the Scourge Blades, nasty-ass duelling swords that delay vampiric healing). Then it's on to story advice!

Chapter Three does something I wish Blood-Stained Love had done for romance: getting into the structure of action stories, how action interacts with other genre qualifiers (crime, horror, survival, thriller etc.), the escalating role of villains - like, actual formalist thinking about how stories work. We then get some mechanical advice on how to shift the mode of play, how to approach things like Hunger and Frenzy to make them more or less of a factor. It's short, but it's fuckin' GOOD.

Appendix I is all about dice. When you should and shouldn't roll, as opposed to taking half. Grouping those moments into broad types by what they do to the emergent story. How to add variation with tracker rolls or unusual dice pools. How to manage failures on tests and what to offer players to keep the story moving. And, most important of all, how to deal with the Beast, going through each Skill and showing how the Beast impacts a Messy Critical (still a success, remember!) or a Bestial Failure.

You need this Appendix. The corebook needed this appendix. Maybe it took six years of best practice and sharing ideas to get these ideas fully understood. Maybe if there'd been one dev team since the start we might have had this sooner. At least we have it now.

I'll talk about the Gehenna War itself in a follow-up post. That's Chapters One, Four, Five and Six, and Appendix II.

[rpgsandbox]

We find peace together in a small cottage within a village, nestled inside a forest filled with monsters. Only by working together will we survive.

Welcome to Cottages & Cerberus.

'Cottages and Cerberus' is a new cottagecore monster-hunting TTRPG system.   Inspired by games such as Animal Crossing, Harvest Moon, and Monster Hunter, you and your group of friends will live out your lives day to day in a cottage in a fantasy realm. You will hunt vicious monsters to gain materials and improve your cottage. The Core Rulebook includes 50+ monsters to hunt and slay, and each monster  comes with a hunt that is taken before the true fight can begin.

As part of this campaign we are offering special bestiaries for Pathfinder 2E and the D&D 5E. These bestiaries will be available as both PDFs and as a softcover book. Both are available individually in their own tier and also as add-ons.

Download the Preview HERE!!! 

CHARACTER SHEET HERE

Pick up and Play

Cottages & Cerberus is a cottagecore monster-slaying tabletop RPG. The game is simple to pick up but hard to put down. The base rules can be learned in minutes, and since each monster has a hunt— a mini adventure that leads up to the boss fight– you can pick one and start running within minutes. Quickstart characters found in the back of the book reduce the friction of having too many character choices, so players can just choose one and go. But, for those who want to nerd out creating your character and load out, you can spend hours picking the perfect abilities for your character. The rules are easy enough to learn quickly, but varied enough to support a vast array of complex and unique characters.

The core of the system involves making checks. When attempting a check, characters roll a number of six-sided dice based on their attributes and circumstances. The GM will then set a target number, determining how difficult the check is. Players will count the number of dice that rolled the target number or higher and then consult the chart below.

Spoons 

Spoons are the key resource system in C&C. They are an abstraction of a character's physical and mental capacity. The spoon resource system was inspired by the Spoon Theory, an abstract model created by Christine Miserandino that attempts to explain the energy cost of certain actions for people with chronic pain/illness and mental health conditions. Failing checks and being attacked by monsters cost players spoons, as do some abilities.

Cozy Mode 

While in Cozy Mode, you can make checks to do things such as fishing, gardening, crafting, and more. Success grants you Cozy Points. Gain enough Cozy Points and Miss Luna, the goddess of the Moon, will increase your Cottage Rank. In addition, the book presents an optional PC+NPC romance subsystem that is explicitly meant to emulate romance elements found in farming/life sim games.

Character creation in C&C is very simple but rich.  Character creation consists of 4 steps: assign your CALM, chose 3 ABILITIES, pick a VIBE and chose either a MAGIC ITEM or a PET

CALM

CALM refers to your attributes. These 4 scores (CHARM, ALCHEMY, LORE, and MUSCLE) range from 1 to 4 at character creation. Whenever you make a check, you roll a number of dice equal to one of these attributes. 

Abilities 

Next you chose 3 abilities from the over 200 abilities in the book. ABILITIES can have several tags. Abilities with labels like <ACTION> or <REACTION> are powerful combat-focused skills, while tags like <PASSIVE> or <POWER> denote abilities that offer creative, character-focused uses in and out of combat.

Vibes 

VIBES are the general energy your character gives off. Each vibe offers a way to restore spoons.

Pet or Magic item 

Magic Items can grant various benefits. Pets are fully loyal creatures that are controlled by the player. They have a miniature stat block and can be used both in and out of combat.

Start playing quickly 

If all of these character options feel overwhelming, don't worry! The book offers  options that can help you build your character. The back of the book also contains several quick start characters. 

Cozy Calling 

The book also presents an optional system called Cozy Callings. Each Cozy Calling includes a bit of lore and questions to help you write your backstory. They also include recommended abilities, and abilities written specially for that Calling (but available to all characters). Cozy Callings are optional, you can take several Callings or take none. A Cozy Calling is merely a starting point for creating your character. Cozy Callings in the book include concepts such as the Cheerleader and the Spell Knight.

Hunting mode is the a core part of the game loop in Cottages & Cerberus. After defeating a monster, players gain new materials that they can use to craft items for their cottage. There are over 50 monsters to slay in Cottages & Cerberus. Each monsters contains an hunt, a miniature adventure consisting of anywhere from 1 to 5+ scenes and minor challenges that must be completed in order to face the fearsome beast.

Quick and Brutual Boss Fights 

Fights in C&C are meant to be brutal, intense, but quick. These monster fights are explicitly meant to be BOSS fights, and the rules for combat are built to emulate intense battles. The monster starts each fight with an OPENER before its first real turn. Afterwards, it's the players turn. Players decide among themselves what order they want to take their actions. After all players have gone, the monster activates CLOSER abilities that auto-target based on which character(s) meets  certain conditions.  (As an example, one monster might have an ability that deals damage to the character with the most spoons).

Each monster also has challenges. Challenges come in two varieties. Hook Challenges offer plot hooks related to the monster. Variation Challenges represent subspecies of the monster that alter its ecology, lore and abilities.

Kickstarter campaign ends: Sat, October 7 2023 2:03 AM BST

Website: [twitter]

[lolotr]

10 fandoms 10 characters tag game

rules: name 10 of your favourite characters from 10 different fandoms, then tag 10 people to do the same

Thank you @courfaeriedust for tagging me!! It's been so long since I have been tagged in something like this that when I saw the post on my dash I didn't even bother to check. It took the notification for me to figure it out lol

Here we go, in no particular order:

1. Kaleidotrope (podcast). I, too, will begin here, since it's been four years and I'm still not over it. As much as it pains me, I think I will pick Drew, but mostly because I resonate with him so goddamn much. One of the running themes of this list will be trauma.

