#this was a draft from last month

[spamtonsmashorpass]

Welcome to the Spamton Smash Or Pass blog! I made this because I thought it would be fun, and hadn't seen anyone else do something like it before

Before any polls are done I would like to establish some rules (please read all of them before submitting):

what you can submit:

-(with permission from the artist) other people's spamton designs

-Your own spamton design of course

-AU Spamtons

-In game/canon Spamtons (because why not, this also includes spamtons from fangamer merch where he apears)

-spamton's from artists outside of tumblr(the permission rule still applies here)

What you CAN'T submit:

-other people's spamtons without asking/if they've said they aren't comfortable with it (in other words without permission)

-probably doesn't need to be said but characters that aren't spamton

-spamtons made by minors, the idea of doing that makes me a bit uncomfortable

Rule clarifications:

-Please include an image in your submission, they're what people will base their smash or passing based off of afterall, also I really don't feel like searching for one myself, especailly if the spamton is from a user who's not on tumblr, I don't really have other forms of social media so I won't be able to access it easily

-if the artist's only art involving spamton IS spamtis or other ships of that nature, then they cannot submit their spamton until they have some art not involving the ship (this doesn't feel very likely to be the case I'll admit but who knows)

-you can submit spamton's from users who ship spamtis or other gross ships, but don't use an image including the ship, I don't want to see that, you can also submit your own spamton if you ship these but the image rule still applies

-I don't mind art with spamton in other ships being in submissions, but I would prefer images with mainly just him in it since he's the main focus of this blog

-submissions can be given either through asks or the submission function, I'm fine with either, just don't submit through dms because that feels a bit odd

And that is all, have fun spamton smashing and passing!

[cozylittleartblog]

"content creator" is a corporate word.

we are artists.

[beets]

baby, bi bi bi

[antiadvil]

RPF stands for real person FACT. Every time you make Dan and Phil kiss in a fic they have to kiss in real life :(

[bixels]

The idea that uni protesters are "elitist ivy-league rich kids larping as revolutionaries" on Twitter and Reddit and even here is so fucking funny to me if you actually know anything about the student bodies at these unis. Take it from someone who's going to one of the biggest private unis in the US, 80% of the peers I know are either from the suburbs or an apartment somewhere in America, children of immigrants, or here on a student visa. I've heard about one-percenter students, but I've never met one in person. Like, don't get me wrong, the institution as a whole is still very privileged and white. I've talked with friends and classmates about feeling weird or dissonant being here and coming from such a different background. But in my art program, I see BIPOC, disabled, queer, lower-income students and faculty trying to deconstruct and tear that down and make space every day. So to take a cursory glance at a crowd of student protesters in coalitions that are led by BIPOC & 1st/2nd-gen immigrant students and HQ'd in ethnic housings and student organizations and say, "ah. children of the elite." Get real.

[rosesradio]

Luke Castellan x Fem!Reader (smut)

word count: 1,418

warnings: hand stuff 👋, thigh riding, coming in pants (some sub!luke as well, as a treat)

summary: in a pocket of alone time, you surprise luke by wearing his boxers underneath his sweatshirt. he's Unwell about this.

⋆⁺｡˚⋆˙‧₊☽ ◯ ☾₊‧˙⋆˚｡⁺⋆

It wasn't as if you were trying to hide anything. Still, you couldn’t deny how your heart pounded when you were caught.

For once in a blue moon, the Hermes cabin was empty. All of its campers were at an Athena-cabin-organized arts and crafts exhibition. Luke had dropped by the event briefly, though seeing as you had told him you’d be in his cabin, he made his way back fairly quickly.

Luke had entered the cabin with his back to you, locking the door with the swift urgency of a heist mission.

“We don’t have a lot of time,” Luke whispered, turning around. “The Stolls can do my unlocking trick, and—“ his voice faltered. “Is that my sweatshirt?”

You nodded, a grin tugging at the corners of your lips. You loved wearing your boyfriend’s clothes, especially this piece. The black sweatshirt had the white Camp logo on it. It was a size too big on you and smelled like Luke, so it felt like being hugged by him even when he wasn’t there.

“You look adorable,” Luke smiled, moving over to his bed as he looked you up and down. “Are you, um…do you have shorts on under it?”

You raised your brows. You always did, though the way he asked it suggested he preferred you didn’t.

