#warden ensemble

[reneegayde]

doing the deep roads in origins right now and i'm having feelings about my wardens--

the wardens fighting like animals, just a glimpse at who they are destined to become. hunting the darkspawn in a pack but just as fiercely as the hoarde fights them. the wardens still have their humanity, their thoughts, their own selves, but the song digs deep in their mind and only makes them stronger.

finally leaving the deep roads and they fully come back to themselves, exhausted, and it finally dawns on them. this is who, no, what they are now. some are scared. some fight harder. some are comforted by knowing their inevitable future and downfall.

they vow to face the calling together, when the time comes, wherever they may be. to fight together that one final time. they will join the hoarde, or go down together.

[mariocki]

New Scotland Yard: The Wrong-Un (1.7, LWT, 1972)

"What happens to them if they do get away with it?"

"Nothing, really; transfer to different prisons, serve their time. The system goes on."

"And stays the same."

"Yes."

"All a bit pointless, isn't it?"

[notscarsafe]

I love you late night Decked Out crew. I love you random silly conversations in the lobby, I love you Pictionary in the daycare center and deaths in the ravager backrooms. I love you diversions into TCG or Blue River raceway between runs. I love you wheeling and dealing for cards, for shards, lurking like an addict waiting for the shop to refresh. I love you Zelda tribute keydrop noise, tinkly warden noise machine, haunting drones in the burning dark. I love you goofy ravager names, warden names, silly nicknames for the different zones. I love you Easter eggs, puzzles, and deathtraps. I love you crouching and hiding in the chain trap, I love you nail bitingly vaulting past the vex at max clank, skidding into the shop at half a heart. I love you sound of submitting an artefact, of buying a card, the sudden silence of waking up back in the lobby after death. I love you pick of shame. I love you Rusty, I love you Willy, I love you Pumpkin. I love you "slain by nothing, they survived Decked Out".

I love you, Decked Out 2. I love you Tango. I love you Hermitcraft ensemble in the longest, craziest, most overachieving and awesome season ever.

Decked out 2 ends tonight, December 10th at 1AM EST, and all the signs are pointing to the season ending with the new year.

I love you Hermitcraft, thank you for being comfort, joy, and company.

[wjbminecraft]

Ok so I agree that the Minecraft movie looks bad. But also like almost every alternative idea I've seen including my own one feel more like fanfilm ideas than something I can imagine a major studio making. So, here's how I imagine a good (or at least not terrible) "mainstream" Minecraft movie could work (please bear in mind that I'm thinking from the perspective of what I, personally, believe a studio would approve, while also trying to make it at least somewhat Minecrafty, also sorry if this sounds bad, I'm not a writer or director or whatever):

Make it animated, obviously. Go for the Minecraft trailer style, but - and I cannot stress this enough - make it have dialogue, like yeah a movie with no dialogue might sweep the film festivals, but cinematic releases of dialogue-free movies are rare. In regards to face animation, they could just flap around the characters' mouth-pixels or whatever. No 3D modelled mouths, like I'm probably in the minority here but I do not like how Minecraft characters look with 3D modelled mouths.

Keep the isekai aspect. You can do a lot with that, especially if it has an ensemble cast (more on that further down), since you can then have some of them actually know the mechanics and have like. A character arc of teaching their parents or whatever how the game works. And there's maybe like two live-action sequences? Like one at the start and one at the end.

Make. The antagonists. Illagers. Other people have said this and I agree. It makes more sense than Piglins and also it means that the Nether could be saved for a potential sequel. However,

The movie should break away from just including stuff that exists in/works like the game, like this is the one criticism of the Minecraft movie that I 100% disagree with. Like people are like "Lol, this thing isn't in Minecraft! This isn't a real Minecraft movie!" then turn around and go "Minecraft Story Mode is the real Minecraft movie!" when like, that game has so much fucking stuff that isn't in the actual game. Let the Minecraft movie have made up stuff in it, but make it actually good made up stuff (and not like. Ghast hot-air balloons or chained buckets or whatever the Minecraft movie actually has in it). Give us whales and giant smashy-smashy Illagers and one (1) Redstone-powered mech and stuff.

I cannot stress enough. Ensemble cast. It could just be my bias but I do think it should have an ensemble cast. Like maybe two and their parent(s). Like a lot of the Minecraft Movie overhauls/preemptive rewrites I've seen are all like "it's just Alex and Steve surviving" and like. No, that would be too "boring" for a feature-length mainstream animated family film.

The soundtrack is cool cinematic covers of the Minecraft soundtrack, but specifically the more recent tracks for rights reasons or whatever.

Herobrine shouldn't be referenced.

"Defending the base" sequence during the first night in the Minecraft world, and then at some point later on there's a brief bit where all the characters are using the skills they've learned throughout the plot (e.g one of them is really good at Redstone and has set up like piston traps or whatever).

Sculk is used as a Chekov's Gun; there's a vein of it growing under the main village, and as the characters fight and defeat Illagers, it grows, and then when the protagonists are on the ropes, the sound of the Illager leader unsheathing their sword or whatever alerts an entire chain of Sculk Sensors that activates a Sculk Shrieker, which then causes a Warden to appear and save the protagonists.

I am mostly out of ideas but uhhhhh the Ender Dragon is also saved as a potential sequel thing. Ok bye.

[amalthea9]

So I could have sworn that I posted this art piece to my Tumblr but can't find it.

I can't express what King Theoden meant to me, but he is one of my top fictional heroes.

I did this piece back in 2019 and I'm reposting it now in honor of the passing of my king.

Aragorn is also a king of mine, but, like Merry, my dedication is to the King of Rohan.

The text is from The Lament of Theoden, a fitting text for such a sorrowful time.

Thank you, Bernard Hill for bringing Theoden to life. Now rest. All oaths have been fulfilled. To the halls of your forefathers you go and we honor you. Hail Theoden King!

Lament for Theoden performed by the Tolkien Ensemble

The Text:

From dark Dunharrow in the dim morning With thane and captain rode Thengel’s son: To Edoras he came, the ancient halls Of the Mark-wardens mist-enshrouded; Golden timbers were in gloom mantled. Farewell he bade to his free people, Hearth and high-seat, and the hallowed places, Where long he had feasted ere the light faded, Forth rode the king, fear behind him, Fate before him. Fealty kept he; Oaths he had taken, all fulfilled them. Forth rode Théoden. Five nights and days East and onward rode the Eorlingas Through Folde and Fenmarch and the Firienwood, Six thousand spears to Sunlending, Mundburg the mighty under Mindolluin, Sea-king’s city in the South-kingdom Foe-beleaguered, fire-encircled. Doom drove them on. Darkness took them, Horse and horsemen; hoofbeats afar Sank into silence, so the songs tell us.