2. Call Me Katie (web series). Bates, it's obviously Bates, it could never be anyone other than Bates. My disaster bi, the boy who helped me start to realize I'm queer, with his dumbass puns, his neediness, his obsession with vlogging and pizza... I could go on forever.

3. The Adventure Zone - Balance (podcast). Hoo boy. How do I... Magnus? Or Lup? I'm gonna go with Magnus, if only because he is the one who never fails to make me cry. Travis (and Griffin) does such beautiful things with this character and role plays BRILLIANTLY. well, they all do. gosh jeez this is hard

4. Lord of the Rings (books, movies). Never mind, this is super easy. Samwise Gamgee. Next fucking question.

5. Rusty Quill Gaming Podcast. AHHHHHGGGGDKEKXJDI Zolf or Sasha???? At this very moment Sasha. She just-- I just-- my stabbing girl. My damaged, stabbing girl.

6. Percy Jackson/Heroes of Olympus (book serieses). (These are the two in the verse I've read so far.) It feels like a cop out, but I think Percy. It was between him and Annabeth, and I absolutely love their dynamic, whether it's before or after dating. But Percy is so smart and capable in certain ways and so utterly stupid in others (I have a theory that both he and Annabeth take hits to their mental stats when they are within thirty feet of one another). He's loyal to a fault, he's obsessed with blue food, he fought the god of war at 12 and won, he dove into Tartarus rather than be separated from his girlfriend/best friend again, he even has ADHD. Truly the character of all time.

7. Avatar: The Last Airbender (TV show). Zuko. I love the whole gaang but his character is done so beautifully and complexly. Like that is how you do a redemption arc, people. From the very beginning. And you do not make it easy for this sixteen year old who has committed war crimes, no you don't.

8. The Hunger Games (book series). Peeta. I live that he is optimistic, kind, and principled, but not naive, oblivious, or weak. His flaws are the same as his strengths: he's self sacrificing, self effacing, loyal. Everyone rubs Katniss's nose in the fact that he's good except him. But also, he's not perfect, and there's a lot of complexity tied to the fact that everyone thinks he's better than Katniss in every way, but he's mostly just better at hiding the darker parts of him. I love that we see nothing but the darkest parts and he's able to come back.

9. Dames and Dragons/LegendLark - first campaign (podcast). Fran. Again, I adore everyone, including NPCs, but I have such a soft spot for her. Noel plays her so beautifully and isn't afraid to make her jarring, make her part of the inner conflict of the team. I love how she's grown, and I'm excited and scared to see how the show wraps up.

10. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV show). This is tough, because some people's characterization varies so wildly sometimes, but... Giles. I'm going with my sexy dad who cares so fucking much about his adopted child(ren).

I had a lot of trouble with this list, because I've been in fandom since I knew what it was. I picked things that I still enjoy, and also things that I still enjoy talking about/analyzing. Because that's how I show love.

PIKACHU, I CHOOSE YOU: @all-chickens-are-trans @chaotic-gay-is-my-alignment @sonseulsoleil @yeahdefnot @greatestvoyageinhistoryofplastic @rovermcfly @the-vaudevillain @anywhoozles @wire-smith @cantdance anyone who wants to! Sorry if I tagged anyone who's been tagged already, I was doing this on mobile and couldn't be bothered to check

[autistic-sidestep]

questions about suranga ! why did they pick their name / do you think it fits them ? what is their gender & sexuality ? what are their (romantic) relationships like ? what is their motivation, either in general and/or to pursue villainy ?

alright let's go!

The name ‘Suranga’ when i originally looked it up while trying to name him meant something like divine? It apparently also means orange, which is funny cos of his arrogance and daring stats lol, though he was more of a bluestep when i first made him, so yeah, oddly fitting. As for why he picked his name, I think I decided it was a name someone he almost came to see as a parental figure in his pre-vigilante days would’ve given their kid, if they’d been able to have one. In some ways, that was his way of honoring them and it was the first thing that could be his (if also something residual from farm training and people-pleasing to need someone else to pick).

he could’ve gone for something more common but then again, it wasn’t a name he was intending to share with anyone else until ortega, otherwise, he was always giving fake names. whether suranga actually believes he still deserves his name, though, honestly varies with his self-loathing levels. this guy has so many complexes lmao.

Genderwise, it’s kinda a mess? At first seeing ricardo on the news gave him some gender revelations, starting to id as a binary trans guy and staying stealth with the rangers (and it was def comforting to know there was a fellow trans man on the team, even if he and sentinel were never close) but it didn’t fully feel right? Then post second escape and through puppeting yasmin he gradually realizes oh, the whole girl thing isn’t so bad when it’s on his terms (or close enough), yoink, my gender now. As yasmin he’s a lot more confident, so he basically trials things he’d never be able to do as himself through her and post-debut, he gets a little bit bolder with his own body.

i’m ultimately imagining whatever mess in books 3 or 4 happens if ace gets their body back like this:

suranga: sorry abt the whole bodystealing thing thanks for the gender tho

ace: ???

Obv with the whole maintaining two different identities thing (without even factoring in argos post-debut), the Autism™, and never really having a stable sense of self thanks to cuckoo training (plus SO MUCH TRAUMA), it’s hard to actually pinpoint what his gender is, at best i’d say something like uh, genderqueer/genderfluid?

Sexuality is similarly a very big mess. He’s definitely aspec/some kind of aroflux, and his ongoing secret crush on ricardo is a jumble of ortega being his first real friend (and not letting anyone else close enough to have other points of reference), and being a simultaneously touch averse AND touch starved mf, and also the gender confusion triggered by ric before even meeting him (‘do i want to be him or be friends with him??’) so suranga’s whole ability to determine if it’s romantic/sexual attraction or platonic feelings is very very fucked. With ortega specifically they used to be very close (he thought the world of him tbh), but with ricardo hovering since their reunion he’s trying to keep him at arms length, because he’s very aware how well ortega can read him. He can’t help but go back to ortega in spite of his efforts to stay away, partly because he wants ortega to stop and/or help him but doesn’t know how to ask, or if he can.

He’s honestly very clueless on the chen attraction thing. There’s the baggage from having known eachother back before, but also post-heartbreak he can better relate to chen (which includes a mutual hatred of stairs!) because of the chronic pain/fatigue problems he’s had to deal with, and spoon is also a big factor - he does prefer cats, and his own cat Fred in particular that stayed with elena after HB,, but getting to hang out with spoon is pretty good too.

