#to help see her through a loss of faith that has to be reborn somewhere different.

[thedragonsfate]

ok but helioc followers being doomed inherently if they have any tragic or untimely death because they're taught that "Helio wouldn't let that happen" and similar principles

Being taught to live for the afterlife but also to expect worldly challenges like murder/tragedy/etc are something you are like. Immune to somehow? In living?

You are devoted to Helio and in so you will have a peaceful death, one that is fair and just and I'm befitting circumstances. Or at least that if you are subject to a tragic death, Helio will be there to hold you with open arms and some kind of REASON. Something to bring a wholeness to the upset of not getting what you've been taught to expect.

This idea that you are helioc and so your death is Helioc. Helio must have a plan for you, and your death will not be untimely, and if it seems so it serves a greater purpose that is theologically rewarding. Because of course it does.

You are helioc and so you don't just die for no reason. Death is a moment of respite and a crossing into everlasting life and it will ALWAYS be for a greater reason if not simply your salvation.

Helioc followers (and followers of sol) learning that sense of disdain for their non or "wrongly" faithful peers due to that sense of superiority. That sense of superiority extending past your feelings about others and into your expectations for how you will pass into the afterlife.

That superiority creating a fellowship that EXPECTS Helio to save them in the living world - because you've been good, it's not your time yet, Helio wouldn't let that happen to you, his faithful servant. You are faithful and he would not punish you with a an unjustified death.

You are ENTITLED to a befitting death into afterlife because you are Good where the world is Bad and you do everything you can to remind those who do not follow your god, to relentlessly try to convert them, to fall into the trap you fell in so long ago shaped by fear, by a victim complex, by isolation from other groups that makes you hostile toward them, even if behind a smile.

A world that is Fundamentally and Observably polytheistic, where the Helioc unfortunate enough to befall a tragic, untimely, or unexplainable death are -doomed- to the faith upon meeting their Deity. Because unlike those of the faith who have passed peacefully or for their own martyrdom or whatever else, you show up to the corny gates and something is Wrong. Your god comes to you with love but he did not protect you in the way you're certain he was supposed to. In the way you were taught you DESERVED.

This is not a reward for your devotion and it cannot be justified. Your god is a Fratboy of Corn who is unable to answer your questions because to answer your questions truthfully would be to unravel the principles fundamental to your religion. To acknowledge that "bad things happen [to good people] because Things Happen" is to admit that being Helioc does not Save You from the wrath of the cosmos. That being Helioc does not make you uniquely and automatically good, and therefore safe from the happenstance of the world. That the good people you watched suffer did not Earn it in some way, they were just dealt that hand. The hard times befallen upon your worldly siblings is not something that happens because they weren't "devout enough."

to admit Helio is not inherently more holy than any other deity, is the kind of truth that can destroy this type of faith, and Helio needs to stay alive. Gods are not of the material, but they're dependent on their followers to survive. To bend to what their followers preach and create as their religion in this SPECIFIC way means that you can no longer be truthful about these matters when (if) they ask. In the right hands it could destroy him. He needs the unwavering faith the church has built to stay as strong as he has been, because that it how he's maintained the power he's had until now. He no longer knows another way. And that's excluding whatever influence Sol/the church of Sol has on him and his domain.

Helio not only cannot answer truthfully, but is DESTINED to get himself out of dodge quick upon being asked. Because as above so below, and the church is not known for its ability or willingness to take responsibility.

And if youre disillusioned enough, or angry enough, or sharp enough to put that together from an interaction in any way similar to Kristen's in freshman year, then the betrayal of your own God is GOING to take over.

Maybe you're like Kristen and you start asking questions, maybe you're like Buddy and take the rageful hand that offers to ressurect you the way your own God "should have".

But to die in the way they died automatically puts them in a position that if they are to get to heaven and ask questions, or have conflicting feelings strong enough to get you thinking, then they're DOOMED either to be disappointed with Helio or to dig deeper into deluding themselves. This of course will not always trigger a loss of faith, ans plenty of people leave the church in living for a myriad of reasons - we saw this with the summer of endless night. But there's something so interesting in the way the nature of your death could be further reinforcement of your ideals or completely shatter them in one fell swoop, even upon reaching the place of blessed afterlife.

because the Church of Helio seems different from the other religions we've seen in game in that over time the modern faith has been been BUILT on expectation and a sense of deserving more than others. And to die in a manner directly opposed to your own sense of entitlement is all that the latent anger may need to break that follower-deity relationship

Of course Kristen met Helio and was immediately unsure about her direction in life. On the other side of that coin, of course Buddy let his faith go to come back to life to serve a corrupt god of rage. They're children killed young and devout, who's deaths are orchestrated by powers out of their hands, and not in line with the ideals taught by your god.

The difference being how entrenched you are when that happens, and who's there to pull you out.

[natsunoomoi]

Still thinking about that ending

It’s been weeks and I am shocked by how much it weighs on my mind. I’ve literally rewatched scenes several times, played things over, Googled other people’s interpretations, read Through His Eyes twice, done image searches, and a bunch of things. I just keep thinking about his story and also relating it to other villains in the franchise and even apocalyptic doomsday plot lines in other series.

I’ve just found Emet-Selch/Hades to be extremely compelling. I still don’t agree with his perspective in thinking shard people are lesser, but I can understand how he got to that conclusion. I don’t agree with his solution, but I can understand how he came to choose it and how he can continue to stick to it. I can empathize greatly with his outburst against Alphinaud questioning how he can view their two positions as equal as its also flat out a normal response to grief and loss.

There’s just a number of things....But like, he isn’t wrong about the frailty and weaknesses of people. We see that everyday in how our species can be so involved in greed and vice and hedonism for the sake of selfishness. That stuff is true and not wrong, and sometimes those things make me wonder whether or not the death of us all due to not being able to stop climate change is deserving. But at the same time, thinking only of those things also ignores all of the beautiful things our species is able to create. Our fragility and ephemeral natures are what make our life special and urge us to create beautiful art and appreciate life. We also have an incredible capacity to care for others and to surpass expectations with sheer will if we want to, but as they say in Spider-Man, with great power comes great responsibility and it is unfortunate that some people wield what power they have irresponsibly to the point that the rest of us can’t have nice things.

And like that point he makes is also expressed in X/1999 as well through the Dragons of Earth. That’s another influential work on me and I actually totally root for the Dragons of Heaven, but I also like a number of the members of the Dragons of Earth and I don’t find them to be wrong either. The earth in that story will either way be reborn, but the point of contention is whether or not humans will be included in it. The Dragons of Earth fight for a rebirth without humans entirely while the Dragons of Heaven fight so that humans can be given a second chance to take better care of their home. The ironic thing is that the Dragons of Earth also include essentially a lab experiment created through genetic and bio-engineering science that was once a little girl that was terminally ill, and the other a technopath that can talk with machines. Both things represent the innovations of mankind, but also mankinds step into taboo territory of science where they do science for science’s sake with moral ambiguity and don’t stop to think if they should do something. They are examples of humans playing god and the lines between what is a life and what isn’t becoming blurry. To that end, Satsuki the technopath, asks one question of Yuzuriha about the position of the Dragons of Heaven about why humans are deserving to be included in the rebirth. It’s so poignant because the Dragons of Earth are themselves humans and her powers as well as Nataku’s exist because of human innovation. Yuzuriha isn’t able to answer at all though and so Satsuki kills her guardian dog. But Satsuki isn’t really being evil, she just wanted Yuzuriha to think and answer and there’s all kinds of answers and she really just wanted to know why it’s okay to prioritize human life above all others. It’s a fair question giving what they are fighting for but not one she really cared for an answer to. She just wanted Yuzuriha to actually think about her position rather than just take for granted that her side is saving people. But I think it’s true too because why is it okay to kill animals, but not people? I’m not a vegetarian, but even outside the food industry often our businesses and way of life displace animals in favor of space for us. I admit I do so too in terms of how I kill spiders and bugs that enter my home, but they are just doing them. Plus when a lot of Westerners think of solar panels they only think of “empty space” as in no humans live there, but actually there’s no space on the planet that is truly actually unoccupied as there may be a local ecosystem there that you just don’t see. But if people make that comment, they obviously are only considering people and not the animals. And oil companies go to places for oil because human life requires the use of oil and it is in demand because of how we live, but oil rigs even in the ocean cause a risk to marine life not just from spills but from the mere presence of a foreign object sitting in the middle of the damn ocean. On the daily we prioritize human convenience and life over the lives of the plants and animals around us. I realize this at the same time knowing I am guilty of it too just as everyone else living in a city. I wouldn’t give up doing it either because I find this way of living in an apartment with electricity comfortable, but if I have to think overall for the good of the planet if I deserve to live this way more than the plants and animals that had to sacrifice to give me this space, I have doubts. While I do this to not live like a total hermit recluse and my comforts and entertainment and way of life are fundamentally unnatural, I know somewhere along the line there is a cost. I am unable to compel myself to give it up completely and I suspect most humans would too, so I wonder sincerely if it would be better if humans didn’t exist.

And to be fair, the Dragons of Earth would also question whether or not the Ascians even deserved to exist either. If we’re applying their logic to XIV as well. It’s not like they would take Emet-Selch’s side. I would like to be optimistic about Amaurotine life and think they are better than us without malice, but I can’t be sure. He’s also tempered so you can’t really tell how much truth he told. But I really think the Dragons would wonder if any humans even godlike humans like them even deserved to have so much creation power if it could go haywire in a moment of anxiety, and if they viewed themselves with a superiority complex. The idea for the Dragons is that humans are incapable of coexisting just as the Ascians seem to be incapable of coexisting with the shard planets.