[slasherhoe87]

What Cologne I think the Slashers Would Wear:

ART THE CLOWN

Fcuk Friction by French Connection

"Fcuk Friction is an attention-getting fragrance for men. Let it tickle your senses with a musky ensemble of fruit, lavender, coconut and geranium notes. This well-balanced fragrance has a spicy finish and is perfect for everyday use. It is an excellent choice for the man who wants a magnetic fragrance that is appropriate to wear to work or a date. Make this warm, fruity and aquatic fragrance your new signature scent"

JASON VOORHEES

Minotaure by Paloma Picasso

"Mysterious and virile, Minotaure for men embodies the symbolism and spirit of a mythological creature. Its bold Oriental composition features tart bergamot citrus in juxtaposition with savory spice notes of coriander and tarragon. Wear this intriguing masculine scent to stamp yourself as a rugged individual possessing an uncompromising free spirit"

MICHAEL MYERS

Obsession Night by Calvin Klein

"Anticipation builds when evening approaches and Obsession Night casts its seductive spell. The alluring oriental elixir blends crisp pear, sweet vanilla and incense-like patchouli with spicy accents of cardamom and nutmeg"

Bonus cologne because Michael is my one true love:

Halloween Man by Jesus Del Pozo

"Wrap yourself in mystery with Halloween Man. Its intriguing contemporary formula for men combines tart mandarin and the crisp note of apple martini with ginger spice and pungent violet leaf. A fine example of aromatic alchemy, the unique masculine fragrance conveys a free-spirited attitude along with dark allure. Dare to show your devil-may-care spirit with Halloween Man"

BRAHMS HEELSHIRE

Toy Boy by Moschino

"Liberate yourself and feel wild and free every time you walk out the door wearing Moschino Toy Boy, a playful men's fragrance. This tempting cologne blends spicy, floral, fruity and woody accords for a well-rounded, exhilarating scent that's sure to leave you feeling confident as you glide through the night in style. Top notes of Indonesian nutmeg, elemi resin, green pear, pink pepper and Italian bergamot immediately set the tone with their bold, bright intensity, only to be smoothly calmed by middle notes of flax flower, clove bud, magnolia and rose absolute. This tantalizing bouquet is further enhanced by base notes of sylkolide (musk), amber, cashmeran, Haitian vetiver and sandalwood for a warm, seductive comedown that saturates the air with its luscious charm"

BO SINCLAIR

Old Spice

"Top notes are Nutmeg, Star Anise, Aldehydes, Orange and Lemon; middle notes are Cinnamon, Carnation, Pimento, Geranium, Heliotrope and Jasmine; base notes are Benzoin, Vanilla, Musk, Tonka Bean, Cedar and Ambergris"

LESTER SINCLAIR

Hunter by Armaf

"The top opens with a refreshing burst of citrus notes, coming in strong and zesty with a combination of grapefruit, bergamot, lemon and mandarin. The heart settles into floral accords, the romantic aroma of lavender, geranium, tuberose and ylang-ylang spiced by fragrant hints of cardamom and black pepper. The cologne finishes on a warm, aromatic base, featuring the alluring aroma of cedar, labdanum, musk, patchouli and vetiver"

VINCENT SINCLAIR

Close Up by Olfactive Studio

"This fragrance almost defies categorization. It's a little tobacco, a little Oriental, a little gourmand, and everything you want a perfume to be. It opens warm and sweet with top notes of Santos green coffee, Griotte cherry, and fresh spices. The heart notes are complex and mysterious with white tobacco, California rose, Atlas cedar, and patchouli. Base notes of amber, tonka bean, and musk shine through in the dry down for an earthy finish to this alluring scent"

HARRY WARDEN

Craftsman by Tabac Original

"Sharp and confident yet charmingly balanced, Tabac Original Craftsman is a spicy-citrus cologne enhanced by accords of aromatic herbs, clean florals and spice. The opening refreshes and invigorates with a bright blend of tart-sweet grapefruit, bergamot and piquant black pepper. Crisply herbal florals of lavender and peppery geranium merge with almond nuances of tonka bean at the heart. A smooth, enveloping base of vetiver, patchouli and supple leather leaves a clean masculine trail that’s perfect for casual wear"

THOMAS HEWITT

Brut by Faberge

"This manly mix features woody and balsamic accords accented by aromatic and sweet notes for an exhilarating yet simple aroma that enhances your image"

JENNIFER CHECK

Psychedelic Love by Initio

"Fall under the dizzying rush of Initio Psychedelic Love, a powerfully seductive essence that can leave you in an emotional trance. This decadent elixir blends floral, citrus and exotic accords for a deeply bright and satisfying scent that has the power to ensnare that special someone from across the room. Top notes of sparkling bergamot and sweet ylang-ylang work together to form a radiant energy. Following this is a provocative heart of hedione, heliotrope and Bulgarian rose, which walks a fine line between playful romance and immense passion. Completing the alluring perfume are spicy and sensual elements of myrrh and sandalwood, creating a mystifying foundation that intrigues and attracts with ease"

BUBBA SAWYER

Mickey Mouse by Disney

"Mickey Mouse is classified as a refreshing, fruity fragrance. This masculine scent possesses a blend of citrus, lemon and lime"

BILLY LOOMIS

Thallium Black by Yves De Sistelle

"Thallium Black is an enticing men's fragrance that is both sensual and gentle to attract plenty of attention. Fruity notes of apple are warm and welcoming, while cardamom is spicy and aromatic. The scent of bergamot adds a fresh citrus quality to the fragrance, plum notes contribute sweet and fruity tones, and nutmeg infuses a warm spiciness to the scent"

PENNYWISE

Realm by Erox

"Transcend the veil of the mundane, and enter into a realm of otherworldly sensuality with Realm. This seductive scent for men sets itself apart with its bright notes of orange and ginger, offset by the deeper and more mysterious notes of lavender, patchouli and juniper"

STU MACHER

CK In 2U by Calvin Klein

"A fragrance for men that consists of perfume notes of lime, gin fizz, grapefruit leaves, frosted tangelo, pimento, shiso, cocoa base, vetiver, white cedar and musk to form a well balanced cologne"

[wendynerdwrites]

Pretty cringe on Bioware's part

Okay, so I do not work for Bioware, don't have connections, and what I'm writing is based only on some background and experience in social media and online marketing. I HAVE NO INSIDER KNOWLEDGE AND CLAIM NONE.

