#whew! long one

[t6fs]

Scrimshander Anecdote of the Day: Due to being something wrong, the color cones the scrimshander has in its singular remaining eye differ from those of most humans. In terms of visible light, the Scrimshander only has red and blue cones, and frankly struggles to tell the difference between yellows and greens (its favorite color is yellow, so it is rather opinionated on this topic).

It does have a third color cone, which detects light just within the UV spectrum — useful on a surface, but less so in the Neath. It has a tapetum lucidum as well, so its eye reflects light brightly, and it'd have excellent vision in darkness if its diopter correction wasn't +9.

In terms of the Neathbow, despite what one may expect, it can see and distinguish Viric just fine, as well as Apocyan, Peligin, and Violant. It cannot tell the difference between Irrigo and Cosmogone, and it does not seem to detect Gant at all.

Bonus below the cut, the names of colors according to the Scrimshander (+ some cultural context):

In order:

dlaï` = equivalent to red, with very little distinction on hue or tint. Orange would be considered dlaï` as well; heavily associated with poison/warning colors and are often used in art for having overcome great challenges, while otherwise being considered gaudy.

na`ran = "Yellow"; used almost exclusively to describe plants that "breathe" (grow on land), and is considered a moon tone

szud = "Green"; used to describe marine plants, and very little else.

k"yana = somewhere between teal and cyan; a fashionable pigment used in traditional costume due to its abundance in local shellfish and corals. Considered a cutesy, childish color generally, and is heavily associated with youthfulness and dreams.

terra` = blue; similar connotations to blood (below), but a bit more romantic as opposed to edgy. wearing blue and black is common for birthdays.

yïkhem = "Blood", similar to indigo; similar connotations that red would in most cultures, with connotations leaning somewhere between sultry and edgy, especially when paired with white or black (blood/white would be the edgiest combo). Blood is a moon tone

vï`ot = Somewhere between indigo and purple; a fashionable pigment used in traditional costume due to its abundance in local shellfish and corals. Extremely abundant for everyday wear, this color has tons of hue distinctions that true textile/pigment artists will debate you on.

ma`ev = equivalent to Magenta; a fashionable pigment used in traditional costume due to its abundance in local shellfish and corals. Similarly treated to the above.