“Well,” you started. “Sort of…” you lifted up the sweatshirt, showing off a pair of his own light blue boxers.

“Oh,” Luke swallowed, sitting on his bed. His eyes were dark as he took in the look of you in his clothes. You had never worn his underwear before. Still, seeing as you had hooked up more than a few times, you figured this was okay to try out.

“Do you not like it?” You asked, your tone almost innocent. “I can change if you want…wear something of mine…”

Luke had seen just about your entire underwear drawer, from your sexiest pieces to what you had to wear on laundry day (which you found really embarrassing, though Luke had assured you that he’d find you hot in a trash bag). Now, however, he seemed to really like seeing you in his boxers.

“Please don't,” Luke insisted, his cheeks flushed as he reached out, pulling you close by your thighs. His touch wandered up, rubbing the dip of your hips as he moved closer to you. He did this thing sometimes, ruminating in the feeling of you, inches from kissing you without actually doing so.

It was you who finally gave in, pulling Luke close by the nape of his neck to kiss him. He let out a soft, almost relieved breath against your lips. The sound turned into a whimper as you tangled your fingers into his curls and pulled.

"You're so pretty," you murmured, simultaneously loving and hating the way kissing him made your mind go blank. You could only think of how much you loved him, how much you wanted him.

"Can't believe you're the one sayin' that," Luke shook his head. "When I got to walk in on you looking like this..." he allowed the hand not holding your hip to wander down further, to the hem of your (his) boxers. "Gods, can I?" he nuzzled into the crook of your neck, pressing kisses to the sensitive skin there.

You nodded, humming with clear approval and need. Luke moved his hand further down, between your legs, pulling away to fixate on you. He used two fingers to rub your clit, making your breath hitch as you pressed into his touch.

“Mm, finally,” you murmured against his lips between kisses. “Needed this for so long…”

“Yeah?” Luke hummed. “Beats doing it yourself, hm?” He pressed down a little harder, moving a little faster in a way that made you grasp his biceps. “Beats your toy?”

You let out a soft whine, burying your face in the crook of Luke’s neck. Your face flushed, your stomach writhing with a mixture of embarrassment and arousal. Taking in his warmth, his scent, only pushed you further to the edge. “How—How’d you know about my toy?”

“You asked me to check your bedside drawer for an extra flashlight last week,” Luke replied smugly. “It was kinda hidden under a picture of us, and…I haven’t been able to stop thinking of it since…” he breathed the words near your ear, his voice warm and low. “Haven’t been able to stop thinking…of you…since…”

You moaned, grasping his shirt as your hips involuntarily pressed further into his touch. “Fuck…” you squeezed your eyes shut for a moment. “Please don’t stop…”

“‘Course not, sweetheart,” Luke murmured. He snaked a hand up your (his) sweatshirt, cupping one of your breasts in his large, warm hand. He squeezed, teasing the nipple before moving over to the other. “Wanna see your pretty face when you come for me, yeah?” He asked breathily.

You nodded. Gods, it had been such a long time. When was the last time you had come from only this? Part of you wanted his mouth (his tongue could work wonders), though you also couldn’t deprive yourself of your high a moment longer.

Your face scrunched up as an orgasm ran through you, so surprisingly tense that your stomach almost hurt. You whimpered, holding onto Luke, pressing desperately into his touch.

”Gods,” you caught your breath. “That was so good…”

Luke grinned as he pulled his hand away, always humble when it came to getting his work complimented. “Glad to be of service. Now, what do you say, beautiful…?”

You frowned, rolling your eyes at his smartass ways before you stopped short. You lit up with an idea.

“Flip us around,” you said. “I want you in my lap.”

Luke raised his brows, though he complied. “You have something in mind, or…?”

In a haze of desire, you ran your hands up Luke’s thighs, gazing up at him thoughtfully. He was situated so he was straddling one of your thighs, and you could feel how hard he was through his shorts.

“For being such a smartass,” you said decidedly. “You can put in the work to get yourself off. Just…like…this.”