But... It VERY MUCH LOOKS TO ME that this new name change is a plot to try and circumvent SEO on the new Dragon Age release being about how delayed the game is and all the layoffs and the severance lawsuits and shit.

And yeah, maybe this'll seem obvious to some of you, but I kind of just want to word vomit: (and this is a further musing on a TWITTER thread I made earlier. Sorry I just have to get this manic-episode cynicism out)

Why else at the supposed 11th hour would you change the game title to one that is just, so bad for so many reasons?

(It should be obvious that I'm editorializing here, but I like to cover my ass more these days)

So yeah, reasons why I think this name change is so bad and nonsensical it could only be made for desperate reasons:

Okay, so because I like to overthink stupid shit like video game name changes and have become quite Dragon Age fixated over the years, I was going over this bullshit too much.

Like, I tried to explain things to myself because sometimes I want a break from feeling cynical even with shit like this.

So I read this and mulled it over:

"BioWare general manager Gary McKay explains that while Solas is “still very much a part of the story of Dragon Age: The Veilguard,” the team wanted a title that reflected a “really deep and compelling group of companions.” --- Kat Bailey for Gameinfomer.com

Okay, fine, well, the last game is called "Dragon Age: Inquisition" and not "Dragon Age: Corypheus" or "Dragon Age: Elder One." And you know, stuff like "Leliana's Song" focuses on, you know, Leliana."

But you what, me? That doesn't hold up.

For one thing, Leliana's Song is a DLC. No one is going to mistake a main series Dragon Age release as being not about an ensemble cast of characters and just being about Solas because of a naming convention in the DLC. Especially given how common that can be in RPG's anyway.

First thing you often learn about Dragon Age as a series is that it's story focused RPG with strong cast of supporting characters and a lot of lore. Granted, that may not be the case for EVERYONE depending on when they or how they got acquainted for the series; but that's how it's commonly characterized.

In one game, Solas was given far more significance plot and character wise than Corypheus had in two.

Corypheus has good points. He's got a backstory that is couched comfortably by the lore and significant to the story. He's got motivation - he's pissed about there not being Gods and Tevinter falling, so he's trying to become a God now to restore the world he wants. He's got one of the most FUCKING BALLER VILLAIN REVEALS:

He also works very well thematically. He's a good symbol of corruption and the results of hubris and tyranny when Thedas is being torn apart by it's various authorities and their abuses of power. Civil War in Orlais. Templars have broken from the Chantry, the mages from the Templars, and they're all at war. From the first game we know that this is what is left of the peace and safety won by your Warden and their people. And we know a few reasons why. In Dragon Age II, we know how that happened and SO MANY MORE reasons why. THERE'S CORRUPTION IN THE WARDENS AND WTF IS EVEN HAPPENING IN WEISSHAUPT??? OR THE DEEP ROADS??? We add in an Orlesian Civil War and also, boom! Whoops! THE GUY WHO CAUSED ALL THOSE BLIGHTS WE'VE DIED IN IS BACK AND HE WANTS TO RIP THE SKY APART! OOH LOOK HE JUST DID!

He's the anthropomorphic personification of all of that.

But, uh, even with fabulous voice acting, Corypheus is not much of a character in his own right. He is more of a device for both plot and theme than, like, a person. As far as more humanizing antagonists, we get that from Samson, Calpernia, and Alexius than Corypheus.

Corypheus wants to restore Tevinter to the Empire he wishes to be God of. He's pissed at there being no Gods. So now he wants to rule over everything (while also destroying it.) "THIS CORRUPT WORLD NEEDS TO BE MADE ANEW BLAH BLAH BLAH I'M AN RPG BIG BAD"

And that's fine with me. Never had a problem with Corypheus turning into Darkspawn Skeletor.

Corypheus is a dick who wants to be God. But he works as a device to save the world from and lead to lore revelations and shit.

I don't know if Corypheus ever had anyone he cared about. I don't know what he like(d?) to eat. He has no goals that don't serve glorifying himself and being a tyrant. I don't know if he hates Thedas as anything other than standing in the way of the Tevinter he can be god-emperor of. I don't know what he really thinks of anything in the world of Thedas other than "inferior, kill it." He doesn't have complex motivations or thoughts on the world we're playing in. We don't know if any of his thoughts or perceptions have changed over the course of the thousands of years he's lived. If there's anything he enjoys. We don't know what kind of personalities he's drawn to. What he actually enjoyed about the world he came from.

We get all of that shit and more from Solas. Even if you don't like him, don't play with him much, he has a distinct personality. And his significance to the lore of the world actually reveals a lot more than Corypheus's. Solas CREATED THE FUCKING VEIL. ALSO THE ELVEN LEGENDS ARE ALL FUCKED UP. FLEMETH IS ACTUALLY HIS ANCIENT DIVINE PLATONIC DOMMY MOMMY FROM BACK IN THE DAY WHEN THEY WERE BOTH LITERAL GODS! DID WE MENTION HE CREATED THE VEIL?! BECAUSE THE DALISH ARE FUCKING WRONG ABOUT EVERYTHING! AND TEVINTER DIDN'T DESTROY ARLATHAN! AND WE'RE ALSO GOING TO LEARN SOME SHIT ABOUT THE FORGOTTEN ONES! ALSO DID WE MENTION HOW THE VEIL CAME TO BE????

All this through this Elven God of Bad Decisions:

Also, yes, Solas has got major thematic importance but I feel like that's a whole other rant and this is getting too long.

Point is: Solas is, flat out, more significant to the world all of these characters inhabit than Corypy-tits. The literal fabric of their plain of existence is woven by him. The entire way magic has worked and been handled, (something that is extremely significant character-wise for at least a third of this game's cast) is because of him and his history. There was a century between the fourth and fifth Blights. And, you know, the veil he created played a part in their origins.