As yasmin, he becomes very fond of mortum, but he’s not sure he’d call it romantic attraction, though they might’ve flirted a bit at the start. Suranga really enjoys the doctor’s company and respects her a lot, in part cos it’s so fun to nerd out over tech stuff, and there’s none of the baggage that comes with ortega. he’d rather not compromise that friendship by stringing her along, so I think he makes it clear at the gala on the feelings? i’m still working out his canon route, but for sure he tells mortum the truth in retri. 

Also his flirting as yasmin bleeds over into his argos persona when he fights with argent. he def likes playing with fire lol. Romantic relationships are a big ????

However, in general relationship terms, he’s pretty familial with rosie and his crew, in part cos the dynamic reminds him a lot of the rangers in his sidestep days, and old habits are hard to shake. 

Motivation tends to vary, but the underlying principles are that he’s very very tired and bitter and just wants to feel like he’s in some control of his life again/not powerless - the argos suit is in part a mobility aid, because it lets him do what he could as sidestep, and more. argos gives him a lot of freedom and at times euphoria, but also huge guilt, just as he does with yasmin. he's following the path of least resistance (fate motive), even if that’s driving himself (further) into a self-destructive spiral. at least it’s by his hand instead of someone else’s?

Basically he’s swinging between these two modes: 

He also does a lot of joking to deflect from when he accidentally lets slip he’s not doing well  (which is. all the time) which is probably best summarized by an excerpt from the Hoots scene:

Faulty logic aside, there’s a lot of anger at himself, especially his past self for his naivety and getting careless (as much as he tries to bury it, he’s still a hero at heart), but also at the Farm, but it’s not like he can really touch them. I have a soft spot for the outsider scar cos that’s the first one i ever got, and the whole disconnect from the rest of the world feels very very fitting, and coupling that with the suicidal scar (so suicidal from rebirth → outsider into retri), though I have tried him out with puppetmaster too, and maybe some parts from the hunger scar can work too?

idk if he'll actually remain driven enough to stick to being argos, but it sure is fun watching him be a trainwreck about it

this has been a (semi-coherent) ramble about suranga thanks for indulging me <3

[puttingwingsonwords]

November Reading Wrap Up

This month I finished more books than ever before; granted, several were started earlier, so page-wise the difference is smaller, but still there. I think this is mostly because I didn't spend a lot of time gaming.

Shit I just noticed one of the books in the graphic isn't aligned but I'm not going back to change that.

Stats

total books read: 17

2023 reading challenge progress: 96 out of 100 (somewhat ahead)

formats: 3 digital, 4 audio, 9 physical

Books

I finished several 5 star reads this month. My absolute favourite was, no surprise, @re-dracula (yes I'm counting it as a book. in the end I did read Dracula after all).

• Re: Dracula by BloodyFM, Bram Stoker (audio, podcast)

rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This chronological audio adaptation of Dracula is the best Dracula adaptation out there with an incredible cast, fantastic sound design and awesome bonus songs. I cannot recommend it enough. Together with the Dracula Daily tumblr community it re-enlightened my special interest in vampires and Dracula to the point that I'm still thinking about it every day.

• Juniper & Thorn by Ava Reid (audio)

rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Dark fairy tale meets gothic horror in this retelling of The Juniper Tree. Absolutely loved it!

• Stemmen uit de bodemloze diepte by Anne Resseler (audio)

rating: 5 out of 5 stars

A Dutch YA horror novella that makes you feel the primal fear of the depths of the ocean in an atmospheric, even comforting way.

• The Seep by Chana Porter (digital)

rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This sci-fi novella with a unique take on alien invasion is wonderfully strange and existential. The short story included in this edition is also great.

• Chameleon Moon by RoAnna Sylver (audio, ARC)

rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I had read and loved Chameleon Moon once before, but the audio version made me love it even more! It's intense, emotional, and has amazing effects for ghostly and computerised voices as well as two original songs.

• Activestills: Photography as Protest in Palestine/Israel (physical)

rating: 5 out of 5 stars

A big book full of photos from Palestinian and Israeli activist photography collective Activestills, accompanied by essays and interviews. I greatly admire Activestills' work.

• Stories from Palestine: Narratives of Resilience by Marda Dunsky (digital)

rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Interviews with people of varying occupations from all around Palestine, combined with data and historical and political context, paint a picture of every day life in Jerusalem, Gaza and the West Bank.

• A Map of Absence: An Anthology of Palestinian Writing on the Nakba (digital)

rating: 4 out of 5 stars

A great introduction to Palestinian writing, containing poetry, short fiction and excerpts from novels and essays.

• The Queer Girl Is Going to Be Okay by Dale Walls (audio, ARC)

rating: 4 out of 5 stars

A great YA contemporary following three queer high school friends, examining the nature of queer love.

• The Chalice of the Gods by Rick Riordan (physical)

rating: 4 out of 5 stars

A fun book in the Percy Jackson saga, with lower stakes than usual which makes it a lighthearted adventure that still packs the occasional punch.

• Daughter of the Deep by Rick Riordan (physical)

rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Highly enjoyable modern take on Jules Verne feat. deep sea adventures, alt-tech, and an exploration of the weight of legacy.

• Spy x Family Vol. 1-6 by Tatsuya Endo (physical, borrowed)

rating: 4 out of 5

Action comedy that's just a lot of fun and unexpectedly touching.

Currently reading and TBR

I've just started, or am about to start (I've only read the introduction) Freedom Is a Constant Struggle by Angela Davis. I'm also reading the poetry collection Things You May Find Hidden in My Ear by Mosab Abu Toha, which is currently available for free among many other books for Read Palestine Week (link below).

I have a few more indie books on my TBR for Monster Manor Indie Autumn (extended through December), and A Thousand Steps into Night is my last 12 books for 12 friends read this year. (Send me a message/ask or fill in the question box on my instagram story if you have a rec for next year!)

[haledamage]

2, 4, 8 for Kira, please! (~agentnatesewell)

2. How do they look?

She has dark brown hair (shoulder-length in books 1 and 2, chin-length in book 3), light brown eyes, an average build, average height (5'6"), and lots of freckles

At the beginning of Book 1, Kira would describe herself as "average". She doesn't have low self-esteem necessarily, she just doesn't think she's anything special. By the end of Book 3... I think she's starting to like who she sees in the mirror. Part of that is because of Unit Bravo; besides the obvious "this hot vampire finds me attractive" part of it, even the members of the team she's not romancing (I do all 4 routes with her, so the non-RO ones vary) see her as valuable and important and that does a lot to boost her confidence. Plus, after she moves into the warehouse, Nate's insistence on her eating healthier/not-takeaway meals and actually eating 3 meals a day, as well as having a regular workout schedule with Adam, makes her feel a lot more confident and comfortable in her own skin. She even has a little muscle definition now! That's very exciting for her.