szovu` = a fully UV "color"; a fashionable pigment used in traditional costume due to its abundance in local shellfish and corals. Especially found in the silk of a specific spider, which is often spun and woven into fabrics to an effect entirely unknown to me, the regular human writing this, but i bet it looks awesome.

~~~

çïsz = white; a moon tone, associated with death and salt. Used heavily in ritual combat and has violent connotations generally.

ghosz = any shade of grey, also used to describe brown; generally used for all neutral colors.

k"ï`xa = black, or colors dark enough to be equivalent; considered an earth tone, but also a moon tone. Associated with funerary proceedings and sound.

[daeyumi]

I am what you made me 🩸

[tojisun]

hockey player simon pt 03 // part of this plot // mlist

i swear it was just supposed to be a drabble w no plot

jo heaves a sigh the moment you slide in front of her, and you would have been insulted if it wasn't for the gentle smile she gives right after. still, she's staring at you with that teasing tilt of her lips and her eyes narrowed in humour, one that you're not privy to.

"what?" you finally bite out, fiddling with your iced coffee, feeling self-conscious.

you fleet your eyes to yourself and, yeah, sure you're wearing the same pants as yesterday’s but c'mon? you didn't get to go back to your place after, well...

at least you didn't repeat your top, and is instead wearing a sweater you've stolen from simon's closet. cashmere, cream and soft, and the material comfortable, if not a little bit loose in the arms that droop past your fingers.

you thought you at least looked like those typical college students in the movies—effortlessly chic in a boyfriend sweater, if not a little haggard because who is not when in university?

she finally chuckles, the thrum of her voice easing up the frown that tugged your brows together. “don’t sweat it, superstar. it’s just that i’m still not used to seeing you be a sugar baby.”

you choke mid-sip, her words devouring you like an angry tide. you feel your eyes water in protest, the feeling burning as you sputter.

“i’m not–!”

“you’re not what?” tim asks, sliding into the seat beside yours.

you grumble, wagging a finger as you wipe your stained chin with your other hand. jo snorts and fills him in, chuckling all the while as she gestures at your sweater because she knows it couldn’t possibly have been yours.

tim’s smile turns cheeky, teasing, and he wiggles his brows at you.

“shut up, oh my god,” you whine, rolling your eyes at them, almost shyly, and you feel your cheeks warming. “i’m not– simon’s not my–”

“oh c’mon, babe,” jo says, playfully throwing her mechanical pencil at you. you huff before chucking it back at her, giggling to yourself when it bounces off her arm and rolls into the floor.

tim picks it up for her.

“he buys you expensive things—” her eyes flit to the new promise ring that you’re wearing. you unconsciously hide it behind your palm. “and pays for your tuition which i’m so, so jealous of.”

“doesn’t he fly you around too? in a private jet or something?” tim pipes up, shamelessly snagging away your iced coffee now that you’re too preoccupied to drink it.

“he doesn’t!”

twin brows quirk up in silent judgement.

“…he buys us first class tickets, not, like, a whole jet.”

see? they seemed to say with the way they cock their heads to the side.

you sniff. “it’s for work,” you mumble, remembering the first time simon flew you for his games.

“i mean, for him, maybe. but you? tell me what business do you have in winnipeg?” tim chirps and you almost want to jump him just to make him shut up.

“sugar baby,” jo finishes, singing. “but i mean, who can blame him, huh?” she grins, her voice dipping into a faux southern accent. “i’d spoil you too, sugar.”

“oh, you flirt,” you trill, taking the opening she offers to change the topic.

tim takes the bait and whines about how jo doesn’t do all those things for him, but jo is unmoved, eyeing you knowingly, but thankfully drops it too.

it’s just—

there’s a whole stigma to athlete’s girlfriends. for god’s sake, they even have a whole label—puck bunny—which is honestly just a dig made up by really shitty men who burn with jealousy . and you know that, but—

you can’t help but wonder if some, not all, of simon’s love for you is because of what you do to him. of what you give him in return. especially since he’s so busy all the time, either flying during the season and is rarely home, or packed with training and other physical regimen during the offseason.

so you wonder if this—flying you with him on the days the official WAGs are not being flown by the franchise, bringing you to vacation spots on the other side of the ocean, buying you everything you used to only dream of ever having—was his way of paying you back for your support and patience and care and love.

tim knocks his shoulder with yours, worry now lining his boyishly charming face.

“y’alright?”

“of course.” you lick your lips. “so did you ever get a copy of the lab sheet from rayan?”

.

you watch from the front seats as the team wrap up practice tonight, their coach looking pleased at their performance. it was still difficult to follow the game, but the players all look content too despite the sweat and their ragged breathing.

they never did know how to hold back even during a practice.

you say your goodbyes to the other people who came to watch, shooting simon a text that you’ll be waiting for him in the parking lot, and walk out.

the cashmere sweater, thankfully, is enough to fight off the cool air and the gentle breeze while you make your trek to simon’s distinct range rover, all sleek and pure black like he’s got the damn royals for a passenger.

it’s locked so you hover outside, stuffing your hands in the pockets of your pants, and entertained yourself with making puffs of air like you’re ten again. it’s honestly not too bad to be alone, if it weren’t for the sudden swarming of your doubts—the very same ones you thought you already shrugged off before taking the cab to the rink.