Even putting aside that legacy characters like Varric, Cullen, and Leliana all have personal history. Solas is why Circles exist/ed. Those Magisters who started the Blight did so by fucking with his creation. He is why elves age and live as a diaspora.

And that's just what we know him to be responsible for. What about those hints about the Forgotten Ones? Exactly how did his rebellion work? What is his plan for the other Evanuris and will it work? [(No.)] What will that reveal about what the others are/were capable of? And what exactly happened between them and the Titans?

Look, I'd go on, but I don't want to go on too much longer like the Solas girlie I totally am. Point is: Solas's backstory alone has had significant ramifications for everyone in Thedas. And the ways he's affected their lives varies between races, generations, magical ability, etc. And that's through creation of the Veil alone.

And we know a shit ton about who Solas is as a person.

You don't need to be a Solas pro, Solas-anti, neutral, or Solas-mancer for this to be true.

So yeah, I would say he's "very much a part of the story." But also, in a way that informs and contributes to the characterization of the ensemble cast.

Inquisition's antagonist was no Fen'Harel. And you're not going to subtract from your ensemble, but rather enhance them (if you care at all about writing them well) by having a focus on him.

Now, I totally think the idea that the final big antagonist will be the Evanuris or someone else lurking behind the veil has merit. But Solas will ultimately be that catalyst.

"Okay, but maybe Bioware doesn't see it that way. Maybe they saw some social media complaints about too much Solas focus and did a hasty rebrand."

Well, for one, that complaint has been around for years now. And it's valid. The problem isn't a lot of Solas, it's that we got so little else. The promotion is bad, not the character or their role in the story. But if that's really it, why now? Why are they only changing the name now?

Now, okay, but Inquisition was still called Inquisition.... This game is about the Veil Guard. It's called Veil Guard.

Cool, but once again, then why hold onto Dreadwolf for so long? Why focus so much on Solas? Why haven't we gotten any glimpses of companions?

And, um, if this is really what you want, shouldn't the title be... better?

Inquisition is a good, solid, and communicative title. While the Inquisition of Thedas is not exactly the Spanish One, there is enough association there to give a general idea. Origins had a group of dumbass misfit fugitives drawn together to save the world. II was similar except they were mercs who get drawn into shit against their will and unwittingly. Inquisition: okay, so this time they'll probably be more of an official, religious-quasi military organization. It'll probably be controversial.

You can be a complete noob to Dragon Age and figure that out.

Veil Guard sounds like something last minute they got from Game of Thrones at the last minute. Okay, the Kingsguard are cool. They guard the king. We're stopping the veil from being torn down, so Veil Guard.

Here's the thing: none of the main ASOIAF series is called The Kingsguard, and you don't need to know anything about A Song of Ice and Fire to get it. Everyone knows what the fuck a king is and why he should be guarded. So even if there is a book called "The King's Guard" we'll get it. It's a book about fuckers guarding a king.

This game is about fuckers guarding... a veil....? The veil?

If you're up on your Dragon Age lore and are really into it, yes, you know what that means. If you're a noob or a casual who hasn't given much thought to Dragon Age in, say, a decade, uhh...:

Noobs: "The game is about fuckers guarding... a veil...? The veil???? Is it some sort of artifact, like it has Jesus's face on it? Or if they mean veil between worlds like some Lovecraft shit, is the new Dragon Age a horror game? Are people trying to travel to different worlds and we're trying to stop them? "

Casuals: "Or wait, is this about that dream world thing? That demon place that spits out demons? Didn't we just get done fixing that in the last game??? Wow, real original. Bioware Magic! "

It also just sounds uncool. Inquisition is an imposing title. Dreadwolf is an imposing title. The Veil Guard sounds like a sartorial maintenance product.

You want people to focus on your ensemble cast? SHOW IT! Because as long as all the promo keeps giving us new Solas anyways, it's just weak sauce.

Nah, this has panic move all over it.

Now, I'm trying to spin this optimistically in that I think this means we may actually get the game within this decade. Because I refuse to believe a) "Veil Guard" is the best they got out of a proper round of workshopping and b) That if this was truly about trying to avoid focussing on Solas too much, they'd announce this without a bunch of promo for the rest of the cast to accompanying it.

Bioware: "We wanted people to know the story is just all about solas, but more about our ensemble cast! We wanted this enough to change the name this late in the game!"

Everyone: "ALRIGHT! SHOW US THIS ENSEMBLE!!!"

Bioware:

Nah bitch, that's not what this is about. Bioware needs this to be a hit, and they need a hit soon. But they don't want their long-awaited blockbuster release to be mired in bad press. They don't want the general audience googling their new massive title only to find articles and reddit threads about layoffs, labor disputes, Mary Kirby's departure, the massive delays, the contract non-renewals happening in the midst of severance lawsuits.

BioWare wants to get their title out finally and they want to bury all the bad shit that's been plaguing this project. All the stories about the labor disputes, layoffs, firings, and lawsuits have mentioned the "Dreadwolf" team.

And quite frankly, it's just shitty. It looks bad. It's desperate.

[tiyoin]

𝑵𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝑹𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒏

11:04 pm -> 2/11/23

what puts the ‘night’ in night raven?

With Crowley strapped for cash, he decided to extend his kindness to the creatures of the night and allow them to seek education at the prestigious Night Raven Academy with night lessons!

Unfortunately, this was a worse idea than he thought as seven new personalities join the ensemble and flip the school and everyone one in it upside-down.

"You've gotta be kidding me"

"The letters have been sent, it's already in motion!" Your bird brained headmaster chirped excitedly, his yellow glowing 'eyes' turned to slits in excitement at what he just told you.

"With all due respect" You growled through gritted teeth "This is an utterly irresponsible idea! We're already half way through the school year and yet you're pulling this stunt? And how on earth did you runout of money? This a government funded school!"

He nodded along, ignoring your last statement as picked at his golden hand claws "Think of the children!" He exclaimed, babbling about how 'gracious and kind' he is. All while spinning around in his chair with out stretched arms, reaching for the heavens you both knew he'd never see.

"I hate children" You growled

Slamming his hands back down to earth, you and a few of his desk trinkets jumped from the sudden impact.

"By adding this new night program we're extending our arms for those poor, disappointed students who had to decline our acceptance letters due to their natural circadian rhythms" He threw himself back into his chair, like how a lovesick high-school girl would throw herself on her bed after a first date.