4. What is their personality like?

You know that post that's like "what do you call an introvert that keeps taking on leadership and outgoing roles?" that's Kira. She's really good with people and has about as close to a max friendliness score anyone could have, but she's actually pretty antisocial.

(her stats at the end of book 3, on Adam's route. some vary per route, but her friendliness always looks like that lmao)

for most people, she's pretty easy to get along with. approachable, good at carrying a conversation even though she won't often start them herself. once she gets close to people and starts to relax around them, she tends to be a bit of a smartass. she's like... Nate divided by Mason, if that makes sense 😅

8. What do they think of Unit Bravo?

she adores them, full stop. they're her family. she would kill or die for any of them, without hesitation (they all wish she would exhibit at least a little hesitation). they're something she didn't realize was missing in her life until she found it

by this point, I think she's even willing to admit it. "yep, those are my boys. they're terrible (except Nate), but unfortunately I love them."

[grapecaseschoices]

About your ocs: 1, 7, 17 and 18

half asleep so have only the brain power for more twc stuff.

1. which ocs are the most touch-starved?

answered here

but to give you a response, of my current main line up, from least to most: val > pierre > andy, ...................................................... kendis ......... > kai (probably more space betwween kendis and andy)

7. which ocs would feel super out of place at a formal event? which ocs are completely fine with it?

Val would. Their aesthetic is like greaser. Kai doesn't generally feel out of place but I think he might feel a touch of discomfort. Especially formal events generally don't shine favorably on cis dudes who like wearing skirts. Pierre is fine, I would say the most neutral. He does it, that's it. Andy and Kendisare completely fine with it. As in they can work it without a blink. Do tey want to be there? That's different.

17. which ocs stop what they’re doing to pay attention to someone else? which ocs continue working?

It depends. If Val is at work, it's Val always. If Val is working on a car -- it's not impossible, it isn't highly likely. Andy is always paying attention ('I always feel like somebody's watching me'. That's Andy but chances are you might not realize it's him beyond that.)

Kendis is in the middle in the sense that Kendis is nosy but Kendis is also very determined, and again it depends. Pierre is working. Kai dont give a fuck. lmao.

I feel Kendis and Val are my most likely to overtly eye emoji someone. Kendis at least will try and catch themselves, respect other's comfort zones, etc. Val is full on 👀

18. which ocs will bend the rules as much as possible without breaking them? which do it to get what they want, and which do it just for spite?

Andy will bend the rules as much as he can without breaking them

His stat is 72% team player, 72% by the book - At the start of book three and he goes down a bit in it. Pierre on the hand goes up more than the little for the latter and stays the same for the former. Kai, on the other hand, (haven't played him book three yet) starts book 3 at 88% by the book -- which is where Pierre ends up. And I wouldn't be surprised if he goes higher.

So, tl;dr even though Andy is rather high, he's the least of my dudes and as I said in another ask, Andy vibes with what conveniences him. I personally feel he's that high not just for his nature but the way the game is set up. Not that he wouldn't trend high, he would rather (but not likely THAT high).

Compare Kendis and Val: Val is 70% in BEND THE RULES and Kendis (varies bc I have a couple of different runs for the/cog won't let me delete) never goes lower than 60% in bend the rules. They both naturally trend high in the rule (haha) namer. It's their natural inclination -- so I feel for both, to an extant, it's about getting what they want bc it's how they navigate through life. But Val is definitely the more greedy of the two and Kendis the more stubborn. So Val tends to bend to get shit, Kendis will break their own arm out of just bc you said they couldn't get it through a needle.

Ty for the ask hunny! <3

[travelwithtouristhubindia]

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[thetabbybadger]

I’m still very interested in this but I haven’t had much time to be able to focus on it. I’ve got two big things I have to decide though:

1. How animal-y everyone is.

Ideally I really like the sapient but still creatures idea. But I do like the Redwall style of still being very people-y and having houses/clothes etc. Also I have never actually read a Redwall book the whole way through….. I know, fake fan 😓

Originally I was kind of imagining more animalistic where clothes are optional, naturally quadrupedal animals still stay on all fours etc. but I think anthro-ing it up a little more will make world-building easier and also the game more enjoyable. Still might go with some animal fantasy rules and say clothes are polite but optional. Mostly cause things like snakes and birds would have harder times wearing clothes so I don’t want them to be left out xD

Plus I want homes and inns and good cooking and art so yeah. Whimsical but full anthro. So woot, one problem solved I guess xD

2. Am I ignoring the food situation?

So like, I don’t want the world-building to take over the whole game but like, any anthro setting has to deal with the carnivore/herbivore situation. I don’t want the setting to have an herbivore vs carnivore theme but I don’t want to just avoid talking about food? Seafood and insects are fair game for easy food. Idk I’ll have to see the more I think on it.

Unofficial third thing is how much I want to lean on D&D/pathfinder for things. I want lots of classes and there are good ones there! “Races” will obviously be animals. I think for player characters though there will be a size limit (at least at first) for ease of the party. Probably nothing bigger than a fox/bobcat. I’m excited to think of special abilities and bonuses for different species! And size will have to be important since it will be varying so much. Do I want the same stat blocks? Hmmm

I do know one thing I want to add! Something I want that will be it’s own mechanic to the game and it will be the importance of:

Crafting!

I think while exploring, when players find loot, they will be more likely to find good supplies and they can craft that into items they want. This started as a nitpicky worldbuilding thing like, what if a rabbit player finds really good armor… for a mouse. Etc. And like I guess a DM could just tailor loot to their group but isn’t it more fun to make the world work for you?!

Obviously magic will still be a big part in the game so enchanting etc. will play a role in crafting as well.

Anyway, this is me just rambling about a potential game that I hope to keep working on, even if it’s low key. :3

Kinda wanna homebrew my own anthropomorphic animal fantasy ttrpg 🤔 (Redwall/Bloomburrow etc.)

Dunno if I just wanna re-skin D&D or just use it as a starting base or look at other ttrpgs or what yet. But I would want/need to homebrew the world and that is both an exciting idea and a heavily daunting one :O

[sabresanddungeons]

Beginner’s DND

So, you’ve heard about Dungeons and Dragons. You’ve seen the first episode or all of the episodes of Critical Role then The Adventure Zone then Not Another DND Podcast then ect. then ect. Maybe you played back in high school with second edition or 3.5 and are wanting to check out 5e. There’s also the possibility you’ve been abducted by your friends to join a session with them since you feigned interest 3 hours ago and can’t back out now. Whatever your reason for coming to the table, we welcome you.

But, now, it’s time to get to the meat of the issue: what do I do? You’ve gone to the store to purchase the Player’s Handbook. There’s a character sheet in your hand, but once you opened that book, it’s a bombardment of information and a feeling of impending doom.