fuck.

“hey, love,” simon’s voice pierces through your thoughts and you jump, barely smothering the yelp that almost tore itself from the base of your throat.

you swivel, heart pounding, and simon’s beautiful face creases into one of concern.

“are you–”

“si!” you greet, jogging to him.

he laughs and opens his arms for a hug, one that you excitedly give him. you tuck your cold face in the crook of his neck, breathing him in, taking in the antiseptic scent of rink soap and the faint smell of his shampoo.

his body is so warm against yours, and you can’t help but melt in his hold, body relaxing at the comfort he brings you.

“you ready to go home?” he asks like the insinuation that his home is also yours is not heart-stopping and world-changing.

you nod, unable to trust your voice right now.

there’s something different whenever it’s just you and simon—your thoughts, for once, are quiet and your confidence in yourself peaking like simon is the only place in this world where you can truly be yourself. it’s not just indulgence, nor tolerance, but it’s pure unadulterated acceptance.

and maybe it’s because of that realization, that flipped switch, that in the lull of your conversation with simon, you bring it up.

“did you know? my friends think that you’re my sugar daddy.”

you feel him freeze, body going rigid as your words spill into the space between you two. you continue to hide your face away from, avoiding a serious conversation as regret begins to build, shame licking up from your fingertips to your ears.

stupid, you think to yourself. why the hell did i bring it up? fuck—

then, simon laughs, soft and sputtering, his whole body shaking as he giggles, choked wheezes uncontainable. you tip your head up just enough to catch his eyes, questions filling your tongue, waiting to be spilled, but simon cups your cheek so tenderly before you could doubt anything any more.

“do i need to be one to spoil you rotten?” he asks like he didn’t just shaken the foundations of your doubts.

do i need to be one to spoil you rotten, he said like spoiling you was the norm. like showering you with expensive gifts and booking you expensive flights and helping you with your expensive necessities was something that boyfriends typically do. like your friends are the odd ones for thinking he had to be anything other the man you’re dating to be able to splurge for you.

“no,” you say, dizzy with the weight of your affections.

simon’s smile droops, his eyes clearing. “was that something that honestly worried you?”

“i–”

the humour leaves him, and simon straightens up at seeing the gravity of the turmoil in your heart. his hands fall to your sides, thumbs hooked in the dip of your hips. he leans forward until his nose is brushing against yours.

“you know i love you, right?” simon asks, his voice quaking in desperation.

“yeah,” you sniffle, honest because god you mean it. “yeah, si. i know.”

“okay,” he says after a while, still intensely looking at you like you aren’t surely anything but a blob in his eyes with how close you two are pressed to each other.

then, his lips brush with yours, so faint, you almost missed it. you shudder at the feeling of it—how could a chaste kiss feel so intense?—your lips wobbling as something in your heart bloats.

you feel simon’s lips stretch into a grin from where they’re ghosting above yours, and then he’s kissing you again, this time deeper and longer. you curl your arms around his neck, feeling like you’re being swept off your feet all over again.

because simon is not good with words, truly, but he’s managed to swing an axe to the cornerstone of your self-doubt and made it crumble.

.

“oh god,” jo sobs in your arms, the two of you snuggled up under your sheets. “that was a joke! i promise!”

“i know,” you say, giggling. “i swear jo, it’s not you, it’s me.”

she looks up at you, eyes shimmering with tears. “are you sure?”

“yeah,” you croon, bumping foreheads with her. “...‘sides, simon’s taking me somewhere to make up for, and i quote, ‘making you doubt how serious i am about you’.”

she sniffs. “…permission to make a joke again?”

you grab your plushie from somewhere behind you and smack her ass with it.

“ow!”

“stop being dramatic—that didn’t hurt.”

[giggles nervously] so uh. 🏃🏻

[v-albion]

Continuation of THIS <— its getting long

Hey he finally got some affection! Thanks raphie @hitwiththetmnt

@tmntaucompetition

[calmbigdipper]

Finally completed twt user herasphases’s prompt for @hkvthm-action! They requested a The Little Mermaid AU with Prince!Kaveh and Merman!Alhaitham ~

[cosmicdreamgrl]

bangtan gif challenge ☆ ↳ stage mix (one song) + your bias → jungkook x dionysus stages

[dlartistanon]

Fellas is it gay to top the Radiant Knight

[linkhundr]

So NFTgate has now hit tumblr - I made a thread about it on my twitter, but I'll talk a bit more about it here as well in slightly more detail. It'll be a long one, sorry! Using my degree for something here. This is not intended to sway you in one way or the other - merely to inform so you can make your own decision and so that you aware of this because it will happen again, with many other artists you know.

Let's start at the basics: NFT stands for 'non fungible token', which you should read as 'passcode you can't replicate'. These codes are stored in blocks in what is essentially a huge ledger of records, all chained together - a blockchain. Blockchain is encoded in such a way that you can't edit one block without editing the whole chain, meaning that when the data is validated it comes back 'negative' if it has been tampered with. This makes it a really, really safe method of storing data, and managing access to said data. For example, verifying that a bank account belongs to the person that says that is their bank account.