"Just think about it! How the press will see our fine, prestigious academy as one who will do whatever it takes to make sure everyone one gets a fair and equal change at a prestigious education! How we're the number on e school in all of Twisted Wonderland!" He glared at the window, where an outline of a marble palace laid several miles south.

Yeah you've stopped listening to him at this point. The cogs in your brain malfunctioning as fires erupted in your thought machine. You could even imagine tiny versions of yourself dressed as firefighters scrambling about like mice trying to put out the flames.

But of course that was all in your head. You felt your body getting hotter by a degree the more you thought about the whole situation.

How he could've solved this within an hour if he held a staff meeting, which you know he didn't. How that vacation he went on last week was a vacation too many to be sourced from his own pockets. Or how he was probably doing this to line his own pockets from some billionaire.

The steam that blew from your ears and nostrils got darker by the second. Your eyes narrowed and face tightened as you went rigid. If one were to look at you they'd mistake you for a dragon with how ferociously evil you looked.

Luckily, Crowley was in his own little world, chattering like a clam and oblivious to your mental shutdown

"Wouldn't it have been easier to hold a fundraiser?' You interjected, stopping him mid-rant as he looked out the window. he hummed, adjusting his position. Stroked his chin, he looked deep in thought.

"it is true we could've done something of the sort..."

There was a but, wasn't there.

"But" You sighed, collapsing back into the plush black chair across from him. "It would have taken too much time, resources and money-"

"The house wardens are all loaded. they could've easily helped out with your money problem" Especially Kalim, you thought. But you kept that to yourself since you didn't want him good in the clutches of this dirty bird.

A noise escaped his throat, as he started shrugging. Eyes chasing the room as they landed anywhere but yours. At this point your limbs started aching, tingling with energy that traveled through your body. You were getting hotter by the minute as he slunk deeper into his chair.

"This isn't just about the money! I'm an educator! Who am I to stop children from getting an education because of circumstance they can't control! You should be happy that we're doing a program such as this! Such a benevolent thing to do, if I say so myself"

Now he was just stroking his ego, just like a certain slimy octopus you knew.

"Night Raven College is already understaffed as it is, so adding a bunch of new students-"

"- Six students"

"Same thing!" You slammed your hands on the table. "By adding seven new students in the middle of the school year you're not only doing us a disservice but also them!" With each breathe you were drawing closer to him. "They've missed half a year of curriculum! And they won't have any friends because clubs and school events are during the day- which is when they're sleeping!" At this point Crowley, the 'supposed headmaster' of NRC was slumped all the way down his chair, beak on the desk as he blinked owlishly at your fuming form.

You sighed, head between your hands as you started dragging your face, the stretch you felt in your eyes doing nothing to ease your growing headache. Which was getting worse by the minute thanks to Crowley.

it was quiet for a second. Crowley's lifeless orbs kept blinking at you. You could see the lightbulb flickering above his head and smells the oil from the gears churning into overdrive to think of some way to justify this madness. To bring actual logic to the table and convince you- a student that this was a good idea.

Pushing himself up, he cleared his throat and brushed the imaginary dust off his shoulder. Sitting up straight like he was trying to convince himself he didn't just get bitched from the school's designated janitor.

Though you were now looking longingly out the window at the school that laid a few miles south Why weren't you sent there? It would've been so much easier! They were hot princes for crying out loud! They would fight to do your work for you!

You felt the anger start subsiding into depression as Crowley began talking again.

"That aside, it is too late to discuss this as it is already in motion. The transfers will be moving in next week"

"Whatever" You were about to get up when you paused, your head mechanically started turning towards the bird who suddenly had paper work that needing organizing. "Where"

"Pardon?"

"Where will they be staying"

"At NRC of course"

"Where Crowley"

"On the campus..?"

"Yeah- where"

"I'm not following"

"What dorm are they staying at!" You yelled, the lightbulb above his head finally lit up in understanding.

"Ohhh that! Yes of course! We had to think long and hard about it, and seeing that they're new transfers who will be attending night classes, we thought it best if they stayed at that shabby- I mean lovely shack- dorm I'm so graciously letting you stay at!"

..

"We?...You know what" you were... I mean... You already had Grim?... How... But you're broke... What... 6 guys?

"This has got to be the plot of some horrible romance anime- or better yet, some cheesy porno" you muttered, back in the chair waving a snow white flag solemnly.

Almost like Crowley could read your mind, he leaned closer to you, a smile- if that's what you call it- was on his face as his glowing eyes almost held a bit of emotion of them. He reached his hand out to you, almost like he wanted you to take it. But only the great seven know where that thing's been

"Think of the children"

"I hate children!"

He gasped, throwing himself back into his chair as he kept gasping for air like a fish out of water. Almost like he couldn't believe you hated children, teens and people alike after dealing with numerous over blots, your first year friends and Grim. Like you didn't have a full time job with no stable pay that was barely enough to keep you and your singular cat afloat.

"You know what, deal time. I get double- quadruple the amount of allowance. Because how the sevens am I supposed to house 7 and a half people with the scrapes I get now?"

"Didn't I tell you we have no money"

"Well then you better add another student to your little program." You were over this back and forth, deciding to end it with your half assed remark as you got up and made your way to the door, a feeling of dread already creeping up on you. The only joy you got was when you thought about the teachers and housewardens reactions. Wondering how Crewel and Riddle took it.

But with closing and Crowley staring at your retreating figure, he quickly got a pen and started scribbling down on a random piece of paper. Muttering about how well that went and how smart he was to tell you first.

Also how dumb you were to give him the excellent idea of adding another victim to NRC's new night program.

If you would like to know more about NRC's new night program, please inquiry in our inbox!

[heaven-s-black-box]

Like the Saying Goes...- Double Life Ensemble

Return to File

Recovery date: December 19th, 2023

Description: The participants are left to ponder double life as they return to their regular lives.

Notes: N/a

Word count: 677

Back to directory

Tilly death do us part.

Pearl grinned as she tied up another bin chicken in her store. She was convinced Ren was stealing them for eggs, though she didn’t know why. Maybe it was some friendly competition from Gem or Impulse, her neighbors in both business and housing, and she’d find them hanging around her base later

Tilly, he’d made a pun. At the time, she’d been too caught up in panic to catch it but she’d had plenty of time to rethink. Laying in bed at night, restocking, gathering materials, building, Scott’s goodbye wouldn’t leave her head.