First off, take a deep breath. We’ve all been there. We’ve all been the newest player at the table before. Don’t worry. When I made my first character, I cried. I was so overwhelmed and stressed out by the race options, classes, spells, backgrounds, roll tables, pictures, equipment, dice, hit points, starting trinkets, names that I just broke down and scared my friends. They helped me get through it, and I’ll help you.

The first step is to close the book and think about some of the fantasy concepts you already know. What is there? You may think of Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, World of Warcraft, Witcher, The Dragon Prince, Journey to the West, Game of Thrones, so what characters are in there? Humans are the most prevalent, but commonly, there are elves, dwarves, hobbits, and orcs. They come in different flavors too: sword wielders, magic casters, healers, musicians, sneak thieves, bowman, and ninjas. Okay, you have a base knowledge of what’s going on.

Keep your book closed, but of those options that I wrote down, what calls to you? Aragon from Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter from Hogwarts, Ezran from The Dragon Prince, Areo Hotah from Game of Thrones, or Jaskier from The Witcher? You should have some ideas flowing at this point and know what you want to pursue, so open that book.

The races in DND have different skills and bonuses to stats. Of the races, there are Halflings, Gnomes, Dwarves, Elves, Half-Elves, Tieflings, Humans, Half-Orcs, and Dragonborn. Of those names, two stand out, Tiefling and Dragonborn. Tieflings are devil touched, whether in their bloodline or through some choice/accident. Dragonborn are dragon humanoids with breath weapons such as fire or acid. Of all the races, each has a unique attributes and bonuses that improve your statistics.

Classes have varying rolls in the party dynamic with strengths and weaknesses. These classes are Barbarian, Bard, Cleric, Druid, Fighter, Monk, Paladin, Ranger, Rogue, Sorcerer, Warlock, and Wizard. Most of these classes are self-explanatory, but the two I want to touch on are Sorcerer and Warlock. Sorcerers, unlike other magic users, are born with innate spellcasting ability. Warlocks make a pact with typically an evil or old god to gain magic power. What should you play though?

For your first DND campaign, I recommend playing a martial class like Barbarian, Fighter, Monk, or Rogue. Although Wizards and Druids sound super awesome, picking spells can be an arduous and nerve-wracking task that may add to the stress level, but if that’s what you want to be, go for it! You’re the one playing the game, remember?

Backgrounds. Ah, the backgrounds. These will add some flavor to your character, bolster their proficiencies, put some gold in their pocket, and say where they came from and maybe why they’re adventuring. It’s good to be motivated! Those background options are Acolyte, Charlatan, Criminal, Entertainer, Folk Hero, Guild Artisan, Hermit, Noble, Outlander, Sage, Sailor, Soldier, and Urchin. I wanted to point out Charlatan, Criminal, Outlander, and Sage to you because they may be the least known or confusing. Charlatans are street performers trying to take money from the people while Criminals are going out to burgle. Outlanders were raised in the wilderness, and Sages are well-read and nerdy. Choose something that fits in with the character that you’ve created or don’t! That’s the beauty of DND.

We’ve returned to the end which is the beginning. Confusing? I know. There’s much more that can be discussed, but I will leave you with these parting words. For as imposing as the game seems, it is a game, and games are meant to be fun. If you don’t understand what’s going on, ask your fellow players and dungeon master. If you need to take a break, ask, and if you need to grab more chips, don’t. You can just grab those because snacks and DND are plentiful. So, have fun and make some memories.

[hehosts-moved]

FALLOUT 4 WHAT MAKES REN S.P.E.C.I.A.L. ??

point distribution varies by game, so here are ren’s “special” stats as according to the limitations set by fallout 4′s beginning mechanics:

FO4 BASE STATES (NON-SOLE SURVIVOR): 28 BEGINNING DISTRIBUTION POINTS AT START OF GAME // * these are ren’s base stats as basically an npc or companion, depending on threads. 

STRENGTH - 3

PERCEPTION - 5

ENDURANCE - 4

CHARISMA - 6

INTELLIGENCE - 5

AGILITY - 4

LUCK - 1

PERKS: lady killer, cap collector, party boy, medic, mister sandman - these are the perks ren starts off with as a companion

FO4 SOLE SURVIVOR BASE STATS: 28 BEGINNING DISTRIBUTION POINTS AT START OF GAME // * these are ren’s base stats are the beginning of the game / emerging from vault 111. as the storyline progresses, ren would “put” his stats primarily into “perception, charisma, and intelligence.” 

he would naturally gain points in strength and agility, but it is not a primary focus for him. this simply comes from stamina built up from exploring (and fighting) his way through the commonwealth post-war. 

endurance is naturally higher because ren, as character, has high endurance (this, for ren, includes emotional endurance, not just physical).

i have also listed the perks ren would likely get along the way, if not start with.

+ 1 AQUIRED for a total of 29 POINTS from the YOU’RE SPECIAL book beneath kyosuke’s crib ( ie shaun )

STRENGTH - 3

PERCEPTION - 5

ENDURANCE - 4

CHARISMA - 6

INTELLIGENCE - 6

AGILITY - 4

LUCK - 1

ren allocated his extra point to intelligence!

PERKS: lady killer, cap collector, party boy, lone wanderer, medic, mister sandman, fortune finder, local leader, and others like this as he develops his SPECIAL skills.

[crossoverworldtree]

Deepscan/The "Slayer Army"

Why, When, and What: The first group of Slayers gathered by Buffy Summers formed a group to continue protecting the world from supernatural evils.  Buffy is good at a lot of things, though, but running such a large organization was a bit beyond her scope and she stepped down as leader.  From there it, was eventually, re-organized into the Private Military Company "Deepscan."  From there, they would continue to monitor for threats, as well as offer to be hired out to aid in putting down supernatural threats among other work. 

And because they were a cadre of largely good-looking young women bodyguards, they alternated between saving the world and humoring the egos of insecure rich men.

The vast majority of the company members are Slayers, but it is not a pre-requisite (there are books to go over, some of which bite).  

The main base of the “Slayer Army”/Deepscan has 10 witches in employ and usually has about 100 slayers in 15 squads of 5 to 7 members at any one time. 