I also just can’t imagine his burden. Like the Scions we play us chose to take up the mantle and fight for the betterment of their lives and other people. They self-started themselves into their situation. Emet-Selch was elected. He was chosen by his people to be a leader and to save them. He was bestowed the responsibility as a representative of them. While I don’t agree with his methods and I can’t imagine that if he did resurrect his people and home that all of them would be all that happy about what he did to do it, I can imagine that is an immense pressure to have to bear and the feeling of failure of being unable to do it or even if he was the one who designed the plan and it failed spectacularly or didn’t go how he expected on top of any possible manipulation he may be experiencing from Zodiark itself. I think perhaps at the time panicked citizens gathered outside the meeting place of the Convocation and clamored for salvation and express their faith in them to please save them. He was respected as one of the most brilliant of them and it seemed their faith in him was quite strong for them to elect him. Imagining the perspective of someone in the position of leader while all hell is breaking loose, I can imagine how that scene can compel a person to fulfill a promise at all costs even if it starts to become murder-y and crazy. Like he probably has imprinted on his mind all of the people down to the smallest child looking up at him and depending on him to help them to continue to live. And it’s just, I don’t know how you forget that even if they all die. It probably haunts you in your sleep, and forces you to re-promise every night to save them. And bear in mind, I still think he’s wrong because the dead are dead. The gone and sacrificed are just gone, but those memories must be there and could be just enough to keep him sticking to his plan. Plus in his grief he recreated his home. He had a point in doing it too, but he did it in such incredible detail. It’s likely there’s bias in it, and I find it amazing that there is an operable store that will actually sell you goods (from a game development perspective it totally makes sense to have something there for the player to get supplies, but seriously from a narrative perspective having an operable store in a town of shades where no one will actually buy anything is depressing af), it’s depressing to know his level of grief to know that he chose to hang out there.

There’s just so many layers too it, I just sit in awe thinking about it.

And then of course, there’s just that he tried. He built up two fascist empires in Allag and Garlemalde for sure, but along the way he had moments where he tried. The Through His Eyes story is just heartbreaking at the end where he talks about his son and where he had hope that maybe the shard people would be okay, but then had all of his hopes dashed when his son died prematurely. Like I can imagine everything going fine with him and he’s going through the motions and doing his plan, but he actually gets emotionally struck by this little baby and watched him grow into a young man. But despite all of his advantages and privilege he dies to an illness reminding him that shard people aren’t all that hearty. He must have experienced similar time and time again as he chose to live among the people. Like the story even talks about how he had concerns of political enemies and even allies that eventually stabbed him in the back as he rose to power as Solus, and I can understand how that can make someone a bit jaded in general, and I mean anyone can get jaded if the people around them that helped to give them their support are all douchebags waiting for their time. Part of it is who you surround yourself with, but I mean, in a political arena where you rise to power to run a country like that, you have a lot of people vying for the same thing so you run into a lot of characters like that. Often, the nice people who don’t pull that shit don’t even bother to take positions like that. Power corrupts absolutely, and let’s even say that outside of him trying to do the Rejoining thing so that he can have his home back he also tried and dabbled in being a decent person as he rose up. Possible considering he funded a theatre troupe and sponsored the arts. He could have tried to be a decent ruler at the same time as trying to bring the end of the world, and maybe in those times where he was trying to be decent he thought about maybe not following through only to have a trusted aid or someone stab him in the back with some kind of political intrigue. It’s possible there was some actual goal-post shifting in his desire to search for hope among the people, but also it’s hard to not be horribly disappointed by people when they do that to you. Like I’m melodramatic sometimes and when something goes wrong, I just say “Ugh, I hate everyone,” but if he experienced that for real, there’s a reasonable amount of expectation that he might feel like shard humans are a waste of space.

And well, his grief. Like he gets really upset when Alphinaud tries to point out that their goals are essentially the same where they are trying to save their respective people and treat the situations like they are equal and he gets upset and says that they are not. He doubles down on the shard people being lesser because they are fragments, which I think is wrong, but I think also Alphinaud is wrong for thinking he can completely understand how Emet-Selch feels. This here is a lesson in grief in general. When you lose something, particularly people you care about, there’s bereavement. You feel like there’s a hole inside you. I felt this when my Dad died. It hurts so much and it’s completely unforgettable. It gets easier to live with because after awhile you just get tired of crying and wallowing in depression and it gets easier to cope with, but the mistake a lot of people make when something bad happens to others is they can say the words, “I know how you feel” when they are trying to give sympathy. I understand it’s the thought that counts and they are trying to say that they understand that you are sad, but sometimes people get angry when they hear that because actually there is no possible way for any other human being on the planet to actually *know* how you feel. Other people may have been able to experience loss and understand loss because they have loss too or have people they also want to protect as is in the case in this game, but every person’s experience is also different. Like I loved and still love my Dad, but part of the horror after his death was finding out from all of his friends and our extended family that he was a different person to everyone. It makes sense that he is because we all had different interactions with him, but when he died I felt like I didn’t know who he was because I learned so many things about him after he died from different people that I just felt lost and felt like I didn’t really know him even though I was his daughter. I had so many questions left and a part of myself and my dreams died with him. As an aside, this is probably especially moving for me at this time of year as the last Christmas he was alive I opted to stay in LA because I had to work and it would be difficult for me to go home for the holidays because I couldn’t get enough time off. Then between Christmas and New Year’s he had a heart attack and was in the hospital for a month and eventually died at the start of February the next year. And like, other people have experienced their father dying, but no one else had to experience the regret of choosing not to go home for what would turn out to be his last Christmas. That was my choice and my experience of his death. No one else made that choice. No one else had to experience coming as soon as I could for New Year’s to visit him in the hospital and just think he was going to be okay only for him to not be able to recover and then die after a surgery. My other family members were there and watched it happen for sure, but they experienced it in their own ways that was separate from mine as I had to go back to work. My sister was even still in school and didn’t talk to the doctors directly while I did, so I fundamentally have different memories and experiences of that time, and even feel slightly different about the whole thing because of that and because of my specific relationship with my Dad. So my grief is incomparable to literally anyone else in the world. I try not to be a dick to people who mean well and try to sympathize or even empathize with me with their own experience, but I totally understand the position of people who do when it happens to them because there is literally no possible way any other person in the world could possibly get it and understand how you feel. I am crushed and heartbroken over that still even though I’ve since healthily moved on with my life, but it still makes me sad and it’s nothing in comparison to losing way more people who may be more or less precious than that, your entire home, and having the weight of the responsibility of being the one person that was in charge of that. I wasn’t really in charge of my Dad’s affairs. My Uncle took the lead on that so I fortunately didn’t have to worry about a lot or do any daily check-ins with the doctors, but my sister and I both had the privilege to decide when we wanted to take him off life support. So I dunno, I can kind of imagine the weight of responsibility, but also completely understand that my situation is nothing in comparison to the weight this character must have felt. It’s not only not quite comparable on the in-game kind of racist basis of shard people vs full Amaurotines, but not comparable in terms of the actual grief or responsibility.

For me especially, knowing all that, there’s so much compelling about the character and so much I want to say to him that the game won’t let me. Even to kind of scold Alphinaud a little too for being a bit to presumptuous.

Grief though is....a terrible partner. It can linger with you for some time, and there’s so many clues to it in Emet-Selch’s behavior. A lot of people point to his slouching, and I noticed the peculiar shape of his eyebrows. No matter what his visage or expression his eyebrows are in perma-grief/sorrow position. That furrowed look a person has when they are sad. But even more than that, in re-watching his scenes I noticed how much he likes talking about sleeping and taking naps and how fond he is of passing the time that way. It didn’t hit me until I re-watched them and a lot of the fandom writes it off as laziness, but no, that is grief. That is depression and mourning. That was how I spent a good chunk of the first year. Sure I went to work and went through the motions of life, but I enjoyed sleep so much. It passed the time and meant less time and opportunity for my brain to think about how my Dad was gone. In my dreams and sleep too I would dream of him. Like I’d dream of being in the passenger seat of his car and we’re just driving somewhere. In real life sometimes it was nowhere in particular. Like a couple of times he’d just take us cruising and go somewhere and like his 2nd or 3rd car he had that I remember before he totaled it, there was a turbo in the car and he’d make us laugh by using it on off-ramp turns when we’re getting off the freeway. And when I sat in the front seat, I’d have my hand to my side and at the lights and times when he didn’t need his hand on the stick, he’d hold my hand and rub the back. When he died I escaped my reality by dwelling a lot of my free time in sleep and naps so I wouldn’t have to face the reality that he was actually gone. There’s no time limit though on grief and bereavement, and I had it so bad for one person that I was particularly close to for quite a long time. I can’t imagine how I would be myself to lose everything. The first year for me was the worst, but I think I was severely affected for at least 3-5 years. I slept so much. I never erased his number from my phone’s SIM card either. I was scared to. His number was surely given away to another person, but I had to get my phone stolen before I finally lost it. After the funeral, I didn’t even unpack my bag from the trip. My duffel just sat there in the middle of the room for at least a month because I didn’t want to open it and have to face that I went to a funeral.

On top of that, I have anxiety from trauma and different childhood stuff and other kinds of insecurities, and more recently PTSD from the trauma of harassment, but I’m in a healthier place now. I’m a lot more balanced and happy and I’m okay. When I wasn’t though I wasn’t a good person. I still tried to be a good person, but there were a lot of times where I was selfish or crazy now that I look back on it, and it’s just when you are grieving or even in the middle of your mental health battles it is so hard to keep everything straight and to not be awful. It doesn’t excuse my behavior, and it doesn’t excuse Emet-Selch’s either, but I can also see he’s being a dick because he’s suffering and probably not entirely in his right mind from grief on top of being tempered to Zodiark. Grief makes you fucking crazy. I just can’t even begin to imagine the little neurotic things that he must have started doing to cope even though I know all the little stupid things I did to try to get through it. I cried every time I saw a reminder of my Dad too, but like he can also see souls and sees reminders all the time. You get numb to it after awhile, but I can just imagine that is some kind of hell.

So just all of that together, after all those end-game scenes I just came to love the character so much. I just can’t hate him.

And then I was like looking up character rankings and other people’s interpretations and love for him. He’s not included yet in any official rankings, but a number of people who have played several FFs have found him to be one of their favorites of the entire franchise. Man, I think he deserves it though.

A lot of people compare him to Ardyn though, and I understand Ardyn’s story too and I see him as sympathetic, but XV wasn’t really executed well so I wasn’t able to really experience sympathy for him as I should have. Like logically I understand, but I don’t really feel it and I found him so much more annoying during the time I did see him that I just can’t really feel for him. It’s more an execution level problem.

Then I was reading a bunch of people commenting on Kuja from IX and I understand Kuja too, but at the same time still don’t feel it. Like I can’t connect why having a shorter life or anything would still compel someone to be murder-y. Like I feel bad for him still, but I also think like he could have just as well rebelled by being a complete foil and saving everyone instead of doing his intended mission of destruction. Plus like IX wasn’t as good as I hoped.