Death did them no part.

History does not take kindly to lovers.

Jimmy sits in his explosives shop, hat tilted over his eyes and leaning back in the crates of tnt. It’s much hotter here, and brighter. The terracotta reflects the sun back into his eyes and the heat sticks to the ground, maybe a trip to a more temperate climate was in order.

He’s got a box in his lap, closed and locked. Grian had given him an incredulous look when he’d asked for a clipping of his red string, he’s sentimental like that. It’s tied around a poppy and a spyglass, tucked against the side of the box filled with trinkets and pictures.

They weren’t really lovers, he smiles, but they were close enough for the universe.

It takes two to tango.

Impulse swings his pickaxe down into the stone, breaking out more room for his base. It’s not quiet, he can hear the river outfront and his neighbors arguing. His mind drifted back to being poolside with Bdubs and planning how to break up the other couples.

They’d pulled them apart, planted seeds of doubt, and it would’ve worked if they hadn't underestimated the trust of the other duos. They’d tripped up Scar and gotten cocky, they’d been the ones who tripped over Cleo and Etho.

It takes two to tango, and theirs was the smoothest.

Red at night, sailor’s delight. Red in the morning, sailor’s warning.

Etho is watching the sun rise over the server when Joe makes the comment as everyone enters the tcg arena. Beef wonders if they should move inside incase it rains, Etho finds himself admiring the way the sun sets the world aflame.

He’d done that once, side by side with Joel. The world never stood a chance as they took vengeance for the relation-ship. It was almost ironic how they’d found their end in burning lava. As it starts to rain, he chuckles to himself.

They’d delighted in the red flames burning down the server, but there’d been no rain to save them.

Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.

Cleo’s balance wavers as they build up their city, and they panic. They throw their weight backwards, falling against the wall and feeling the wind rush out of their rotten lungs. There’s a sharp pain as they collide with the stone, and suddenly they’re back on the diving board.

Martyn had caused them so much pain, and in turn they’d taken so much from him. He’d been their greatest weakness, and they’d let him roam free. They’d angered the witch because he left them.

They made the mistake of letting their enemy walk away, when they really should have kept him close.

History repeats itself.

Scar is paving out more of Scarland’s road when his tower Warden lets out a roar, making him jump. It rings out through his head, merging with that endless echo, and he has to take a second to re-compose himself. Grian comes up to him as he sits on the edge of the flower bed in the roundabout and takes a seat.

Jelly wanders across the road, and suddenly they’re back in the panda sanctuary. They’re bound together once more by Scar’s recklessness. Scar is following his every whim and fancy as Grian desperately tries to keep them alive. In the end, they always find their way back to each other.

They will always find each other, and it will always be their undoing.

[calamari-minecraft-corner]

Chapters: 30/?

Fandom: Dream SMP

Rating: Explicit

Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Major Character Death

Relationships: Clay | Dream & Original Female Character(s)

Characters: Clay | Dream (Video Blogging RPF), Alexis | Quackity, Sam | Awesamdude, Original Female Character(s), DreamXD (Dream SMP), Jschlatt (Video Blogging RPF), Wilbur Soot

Additional Tags: Hurt/Comfort, Pandora's Vault Prison, Dimension Travel, Texting, Angst, Fluff and Angst, Fluff, Prisoner Clay | Dream (Video Blogging RPF), POV Original Character, Violence, Aftermath of Torture, Implied/Referenced Torture, Warden Sam | Awesamdude, Manipulative Clay | Dream (Video Blogging RPF), Hurt Clay | Dream (Video Blogging RPF), A lot - Freeform, Mentioned Dream SMP Ensemble, Chatting & Messaging, text, Alcohol Abuse/Alcoholism, Implied/Referenced Alcohol Abuse/Alcoholism, POV Clay | Dream (Video Blogging RPF), Every now and then, Slice of Life, Platonic Cuddling, Past Torture, Torture, POV Multiple, bug horror, being force fed centipedes, Centipede horror, Revival Gone Wrong, Personal Limbos (Dream SMP), Goat Hybrid Jschlatt (Video Blogging RPF), Wilbur Soot's Personal Limbo, Jschlatt’s personal limbo, Angst with a Happy Ending, Body Horror, Murder, Assisted Suicide, Suicide, dream does revival crimes, Unethical Experimentation

Summary:

After noticing an ominous app on her phone, Wren couldn't help but to be wary of where it came from. That is until her power went out and she ended up seeing a message from a complete stranger. Little does she know what she dragged herself into, and how terrifying the circumstances are when she had replied.

[reneegayde]

Your two dwarven wardens and memory

anon this was actually kind of perfect for figuring out some dynamics. have some (mostly) banter:

“So, princess, what happens now?”

The mocking tone has Kela briefly stopping in her tracks. She closes her eyes and takes a deep, steadying breath before continuing on. The prodding is getting unbearable; the last few days have taken a toll on her, and each time she gets reminded of it she feels the knife in her back all over again.

"I had nothing to lose," Navia continues. "But you? What happens to our disgraced princess?"

"Do you really not know, or are you just being an ass?"

"Why can't it be both?" Navia grins when Kela stops again and turns to her. "I was born and raised casteless, this is all I've ever known. What reason do I have to care about what the caste system says about everyone else?"

Your name, from this point forward, is stripped from the records. You are no longer a person, nor a memory.

“If the casteless are the lowest among us,” Kela says after a moment, “then I am even lower. I no longer exist.” Saying it out loud makes it feel more real, and is almost comforting, like accepting the inevitable. Little could be done to change her fate in the records, she and her damned Dwarven honor had already accepted this, but there is more to the world than Orzammar. Fate had just opened a door. “Damn, that’s rough. From a spoiled royal to…this. Welcome to the casteless.” Navia laughs, and where Kela had expected to hear bitterness, she found none. No, the other woman seemed comfortable with her status, so much different than anyone else Kela could ever remember meeting.

“Well,” Kela starts, nodding forward along their path. “Forgotten memory or no, I have no intention of giving my brother the satisfaction of doing this to me.”

“You have a plan to get out, then?”

“I have had a plan. I just had to stop wallowing in self pity first.”