For most people, the association with NFT's is bitcoin and Bored Ape, and that's honestly fair. The way that used to work - and why it was such a scam - is that you essentially purchased a receipt that said you owned digital space - not the digital space itself. That receipt was the NFT. So, in reality, you did not own any goods, that receipt had no legal grounds, and its value was completely made up and not based on anything. On top of that, these NFTs were purchased almost exclusively with cryptocurrency which at the time used a verifiation method called proof of work, which is terrible for the environment because it requires insane amounts of electricity and computing power to verify. The carbon footprint for NFTs and coins at this time was absolutely insane.

In short, Bored Apes were just a huge tech fad with the intention to make a huge profit regardless of the cost, which resulted in the large market crash late last year. NFTs in this form are without value.

However, NFTs are just tech by itself more than they are some company that uses them. NFTs do have real-life, useful applications, particularly in data storage and verification. Research is being done to see if we can use blockchain to safely store patient data, or use it for bank wire transfers of extremely large amounts. That's cool stuff!

So what exactly is Käärijä doing? Kä is not selling NFTs in the traditional way you might have become familiar with. In this use-case, the NFT is in essence a software key that gives you access to a digital space. For the raffle, the NFT was basically your ticket number. This is a very secure way of doing so, assuring individuality, but also that no one can replicate that code and win through a false method. You are paying for a legimate product - the NFT is your access to that product.

What about the environmental impact in this case? We've thankfully made leaps and bounds in advancing the tech to reduce the carbon footprint as well as general mitigations to avoid expanding it over time. One big thing is shifting from proof of work verification to proof of space or proof of stake verifications, both of which require much less power in order to work. It seems that Kollekt is partnered with Polygon, a company that offers blockchain technology with the intention to become climate positive as soon as possible. Numbers on their site are very promising, they appear to be using proof of stake verification, and all-around appear more interested in the tech than the profits it could offer.

But most importantly: Kollekt does not allow for purchases made with cryptocurrency, and that is the real pisser from an environmental perspective. Cryptocurrency purchases require the most active verification across systems in order to go through - this is what bitcoin mining is, essentially. The fact that this website does not use it means good things in terms of carbon footprint.

But why not use something like Patreon? I can't tell you. My guess is that Patreon is a monthly recurring service and they wanted something one-time. Kollekt is based in Helsinki, and word is that Mikke (who is running this) is friends with folks on the team. These are all contributing factors, I would assume, but that's entirely an assumption and you can't take for fact.

Is this a good thing/bad thing? That I also can't tell you - you have to decide that for yourself. It's not a scam, it's not crypto, just a service that sits on the blockchain. But it does have higher carbon output than a lot of other services do, and its exact nature is not publicly disclosed. This isn't intended to sway you to say one or the other, but merely to give you the proper understanding of what NFTs are as a whole and what they are in this particular case so you can make that decision for yourself.

[lynzishell]

The Present ❤️ Selvadorada

Prev // Next

Transcript below the cut:

Asher: Jesus, look at this place. This is the museum?  Atlas: Yep, this is it. Asher: Wow. Kind of intense, isn’t it? Atlas: Little bit.

Little Sister: What is it? Big Sister: It’s a dinosaur, stupid. Little Sister: I’m not stupid, you’re stupid. Big Sister: Good one. Little Sister: Shut up. I’m telling mom. Big Sister: [mocking] i’M tElLiNg MoM

Child: Mommy, why can’t we go downstairs? Parent: That section isn’t for kids, sweetie. Child: Why? Parent: I don’t know, I’ve never been down there.

Twin1: Why did they frame it if it’s broken? Twin2: Because it’s old, duh. Twin1: So, it’s old and broken and that makes it special? Twin2: [shrugs] I guess. Twin1: Dad, I’m bored. Can we get ice cream?

Atlas: Holy shit. Asher: What? Atlas: I’ve seen these before. Asher: Really? Where?

Atlas: Well, I… in a dream, I think. Asher: What? Atlas: Yeah, I used to have this recurring dream, and there were skeletons in it just like this. Three in a row. Asher: Weird. Atlas: You have no idea. [waves to museum employee] Excuse me.

Sam: Hi there, I’m Sam. Can I help you with something? Atlas: What are these? Sam: Ah, these are the Temple Guards. Atlas: Temple? Sam: Yes, the jungle used to be home to three ancient temples. They were said to contain great treasures, and people would come from all over in search of them. The Guards were one of many things that would protect the temples from trespassers. Asher: They don’t seem very intimidating.

Sam: [laughs] No, these wouldn’t. These are just replicas. The real ones are much larger and are said to have the ability to curse their enemies. Atlas: What kind of curse? Sam: It varies. Legend has it, they take the victim’s greatest wish and turn it into their nightmare. Asher: Creepy. Sam: Very. If you’re interested in learning more, we have the real thing downstairs. It’s a slow day. I can give you the full tour at a 25% discount. Asher: Um… Atlas: Let’s do it. Sam: Follow me.

Sam: Now, everything you see around you, with the exception of some reinforced archways and support beams, comes from the actual temple ruins. These temples were constructed as mazes with various floors, rooms, hidden doorways, and dead ends. They were designed to confuse their enemies and cause them to get lost, unable to find their way out. And, if that wasn’t enough, the whole place was booby trapped. These devices here, they would shoot arrows at anyone who tried to cross them. However, they contain a puzzle. By solving the puzzle, one could deactivate them and continue on.