Clout: Criminal 2, Financial 3, Supernatural 4, Governmental 2 (11) Locations: Huge (5), Multiple Locations (5), Physical Security 2, Supernatural Security 3 (Total: 6.  15-9 from Financial, Supernatural, and Government Clout) Gear: Computers 4, Lab/Research 2, Medical 2, Workshop 2, Occult Archives 5, Training (Full Gym + Range) (3), Military/Exotic Vehicles (5), Vehicle Fleet (2), Air Fleet (5), Getting Medieval (1), Full Metal Jacket (5) (Total: 25. 36-11 from Clout) Total Cost: 41

Buffy Summers Date of Birth: January 19, 1981 Motivation: Organize New Life, Save the world, Lead the girls Critter Type: Legendary Slayer Attributes: Str 9/11, Dex 10/12, Con 9, Int 3, Per 4, Will 4 Ability Scores: Muscle 24/28, Combat 22/24, Brains 14, Life Points: 112/120 Drama Points: 10 Special Abilities: Vampire Slayer, Nerves of Steel, Fast Reaction Time, Adversary (Innumerable), Contacts (Slayer Army and Related) 5, Status (Buffy Summers), Attractiveness +3, Hard to Kill 10, Psychic Visions, Honorable (Serious), Love (Tragic), Resources (Unknown, 3-4?), The Scythe, Mystical Protection (Armor value 30 each night, destroys weapons used against), +1 Occultism, Secret (Gained half resource bonus through theft), Martial Travels: Soldier, Shared Slayer Dreamspace, Minority (Bisexual) Name - Score - Damage - Notes Punch - 22/24 - 24/29 - Bash Kick - 21/23 - 26/30 - Bash Stake - 22/24 - 24/29 - Slash/Stab (TTH) - 19/21 - 23/28 - x5 vs. Vampires Jump Kick - 19/21 - 35/42 - Bash Spin Kick - 20/22 - 27/32 - Bash The Scythe - 24 - 48 - +5 per SL (35), Slash/Stab, Double against Demons and Vampires Disruptor - 22/24 - 5 per SL - x3 vs. Energy Barriers Ki - 18 - Varies - By Ability Known Ki: Acrobatic Multi-Tasking, Breather, Flying Leap, Flying Spinning Strike, Hail Mary Run, Ki Speed, Megaton Punch, Piercing Strike, Spinning Strike, Wall Walk, Cross Smasher, Hell & Heaven

These Stats represent Buffy Summers at the Start of Season 8.  As time goes on, she becomes even more potent.  While the events of Season 8 and beyond are subject to interpretation within the Crossover Universe, the rough of it sees her, by the end of Season 8/start of Season 9 having Strength and Constitution 10.  By the end of Season 9, Her Dexterity is up to 11 at this point, as is her Strength.  By season 10, the Slayers join the Unseelie Accords properly, if only to increase allies.  They manage to argue successfully that they have a right to hunt vampires as they do humans. She gains 5 levels of Supernatural Contacts and Dexterity 12. Season 11 sees her strength hit 11, as well as cementing her status as official arbiter of all Slayer matters. 

Xander Harris Date of Birth: 1980 Motivation: Keep the girls in order Critter Type: Human Attributes: Str 3, Dex 3, Con 4, Int 2, Per 3, Will 4 Ability Scores: Muscle 12, Combat 15, Brains 12 Life Points: 53 Drama Points: 10 Special Abilities: Attractiveness +1, Good Luck 5, Hard to Kill 5, Resistance (pain) 2, Tragic Love, Status (Command Central), Contacts (Slayers, Mystics and Psychics of the Slayer Org. 5), Clown, +3 Mr. Fix It, +3 Tactics/Military Knowledge, Influence +2, Adversary (quite a bunch), Impaired Senses (vision), Contacts (Military) 2 Name - Score - Damage - Notes Punch - 15 - 11 - Bash Crossbow - 15 - 20 - Slash/Stab Xander doesn’t change much over the seasons, aside from increasing maturity and greater contacts within the Slayer organization. When Buffy stepped back a bit, he remained in a supportive role overall.

Willow Rosenburg Date of Birth: 1980?/1981? Motivation: Do Good in the World Critter Type: Human Witch Attributes: Str 1, Dex 2, Con 3, Int 5, Per 3, Will 6 Ability Scores: Muscle 8, Combat 12, Brains 18, Life Points: 32 Drama Points: 10 Special Abilities: Nerd, Attractiveness +2, Occultism +2, Hard to Kill 2, Magic 10, Resistance (pain 1), Telepathy 3, Tragic Love, Adversary (lots), Contacts (Supernatural) 5, Minority (Gay Jewish Wicca), Honorable (Minimal), Occult Library 4 Name - Score - Damage - Notes Magic - 30 - Varies - By Spell Deflect - 30 - None - Magical Defense Hold - 29 - None - Magical Defense Dispell - 27 - None - Negate Ongoing Effect Volley - 24 - None - Spell Reflection As the seasons grow on, Willow increases her Willpower to 7, increases her Occult Library to 5, as well as her Hard to Kill, eventually reaching 5 with that as well. She also gains 1 Additional Mental Action. 

She is one of the most powerful sorcerers on the planet, able to tell the White Council to back off on her own before joining a like-minded coven of other powerful sorcerers who similarly don't have time for the Council's stuffiness. Rupert Giles Date of Birth: 1954 Motivation: Train the new Slayers Critter Type: Human Attributes: Str 3, Dex 4, Con 3, Int 5, Per 3, Will 5 Ability Scores: Muscle 12, Combat 16, Brains 18, Life Points: 49 Drama Points: 10 Special Abilities: Ex-Watcher, Attractiveness +1, Hard to Kill 5, Occult Library 5, Contacts (Supernatural) 5, Photographic Memory, Adversary (Assorted), Honorable (Serious), Impaired Senses (Vision), Mental Problems (Mild Cruelty), Status (Last Watcher), Contacts (Criminal) 2, Name - Score - Damage - Notes Punch - 16 - 10 - Bash Sword - 16 - 19 - Slash/Stab

Rupert Giles remains largely as is, though the comics portray him as having been killed and reborn as a Teenager, the stats remain largely the same. However, he does gain a few levels of Magic over the season (maxing at 5 by Season 12). 