[skullhaver]

Im late for the Major Arcana asks, and I want to ask one too many. I'll keep it simple: The Magician for Edric and Aristide, The Empress for Edric and Athren, The Lovers for Ari and Athren. Death in Reverse for whomever!

The Magician: How does your character unleash their creativity or resourcefulness?

Edric - As a magic teacher! I headcanon that after the events of DAO-A, he goes to Antiva City with Zevran. While Zev is embroiled in his efforts to dismantle the Crows, Edric gets curious about new ways to teach young mages how to safely control and explore their powers. He ends up leading an underground mage school, starting with Crow recruit kiddos freed by Zevran. Edric is a patient and warm-hearted teacher who really loves finding new ways to connect with students.

Aristide - Ari has artistic inclinations as both a visual artist/illustrator (they've had to get very good at conveying people's faces for their illusion powers) as well as being a good dancer. In a kinder world, Ari's artistic side is one of their core traits. In a real world/modern AU, I've been toying with the idea of making them a professional dancer--an ensemble performer for touring/off-Broadway type musical productions.

The Empress: Who has been a positive female figure in your character’s life?

Edric - Leliana. During the events of DAO, Leliana was a major emotional sounding board for him. Exhausted by dealing with blunt people like Morrigan, Sten and Oghren; frequently frustrated by Alistair's immature behavior and unexamined self-deprecation; dealing with complex Wynne feelings as his former teacher; and frankly unable to have an emotionally vulnerable conversation with Zevran until Denerim; for all her eccentricities, Leliana helped Edric keep his sanity.

Athren - His mom Intrae has been a mentor and guide for all of his life. His childhood friend and later lover Jinarra frequently challenged him and inspired him. Even the ruthless Waterdeep-Zhentarim Master of Trade and Coin Istrid, he regards as a kind of mentor and possibility model. But tbh for this I really want to say his fellow PC Thia MacDonald 🥺Athren's identity was so tightly wound around being a younger sibling, but his friendship with this weird teen warlock has allowed him to explore new sides of himself: a confident, knowledgeable mentor to someone else, and feeling protective and nurturing.

The Lovers: Which of your character’s relationships has been the most positive? (Romantic or otherwise)

Aristide - the easy answer of course would be their lover, partner, and Crow compañera Renata. She's single-handedly changed the trajectory of their life by helping them doubt some of the brainwashing and abusive ways that their Crow mage teacher has spent the last decade instructing them. With Renata, they have the opportunity to be both vulnerable and strong in ways they have never before experienced, getting to set aside some of the masks they always wear and live more authentically.

Athren - gotta say his fellow PCs, who I tend to refer to as the Trollskull Tavern Crew! For similar reasons to what I said about Thia. The dynamic with them is totally different than anything he's experienced before, and he kind of loves who he gets to be around them/on their behalf: someone confident, ambitious, daring, powerful in a fight, charming, with a wry sense of humor. In some sense, it's who he's always been, but he's really never gotten to manifest that before spending time with them.

Death in Reverse: When has your character tried to fight change?

Looking at my suite of OCs, most of them do not have arcs around trying to fight change. If anything, they tend to instigate change and push for more of it than what they usually get. But they're protagonists, so of course they are subjected to some Inciting Incidents that involve trauma and unwanted change.

Edric didn't want to be a Grey Warden; he ratted out Jowan, why is he getting punished??

Ari was taken in by the Crows as a child following a magical accident where they killed people.

Athren would have preferred to stay in Menzoberranzan rather than flee to the surface followed the failed coup, but he felt his family had no other option.

[pruechaosbracket]

ROUND 2-B: Team Confidence VS Team Musical Number

About Wataru: President of the Theater Club and one of the Three/Five Eccentrics. He is extremely dramatic, and very talented in multiple music/acting related fields, including mimicking others' voices, magic tricks, hypnotizing, and (what he as claimed to be) sentient hair. He nick-names most people he meets, along with being known as "Masked Freak" himself. Others' believe that he lives in his own world, meanwhile he's normally hyperaware, not letting let his act down and always ensuring that everyone isn't bored.

About Lyer: A demon-like creature who seems to enjoy confusing and teasing World, who he attempted to kill in their first encounter. He shows a lot of confidence in both the way the way he talks and acts, along with often dancing and singing. He has a set of red strings that he uses to manipulate others (mainly World) and grab things, he can also shape-shift and has repeatedly appeared and disappeared out of nowhere. While it has not happened in the comic yet, it has been heavily foreshadowed in the animations that Lyer is going to use World to kill Mia.

About Oli: An isekaied bard, the first player on Empires SMP, and the sole survivor of Afterlife SMP, having found himself in Empires SMP after trying to find his version of Sausage and instead finding Pearl, he quickly noped out due to the large amount of both Pearl's and Sausage's heads and him wanting to be alive. During his first day/episode on Empires, he named his new home the Olipoligo, built a "mega base", named his wolf after Sausage, found and raided an ancient city, outran the Warden, speedran killing the Ender Dragon, kicked the server's first mystery, stole Gem's horn, got deemed a bard, and got arrested by Fwip. He has also; gathered a bunch of Ender Men via Ender Rail (In Afterlife), fell into dept with Fwip and the Goblin Empire, tried to return to Afterlife which failed, organized the Rift Festival, and accidentally hatched the Ender Dragon Egg.

About Doofensmirtz: An "evil" scientist with ambitions to take over the Tri-State Area. He has a giant building/house/lab with "Doofensmirtz Evil Incorporated", which is also sang every time it's first seen per episode. Everything he creates ends in -inator, with their purpose ranging from the previously mentioned taking over the Tri-State Area or at least minorly inconveniencing it, to getting petty revenge on someone, to some kind of weird revenge related to his awful childhood. He named an evil organization L.O.V.E.M.U.F.F.I.N., which is technically an acronym the full name isn't much better as it stands for "League Of Villainous Evildoers Maniacally United For Frightening Investments in Naughtiness". After he retired from evil he temporarily joined O.W.C.A partially thanks to him being legally an ocelot, and made an time machine shaped like a taco stand with no option for day; as it was replaced with a cup holder, and diverged a major world-saving plan to get his favorite orange soda.

[sondersonne]

The Brigand Queen of the Western Wyld; The Red-Sky Captain; Surging Tides' Lover- or just 'Surge'.