Sam: This is the kind of room one may find themselves trapped in. The only way out, again, is to solve the puzzle. Get it wrong, and each podium has a different punishment in store for you. Atlas: Why would anyone go into these temples if they’re so dangerous?

Sam: Oh, plenty of reasons. Greed, adventure… Sometimes people just think they’re special. That, even if hundreds have failed before them, somehow, they’re the one who will make it through, the one who will make it out alive. But I’ve yet to hear a story where someone did. Trouble is, once you’re in, there’s only one way out, and good luck finding it.

Asher: [pokes Atlas] Are you thinking what I’m thinking? Atlas: [nods] It’s perfect. Sam: This way, my favorite room is just up ahead.

Asher: Whoa. Atlas: This is amazing. Sam: Right?!

Sam: There are freshwater pools in the jungle. We have no idea how they got there, but they’re said to have been cursed. That they were originally created as traps for those seeking out the temples. It could be very temping to go for a swim, but if you were to try it, you’d be pulled straight to the bottom.

Asher: Fantastic. Atlas: You okay? Asher: How ‘bout we move on? Sam: Oh, uh, sure.

Sam: And here we have the real Guards. Asher: Okay, yeah, these are a bit more intimidating. Atlas: The real ones? Sam: That’s right. The very ones that stood inside one of the temples. Atlas: The temples, are any of them still there? Sam: ‘Fraid not. Only ruins. We’ve collected what we could and preserved it all here in this museum.

Atlas: I think maybe it’s time we head back to our rental. Asher: Yeah. This place is creepy, isn’t it? Atlas: That’s putting it mildly. Sam: Well, good news is, the next stop is the last on our tour. Bad news is, it’s about to get a lot creepier. Asher: Not sure how you’ll manage that.

Sam: This is Barbara. Asher: Barbara? Sam: Well, no. She doesn’t have a name, so I make up a new one every time I come down here. Just whatever pops in my head. So, today she is Barbara. Asher: You really enjoy your job, don’t you, Sam?

Sam: I do. And this is my favorite part. You see, it wasn’t only those looking for treasure or grand adventures that were trapped in these temples. Anyone who wandered nearby could fall victim. Legend has it, the temple

would come alive at night, and so would Barbara. She would crawl her way out of the ground and lure in anyone who dared to get too close. As I mentioned, once inside, there was only one way out. But also, there was a limited amount of time in which to escape. Once the sun rose, the temple went to sleep again, the exit sealed, and anyone left inside was lost forever.

Atlas: What happened to them? Sam: Nobody knows.

[Later]

Asher: I’m so glad we’re finally back. I’m exhausted after all that. Atlas: Me too. You were right. We never would’ve made it out of the jungle before dark. I’m glad we decided to wait. Asher: Me too. We should get to bed soon so we can get up early tomorrow, take our time. Atlas: Good idea. [snuggle] Hey, Ash, I— Asher: Jesus, do see this? Come here.

Asher: I can’t believe how many stars are out tonight. We never see this in the city. Atlas: It’s beautiful. Asher: Sorry for cutting you off just now. What were you going to say?

Atlas: Oh, um… nothing. I was just going to say that I love you. Asher: [smiles] I love you too.

[silverpolish]

minotaur tattoo call that a minotattoo

endless thanks to @dog-teeth for the kickass art; i couldn’t be happier

[tiny-crescent]

pas de trois – chapter 1. entrée

after a couple years of conception and writing, I've completed my first multi-chapter work!! :') it's my love letter to the Task Force, in which I put them through more shit than they deserve lol. it was a labor of love, and it honestly feels so strange to finally be able to post the first chapter, but I'm also incredibly excited and so happy to share it.

☽

A dance between three people over the course of three days.

January 28th is fast approaching. A premonition of their deaths sits heavy in the air, and Ide can’t ignore it when Aizawa seems certain of it and Light practically dangles it in front of their faces. Their days are numbered, and in these last precious scraps of time left together, Matsuda’s the one person he’d like to hold close. But he only ever seems to slip away— right into Light’s grasp.

Light’s plan is underway, each piece falling flawlessly into place and the New World brimming on the horizon. All this biding his time for years and years will finally amount to his proudest achievement yet. As Matsuda lies next to him in his bed, a lingering thought creeps in the back of his mind that dares to wonder if he’ll join him. Matsuda happily follows the script he writes, playing his part, chasing his touch, pliant as ever. He’s not a lost cause. Whether he’ll make the necessary sacrifice to stay by his side, however… is a different story.

It’s Matsuda’s choice to make.

[bluebird-ascended]

one piece redraw for prideee!!!

og art and headcanons under the cut :D

luffy: aroace and agender. triple threat, he truly doesnt give a fuck

zoro: gay and trans

nami: lesbian

ussop: demiboy, definitely uses he/they

sanji: bi but veryyy deep in the closet. which is ironic because he has horrible fashion sense. hes also tranfemme to me but thats post timeskip 😌

chopper: ally!

robin: trans and bi

franky: trans and straight t4t with robin. frobin canon i said so

brook: he's dead he has no game anyway. but pan

[genshin-impact-updates]

"Vibrant Harriers Aloft in Spring Breeze" Version 4.4 Update Details

Dear Travelers,

Below are the details of the Version 4.4 update "Vibrant Harriers Aloft in Spring Breeze" and the update compensation.

〓Compensation Details〓

Maintenance Compensation: Primogems ×300 (60 Primogems per hour the servers are down)