And then like, to this day I still don’t really understand Kefka’s appeal. Like a lot of people like him because he’s crazy? So people like him because he’s like the Joker, but I find even the Joker to be more interesting than Kefka and Kefka gives me the creeps because I hate clowns. For some reason I’m okay with the Joker, but I hate all other clowns. I played through all of VI and I just don’t get why people think he’s good because he’s just evil for evil’s sake and weird.

Sephiroth I like, but also partly my sister is a Sephiroth worshipper, but I have sympathy for him too. Like a lot of criticism of him is that he want on a tantrum, and yeah that wasn’t the shining moment, but of all of the franchise’s villains Sephiroth is the only one who I would consider letting him win. The reason for that relates to the aforementioned Dragons of Earth philosophy because he was created through humans meddling with science they shouldn’t have been screwing with and human experimentation. I know not all humans committed the crime against him and did that to him, but I don’t really have an argument for why a species with asshole scientists shouldn’t die either. I understand regular people weren’t responsible for that and ShinRa is a garbage company that is slightly better now under Rufus and everyone working together against Sephiroth, but like from Sephiroth’s perspective he is actually different and not human. Humans lab created him and fucked him over and he didn’t ask to be created or their experiment, and I don’t know. I don’t really think I’d know how I’d react if I found out my entire existence was a lie and found out I was being used. There’s no way anyone else could imagine that because all of us have the safety of knowing our own reality and identity. He was definitely mistaken for thinking himself a Cetra and there is some question as to whether he is in control or if Jenova is in control of his mind, but I don’t have a defense-able excuse for what happened to him either. So I can kind of understand what he wants to do, and I’m okay with it same as how I’d be okay if all of us died from global warming because of what our species has collectively done to the planet. Like I can do my part and maybe I’m a good person and worthy of living and I might do my best with what limited power I can, but collectively as humans we are a trash species that is selfish. The same as how I can’t excuse the greedy CEOs and stuff that had an actual hand in leading us to possible doom even though I didn’t directly cause it as a normal person I think it’s okay if all of us humans didn’t survive, I am okay with Sephiroth killing all the people on his planet because of the stuff the jerk scientists did to him. It’s kind of like Good Place logic where it’s actually impossible to be a good person because there’s unknown side effects to industries where a company cuts corners somewhere and ends up exploiting some other person or destroying something else. It’s just impossible. 

I still think real life humans should be responsible with nature as much as they can, but there’s something about our species’ innate laziness where we stick to the latest fad solution without thinking about how actually energy solutions are complicated and won’t work for every situation but there’s some meme on Facebook talking about how this one latest thing is the best thing since sliced bread and we should all switch to it immediately. Like, no. There isn’t one magical solution. The annoying thing for me isn’t that people are trying. It’s good that they are trying to be better and to find alternate solutions, but it really pisses me off when I see the latest meme conservation or eco-friendly thing that suggests a 100% switch to this thing or that is the answer to all of our woes. It’s not. Like one thing I saw was a thing that suggested we switch to all hemp fabric because of the cost of water that raising cotton. Like fair, cotton uses a lot of water, but like if you think that everyone is going to be able to switch to hemp you are a fucking idiot. Cotton is popular for a reason because it is soft and comfortable whereas hemp is a more harsh material and is more prone to causing skin irritation and allergies in people which is why it’s less popular. Should some brands consider switching to hemp if it is not a huge deal for them to be that soft? Absolutely. Should we find ways for us to reduce our reliance and usage of cotton? Of course. But all switch to hemp instead of cotton completely? No. That’s ridiculous, stupid, and completely illogical. Plus it only causes new kinds of industries and opportunities for exploitation because remember these plants can’t just grow anywhere. Plants all have optimal locations for them to survive. Then like energy solutions like solar panels, geothermal plants, and windmills. Yeah, they are more eco-friendly and have less dangerous output to the environment, but you are also stupid to think that they don’t have a cost. Windmills and solar panels in particular have a spacial cost, and a lot of people think we have a lot of empty space except no space is empty because *animals* live there. There are habitats there even if humans aren’t there, asshole. And windmills are tall so they can interrupt bird flight paths and stuff too. What happens if you build a windmill in the habitat of an endangered bird? And geo-thermal plants aren’t suited for all locations. There has to be an optimal place that has access to a compatible spot and you have to drill to make the passageways for the energy to pass through and like, that’s drilling near places that have geo-thermal activity so presumably they are also active and maybe have earthquakes and volcanoes. Kind of like how fracking can cause earthquakes, imagine a badly positioned geo-thermal plant. Or like what if a place just doesn’t have the proper rock bed that can support a geo-thermal plant. Like Florida has a lot of sink holes. Does that sound safe to have a powerplant built over a place that could randomly develop a sinkhole? It’s like, I appreciate people are trying to find solutions, but it makes me fucking angry that people are so short-sighted that they tout every random thing as the next miracle solution when it isn’t. It’s just an alternative for the right location. I like people knowing about it, but it isn’t a thing that’s appropriate for every fucking place on the planet. Energy is complex and you have to survey the local area and find out what works for that location. This is a complex issue, and there’s so many people that are just averse to thinking complexly or wanting to do any actual thought into making a workable solution that I just can’t bring myself to really care that much about whether or not our species lives. Like if you’re going to put all of 20 seconds of thought into a complex energy solution that could severely fuck up nature, your neighbors, and all the animals then why even bother? Like the solution is even worse than the actual problems because no one actually wants to think about them. It’s still humans thinking selfishly and only of themselves. So even though I will do my best to do my part, I don’t really care at all if climate change kills us all because most humans out there only want to do half-assed measures or something that makes them look good in front of their friends.

And like, back to the actual topic of genocidal FF villains, seriously if their reasoning is relatively okay, I can’t really bring myself to dislike them if they want to kill everyone because humans are trash. Like, I understand.

[douxreviews]

Star Trek: Discovery - ‘The Sound of Thunder’ Review

Saru: "Perhaps in being less like you were, you are becoming more like you are meant to be."

By nature I love brevity: Now that's what I call... a serviceable action story with a few plot holes and a few decent character moments. Some promise, and a twist I didn't see coming.

A while back, in my review for the Short Trek 'The Brightest Star,' I complained that the writers clearly had a lot that they wanted to do with Kaminar, the Kelpiens, and the Ba'ul, and that they'd tried to shove more into the episode than would really fit. As 'The Sound of Thunder' began, I steeled myself for a repeat of that; I wasn't sure that the writers would be able to rein in their excitement at the species and character that they had created enough to write a story that was manageable. It turns out I needn't have worried about that. The hour runtime was plenty to tell the story they wanted to tell and communicate the things they wanted to communicate.

The thing is, this episode made it abundantly clear to me just how little we needed 'The Brightest Star,' and just how unuseful the developments in it were. 'Thunder' contains a good deal of shots that were directly taken from 'Star,' and all of the major reveals about Saru and his people, as well as all of the plot developments, were reiterated here. Of course this is for the benefit of the people who haven't seen the Short Treks, but it rendered even the scant things that 'The Brighest Star' accomplished entirely moot.

'Thunder' is a fairly by-the-numbers action story. Its plot contains a few rather basic twists and reveals, and the suspense is built well. I like that the reigning - and most obvious - theory, that the Ba'ul are the evolved Kelpiens, turned out not to be the case at all. DIS has a pretty bad track record as far as keeping its plot developments secret goes, so a good surprise when the audience expects something else is nice to see.

The Ba'ul were a decently effective enemy; their appearance was pretty scary and their fear of the Kelpiens made for a believable motivation. They reminded me and the viewers I watched this with of Armus from TNG's 'Skin of Evil,'  The major problem was that the Ba'ul voices, especially over subspace on the bridge, were nearly impossible to understand. I'm all for creepy atmosphere, but maybe run their voices through a lighter modulator next time.

I was rather pleased with Saru in this episode. I liked that he became emotionally unable to handle the situation, especially after the loss of his ganglia back in 'An Obol for Charon.' That sort of a change, especially when his ganglia have been shown to have a profound effect on his emotions in the past, would definitely alter his ability to control himself. I liked his interactions with his sister, which were of course well acted by Doug Jones and Hannah Spear. Saru and Siranna had a much deeper and more interesting relationship in this episode than it was in 'Star,' due to the added layer of Saru's departure. That's not a stock relationship, and the fact that Siranna took over for her father in the hopes that it might lead her back to him makes it emotionally deep.

There was a really great scene early on in the episode, with the newly rejuvenated Culber, Saru, and Stamets in sickbay. We got an insight, albeit a small one, into what it's like for Hugh to return after his consciousness spent so much time trapped in the mycelial network. He doesn't feel like the same man that he was when he died. His new body, identical to his old one but still completely different, reflects how he feels inside. Hugh can't reconcile his new self with the old, even though very little is actually different. Though Stamets truly wants to help and to support his partner, he can't do so tangibly because he has no clear idea what Hugh is going through. Saru, on the other hand, has in a way also been recently reborn. This gives them a connection that I didn't expect to see but was glad I did. This scene proves to me that the show is definitely going to explore Culber's return in a way that's meaningful to his character. I'm really happy about that because in the first season his character was only really used in ways that serviced Stamets'. If they give him his own arc here, I'll be very, very pleased. And of course, both he and Stamets are miles ahead of characters on other shows who are 'the gay guy' and nothing more.

I'm not so pleased with the resolution, specifically the use of the Red Angel in this episode. It was quite the deus ex machina - is it angelus ex machina here? - to have the Angel step in at the very end to stop the Ba'ul's plan and save the Kelpiens. Except it isn't even angelus ex machina, since the Angel is nothing even close to a supernatural being. After all this discussion and exploration of faith, the main symbol in this show of something people put their faith in is nothing more than a guy in a suit with some advanced technology? That's about as disappointing as this show has gotten. Despite my misgivings about how this show has handled faith and belief, I really have appreciated the fact that it did so. Besides, the way that it's handled these topics has been better than many shows, and the individual episodes have said some things worth saying even if the show as a whole has yet to settle on a particular approach. But this is a big let-down.