Faith Lehane Date of Birth: December 14, 1980 Motivation: Redemption Critter Type: Slayer Attributes: Str 10, Dex 9, Con 8, Int 3, Per 3, Will 4 Ability Scores: Muscle 26, Combat 22, Brains 12, Life Points: 106 Drama Points: 10 Special Abilities: Vampire Slayer, Fast Reaction Time, Nerves of Steel, Hard to Kill 8, Status (Slayer from Before, Ex-Con), Adversary (US Law enforcement, Demons, Monsters and the like), Crime +3, Mental Problems (Mild Cruelty, Mild recklessness), Covetous (severe Lechery), Obsession (Atonement), Martial Travels: Beginner, Shared Slayer Dream Space, True Dreamer, Lucid Dreaming +1 Name - Score - Damage - Notes Punch - 22 - 26 – Bash Kick - 21 - 28 – Bash Stake - 22 - 26 - Slash/Stab (TTH) - 19 - 25 - Slash/Stab Jump Kick - 19 - 38 - Bash Spin Kick - 20 - 29 - Bash Big Knife - 22 - 28 - Slash/Stab Ki - 19 - Varies - By Ability Dreaming Visualization – 16 –Varies– By Ability Faith Lehane was born in Boston, raised there most of her life in deplorable conditions. When she was called in 1998, after the death of Kendra, she leapt at the opportunity. Now, she had power--for the first time in her life, she had power. It went to her head just a little. She traveled with her Watcher down through New York, down into the small town of Springwood to battle the Dream Demon, Freddy Krueger. At first, it seemed as though she would lose her life to Freddy. But then he touched something deep inside the slayer. Something terrible that weakened Freddy greatly--almost mortally. The experience was not a nice one, and made her even edgier. She later went to Louisiana to battle Kakistos. The events that unfolded were not good, but are unknown other than it led to the death of her Watcher and a resurgence of the rage which carried her from Freddy's grasp. She fled across the country, bumping into the Pleasentville Werewolf along the way, before reaching Sunnydale and, later still, Los Angeles. After the events of the series, she became one of the 'lead' Slayers in Cleveland’s "Second Rate" Hellmouth until late 2005 when Giles called her regarding a rogue, aristocratic Slayer in England who was preparing to assassinate Buffy Summers. Faith took the job with an offer of a "new life," as she had grown weary from the rage and battles. Faith stopped the girl, but at an emotional cost--one that also left Giles out in the cold from the rest of the Slayers. However, the loss gave Faith a new guiding star: a sort of "Social Worker for Slayers." Giles joined her in this quest for healing. Known Ki: Acrobatic Multi-Tasking, Breather, Flying Leap, Flying Spinning Strike, Hail Mary Run, Healing Ki, Hurricane of Blows, Ki Speed, Massive Blow, No Need to Draw, Piercing Strike, Spinning Strike, Wall Walk

Satsu Date of Birth: Unknown (1981+?) Motivation: Dont let Buffy down Critter Type: Slayer Attributes: Str 8, Dex 9, Con 9, Int 3, Per 3, Will 4 Ability Scores: Muscle 22, Combat 20, Brains 12, Life Points: 102 Drama Points: 10 Special Abilities: Slayer, Nerves of Steel, Fast Reaction Time, Attractiveness +3, Minority (Asian Lesbian), Love (tragic), Status (Buffy's Squad member), Hanzo Sword, Hard to Kill 8, Secret (Buffy’s Girlfriend) Name - Score - Damage - Notes Punch - 20 - 21 - Bash Kick - 19 - 23 - Bash Stake - 20 - 21 - Slash/Stab (TTH) - 17 - 20 - Slash/Stab Jump Kick - 17 - 30 - Bash Spin Kick - 18 - 24 - Bash Hanzo Sword - 21 - 53 - Slash/stab

Satsu is one of the key players in the new Slayer organization, as Buffy’s right-hand woman (and girlfriend), she is privy to all sorts of things.  She eventually begins to train in the use of Ki as the seasons progress, as well as becoming the head of the Japanese branch of the Slayer Organization.  She also slowly increases her stats to Strength and Con 9, and Dexterity 10. She is a Beginner/Disciple by Mid-Season 8, and a Soldier in Season 9 and 10.

Her go-go Ki moves are Acrobatic Multi-Tasking, Breather, Spinning Strike, Wall Walk, and Massive Blow.

Elsa Bloodstone Date of Birth: 1985 Motivation: Hunt Monsters Critter Type: Vampire Slayer Attributes: Str 8, Dex 9, Con 8, Int 4, Per 5, Will 5 Ability Scores: Muscle 22, Combat 21, Brains 14 Life Points: 97 Drama Points: 10 Special Abilities: Vampire Slayer, Resources (Well Off), Contacts (Supernatural 4, Governmental 2), Severe Cruelty, Delusions (Grandeur), Bloodstone Gem (Grants Supernatural Senses (The Sight) and can open portals to the Astral Plane), Hard to Kill 5, Nerves of Steel, Fast Reaction Time, Secret (Child Abuse victim), Status (Bloodstone Monster Hunter), Occultism +2, Attractiveness +3 Name - Score - Damage – Notes Punch - 21 - 22 - Bash Kick - 20 - 23 - BashStake - 21 - 22 - Slash/Stab (TTH) - 18 - 22 - x5 vs. Vampires Jump Kick - 18 - 32 – Bash Spin Kick - 19 - 25 – Bash Grenade - 21 - 30/20/10 - Bash Rifle - 21 - 26 – Bullet Pistol - 21 - 22 - Bullet, automatic Ki - 14 - varies - By Ability Known Ki: Acrobatic Multi-Tasking, Breather, Bullet Disarm, Bullet Snatch, Coin Toss, Finger Poke of Doom, Flying Leap, Flying Spinning Strike, Hail Mary Run, Healing Ki, Hurricane of Blows, Ki Speed, Leaping Blow, Nerve Pinch, No Need to Draw, One Inch Punch, Palm Shove, Piercing Strike, Spinning Strike, Wall Walk Elsa Bloodstone was one of the few fully-trained potentials to survive the First's purge.  This was helped because she belonged to a long line of Monster Hunters.  She was going to do this anyway, but when she was called, it just made her job easier.   

She did not like the torturous upbringing she had under her dad, but recognizes the importance of the good fight. To some degree enjoys it, but her childhood haunts her on occasion. In 2005 she joined the Beyond Corporation with several other supernatural beings, only to find out that they were a terrorist cell about to test unusually weapons of mass destruction across the United States...

As time wore on, she grew more potent as a Slayer, possibly because of the Bloodstone Gem, rivaling Satsu and Faith in terms of overall power (IE: eventually she has Strength 10, Dexterity 10, and Constitution 10).

Zuzha Yu a.k.a. Puck Date of Birth: 1986 Motivation: Fun and Excitement Critter Type: Vampire Slayer Attributes: Str 8, Dex 10, Con 6, Int 2, Per 2, Will 4 Ability Scores: Muscle 22, Combat 20, Brains 10 Life Points: 81 Drama Points: 10 Special Abilities: Vampire Slayer, Honorable (minimal), Cruel (minor), Hard to Kill 5, Fast Reaction Time, Nerves of Steel, Attractiveness +2, Increased jump distance +3 yards, Minority (Asian Canadian) Name - Score - Damage – Notes Punch - 20 - 22 – Bash Kick - 19 - 23 – Bash Stake - 20 - 22 - Slash/Stab (TTH) - 17 - 22 - x5 vs. Vampires Jump Kick - 17 - 32 – Bash Spin Kick - 18 - 25 – Bash Dodge - 20 - None - Defense Action Yu is a Asian-Canadian Slayer who, after 'graduating' ran a club where both Slayers and 'good' demons could interact, make contacts and just have a good time. The Canadian government has asked her for aid on a few occasions, and, depending on the missions, she has obliged them.