Issue Fix Compensation: Primogems ×300 (please refer to the relevant compensation mail for more details)

〓Scope of Compensation〓

Maintenance Compensation: Travelers who have reached Adventure Rank 5 or above by 2024/01/31 06:00 (UTC+8).

Compensation must be claimed before the end of Version 4.4.

Issue Fix Compensation: Travelers who reach Adventure Rank 5 or above by 2024/01/31 06:00 (UTC+8).

Please log in and claim your compensation before 2024/02/03 06:00 (UTC+8).

Our developers will distribute compensation to Travelers via in-game mail within 5 hours after the update maintenance is finished. The mail will expire after 30 days, so don't forget to claim the attached compensation in time.

〓Update Schedule〓

Update maintenance begins 2024/01/31 06:00 (UTC+8) and is estimated to take 5 hours.

〓How to Update Game Client〓

PC: Close the game, open the Genshin Impact Launcher, and click Update.

iOS: Open the App Store and tap Update.

Android: Open the game and follow the directions on-screen.

PS5™ and PS4™: Highlight Genshin Impact from the Home Screen, press the OPTIONS button and select "Check for Update."

Please do not hesitate to contact Customer Service if you encounter any issues installing the new version. We will do our very best to resolve the issue.

〓Update Details〓

I. New Areas

New Areas in Liyue Now Available

◇ New Areas: In Version 4.4, the following areas in Liyue will become available: Chenyu Vale: Upper Vale, Chenyu Vale: Southern Mountain, and Mt. Laixin.

※ As long as you have completed Archon Quest Prologue: Act III "Song of the Dragon and Freedom," a Teleport Waypoint will be automatically unlocked near Liyue's Chenyu Vale: Upper Vale (If you have already completed this Archon Quest, the Teleport Waypoint will be unlocked after the update). You'll also receive the Primogem reward for this Teleport Waypoint when it unlocks automatically.

New System in Liyue

Rainjade Oblation

Fujin's adeptal energy has transformed into many Spirit Carp that are scattered all over Chenyu Vale. Collect the energy within Spirit Carp and transfer it into the Votive Rainjade within Carp's Rest to increase its level and obtain the blessings of Chenyu Vale.

Rainjade Oblation System Unlock Criteria:

• Complete the World Quest "The Cloud-Padded Path to the Chiwang Repose"

In addition, there will be new Fishing Points and "Radiant Spincrystals" in Liyue.

II. New Characters

5-Star Character "Passerine Herald" Xianyun (Anemo)

◇ Vision: Anemo

◇ Weapon: Catalyst

◇ One of the Mighty and Illuminated Adepti of Jueyun, known as "Cloud Retainer." Expert in all kinds of mechanical contraptions, her heart now turns towards the affairs of the mortal world, through which she walks under the name "Xianyun."

◆ Elemental Skill "White Clouds at Dawn"

◆ Xianyun enters the Cloud Transmogrification state, in which she will not take Fall DMG, and uses Skyladder once. In this state, Xianyun can cast Skyladder continuously to leap, where her Plunging Attack will be converted into an even stronger Driftcloud Wave instead, which deals AoE Anemo DMG. The more times Skyladder is used, the more DMG the resulting Driftcloud Wave will deal and the larger its AoE.

◆ Elemental Burst "Stars Gather at Dusk"

◆ Brings forth a sacred breeze that deals AoE Anemo DMG and heals all nearby characters. It will also summon the "Starwicker" mechanism that follows the active character and periodically heals all nearby party members. When the Starwicker has Adeptal Assistance stacks, characters will have their jump height increased. When they complete a Plunging Attack, Adeptal Assistance stacks will be consumed and deal AoE Anemo DMG.

4-Star Character "Leonine Vanguard" Gaming (Pyro)

◇ Vision: Pyro

◇ Weapon: Claymore

◇ Guard of the Sword and Strongbox Secure Transport Agency, and the head of the "Mighty Mythical Beasts" Wushou troupe.

◆ Elemental Skill "Bestial Ascent"

◆ Gaming pounces forward using the Wushou arts, leaping high into the air after coming into contact with a target or surface. If he immediately uses a Plunging Attack, he will use Plunging Attack: Charmed Cloudstrider instead, dealing AoE Pyro DMG to opponents hit.

◆ Elemental Burst "Suanni's Gilded Dance"

◆ Gaming enters Wushou Stance, briefly applying Pyro to him, recovering a fixed amount of HP, and summons his companion, the Suanni Man Chai, to smash into his target, dealing AoE Pyro DMG. After doing so, Man Chai will then attempt to roll towards Gaming. When it links up with Gaming, Man Chai will leave the field and reset the CD for Gaming's Elemental Skill, Bestial Ascent. While Wushou Stance is active, his resistance to interruption is increased, and when Gaming lands with Charmed Cloudstrider attack or completes the forward pounce attack from Bestial Ascent with over 50% HP, he will summon Man Chai again.

III. New Equipment

New Weapon (Examples based on Refinement Rank 1)

Crane's Echoing Call (5-Star Catalyst)

After the equipping character hits an opponent with a Plunging Attack, all nearby party members' Plunging Attacks will deal 28% increased DMG for 20s. When nearby party members hit opponents with Plunging Attacks, they will restore 2.5 Energy to the equipping character. Energy can be restored this way every 0.7s. This energy regain effect can be triggered even if the equipping character is not on the field.

◆ During the event wish "Epitome Invocation," the event-exclusive 5-star weapon Crane's Echoing Call (Catalyst) will receive a huge drop-rate boost!

IV. New Outfits

Ganyu: Twilight Blossom

◇ A light and graceful festive outfit accented mainly in black nightshade and cerulean blue. Its hair accessory is as radiant as the Qingxin — a pairing that Ganyu is most fond of.

◆ Between the start of the Version 4.4 update and 2024/03/11 03:59, Ganyu's outfit "Twilight Blossom" will be available for purchase in the Character Outfit Shop at a limited-time discount! During the discount period, the price of the outfit is 1,350 Genesis Crystals. The price will revert to 1,680 Genesis Crystals after the limited-time discount ends. The outfit can only be purchased once.