Strange New Worlds:

We've already been to Kaminar, in 'The Brightest Star,' but DIS in its main form hasn't visited it yet.

New Life and New Civilizations:

The Ba'ul are new to this show. I've already talked about most of my thoughts regarding them.

Pensees:

-Okay, enough with the tricky camera movements without purpose already. To direct well, you don't just have to know how to make flashy shots, you also have to understand when to do it and what it does to the scene when you do.

-They mentioned the Prime Directive, but it really didn't factor in as much as might have been appropriate. This show should start being a little more careful with the way it sidesteps the PD to tell its stories.

-Those Ba'ul ships were pretty dang intimidating, like something you'd see from the Borg.

-How did Saru transport himself to the planet when the ship was at Red Alert and the shields were up?

-Okay, so SuperSaru! was kind of cool. But he's quite lucky that the Ba'ul stronghold contained only about eight drones.

-I like Burnham's white t-shirt in this episode. How much you want to bet that shows up for sale on startrek.com within the week?

-Pike's slight peace offering to Tyler in Saru's report didn't feel earned. I haven't been invested in their conflict yet.

-The answer to fear is hope in this episode. I like that.

-Next week: SPOOOOOCK!

Quotes:

Saru: "We all come from somewhere. We bring that place with us wherever we go. That never leaves our hearts. Not entirely."

Pike: "We can stretch General Order One, but let's not break it in the process." Too late.

Saru: "For 18 years, I dreamt of returning to my village. It has not changed at all, but I see it quite differently now."

Siranna: "Return to the stars, Saru. There is no place for you here."

Siranna: "Your face is beautiful to me. Part of me hoped I would never see it again, because it might mean you were free."

Competent but not exceptional. 4 out of 6 heavily modulated voices.

Star Trek fandom runs very deep in CoramDeo's family.

[draginhikari]

Final Fantasy XIV: Azure and Crimson Section 2: Kari Azuresol, Light Reborn Chapter 6: Rejection and Acceptance, The Path to Heavensward

Once Kari had fully recovered from her injures she began her journey once again.  This time heading towards the snowy lands of Coerthas in the northern lands of Eorzea.  This landscape, held by the Holy See of Ishgard, was transformed by Calamity from a mountainous forest region to a realm of endless ice and snow.  It was in this land where Kari intended to once again meet with the Doman Shinobi, Yugiri Mistwalker.  This time their meeting was less business and more of a personal matter for Kari.  Kari had arranged this get together to accept Yugiri’s previous offer to learn about the Au Ra and her homeland.   Meeting at the Observatorium, in the southeastern corner of the Coerthas Central Highlands, Kari and Yugiri enjoyed a little respite from their individual missions as Yugiri took the time to explain to Kari about the Au Ra people, the land they came from, and the differences between the two clans.  Yugiri brought a map of the east to provide to Kari, which featured both regions of Othard and Hingashi, as well as some eastern tea for Kari to try.   After a rather enjoyable and casual conversation between the two Auri.  Kari decided it was time for her to take the next step forward on her mission.

Kari smiled as she finished her tea as they sat at a table near the stove keeping the room warm, “This stuff is pretty good.  Thank you Yugiri.   Someday, I would like to see it for myself, but for now it’s at least comforting to know where I come from.” Yugiri smiled and nodded to Kari, “Tis a pleasure Kari, I understand that this must all be perplexing for you.   Tis a difficult thing to not know who you are and where you come from for so many years.  Still, I find certain things in your story hard to believe.   I had no idea that Ala Mhigian refugees had made their home on a southern island that is so close to home.”

Kari chuckled, “There isn’t much else to really say about them.  It’s enough to know that the view that Shadros’ people held of me was not the reality.   Spending a lot of years only knowing yourself as a…” Kari paused a moment before continuing, “freak.  It was definitely hard but I feel better about myself these days and that’s all that matters.”  

Yugiri sipped her tea before speaking, “If I may inquire Kari, that blue mark across your eyes? Have you always had it?” Kari ran her hand over part of the face marking for a moment, “Yes, for as long as I could remember.  Why do you ask?” Yugiri thought for a second before she shook her head, “Tis just a curiosity think pray me none.  What course of action will you take now?”

Kari went quiet for a few moments before she said, “I think it’s time I made my presence known to Alphinaud and Tataru.  I had to be certain of my path before I met with them which is why I wanted to talk to you about all this before I went ahead and did so.” Yugiri put her hand to her chest looking down for a moment before looking back at Kari, “If it is your wish.  I have business but if you can wait a time I could accompany you. Would be a simple task to vouch for your words.” Kari chuckled, “I appreciate that, but I’ve already taken up enough of your time so I will do my best to try to convince them on my own.” Yugiri nodded, “If that is your desire, I will return amidst the night and see how you have fare regardless as I worry of them as well.  Till then take care, Kari.”

Kari would part ways with the Doman Ninja glancing northward, “Camp Dragonhead.  Shadros, I’ve finally made it here.  After all this time and after all this struggling, I’m ready to stand with them like you did.”  Kari took a deep breath before she began up the path towards Camp Dragonhead. Fortunately Camp Dragonhead wasn’t all that far away from where she had been staying at the Observatorium.   Kari let her eyes wander some as she arrived at the camp.  So much of Coerthas had such a different feel from the rest of Eorzea.   The realm seemed bleak and desolate not helped by the number of weapons aimed for the sky in preparation for more conflict with the Draconian hordes of Nidhogg.   Kari only knew the basic history surrounding the Dragonsong War, a conflict going for over a millennium between the Holy See and the dragons, but she figured there would be more time to address that at a later date.   Kari found herself standing before the Camp’s headquarters.  Kari glanced inside the headquarters as she made her way inside, “Let’s see if my memory serves, Lord Haurchefant works somewhere in here.  He was the one sheltering them so he probably know where to find them.  I just hope Shadros’ letter is enough to convince him.” Kari would spy the silver haired Elezen working from his desk towards the back of the headquarters.  Haurchefant looked up as Kari approached, though he did a bit of a double take when glancing at Kari’s attire.  Haurchefant regained his composure quickly to greet her. “Welcome to Camp Dragonhead. Please, warm yourself by our hearth.  By the fury, your appearance gave me a bit of a shock, I had been expecting return of a friend who wears a familiar garb not all that different from your own.  Tell me, are a follower of the Warrior of Light? Tis a worthy role model to have in this current day and age.”  Haurchefant said as he stood up gesturing his arms out in a welcoming expression before bring them back down.   Kari chuckled finding something about the man interesting, she could only image how annoyed Shadros must have gotten at the man’s antics.

Kari would raise her hand in greeting “My name is Kari Azuresol and I suppose I am in a manner of speaking, I am a… student… of Shadros Hiku and am here on his behalf.” Haurchefant put his hand to his chin, “A student you claim?  He didn’t seem like the type to keep students.   I must admit curiosity.  Why would he send you when he has no reason not to come himself?” Kari nods and reached into her bag pulling out a letter addressed to Haurchefant specifically, “A lot has happened and it’s a bit complicated.  It might save you some time if I just give you this to read.” Haurchefant would take the letter and look at the outside, “Ah yes, tis definitely Shadros’… unique handwriting.” Kari had to hold back a snort as even Haurchefant seemed to struggle to find nice things to say about Shadros’ penmanship.   Haurchefant began to read over the letter slowly.  Kari saw his expression shift a few different times as he read through the letter as if trying to process what was being said.   Haurchefant rubbed his eyes for a moment as if to collect himself and went silent much to the confusion of some of the other knights.   After about ten minutes or so Haurchefant finally stood back up again with a more serious expression on his face, “I must ask you this Miss Azuresol.  Do you plan on continuing to follow the path that your close friend did?” Kari wasn’t sure why Haurchefant was asking her this, but Kari responded with total honesty, “Yes, absolutely.   It’s exactly what I want to do.” Haurchefant chuckled and extended his arms some, “Splendid!  Tis what I needed to hear from you,” Kari was taken aback by Haurchefant forwardness, “Wait?   That’s all you needed from me?   You aren’t the least bit curious about anything else?” Haurchefant chuckled, “Why would I?   The amount of passion and faith my friend had for you in his letter displayed I hath no reason to do otherwise.   Though I am saddened to hear of the loss of such a noble soul and a dear friend, this is not a time for mourning loss.  Would be disrespectful for me to put my feelings over his noble wishes and see you forward from here as he wished of me.”  

Kari blinked some, “Then you’ll…” Haurchefant replied before she finished her sentence, “Yes, I will permit you to visit with the Scions that are currently here.   I am still waiting to grant them access to Ishgard so this would be a good time to convince them of your case.” Kari bowed, “Thank you, Lord Haurchefant.” Haurchefant chuckled, “Think nothing of it.   Shadros was a dear friend, I consider it my duty to support my friends and those they call friends.  Especially one such as you, who is a sister to him? As such I must consider you the same.” Kari was a little surprised to hear him say that.   Kari could only wonder how different that letter must have been from the others for the knight to reach that particular conclusion.  Haurchefant would leave his desk and escort Kari the ‘Falling Snow’ as he called it where Alphinaud and Tataru were currently residing while they await word from Ishgard.   Haurchefant and Kari would go inside.   Tataru was the first to catch site of them, who was taken aback by Kari’s appearance.  Soon, Alphinaud also turned once his thoughts were broken equally taken aback by the situation.

Alphinaud looked at Haurchefant, “Is something amidst Lord Haurchefant?   Why is this woman dressed up like Shadros?  Is this some unusual Ishgardian custom that I’ve not heard of?” Haurchefant gestured to Kari, “Nay Alphinaud. This is Kari Azuresol, someone who knows Shadros quite well, and she has something of the essence to speak with you about.  I believe it best to hear it from the young lady herself.” Haurchefant would gesture to Kari before he step out of room leaving the three to their privacy.  An awkward silence would pass between the three as if none of them knew what exactly to say.   Kari finally took a deep breath deciding she had to come out clean with the two and explain what really happened.  Her lie of being Shadros’ apprentice was not going to fool someone like Alphinaud anyway.   Kari would start to tell her story beginning with how Shadros had been seeking the Hymn Venom order, the visions, his battle with the Hymn Venom order, and his very fate.