Basic Trainee Slayer Motivation: Graduate Critter Type: Vampire Slayer Attributes: Str 6, Dex 7, Con 6, Int 2, Per 3, Will 5 Ability Scores: Muscle 18, Combat 16, Brains 10 Life Points: 73 Drama Points: 3 Special Abilities: Slayer, Fast Reaction Time, Nerves of Steel, Hard to Kill 5, Contact (Slayers) 3, Obligation (Team, Slayers) Name - Score - Damage – Notes Punch - 16 - 16 – Bash Kick - 15 - 18 – Bash Stake - 16 - 16 - Slash/Stab(TTH) - 13 - 15 - Slash/Stab, x5 vs. Vamps Jump Kick - 13 - 24 - Bash, must succeed Dex+ Acro or fall Spin Kick - 14 - 19 – Bash This is your basic, newly called Slayer. One still in training with other slayers. They range in age from 14 to 16 on average, though many other, older Slayers fit in this group. These slayers stated above are of the 500 inductees into Buffy Summer's army of Slayers. Field Slayer Motivation: Slay Vampires Critter Type: Vampire Slayer Attributes: Str 7, Dex 8, Con 7, Int 2, Per 3, Will 4 Ability Scores: Muscle 20, Combat 18, Brains 11 Life Points: 87 Drama Points: 5 Special Abilities: Slayer, Nerves of Steel, Fast Reaction Time, Hard to Kill 7, Contacts (Slayers) 3, Obligation (Team, Slayers) Name - Score - Damage – Notes Punch - 18 - 18 – Bash Kick - 17 - 20 - Bash Stake - 18 - 18 – Bash (TTH) - 16 - 18 - x5 vs. Vamps Jump Kick - 15 - 28 – Bash Spin Kick - 16 - 22 - Bash This slayer has graduated and placed on a team for field work. She and her fellow slayers are placed in charge of a city and set about hunting down vampires and other supernatural predators. Elite Slayer Motivation: Keep the world safe Critter Type: Vampire Slayer Attributes: Str 8, Dex 9, Con 8, Int 3, Per 4, Will 4 Ability Scores: Muscle 22, Combat 20, Brains 13 Life Points: 104 Drama Points: 5 Special Abilities: Slayer, Nerves of Steel, Fast Reaction Time, Hard to Kill 10, Contacts (Slayers) 4, Natural Toughness, Obligation (Team, Slayers) Name - Score - Damage – Notes Punch - 20 - 21 – Bash Kick - 19 - 23 – Bash Stake - 20 - 21 - Slash/Stab (TTH) - 17 - 21 - x5 vs. Vamps Jump Kick - 17 - 27 – Bash Spin Kick - 18 - 25 - Bash The cream of the crop get into this rank. The best of the best Slayers who go on the most dangerous missions against the toughest adversaries. Two of them have been selected to act as 'decoy Buffy's'.

[seraphinitegames]

The Wayhaven Chronicles—Update 12/Feb/2021

Another buzzing week this week!

I got so much written, and I love what I wrote! 

So, in this chapter, there's a skill choice set (you can pick a people-based, combat-based, etc), but unlike in Book One where it was the same choices for each LI and they just reacted differently, I actually came up with a different people-based choice for each LI scene, a different tech-based choice, etc, and each of those obviously has their own pass or fail state versions.

It's A LOT, but I just am buzzing because it makes the scene feel so much more individual to the LI and the moment they are in with the MC! Also, it will add to freshness as people replay! Like playing a nearly different version of the same chapter!

It's just exactly how I always wanted these games to be, and I get to write them exactly that way!!! 

I know I say things like this all the time, but it never loses its value or excitement for me! Every time I finally get to bring one of these big variation pieces to life it's like a drug and I just wanna do even more, lol! :D 

I'm also having a blast writing the 'fail' versions! So the moments that happen if you don't pass the stat check. I want them to be just as fun and impactful as the 'pass' versions, but I always get to go more fun for the failed versions and a good dollop of humour in there to lighten up the moment, hehe!

But for specifics of what I got done, I finished Nate/Nat's scene, including the 'aftermath' scene, which was…very different to write for that romance!

I also finished Adam/Ava's scene, including the aftermath, but obviously a very different type of aftermath than N's because they have varying scenes and dramatic moments.

(The line of dialogue for A after their first choice set in their scene gives me goosebumps! In the best way :D)

And then I started on M's scene and got their first choice set completed (the second choice set in the LI scene is the skill-based one)!

I also got the first round of edits for Chapter 5 from SpunkyCat and did those. I'm trying to do those as she sends them, instead of letting them build-up and having to do hours and hours at the end. We'll see if I can keep that up. I tend to get too invested in writing to remember I still have to do those, lol!

Chapter Six is coming along a lot smoother than Chapter 5, so that's always motivating!

So yeah, a great week overall!

Hope you all have a brilliant weekend, and I'll talk to you soon! <3

[festiveferret]

⛔💖⌛ <3

⛔ Do you have a fic you started, but scrapped?

Hmmm. You could argue either way, I think. I have tons of fics I started writing and never went back to. I have lots of ideas and outlines that'll probably never get written. Then again, sometimes I randomly go back to something that's been sitting for ages and just finish it. So I don't think there's ever anything where I'm like "nevermind I don't want to write this" but I do radically change things and I do sometimes slap out a drunk outline, throw it in the drunk outlines folder and never look at it again.

💖 What made you start writing?

I have been writing stories for absolutely as long as I can remember. I wrote stories for the class magazine in grade 2, I wrote and performed plays for my parents and stuffed animals on a regular basis as a wee thing. I was writing stories before I actually knew how to write, so in my memorabilia box I have some "books" that are actually just scribbles in an appropriate pattern on pages I must have made my mom staple together. They were totally a book in my head. Every school project that could reasonably be a book or a play would be. I have a notebook that I used for writing stories from probably ages 8-15 or so when I started using a computer instead. I have angsty poetry from my teenage years, YA mystery novels, a play that ended up being produced which is a wholly ridiculous story I'll tell some time, short stories, and now a fuckton of fanfic. I just fucking love it and I always have.

⌛ How long does it take you to write a fic, or a chapter?

Well my fics and chapters vary hugely by length, but I do have some stats. A 20min sprint for me on average produces about 800 words. My record for 20mins is about 1500. On a grander scale, I have written 192k so far this year which is 863 words a day. My best year was 2018 where I wrote over 830k which was about 2.2k per day. My record for one day is 15k which was when I wrote this fic entirely in one day. My biggest single month was 113k. My lowest month since the beginning of 2017 was this past Feb where I only did 9.3k, which is also the first time I've dropped below 10k in a month since I started counting. My average per month of all the years I've been tracking (5.5 years) is 41.4k.

Thanks!! <3