“You’re kidding,” Luke whispered. He flushed bright red, licking his lips. “Isn’t there some way I can get outta this? This isn’t fair…”

You shrugged. “Life’s not fair, sweetheart. I mean, you could always use your own hand, but…” you laughed softly. He would never get himself off if he could have you, no matter what ‘having you’ meant. “I’d get to work, though. Tick-tock…”

Luke murmured a curse in Ancient Greek, beginning to roll his hips down against the warm, soft flesh of your thigh. His eyes were half lidded, his lips parted to let out soft pants and moans. Without the haze of your own aching need, you could see how good Luke looked so clearly.

Luke grasped your sweatshirt, hands moving back up it to cup your breasts again. He kissed you again, his tongue pressing ever so slightly to yours, gentle and inviting. You gripped his hips, guiding him along, watching as desperation coiled within his dark eyes.

"Gods," Luke whispered against your lips, his gaze lustful and hazy. "Seein' you in my boxers is just making me think of—mm, fuck—havin' a place with you. I wanna wake up to you wearing those, and...making us breakfast, maybe..."

"Yeah?" You mused, running your hands up Luke's shirt, exploring the panes of his chest. "Only if you'd get dolled up and return the favor, handsome..."

You could feel Luke's cock twitch against your thigh at that, and you grinned. No matter how far along you were in this, praise always got to him. You grasped his face roughly, your thumb pressing against his bottom lip.

"Aw, you gonna come for me, beautiful?" You teased. "I made such a pretty mess out of you..."

Luke's cheeks flushed, grinding down on your thigh with the desperation of a man depraved. His hips finally faltered, and he came with a whimpering moan. The sound alone made your stomach coil with another wave of arousal, pondering round two.

"There you go," You murmured, running your fingers through his messy curls as he nuzzled into the crook of your neck. "Good boy...now, what do you say...?"

Luke pressed open-mouthed kisses to your neck, trembling slightly against you in the aftershocks. "Thank...thank you..."

"You're welcome," you replied smugly. You were sure that next time, provided he wasn't such a smartass, you would give him a lot more to thank you for.

[auldcine]

I just want to wish you good luck... and all that. And all what? What ever you want. FRED ASTAIRE and GINGER ROGERS in SWING TIME (1936)

[explodingquails]

"I just can't stand having anyone else betray me."

[rinbylin]

我赢了。 I won. - 我与他十年前海上一战，赢了他半招他却死了。 I fought him on the sea ten years ago and won by half a move, but he died. -你说既然笛飞声没有死，那李相夷一定还活着对不对？ since di feisheng is not dead, it must mean that li xiangyi is still alive, right? - 我快死了...你不惜一切代价却救不了我。// 好不容易救你出来，你可不能死。 I am dying...you have done everything no matter the costs yet you couldn't save me. // I saved you after much difficulty, you can't die. 君武勇之处，世所罕见，心悦诚服。 your valiance is unparalleled in this world. to which I am wholeheartedly convinced.

dihua + a matter of life and death | 莲花楼 mysterious lotus casebook

[raiiny-bay]

:-)

[pluvio-floret]

Ah, tragedy au (said like Dungeon Meshi. Winged Lion voice.)

Original post

[averlym]

ghost story premiere day! check @melliotwrites for more info

[heelkenny]

"Biting? Kenny's Biting?" "Hangman returning the favor!"

Kenny Omega & Hangman Adam Page exchange bites

(AEW Full Gear 2021)

[deiaiko]

#22.9 Kindness

Ran woke up with far less aching than he anticipated. Though what shocked him more was that the long haired FUG was the first one to greet him.

"Oh. Hello." The FUG guy, Bam –as A.A called him– wore a soft smile, but half of his face was still hidden behind his long bangs. Ran didn't know if he wanted to respond to him or not. 

"Ran~!" Shibisu cried fake tears, "My cutie~ you made me worried!" Ran grimaced when Shibisu leaped from his seat with two hands outstretched. He was so troublesome, but at least he was good at noticing the line he shouldn't cross, by stopping himself from actually enveloping Ran in an embrace.

Ran gritted his teeth and pushed himself up to sit to get a better look at his surroundings. Seemed like there were only the three of them in the room.

"Mr. Agni said he has healed most of your injuries, and he left you here to rest until you feel better." Bam informed him unprompted. "Khun and Mr. Rak had just left to get lunch at the cafeteria, they should be back soon."

Ran ignored him. He had no intentions to be friendly with this guy. He also noticed that Shibisu was oddly quiet, observing him and Bam. And Ran felt his judging stare pricking his skin and poking his conscience.