Shenhe: Frostflower Dew

◇ This Lantern Rite gift that Shenhe received is a set of elegant formal attire that her master, Cloud Retainer, had commissioned for her. Red ropes still adorn her arms, but the bitter cold in Shenhe's heart has faded.

◆ Between the start of the Version 4.4 update and 2024/03/11 03:59, Shenhe's outfit "Frostflower Dew" will be available for purchase in the Character Outfit Shop at a limited-time discount! During the discount period, the price of the outfit is 1,350 Genesis Crystals. The price will revert to 1,680 Genesis Crystals after the limited-time discount ends. The outfit can only be purchased once.

Xingqiu: Bamboo Rain

◇ Formal wear prepared by the Feiyun Commerce Guild for Xingqiu. The bamboo prints are refined and the cut is most flattering, but Xingqiu's favorite aspect of the outfit is its inner pockets, into which a thinner novel might be stuffed.

◆ During Version 4.4, Travelers can obtain Xingqiu's outfit "Bamboo Rain" for free by participating in the limited-time "Vibrant Harriers Aloft in Spring Breeze" event.

◆ After Version 4.4 is over, Travelers can buy the outfit in the Character Outfit Shop.

V. New Main Story

1. New Story Quest

Xianyun's Story Quest - Grus Serena Chapter: Act I "A Thousand Moonlit Miles"

Permanently available after the Version 4.4 update

◆ Quest Unlock Criteria:

• Reach Adventure Rank 40 or above

• Complete Archon Quest Interlude Chapter: Act I "The Crane Returns on the Wind"

2. New World Quests

◆ New World Quests: "Chenyu's Blessings of Sunken Jade" Quest Chain, "The Cloud-Padded Path to the Chiwang Repose," "Threefold Expectations," "A Wangshan Walk to Remember," "Scrolls and Sword Manuals of Guhua," "Shrouded Vale, Hidden Hero," "The Roaming Abode," "The Dealing Sands," "Our Chenyu Vale Trek," "Chili Con Cloudy," "Qiaoying, the Village of Many Tales," "Temporary Acclimatization," etc.

VI. New Enemies

Solitary Suanni

◇ These elegant and proud mystical beasts only live in mountains shrouded in adeptal energy.

It can use Hydro and Anemo simultaneously in battle. Render it Frozen while it is gathering Hydro-aligned adeptal energy, before using Shatter, Melt, or other Elemental Reactions to break the ice and cause it to enter an immobile state. When it is gathering Anemo-aligned adeptal energy, use attacks from Elements that can react with Anemo to destroy the Spiritwind Pearls summoned during the process to achieve the same advantage.

Located at Chenyu Vale: Southern Mountain

Xuanwen Beast

◇ Fierce creatures that inhabit the mountains of Chenyu Vale.

Use Elemental Reactions to freeze this creature and use Shatter, Melt, and other Elemental Reactions to break the ice and render it immobile temporarily.

VII. Other Update Details

New Recipes:

○ Chef Mao (NPC): Honey Char Siu

○ Lianfang (NPC): Chenyu Brew, Jadevein Tea Eggs, and Tea-Smoked Squab

○ Licai (NPC): Deep-Fried Doublecrisp and Braised Meatballs

○ World Quest Rewards: Guhua Fish & Lamb Soup and Fine Tea, Full Moon.

○ Event Reward: Eight-Treasure Duck

New Character Specialty Dishes:

○ Xianyun's specialty: "Encompassing Gladness"

○ Gaming's specialty: "Yummy Yum Cha"

Adds new "Chenyu's Splendor" Achievement category, and adds new Achievements to the "Wonders of the World" category.

Adds Set 29 of "Paimon's Paintings" chat emojis.

Adds some prompts for loading screens.

New Namecards:

"Xianyun: White Clouds": Reward for reaching Friendship Lv. 10 with Xianyun

"Gaming: Man Chai": Reward for reaching Friendship Lv. 10 with Gaming

"Achievement: Adeptal Valley": Reward for completing all achievements under "Chenyu's Splendor"

"Chenyu: Rainjade Rite": Reward for reaching Rainjade Oblation Level 10

"Travel Notes: Vibrant Harriers": Reward obtained via the BP system

New Wildlife: Fluff-Fleece Goat, Malachitin Lumibug, Redbill Pelican, Jadestone Turtle, and Velvetfall Duck

New Fish: Jade Heartfeather Bass

New Function: Fast Equip Artifacts

(1) Quick Configuration: A set of Artifacts will be put together for your reference based on data from recently active players. When generating a configuration, it will only consider Artifacts not already equipped by other characters.

(2) Custom Configuration: Custom Configuration data will be based on the settings laid out for each character. When using a Custom Configuration, you can configure based on conditions such as Artifact Main Affix, Set Type, and Minor Affixes and choose whether or not to use Artifacts that haven't already been equipped. The configuration created by Custom Configuration can be adjusted, with alternative Artifacts sorted based on the overall priority levels of their Artifact Set and Affixes. When "Other Options" > "All" is selected in Custom Configuration, when the configuration includes Artifacts already equipped by another character, the Artifacts will be removed and equipped to the target character.

Adds the "Borderless Mode" fullscreen option in "Display Mode" in "Settings / Graphics" interface on PC.

"Genius Invokation TCG" Gameplay Update:

New Character Cards: Thoma, Sayu, and their corresponding Talent cards. Corresponding invitation duels and guest challenges have been added to the Player List.

New Character Cards: Cryo Hypostasis, Millennial Pearl Seahorse, and their corresponding Talent Cards. Their Tavern Challenges have also been added.

New Action Cards: "Sapwood Blade," "Veteran's Visage," "Jeht," "Silver and Melus," "Machine Assembly Line," "Sunyata Flower," and "Matsutake Meat Rolls" can be purchased from Prince at The Cat's Tail.

The Forge Realm's Temper is once again available. The theme of this edition is "The Forge Realm's Temper: Clever Stratagems":

(1) During The Forge Realm's Temper: Clever Stratagems, you can select the parameters for each stage. Parameters that may be set include: stage difficulty, the round limit for the match, and enemy bonus HP.