Tataru looked mortified by what she heard, “Shadro is gone too!?  No, we can’t have lost another one.  Not him too.” Alphinaud clutched his fists and glared at Kari, “You think this twisted jest is humorous!?  You expect me to believe such rubbish?   Shadros would not have kept these kind of secrets from his allies like this!” Alphinaud voice escalated and became angrier as he raised his tone, “After all we’ve be through you dare come here and speak such lies?   We have been harmed enough by deception and I won’t be deceived by you here!” Kari looked stunned trying to find her words, “But I’m…. not lying… I’ve got Shadros’…” Alphinaud knocked a glass off the table causing it to shatter which stunned Tataru as such an outburst was unlike him, “Enough, I do not know wherever you came from or what kind of game you are playing at but you have no friends here.   Be gone from our sight, Kari Azuresol, and never show yourself before us again!”  Kari froze for a moment before closing her eyes some, this wasn’t how she expected this to go.   Even if she provided Shadros’ letter now, it wasn’t likely Alphinaud would believe it.   Kari turned around and left the two alone.  

Kari returned back to cafeteria at the headquarters sitting down at one of the tables putting her head down as grumbled to herself, “This is not how this was supposed to go at all.”

Haurchefant sat across from her after a short time, “I take it that things did not go accordingly with Master Alphinaud?” Kari groaned, “No, it was an utter disaster. He wouldn’t listen to anything I said.” Haurchefant put his arms on the table looking at Kari, “Do not distress my lady, you must forgive Master Alphinaud and be relentless in your pursue.   He has been through many difficulties since the fall of the Crystal Braves and learning of Shadros’ fate liken to worsen such things.   I am certain you will convince him in due time once he given himself some time to calm.”  Before Kari could answer him as a knight of the camp approached Haurchefant and he was force to raise a hand to Kari to give him a moment, “Speak, you seem to be in distress.”

The knight said, “My Lord, the tower just spotted an attack by dragons on a supply caravan heading here from the city!  It’s utter chaos!” Haurchefant stood up, “Gather whatever units that are not currently off duty, we shall make haste!”   Haurchefant turned to Kari, “Forgive me Kari, I must see to this situation but perhaps may we talk more once this dire situation has passed. Try to keep your spirits up, Kari.” Haurchefant would go at this point.  Kari simply remained silent and put her head back down.   She wondered for a moment if she should have offered to help but she really wasn’t in the mood at the moment.   Kari simply dozed off for a short time.   Kari would snap awake when she hear a woman scream outside of the Headquarters.   Kari quickly ran outside as she heard people screaming something about dragons. Once outside, Kari caught sight of a Wyvern that was attacking the base with a small group of minor dragons. Kari glanced around, “The caravan attack must have been a diversion with the bulk of Haurchefant’s forces out the rest decided to strike at the base!”  The remaining guards were doing the best they could and other adventurers that were in the area also provided back-up to the camp.  Kari turned as the Wyvern dove down towards a few children had fallen in the snow while attempting to flee.  Kari quickly ran forward drawing the Aegis Shield to block the razor sharp talons of the Wyvern. The children looked up, fearful and stunned at Kari.  Kari shouted at them, “Don’t just sit there like a lump get to safety!”  The children would run away as the Wyvern shrieked at Kari and gritted her teeth as the wyvern swooped down at her.   Kari managed to get a slash on the wyvern wing as she moved out of the way.  Though not with enough damage to knock it out of the air.   The swoop was nothing more than a distraction by the Wyvern as several lower dragons, known as Dragonflies, descended upon Kari forcing her to content with them first.   The biting and scratching of the lower dragons were little direct threat to Kari’s heavy armor but her focus on them meant she couldn’t watch the Wyvern very closely as it slammed into Kari throwing her into the wall. Kari let out a gasp as she made contact with the wall.

Alphinaud’s Amber Carbuncle took down another dragonfly that were attacking the anti-dragon weaponry on the upper levels of the base, “Another one down, there appears to be no end to this.   Hm?” Alphinaud turned to see the Wyvern approaching Kari on the lower wall, “What in the name of the gods is she doing?  Watch out!” Kari snapped back to focus as she thrust the shield to smack the Wyvern in the face when it got too close to her with its jaws, “I’m far from done arsehole!” The Wyvern stumbled back taking to the air, lurching its head back, and released a burst of fire in Kari general direction. Kari gritted her teeth in frustration, her anger reaching a peak as she shouted, “I’m not done!  Not by a long shot!”  A spark shot through the Excalibur and Aegis as she went to defend with her shield.   Alphinaud thought Kari had snapped and completely lost her mind.   However, the flames seem to spread around her rather than going through her as Alphinaud expected as another light formed within the fiery spread.   When the wyvern’s attack dispersed, Kari stood back up slowly.   The Excalibur and Aegis were now glowing with a new energy, for the first time since Kari had taken hold of Shadros’ weapon she had finally tapped into the true power of the Zodiac Braves and unleashed their full power that Shadros had originally obtained. Alphinaud was taken aback by what he just saw, “That sword and light pattern, Shadros’ sword had the same effect.  Then that weapon isn’t a replica at all!  It’s a real Zodiac Brave!?”   Kari walk slowly towards the wyvern with a serious glare on her face.  She was entirely focused, she was not hesitating, and she was entirely in control of the power flowing through her.   The wyvern shrieked and attempted to charge Kari again but she moved to the side slashed through a chuck of the wyvern’s wing this time when it passed by her.    Causing the Wyvern to clumsily stumble out of sky and crash into the wall a complete reversal of the situation from a few moments ago.  The Wyvern roared angrily and began release balls of fire in Kari direction.   Kari began to run towards the Wyvern strafing from side to side dodging the fireballs as she moved forward as if she were able to see the path of the attacks a second before they were coming towards her.   Alphinaud continued to watch the scene play out, not believing what he was seeing, “These movements they seem similar to the manifestation of the Echo that Shadros used.  Is it possible?   Was Kari speaking truth?”   Kari reached the wyvern shouting some as the Wyvern lunged towards Kari. Kari dodged to the side growling, “Spirits Within!” The light around the Excalibur intensified as Kari thrusted the blade through the side of the Wyvern’s head.   For a moment, Alphinaud swore he saw Shadros. It wasn’t the case it was just her stance, her attack method, and her power seemed extremely similar to Shadros’ own, too much to be a coincidence.  The wyvern’s eyes widen for a split second before the wyvern flopped down to the ground.  Kari drew her sword from the Wyvern’s head panting heavily as she recover from the sudden adrenaline rush.   Kari glanced down at her sword, “I did it, the Zodiac Brave’s power has finally awoken for me.   Shadros, I did it…” Kari groaned as she slid to the ground, “I hope it’s not always going to be this draining to do.” With the Wyvern down the lesser dragons would begin to scatter or were easily taken down by the knights still at the base.

Haurchefant returned to the base with his men to wrap the situation up.   Haurchefant personally defending Kari from a few stranglers going after her.  Afterward, Haurchefant turned his gaze to Kari and the Wyvern, “Ah, my friend it seems I left you to clean up an unintended mess, my apologies.”

Kari groaned some, “Can’t talk… recovering…” Haurchefant chuckled some, “Of course my friend, as I suspected you have just much spirit as Shadros did and the ferocity to boot to take a Wyvern that large single handedly.  Thank you, my friend, you likely saved a few lives by choosing to get involved like you did.”  

“I must admit my impression as well,” Kari turned to see Alphinaud approaching the two, “I assumed you merely a charlatan but based on your actions just now it appears my initial judgments may have been on the… hastily side.”  Kari just looked at Alphinaud unable to speak much yet.   Alphinaud looked to her, “When you are ready.  Come back to room, I will here you out again.   I want to understand fully what has happened with an open mind.  You’ve earn that much today.” Alphinaud would return to the chambers at this point.   Kari just seemed kind of surprised as she stood back up putting her sword and shield back in their place.

Haurchefant chuckled some, “Well, my friend, it seems you now have a second chance to make your case.   Alphinaud seemed to be in a better mood now so I wouldn’t waste your opportunity here.” Kari nodded, “Right.”

Kari would return to the chamber with Alphinaud and Tataru.  She would retell her story and fill in some of the gaps she left out in the story earlier. Once Kari had finished her story she reached into her bag and revealed the final letter from Shadros and provided it to Alphinaud who would sit down and read through the letter carefully.

Alphinaud and Tataru,

If you are reading this letter it means that my personal mission to end the Hymn Venom Order has failed and I have fallen.  

I owe you all an apology.   It was never my intention to hide so many secrets from the Scions but I didn’t want anyone else getting hurt in my private matters.  In the end I was not strong enough it seems to fulfill the role I was given.  The truth is the power I held was not originally mine to wield in the first place but rather was a combination of circumstance and my close friendship of the young woman who has likely handed you this letter.  The manifestation of the Echo I wielded was Kari’s soul united for a time as a result of a horrible tragedy.   Kari gave me an extension on my life and with her help I would become the Warrior of Light that you would know me as, together we became unstoppable.   However, it was simply not meant to be. Whatever boundaries we broke, the power of the echo needed to be properly restored.

Please, do not blame Kari for what has happened to me.   She tried to stop me from pursing her but I would not listen. I could not ignore the guilt I had for allowing all this to transpire and followed what my heart was telling me to do.   Whether successful or not I had to try to resolve this issue with my own hands.  This was greatly selfish of me and I do it knowing so.   However, I did not do so recklessly and believe Kari will want to continue where I left off.   Kari is young and inexperienced, this much is true.   However, Kari possess a potential that could easily surpass my own but only if she has the guidance to lead her down the right path.   I have left Kari my memories, my experiences, and my Zodiac Brave.   She has gone far and wide to seeking those that could help her learn and knowing her she has now come before you far different person then how I left her.   Yet still, she has much left to learn.

My final request of you, my friends.   Please accept Kari among you, let her grow, change, and become the person she always wanted to be.   She will be the Warrior of Light you all have been truly waiting for.  I truly believe that.

P.S. – Alphinaud please give my regards to your sister and… I am sorry that I failed to keep my promise to her too.  