Bam glanced at Shibisu, and Shibisu raised an eyebrow. They seemed to have a short telepathic conversation.

"Ah, sorry. I should've introduced myself first. My name's Bam, but you can also call me Viole. I'm Mr– ah, I'm Shibisu's old teammate."

Ran already knew. He had heard about Bam from hushed tales between his allies; about an irregular that took the test with A.A's team and died back on the second floor.

Despite the fact that this person named Bam was long gone, A.A's world seemed to still revolve around him. Like how he couldn't seem to let go of their team that bickered all the time, and how his goal was to take that annoying blonde girl to climb despite his unsubtle hatred toward her.

But the worst of it was how A.A would be so hard on himself to ensure every floor test went perfectly. 

And truthfully, Ran had hated this Bam ever since, for making A.A live like that.

"Are you thirsty, Ran? You haven't spoken in a bit." Shibisu pulled Ran out of his thoughts.

Ran cleared his throat at the mention. And Shibisu was right; his throat actually felt so dry that he wanted to talk even less. Too troublesome.

"Ah, right. Uhm…here." Bam picked up and offered him a glass of water, along with a pill in a small container. "Mr. Agni told us to give this to you, he said it could help relieve some pain."

Ran was skeptical about taking the pill, so he only accepted the water. He watched Bam place the container back on the table, silently glad that neither of them forced him to take it.

Bam was being really thoughtful so far. Maybe he'd consider giving Bam a chance to justify himself. To prove that he could be forgiven for hurting A.A in such a way.

"...Ran." Ran mumbled, "My name's Ran."

Bam beamed and Ran had to mentally squint from the sudden rays of sunlight, "It's nice to meet you, Mr. Ran! If you need anything else, just tell me. I'll do my best to assist you."

Ah, troublesome. Ran immediately regretted his decision.

However, now he understood why A.A had been so devoted. A.A was weak to kindness, because Ran knew they both grew up without it. And as far as Ran knew, A.A had always chased after something hard to attain, one of a kind. Whether it was jewelry, weapons, authority,...even people. And Bam fit the criteria too well.

The automatic door opened and revealed A.A. Their eyes inevitably locked and A.A's disappointment was clear to Ran.

Think of the devil…Ran felt his annoyance bar rapidly rising.

"What did I tell you?" A.A navigated his way to them, not once breaking his glare. "Only consume redan when it's absolutely necessary."

Ran was taking none of it. "Hmph!" He had lots of fun with the spar, so he wouldn't say he regretted it.

A moment passed with A.A still staring daggers into him. It almost made Ran feel bad. Almost. In the end, A.A sighed and let it slide. "Suit yourself."

A.A brought three plates filled with an assortment of food. Though Ran figured that none of them were for him. Ran's stomach rumbled defiantly when the smell reached his nose.

Instead of being teased, Ran was taken aback when Bam offered him his yet untouched food. "You can have this, Mr. Ran."

Ran didn't know how to react to that, feeling a little uncomfortable. He felt like it would be wrong to refuse, but he didn't want it. He looked at A.A instead, hoping that he'd get the hint.

A.A noticed this and said, "You don't have to be nice to him, Bam."

"Hm? Why?"

Unfortunately A.A didn't say a better explanation other than, "Because that's how it is with him."

Shibisu slung his arms around Bam's neck. "What Khun meant is…Ran appreciates your thoughtfulness, but I think he would rather get his own food than take yours because he doesn't want to bother you. Right?"

Isu winked at Ran, and Ran rolled his eyes. That was not exactly true, but it was a softer way to put it. "As he said."

"Ah," Bam retracted his offering hands, "I see."

Ran wasted no time and swung his feet off the bed, glad to find that they weren't hurting as much. 

Bam had leaped from his seat as well, ready to catch Ran with his free hand if Ran didn't make it to stand. However it only made Ran much more eager to leave the room and get away from Bam.

Getting nice gestures from someone else he barely knew usually means they have ulterior motives, and he was so tired of being treated that way.

Bam might have meant well, seeing how much A.A trusted Bam. But Ran just hadn't gotten used to receiving kindness.

"Well then," Ran went for the door and it automatically opened for him. He didn't bother to look back to check if they followed him out. "I'll go and get some food."