Since long before her exaltation, her life was dedicated to the ocean. Captaining a fleet of mismatched, iconoclastic vagabonds, she wages war on the very notion of control. Be it the against Empire’s endless march of wealth extraction or the Lintha’s bloodthirsty reaving, she roams the waves in her hyrbid form, standing proud and defiant as crusading anathema. Their supplies feed her crew, their treasure funds her war, and every drop of red will stain the sea until the West is indisputably free. 

Her ensemble is inconsistent- clothing is unimportant, easily and often shed to reduce drag when rushing opposed vessels. With her always, however, are her Black Jade naginata Trenchseeker, and Calcareous Warden, a living, pliable sleeve of coral plates that can deflect even the hardest of blows. Anything else is subject to heavy alteration and frivolous decoration, and she can be found discarding trinkets as often as tying them lovingly into her clothing.

Among her crew and exalted companions, she is stoic, proud, and loud; a boisterous companion willing to exchange drinks and pragmatic life advice.

Her spirit shape is that of a monstrous Thresher Shark, and her caste is of the Full Moon, and her tell is two rows of wedge-like teeth in the mouth of any shape.

[fictionadventurer]

I've tried reading Trollope before and it hasn't gone well. "Christmas at Thompson Hall" was pretty eh. I bounced hard off of Rachel Ray and The Warden. The man uses so many words to say not much at all, and it was just way too much effort for something that wasn't grabbing my interest.

Then for Victober, I let myself listen to this Tips for Reading Trollope video. Apparently, the magic word to get me interested was "politics". Also, "he's really good at plot." Love me some politics, and good plotting is a rare skill. I wasn't going to join in the group read (still don't plan to keep up with it), but this inspired me to dig into the first few chapters of The Way We Live Now, and it's going much better so far.

Which surprises me. The video explains that the two types of books Trollope does are "shorter straightforward one-plotline character studies" and "sprawling and complicated ensemble cast with interweaving plotlines". If you'd asked me, I'd have said I'd go for the shorter, simpler story, no question. The Austen-like country family stories. But Trollope's not Austen, so maybe it makes sense that I have more fun watching him tell the kind of stories Austen doesn't tell. The wordy style seems less like teeth-pulling when I know this is just one plotline of many--I can just skim over the top and get the general gist because there's a lot more to get to.

Also, the politics. Usually I like the simple sweet stories about good-hearted people, but every so often I go feral for stories about insane horrible petty people doing crazy things. This is reminding me of all the insane Civil War politics I loved reading about. But it's in England and we're getting the financial world involved, so you've got all the social class stuff making things even crazier. We've got some decent people and some horrible people and they've all got wild plans and major blind spots, and it doesn't matter if the POV characters aren't good or likable because we've got so many people and plotlines. The fun is not necessarily in rooting for anyone, but in watching how all the pieces interact.

Again, there is zero way I'm going to finish this in any kind of timely manner (and I'm not letting myself read much more this month), but it was a fun start, and it's nice to know I might be able to get along with one of the major Victorian authors I'd been missing out on.

[ataraxixx]

I know me constantly hopping into your askbox is annoying but I rlly do not have anything better to do other than... math and biology work so I am here 2 ask you to rank some of my favorite ninjago tracks >:3c (if I did all of my fav tracks I wouldn't be getting my ask answered till next year LMAO)

Sensei Yang's Sacrifice

The Final Battle

Opening the Cursed Realm

Possession (the track)

Garmadon's True Potential

A Full Blooded Oni

March of the Oni (the track)

The Lost City of Ouroboros

The Upply Strike Back

Wu vs. the Crystal King

The New Warden

Nya Becomes Water (thats such a lame track title what the fuck man...)

i had to listen to most of these bc i didnt rlly remember them but heres my ranking

ranking:

11: crystal king vs wu

10: march of the oni

9: full blooded oni

8: sensei yang's sacrifice

7: the new warden

6: opening the cursed realm

5: city of ouroboros

4: the final battle

3: the upply strike back

2: possession

1: nya becomes water / garmadon's true potential (i love them both dearly i could not choose)

and ill put my deeper thoughts under the cut

ck- i fear i dont really care for this one very much even tho i do really love this fight scene so like 4/10. the choral bits are cool i guess

oni- 5/10 its ok feel similar to yang in that its just general ninjago fare

mystake- its ok its a bit short like 5/10 tbh i like the percussive bits

yang- 5/10 its ok idk very generic ninjago fare but it suits the scene its from well

warden- harumis theme included automatic 10/10 (joke) but i do like this one. sorry i just really like the s8/9 ost they always bang for real. this ones a bit more on the chill side and its not that remarkable/memorable as far as the versions of rumi's theme go so like 5/10

cursed- 6/10 its a fun track but its like weirdly dramatic for a not very dramatic fight scene which is kind of funny. ok fight track

ouroboros- 6/10 yk going thru this list i noticed a lot of these are very percussive which is fine but yk. also very short

final- 7/10 a classic but nothing crazy

upply- 8/10 really big fan of all of motm's leitmotifs and the different percussion instruments in this really help distinguish it from like. every other extremely percussive ninjago song. but the leitmotif helps a lot too its very epic and grounded.

possess- 9/10 im a violin player so im always very biased to when ninjago uses violins and i reallyyy like their use here bc its like the dark intense but contrasted with the little fiddle notes and yea. its cool its very morro-y. the back and forth between the violin and the rest of the ensemble is really fun it reminds me a lot of the danse macabre and tbh they prolly took inspiration from that seeing as its one of the most well known pieces abt the undead

garmy- 10/10 one of my absolute favorite ninjago tracks ever sorry i absolutely love the mesh of the sons of garmadon theme ( one of my favorite leitmotifs) and the garmadon family theme bc its just sooo fucking crazy and intense and it suits the scene its in so well. mega banger alert

nya- really love this one. lots of ninjago music is extremely percussive so this one is really nice bc its so Different. the slow careful treading at the beginning building up into something intense and i always rlly like nya's music bc its very different instrument wise from most of the other tracks and she has a lot more wind instruments usually but it also just focuses more on the wind + strings than the percussion which is nice. and the overarching beat done by the what i assume is bells of some sort but electronic instruments dont always sound 1:1 to real ones but yk what i mean(idk why i wrote so much abt this one but its a good track. 10/10)