Sincerely,

Shadros Hiku Alphinaud sat quietly for several minutes re-reading the letter from Shadros a few times.   Before he finally stood up again looking at Kari, “Tell me Miss Azuresol, what is it that you want to do?” Kari looked at Alphinaud answering him like she had earlier in the day to Haurchefant, “I wish to continue where my friend left off.   I want to help his friends, clear his name, and continue protect my new home here in any way I can.  I want the power to be able to do that.” Alphinaud tilted his head moving his hands to his chin in thought, “There is a certain sincerity in the words you speak but I am still uncertain on whether to believe them or not.”  Kari frowned but the door would open again and a voice would speak out as it did. “Perhaps my words, Master Alphinaud, would settle your doubts,” Yugiri stepped in along with, surprisingly Aya.

Alphinaud turned to Yugiri slightly stunned, “You know of this Lady Yugiri?” Yugiri nods, “I do.   This woman is Aya, she is a shinobi I recommended to Shadros when he was seeking help with his personal matters with the Hymn Venom Order.   Shadros had also spoken to me on the matter on a number of occasions.” Alphinaud said, “And you decided not to inform us on such matters?” Yugiri said, “It seemed unnecessary as though I did not understand what he meant and he requested me to stay silent on the matter.  After all Shadros had done, I feel he deserved at least that level of respect.   Though I not know to the extent of his plans.   He inquired of my race and his connection to a girl he had seen in his vision.  He descripted to me a young woman of Kari’s appearance.  He could list nearly every feature to me as if she were standing before me.   Shadros requested that if something went wrong that I could provide him a trinket to help me identify her if she escaped the order.  That is exactly what transpired and why I did not hesitate for a moment to help Kari find her way.  Aya has agreed to step forward and speak on the validity of the story and confirm the nature of Kari’s character”.  Kari was a little surprised by that, that Aya would stick her neck out for her so easily. Aya bowed slightly, “Master Alphinaud, I have been with Kari since she first appeared several weeks back and I was the one who worked with Shadros on his personal mission.   I found the information on the Hymn Venom Order, accompanied Shadros to investigate the information and was the last to see him before his disappearance where he gave me a key to his belongings to give to a girl matching Kari’s description when she appeared before me.  Whether you fully believe my story or not, Kari has already proven her worth on more than one occasion.   Not only has she progressed in power faster than anyone I’ve seen.   She unselfishly engaged in a battle she did not have to and saved a group of young women from abuse, manipulation, and assault. She even defeated a notorious criminal single handedly.  She’s still a little bit green around the gills that’s for sure, but she bravely stood against a criminal far more experienced and powerful then she was and still managed to come out on top.   I would trust Kari with my life at this point and there are about a dozen young women that could say the same.”  Aya handed Alphinaud small stack of papers.   Kari couldn’t tell what they were but with the different handwriting they appeared to be testimonials from different people.   The entire thing just surprised Kari even more.   Did Aya really do all this for her? Alphinaud listened and gestured to two shinobi, “I will take your council into consideration.”  Aya would bow again and prepared to leave giving Kari a wink and her usual smirk dropping her polite act for a moment before she left.   Alphinaud was quiet for a few more minutes. Tataru looked at Kari then at Alphinaud, “Alphinaud, I think I’m more then convinced, I think we should give her a chance.” Alphinaud stated, “Given the circumstances of our current predicament to turn down willing help would be a perplexing choice for sure.” Alphinaud looked back at Kari, “Miss Azuresol, you do understand that we walk a difficult path and that there is no guarantee of success in any sense of the word.   Is that a risk you are willing to take?” Kari chuckled and gestured towards Alphinaud, “If I wasn’t I wouldn’t be putting myself through all this right now.   I need to live for both Shadros and myself now.   I don’t plan on giving up.” Alphinaud finally let a small smile show, “Very well, Miss Azuresol, then I will allow you to accompany us to Ishgard and will expect you to demonstrate your words on the trials ahead.   Understand, I am still hesitant to entirely trust you.  If your words are true however, I hope to be free of such hesitation soon enough.” Kari crossed her arms and nods, “That’s all I can ask and I prefer that anyway.   Though I do have one request.” Alphinaud seemed a bit surprised, “And that would be?” Kari squinted her nose in annoyance and stated, “No more of this Miss Azuresol stuff all right?   My name is Kari okay?  The formalities give me a headache.”

Alphinaud was taken aback as if he wasn’t expecting her to be so forward, “Yes, of course.   My apologies.  Very well, Kari.”

Tataru approached Kari and held out a linkpearl for her, “Welcome aboard, Kari.”  Kari would take the linkpearl with a slight smile.  Kari had actually done it, after so much work she was finally on the way to starting her mission.

Alphinaud stated, “We still awaiting official word from Lord Haurchefant on when we can enter Ishgard. Once that time arrives we will contact you on the linkpearl.   Once we contact, you please make haste as we will not be able to wait upon you for long.” Kari chuckled, “Very well, don’t worry you won’t be waiting up for me.”  Tataru would clap some and Yugiri would nod to Kari before she too left the scene.  Haurchefant provided Kari a bed in the barracks to stay for the night.   The following morning Kari rose and grumbled as she wrapped her arms around herself, “Sheesh, another cold morning.” She reached for the Paladin Soul Crystal to get her armor on as quickly as she could before she stood up and walked outside noticing that the weather was actually calm this morning.   Kari decided to take a walk and she made her way to the west from Camp Dragonhead.   Kari would stop as she turned towards the Gate of Judgement that lead towards the City-State of Ishgard stopping for a moment looking towards the magnificent and ancient city in the distance. There was something impressive about the city, yet she had a feeling of dread when she looked upon it for reasons she could not directly explain.   A burst of aetheric energy released as Midgardsormr suddenly appeared alongside her again.   Kari looked towards the ancient Wyrm for a moment before turning back to the city.   She didn’t even have to ask him why he was here.   Midgardsormr gave a monotonous chuckle as he spoke, “Heh Heh Heh.  Thou thinkest sanctuary lieth beyond?  Delusion. Despair.  Death.  Thou shalt find naught else here.”  Kari expression grimaced some as she heard Midgardsormr’s words.   She would normally have questioned the ramblings of the Wyrmking but for whatever reason she believed his words on that matter. Midgardsormr would soon disappear and Kari turned back to make her way to Camp Dragonhead.   Kari stopped a short distance from the camp looking towards some cliffs near the camp feeling like she was being watched for a moment but saw nothing.   Kari shrugged some wondering if she was just hearing things before she continued towards the camp.  Upon leaving a figure stepped forth, the Azure Dragoon of Ishgard, Estinien Wyrmblood.   Estinien glanced down at the Eye of Nidhogg he was carrying that seemed to have lead him to this place.

“The eye reacts to a third?   No, that is impossible.   This feeling is familiar, tis like the day Shadros Hiku first appeared before me.  That woman was dressed like him as well.”  Estinien looked down at the eye again, “What is the connection?  No matter.   I will find out one way or another.” Estinien leapt off up to a higher cliff as another snow storm masked his exit.  

Kari shielded her eyes as she glanced upward to the stormy skies when she arrived back at Camp Dragonhead, “This is only the beginning of my struggle… isn’t it Shadros?”  The Scion linkpearl would go off and Kari would take it out and look at it, “It’s time…” Kari would begin to make her way back to the room where Alphinaud and Tataru awaited her arrival.  Kari’s journey as the new Warrior of Light had just begun.

To preserve the dawn’s light the Heroes journeyed north.  Their hearts filled with hope and eyes fixed Heavensward!

End of Section 2: Kari Azuresol, Light Reborn

Section 2 - Chapter 5: Duty Commenced! Life or Death Dance upon the Silver Waves

Final Fantasy XIV: Azure and Crimson Complete  

Section 3 - Chapter 1: Azure Dragoon and Iceheart (Coming Soon)

[therevaliir-blog]

Announcements: 08-15-2017

Wiki Changes and Additions:

Thank you to Nadine Hydria for his work writing this piece about Lacriamium! Lacriamium: A Goddess's Tears Reborn It is now a subcat. of this new article: Materials of Revaliir I hope to get more of the materials and stories about them up on the wiki as we go!

Site Changes:

Mo'Mey Steppes has undergone changes!

-Language has been changed to Belarusian

-Capital has been renamed to Sviet

-The tribe has been renamed Adorany

-Map of Sviet has been added to the description of the area for Mo'Mey

Added Kujishoku to the Language Guide in the wiki

Redid/Better described other places with new languages / better definitions

Reuploaded the images for Stairway to the Skies and Canelux's Wings for the Wiki. You can see them again!

Changed General Discussion's overhead area to O.O.C. Pub! More fun! Links are still the same :)

Wishing Well and Wish Upon A Star now roll on Sundays

I started the x2 silver boost Area Spotlight! The first area is Baltil. These spotlights will last for 2 weeks so get your silver boost! I do have a schedule for this!

The O.O.C. Pub's description now links to the debate and game forums without using a quick link.

Tidied up the Synth/Alchemy Spreadsheet, made the link to the spreadsheet open up in a new tab!

Kirika Maze was changed to Kirika Lake since it was the bigger attraction! The description for the maze is still there :) 

Something is Happening! As the Moon Parvpora enters into its fullest state, and her sister Canelux waxes strong in the sky, an aurora spreads across the sky, originating from somewhere in the Jasumin Plains. As the green, blue and purple bands fill the sky, magical energies feel more potent, and minds feel sharper, while spells seem to have an added effect: the fading image of an ornate eye inside a triangle.

EVENT:  Sanguine Tenebris Conclusion

Many brave souls made an attempt to battle their way through the Circulorum Inferni. A select few were strong enough to make it all the way to Domus Tenebris to seek counsel with the Reaper. She heard their pleas, for it was her decision whether or not the mortals deserved her mercy. Their dedication did not go unnoticed by the Goddess - after several had successfully made their way to her, she appeared once more to the people of Adeluna. “Good people of Adeluna, it seems you have learned your lesson on this day. Let this serve as a reminder that greed is a dangerous thing, and that appearance is not always what it seems. Let this remind you that while Death may be cruel, it can also be merciful and forgiving. Write of this in your histories, and do not let it be forgotten. As for the Apothecary that brought this plight upon your town… do not fear. He serves in the deepest of my Circles now… pay him a visit if you please.” With a devilish wink, the Reaper was gone from sight.With Dalanesca’s appearance, it seemed that the effects of those under the spell of Sanguine Tenebris faded immediately, leaving many people with a loss of time and memory - a notion probably for the best. Perhaps the effects of Sanguine Tenebris have taught a lasting lesson to the people of Adeluna and Revaliir - greed is never worth it… but then again, the souls of mortals have always been weak, and more powerful things could always come about…. — Sanguine Tenebris has come to a close! Thank you to all who participated - I hope you enjoyed! Hopefully, this shows that Dalanesca isn’t alllll that bad.