Masterlist

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[nat-1-whump]

❄️ Magical cold/comfort

Fantasy hurt/comfort ideas no. 6

Deep in the woods, Whumpee gets injured and passes out. Caretaker carries them as they stumble through the snow, desperately looking for anyone who can help. Eventually they find a lone cabin with someone who is very surprised to have visitors. Whumpee wakes up wrapped in a blanket in front of a warm fire, their injuries treated with some sweet-smelling home remedies. Their head rests in Caretaker's lap as Caretaker gently strokes their hair. Whumpee dozes off again, listening to Caretaker explain their situation to the odd stranger who has taken them in.

Whumpee accidentally covers themself in frost while trying to practice some cold-related spell. Caretaker steps outside to find Whumpee on the ground, practically frozen solid. Caretaker is quick to bring them inside and seat them near the fire, bundle them up in layers of blankets, and make them something warm to eat. When Whumpee takes the meal with shivering hands, Caretaker presses them on why they were trying to practice that by themself. Whumpee's face turns red as they admit they were worried they weren't strong enough to protect Caretaker from Whumper.

Huddling for warmth combined with nonhuman parts, like wings, tails, long pointy ears, etc. Nonhuman Caretaker uses their wings to wrap Whumpee up like a blanket, hugging them tight as they wait for the snow storm to pass. Caretaker tries to thaw Nonhuman Whumpee's long ears by rubbing them with their hands or putting socks over them. Nonhuman Whumpee and Nonhuman Caretaker twist their tails together, rub their wings together, etc to try to warm up. This can vary a lot depending on what species Whumpee and Caretaker are.

Whumpee with fire magic thinks they'll be just fine venturing into the cold, but as they use more and more magic they start to exhaust their power. By the time they get home, their power is depleted and they're freezing cold. Or maybe they don't even make it home, passing out outside where Caretaker finds them and brings them inside. They groggily wake up in front of the fireplace, leaning against Caretaker on the couch. As soon as they're lucid enough, Caretaker scolds them and makes them promise not to be so careless.

Caretaker with ice magic or cold resistance underestimates how dangerous the cold can be to Whumpee. While outside foraging for potion ingredients or doing some quest in the snow, Caretaker assumes Whumpee is right behind them. But when they turn around, Whumpee isn't there. Caretaker frantically goes back along the trail, and finds Whumpee collapsed on the ground, a layer of frost already forming over them. Whatever they were doing would have to wait. For now, they had to find some way to warm Whumpee up.

Whumper freezes Whumpee in an ice crystal as a decoration or trophy. They use magic to keep Whumpee alive and conscious, even as they're completely frozen solid. When Caretaker finally gets Whumpee out of Whumper's lair and breaks them out of the ice, they want nothing more than to get revenge on Whumper. Still, that will have to wait until Whumpee's doing better. For now, Caretaker settles for warming Whumpee up with cuddles by the fireplace, squeezing them tight and promising them that Whumper will never hurt them again.

Caretaker is just chilling (no pun intended) in their house when a portal opens up. Their rival Whumpee collapses through it. Caretaker just barely catches them before they fall face-first on the floor. Whumpee is badly injured, soaked to the bone and shivering uncontrollably. Caretaker is just a little bit tempted to throw their rival back into the portal and close it behind them. Still, they reluctantly decide to warm Whumpee up and wait to do that until after they've recovered somewhat. Caretaker really wants Whumpee to tell them what happened. After all, as much as they dislike Whumpee, not even they would put them in this condition.

Possibly a continuation of the last prompt, rivals Caretaker and Whumpee bickering as Caretaker tries to warm Whumpee up. As they try to get the ice off with fire or a blow-dryer, Caretaker calls Whumpee an idiot. Whumpee's face turns redder, and they snap at Caretaker to shut up and get them another blanket. Caretaker makes Whumpee some hot tea to help thaw them out, but Whumpee refuses to drink it because it's too hot. Both of them want to cuddle, but neither wants to be the one to suggest it.

[2hoothoots]

i was having a chuckle to myself last night about Gristol, and how his plans are basically:

Restore Ford Cruller's memory

Find Maligula

???

Profit

but then... of course they are, right? this is Gristol we're talking about. Fatherland Follies drives home again and again that he's still operating on a child's logic, a warped and reductive version of the world that he never bothered to grow out of. both of his memory vaults center on the images of his childhood, this idealized version of the past that he clings to no matter what. and that's still how he remembers Maligula, too - as this saviour figure, who rushes in to help him when he's in trouble.

[ID: Two slides from Gristol's memory vault, Glory to Grulovia! Left: Gristol clings to Maligula's back as she summons waves to sweep away his assailants. Right: Gristol and Maligula waving from a balcony as the people cheer. Gzar Theodore brandishes a dagger in the background.]

like so much else, Maligula represents a return to this idyllic childhood - to the peace and simplicity of his youth, when he was free from worries and responsibilities. in his mind, he doesn't need to make any further plans - once Maligula's back, everything will go back to normal. Maligula will make everything better.

...is what i thought, but then i remembered this line:

[Screenshot source. ID: Gristol, in Truman's body, bows on his hands and knees in front of the newly-awaked Maligula. The caption reads: "Yes, High Priestess! I am here to correct the mistakes made by my father!"]

and that's kind of interesting, right?

to be clear: this happens directly after Maligula sees Helmut-in-Gristol's-body, and recognises him. her line before this is:

"Little Gzesaravich! Have you come to pay for your father's sins?"

my first thought was that Gristol hadn't expected to still be in Truman's body by the time he managed to find Maligula, and this was him trying to placate her and buy some time until he could explain the situation. but watching the cutscene back, that's clearly not what's happening here. Gristol is answering as himself, and his response of throwing himself to his knees before her is, as far as i can tell, genuine.

so what is going on here?

in Fatherland Follies, there's this line in the ride narration that stuck out to me:

"Why didn't the Gzar help Maligula in her time of need? No one knows, but historians agree - it is Gzar Theodore's biggest failure."

other lines mention Gzar Theodore's "mistake", and it's wording Gristol himself echoes in the screencap above. evidently, he believes that his father abandoned Maligula, leaving her to her fate at the hands of the Psychonauts, and it was that mistake that lead to them being driven out of the country - that mistake which he seeks to correct. maybe he even feels like he has a debt to repay to her for his family turning their backs on her all those years ago.

the 'High Priestess' thing, though - that's kinda weird, and threw me for a loop the first time i played the game. it took me until my second playthrough to connect the dots, and remember how the room in the Lady Luctopus - Gristol's room - was full of Delugionist scribblings and symbols.

[Screenshot source. ID: left, the walls of the hidden backroom in Gristol's hotel suite, covered in scrawlings of eyeballs and Maligula's name. Right, the pinboard from the hidden backroom. On its surface are photographs and newspaper clippings connected by pieces of string.]

i mean, look at this stuff! he had a whole conspiracy board and everything!

we learn very little about the Delugionists and their beliefs as a whole during the game, but i think drawing the connection here suggests two important things. one: that Gristol was in deep with this stuff. i don't know how he linked up with them - maybe via old family connections, or just good old-fashioned digging (we know he's skilled at worming his way into peoples' good graces, after all) - but it seems likely that he's begun to internalise their ideas, maybe even warping his own memories of events. and two: the Delugionists themselves are, if you'll pardon the pun, pretty far off the deep end.

like... i understand why PN2 didn't go heavy on the "mass-murderer cult worship" aspect of things, in the end, but man this is such a tantalising glimpse into the wider mythos around Maligula. Gristol is proud and haughty and thinks himself above everyone else; the fact that his first reaction seeing Maligula is to throw himself to the ground at her feet says so much about the way he's come to see her. he's not just trying to bring back Maligula, his childhood bodyguard. he's trying to bring back Maligula, the High Priestess of the deluge, the semi-mythical figure whose supporters believe even death couldn't stop. he doesn't even flinch at the way she confronts him, and maybe it's because he's bought in so completely to this deified figurehead, this idea of Maligula; more a living force of nature than a person. and it all comes back to the same place: an abdication of responsibility, not just to the person who protected him when he was little but to this avatar of floods and destruction. Maligula will make everything better.

i'd write more about my thoughts on the Delugionists but that'd be taking a hard turn into speculation, and this is already kind of long and rambling so i'd better end it here. but what an unexpected and evocative line, right? it's some of the only stuff we have to go off of regarding the Delugionists as a whole, but i think it does such a good job of hinting at the wider story - at teasing another layer to the mythos surrounding Maligula, one whose ripples we see throughout the game but which never quite breaches the surface.