We finally finished the capital of Railoch's description! Gobethio will be a subarea of Railoch unless people really want it to be separate. You can find it here: Railoch's Area Description OR YOU CAN READ ABOUT IT BELOW! The Unwavering City of Gobethio: Capital of Railoch Because of the persistent thunderstorm overhead, much of Railoch remains an inhospitable wasteland filled to the brim with ruins and strange machines leftover from a bygone era. However, despite the tempest's best efforts, the heart of civilization still beats in the eye of its storm. Gobethio, the once abandoned city now called the motherland of Revaliir's archaeologists, stands as the last city yet to succumb to the sky's unending fury. No one is quite sure how Gobethio has lasted so long; not even the inhabitants themselves. It is one of Parvpora's greatest mysteries, especially given the city's remnant, advanced technologies. Gobethio is the only major settlement in all of Revaliir that is known for having hydraulic and electrical power. The entire city, while Adelunian in architectural style, is lined with magical conduits and aqueducts that harness power from the storms overhead and channel it into luxuries that the rest of the world can only dream about. From trams throughout the city to indoor plumbing and electrical lights, Gobethio has many comforts that no one else has been able to recreate. As for the city itself, it is quite sprawling even if more of a research outpost than a typical settlement. Some sight-seeing focuses can be found here and there, thanks to the elevated city center and many waterfalls that flow down to the boundaries. There are also trading hubs and inns scattered throughout the city's limits, but these are hardly the main focus of Gobethio's splendor. The numerous guilds and their halls that dot the landscape capture that role, especially with their tendency toward ornate design. Gobethio's residents are particularly fascinated with lights, and so they often devote a great amount of resources toward flashy buildings when they want to impress. Yet despite this shiny and bustling exterior, Gobethio does play host to a multitude of secrets. The reason for its high volume of archaeologists is because of the oddities that surround the settlement. The implementation of all of its technology, save for the production of additional lightning rods, light fixtures, and pipes, is completely lost on anyone that lives there now. What lies above ground and what has been implemented or repaired since the city was first resettled is not nearly grand enough to provide all of the creature comforts that the people have come to expect. There are vaults of machinery deep underground, guarded by traps and unspeakable monsters. The archaeologists have gotten rich off of the wonders within that they have managed to plunder, but no one is sure how far down the complex goes or whether it is smart to find out.

Announcement:

Our Twitch Affiliate Naki introduced me to his good friend Arthzull, a professional graphic designer, who has generously given us a huge discount on designing us not only a logo but also a header for Revaliir. We will have our own images and truly be unique. Normally logos are $70 but when he heard about our troubles he gave us a huge discount down to $20 and is giving us a header. Naki also is throwing money down so that our header is professional sketched by someone that Arthzull knows. We'll be able to watch Arthzull's twitch when he starts to work on Revaliir's logo and I am working with him to make sure it is the best that Revaliir deserves. I can't thank everyone enough for supporting us and it has made me tear up greatly. I hope that we can continue making Revaliir unique and wonderful, a place where we can truly be ourselves and enjoy our creativeness together. Thank you to both Arthzull and Naki! Make sure to thank them both. -Brittlez, Revaliir Admin

Apply to Become a God(5 month warning):

Before I get started I just want to remind people that we have no tangible NPC gods. You can say your character worships a deity that isn't a PC but you can't interact with them. These are our rules please respect them. We even have a place where people can practice the old faiths here on the site. See the City of Abed for the Tower of Edhit. The God Applications are coming and we will be giving instructions in December. We are giving you guys a 5-month heads up to get your activity up. There will be only 1 spot to round us out to 6 spots.

You must: 1. Be able to write 10 posts a month. 5 the first two weeks 5 the last two weeks. 2. Be an active member of the OOC boards. Remember that being a god isn't a status symbol. It's a staff position. 3. Post with more than 1 person. Meaning you can't just post with me on all my different accounts(example). 4. Have a yearly event idea. 5. Be a role-model. This means behaving yourself. 6. Be prepared for conflict. This isn't all sunshine and rainbows. Staff discussions can get heated and you must be able to deal with that. 7. Be actively present for staff decisions, this means being in touch with us not all of the time but we prefer most of the time. You will be a deciding factor on future changes. This is the Application (though it may change by the time we get to December so be prepared for that. DO NOT send us it. We will throw it out and you will have to redo it/resend it) We'll tell you when the time frame to send us it starts. Application Form to Fill Out: 1. Username: 2. Character name: 3. Brief character history (max 150 words): 4.Our gods and goddesses don't have domains per se, for they have a title or function that defines them, which you can see just under the title of their temples. Our question is: what would your title be, and what would it mean for your character as a deity? How would they function as such? (Max 250 words) 5.What would be your character's three god powers? (bear in mind that this does not have to be absolutely definitive as they would be subject to approval (should you be selected) but a general idea would be helpful.)(If you need an example check Angela's signature) i. ii. iii. 6. As a deity, you would be expected to run events from time-to-time(Once a year). Describe one such event that you would like to run. (max 150 words.) 7. Why do you think you would make a good deity? This is your chance to tell us about yourself, why you feel qualified for the position, what qualities you feel you could bring to the deity mix and how you would function as a part of our expanding community. (max 250 words.) 8. Provide us with an example of your writing. This can be from a thread you have already written, or it could be a piece you have specially written for this application. Whatever the case, it should feature the character you are applying with. (250 words max) Sample Application (I used Toya, Ang's sister, for the App since doing one for Ang wouldn't have been as fun… I will admit Toya looks fun to play as for a Deity >.>; This is how we expect your app to look like in format. No links to posts or links to other documents.): Username: Toya Character name: Toya Rose Brief character history (max 150 words): Toya is the queen of the White Court in Arri. She was the youngest and raised by her four older sisters. Her life has been met with fire and destruction much like her soul. She has the soul of a dragon and the madness that goes with it. She does what she has to for her family even if her attitude says otherwise. Toya is the queen of Wildfire and Innocence; the innocence due to her ignorance. The queen is a person who speaks with her fists instead of logic, a formidable foe. One of a few mortals ever to punch a god and survive. Toya is also the Tactician in Arri, meaning she has good standings with how to win a war as long as you don’t leave the talking and negotiations to her. Our gods and goddesses don't have domains per se, for they have a title or function that defines them, which you can see just under the title of their temples. Our question is: what would your title be, and what would it mean for your character as a deity? How would they function as such? (Max 250 words) The Fire Wrath, The Dragon. Toya is a creature made of fire and destruction. Her heart is always in the right place but her mind leads her down the destructive path. The saying the road to Hell is paved with good intentions defines her. She would rather fight to get her way and ignite the world on fire when it isn’t. Diplomacy is lost on her and she would be the first one to throw a punch if things weren’t going her way. What would be your character's three god powers? (bear in mind that this does not have to be absolutely definitive as they would be subject to approval (should you be selected) but a general idea would be helpful.) i. Toya is able to have a volcanic eruption so the battlefield is in a haze with volcanic soot. ii. She is able to make things that would normally have a good effect become destructive. EX: Picking up a glass and having it break from the slightest grip. iii. Anything can become her firestorm, a massive fire attack. EX: Couch cushions lighting on fire or Ice cubes even. As a deity, you would be expected to run events from time-to-time. Describe one such event that you would like to run. (max 150 words.) The Dragon’s Nest. It is a tournament on the back of dragons. The ultimate aerial battle between warriors. The catch is that the dragons don’t want you on their back and they have been told to do whatever necessary to fling the competitors off. This would be a writing competition about a changing battlefield that just happens to be a dragon. Why do you think you would make a good deity? This is your chance to tell us about yourself, why you feel qualified for the position, what qualities you feel you could bring to the deity mix and how you would function as a part of our expanding community. (max 250 words.) I am an active member of the community. I run not only the Wishing Well but also heavily stalk the help forums looking for people to help. I have a standard of twenty threads I’m in at all times for roleplay. I’m also one of the veteran roleplayers for the Greenhorns’ Guild. I draw icons for the shops and for events in my spare time. I also always answer my PMs from people when they get sent. I can post upwards of 60 posts a month for a good month. A bad month is 20. I also multitask with 36 other characters. Provide us with an example of your writing. This can be from a thread you have already written, or it could be a piece you have specially written for this application. Whatever the case, it should feature the character you are applying with. (250 words max) She wasn’t sure that this is what Blaine had meant by ‘finding a new hobby’. She wasn’t even sure if this would be a get out of jail free card. The lycan was protective of his slightly psycho mate. Toya had a tendency not to understand when she was taking things way too far. Her recent activities included being a grand champion in Torn’s arena; it kept her out of trouble. However, when she woke up after one of her victories she found herself tied up to the bed with a quite displeased Blaine at the foot of it. She was more disobedient than a child being told no. Saddling her dragon she heard about the unrest that was in the ice lands. Her blood ran hot naturally and there were plenty of nights that Blaine had thrown all of the blankets off the bed just to deal with how hot her body tended to be. It was the flame elemental in her that stirred; go figure the crazy one had the destructive powers of fire. Climbing up onto the golden dragon they were soon off. Through the thick of blizzards and giant clumps of snow she found herself wanting to be back in the desert, she wasn’t cold but she wasn’t happy here. Her eye was visibly twitched as she landed the dragon. If it was one thing that she had a gifted talent in it was using her nose. Tips Your Event and You: I think this is one of the most intimidating and hard things on the application. (I know it made me really nervous when I applied for my spot) It is absolutely alright to ask people for help with this. Personally, I would pm past deities or current deities for tips and tricks. This absolutely does not have to be an event that you will follow through with. Make it practical and within our reason of doing. To help you out a bit here is how our event system works: You can have 3 prizes, 2-3 synth drop to make the prizes, it can be site-wide, in a pre-existing area, in your own area of your making, you can choose to do a hit point event where you heal or strike down health. For example; Angela needs priests to save 75,000 crops. People post and it will raise the bar from 0 to whatever. If people make it you could have a prize or if they don't you can have a bad result. For a creature, you could do KILL THE DRAGON! 75,000 health and each post will knock its health down. You can do other things with the health bar as well. I think Rhylana did her event it was healing Rhylana. Be creative nothing is set in stone just because it says hit point/heal doesn't mean you have to do it that way. You would work with me to determine just how much health/heal would be alright for the activity on our site. Obviously, having too much or too little is a bad thing. Your Title & You: Don't make it like an enigma where we or normal members can't understand where you are going with it. I should be able to tell what your positions are by reading your name. Angela's original title was She who gifts Fertility and Holds the Cornucopia (Fertility and Earth) Also your deity can hate their title. Angela hates hers now and I did that to show that the world gave her the title, not the other way around. You can see her title now: Master Artisan of Life and Keeper of the Cornucopia. Long and she hates but gives her story. You do you: When you get to why you want to be a deity think about everything you do for Revaliir. We want people who are a part of our community, people who help out, and who are friendly and least likely to cause conflict. You should join our Discord/Skype to find out more about our community and get to know everyone. People who are staff are required or will be to be part of our chatbox/discord/skype in some way. Your Post Sample & You: Get a post sample you have on the site and grammar check it. We highly suggest making it best. You can even do an entry that hasn't been done. Anything that shows up why your character is the spot you are applying for. Remember the character is the spot not the spot, is the character. Your God Powers & You: These god powers should be for god modding outside of your temple. In your temple, you can god mod all you want. For instance: Angela's relic making I could take off and most likely will for something I can actually god mod same with her desires. It requires cooperation with other roleplayers, therefore isn't god modding. Even I make mistakes and so do the other gods. These powers can change over time as we adjust and get better at what we're doing. They should be relative to your spot. Something I could replace her relic making with is: Her Earth Magic is stronger than anyone's at any given time. Few other things: The deity position is a job. You guys will be expected to actually work. When we say you have to be active we mean it. Even in times of slow posting where we disband the quota, there is a mandatory log in time where you guys have to spend on the site. If you didn't show up for your job you would get fired, this is no different. PMing Dalanesca and myself to see how your app was, if we got it, or ANYTHING like that will be considered prying and we won't hesitate to throw it out. If for whatever reason you are worried your application didn't make it through the pm system (which is doubtful) please pm another staff member and they will check. Dalanesca and myself cannot and will not look over your apps. You don't send your future employer your application and be like "Is this what you want?" That won't work. It's not here. No favoritism. I don't know how many time I have to say this but I will say it again: I don't care who you are. I've thrown other people's applications out who I've been friends with for years. I don't believe in favoritism and neither does Dalanesca. We might hurt your feelings but understand we have our reasoning. It is by no means a betrayal in our friendship. I'm friends with everyone on the site. I'll be best friends with you all but that will not get you this spot. Your talent, dedication, and time on Revaliir will. Be careful about what titles you choose and what areas you choose. Make sure that it isn't anything that can be made out as if you are trying to take a current deity's spot. Don't apply to be: The Gifter of Fertility knowing full well that we have a goddess in that range. This has been a problem. Make sure your app is clear. Make your spot known in the application and not all over. Look over your powers and make sure that they don't overlap with other gods. If you want to know if you can you can ask that god if that's ok. (I really don't care about god powers being close to Angela's so have at it but the others might care). Don't use this application as a platform to complain about some injustice done to you. I have a paper shredder with your name on it. Don't waste ours or your own time. Do not link us to stuff in your app. We will ignore you. We were lenient last time with this stuff but this time around we will ignore it. If you want it in your app make room for it. This includes; backstory, post sample, etc etc. You wouldn't link stuff off your application for a real life job don't do it here either. Do not send us a half-filled out applications. (This has happened) Be professional. If I or a staff member catches someone intimidating members not to apply I will strike you or worse. I don't care who you are – this is not okay. Sell us your character don't just write it down and be like "Whatever". SELL IT. You want it this bad you make sure we can tell. I can tell when people don't really care so trust me it shows. Don't apply if you want to just advance your plot and act like you have nothing left to rp but be a god. Let me tell you something: We don't trust that and we don't appreciate it. What's stopping you from making god and getting bored with it? This is a spot you should plan to have long term. I've held my deity position before Revaliir and I intend on keeping it. We're in for the long haul and you should be as well. We're dedicated to serving Rev for the greater good even if we're the only ones left rping. That was the promise we the creators made ourselves when we built Rev. It will always be here. Always. Do not be intimidated: What I posted above are guidelines. As we evolve we have to set new standards for ourselves and for Revaliir. I do not want people to think: Well gosh my character is off the wall I'll never make it. On the contrary, anyone has the possibility of making it. Personally, I like off the wall ideas but I'm only 1 of the selectors for applications. I don't suggest trying to play into our likes or dislikes (People know me they know what I like) because I become hardened when I do applications. I, for the most part, am the one who delivers the bad news to friends, spouses, etc, etc. I want the best for this site and so do the other ladies. We can also tell from past posts and other things. Most importantly have fun with it. If you don't think you can handle quota and think it will ruin your experience… Don't torture yourself. I had a good friend apply and get his spot and I ended up demoting him because he lost all interest because quota ate him alive. 10 posts a month doesn't sound like a lot but when it is expected of you quota becomes a burden you have to bear.

[misticalmindlove-blog]

my celtic cross reading

Your current situation

Queen of Cups

Intensive sensuality, eroticism, wild appetites. Queen of Cups indicates a period in which you will vigorously express your sexuality, you will be fully immersed in your erotic fantasies, able to share with your partner without limits. This card is especially relevant for partners with the intention to marry and have children. All this is because of a deep connection, harmony in between and deserved happiness. This card also shows a woman from your circles. This woman is a wise councilor for you and you should listen to her advice. You have a very strong connection with that person - she may be your mother, wife, a lover or a very close friend.

Immediate challenge or problem you are facing

Knight of Cups

Nearing wedding, dreams become reality, genuine devotion. Knight of Cups marks the beginning of a exciting new phase of your life. A time full of affection and breathtaking adventures. It also suggests that there is a young man in love somewhere around you. That individual might be a close friend or someone relatively new in your environment. Or he might turn out to be the love of your life!

Events that have lead up to the present situation

The Hanged Man

Actions are at a stop now. The Hanged Man is a sign that you're impeded by an unknown interference or maybe you're at a crossroad in your life, not able to decide which road to take. This card is a reminder that sometimes you should look back to the past for answers. Patiently analyze what has happened before, so you can see your miscalculations and learn from the mistakes of others. Accepting new truths will allow you to free yourself from old beliefs.

What is likely to occur within the next few weeks or even months

King of Cups

Beating difficulties, closure of a bad period, good fortune. King of Cups is a sign that all complications are behind your back and positive times are coming soon. This card represents hope, faith, your determination and productivity. You will have your strong voice heard, your strong sense of reality will allow the odds to be once again in your favor. The card also speaks of a man from your circles that you can trust. He's prosperous, wealthy and very knowledgeable and dependable. You will not be mistaken to follow this man's advice and help - be it material or otherwise.

Goal, aspiration or best outcome with regards to the situation

Ten of Pentacles

Abundance, prosperity, well-being. Ten of Pentacles marks a time of festivity, celebration and good fortune. You're to realize how blessed you are with your physical and financial achievements. The card warns that you might be slightly tempted to spend a considerable amount of your money on extravagant gifts and possessions, because you're trying too hard to impress others. You should rather focus on choosing, or better yet, crafting something and making it personal. You are not defined by your paycheck, by the size of your home, or by memberships in exclusive clubs. Behind all the possessions, behind the physical shell, there is only you; instead of focusing on the externals, make sure you're at peace with the person you really are.

That which is within your subconscious realm

Death

Renewal, starting fresh, change. The card Death symbolizes a complete reversal of present circumstances. Such a considerable transformation might seem scary and lead to sense of loss or a state of pain, but it will only be temporary and you will quickly recover only to find out that it's all for the better of you. This card usually points to a relocation, disruption in a friendly relationship, breakup, divorce or career change. Generally speaking, Death foretells "death" to your old self, through which you will be reborn and evolve as a better, truer version of you.

Recommendation for what approach can be taken

Six of Cups

Cheerful thoughts about the past and happy emotions from times gone by. Six of Cups represents the beautiful emotion of a delightful memory from your past, mixed with a bit of melancholy, for the moment is already long gone. The card is a sign that you posses qualities and abilities to build lasting connections, friendships and a real home. A friends that you were very close and is now back in your life might have provoked these feelings. That's a person that can be counted on and will only bring good fortune. This card is a symbol of positive development, balance and well-being, and they're all connected to that person.

People, energies or events which will affect the outcome

Ace of Swords

Exceptional vigor, moving forward with new plans, overcoming a difficult problem. Ace of Swords is a symbol of substantial will-power and your ability to act consciously under mental pressure. This card foretells a quick turn of events, that will change your life. It warns you not to fight the circumstances, but rather accept what cannot be avoided. Prepare yourself with determination - you have all other skills and abilities to overcome the difficulties ahead. Troublesome situations are just a small a part of life - all troubles are only temporary.

Hopes and/or fears about the problem

The Devil

Limitations, addiction, deception, materialism, annoyance, outside interference. The Devil suggest a situation without an exit, a pitfall with no ladder and no one to help. You realize you're under duress, but you feel too weak to get out of your current situation, you feel powerless and resentful. This card also tells that you may be a bit too mercantile or too controlling for other people. The card is a sign that you might be deceived by effortless life, easy money or lustful passions. You may feel entrapped by your very own actions, but remember that you're the only one that's in control of your own self and everything will work out fine.

Outcome and if/how the issue will be resolved

Page of Pentacles

Practicality, prosperity, learning, growth, adolescence. Page of Pentacles is a sign that you're a mature and responsible individual, independent, able to take care of yourself and others. However the card warns you that you shouldn't try to appear healthier or wealthier than you really are. Don't spend in excess, carelessly, without thought of tomorrow. Your well-being and material security is not an excuse for you to not learn new things and grow personally. The card suggests that this period is perfect for physical exercise - try a weight-lifting program, launching a healthier diet or another fitness-related activity. Learn by doing.