(2) After you complete a certain stage battle, you will gain a score based on the difficulty selected for each parameter in said stage. At the same time, you can claim the corresponding rewards when your highest score reaches a specific score.

Spiral Abyss

Floor 11 Ley Line Disorder changed to:

• All characters in the party gain a 75% Anemo DMG Bonus.

Updated the monster lineup on Floors 11 – 12 of the Spiral Abyss.

Starting from the first time that the Lunar Phase refreshes after updating to Version 4.4, the three Lunar Phases will be as follows:

Phase I:

Ascendant Moon

When a character receives healing, it will be counted. When the count reaches a total of 16, a shockwave will be unleashed at the character's position, dealing True DMG to nearby opponents and clearing the count. 1 such shockwave can be unleashed every 8s.

Phase II:

Resilient Moon

After the active character's Plunging Attacks hit opponents, the character's Plunging Attack DMG is increased by 20% for 8s. This effect can be triggered once every 0.1s. Max 3 stacks. Each stack's duration is counted independently. This effect will be cleared if the character leaves the field.

Phase III:

Plummeting Moon

After the active character's Plunging Attacks hit opponents, unleash a shockwave at the character's location, dealing True DMG to nearby opponents. 1 such shockwave can be unleashed every 2s.

〓Adjustments & Optimizations〓

● Serenitea Pot

Adds new Furnishing categories, reclassifies certain Furnishings, and adjusts the sorting of certain categories.

Refactors the filter function in the "Inventory > Furnishings" and "Creation / Furnishings" interfaces, now supporting more conditions and allowing direct searches.

When placing Furnishings using the same editing mode, your current position in lists will be remembered. It will not be reset after switching to another Furnishing category.

Adds the display of Friendship Levels in the Companion tab on the editing screen. Characters without Friendship Lv. 10 will be displayed in descending order of Friendship Level.

Optimizes the sorting of Character Hangout Events and their corresponding Hangout Memories in the Furnishing "Lingering Moment."

● Genius Invokation TCG

Standardizes the skill descriptions of certain cards in some challenges.

Adjusts the text description for the Talent Card "Rending Vortex" of the Character Card "Dvalin" (actual effect remains unchanged).

The original description was: "When your Dvalin, who has this card equipped, is on the field, when Total Collapse attached to opposing active character is removed: Apply Total Collapse to the next opposing standby character."

The adjusted description is: "When your Dvalin, who has this card equipped, is on the field, when Total Collapse attached to an opposing character is removed: Apply Total Collapse to the next opposing standby character."

● System

Increases the number of party compositions in the "Party Setup > Configure Team" interface from 10 to 15.

Renames "Fullscreen" in "Display Mode" to "Borderless" in the "Settings / Graphics" interface in the Irminsul Server on PC (actual display effect remains unchanged; after said adjustment, available options in "Display Mode" in the Irminsul Server on PC are "Borderless" and "Windowed").

Adds a red notification dot in the "Adventurer Handbook > Commissions" interface to remind Travelers to go to the Adventurers' Guild and claim Bonus Rewards after obtaining all 4 Daily Commission Rewards every day.

Adjust the "Exit Challenge" interface in the "Test Run" event and add the "Other Trial Stages" option.

Adjust the "Mystic Offering" interface to support the display of the corresponding Artifacts' 2-Piece Set and 4-Piece Set effects.

Adjusts the source descriptions of Character Ascension Materials and adds a shortcut to "Adventurer Handbook > Domains."

Adjusts certain button texts in the "Artifacts Filter" and "Artifact Auto-Lock" interfaces.

● Audio

Adds a voice-over trigger scenario: Related voice-overs will be triggered the first time you obtain a character and view their character portrait, as well as the first time you obtain a character's outfit and view their character outfit portrait.

Optimizes the "Character/Ascension" screen so that characters' idle voice-overs now stop completely after being interrupted by Ascension voice-overs.

Optimizes the Korean voice-overs for certain characters and quests.

● Other

If related achievements of a Commission Quest are not unlocked yet, the probability of that Commission Quest appearing will increase.

The "Dynamic Character Resolution" feature has been added for PlayStation® and some PC devices. This will be activated by default on PlayStation® and no option will be shown. On PCs that support this feature, you will be able to find and enable "Dynamic Character Resolution" in Settings > Graphics (this option will not be shown on PCs that currently do not support it).

The text descriptions of some achievements have been fixed (the corresponding Achievement Trophies on PlayStation® cannot be modified currently).

After the Version 4.4 update, new UID naming rules will be used for newly registered accounts on the Asia server (existing account UIDs will be unaffected).

〓Genius Invokation TCG Balance Adjustment〓

Adjust the effect of the Event Card "In Every House a Stove" to the following: Draw a number of cards equal to the current Round number minus 1. (Up to 4 cards can be drawn in this way).

Adjusts the effect of the Equipment Card "Vourukasha's Glow": Only after triggering its "draw 1 card" effect, its other effect "heal the attached character for 1 HP" can take effect in that same Round.

Adjusts the effect of the status "Lightning Rod" for the Character Card "Thunder Manifestation": The effect "While this status is active, can be triggered once: DMG received by the attached character from Thunder Manifestation or its summons is increased by 1." has been adjusted to "When the attached character takes DMG from Thunder Manifestation or its summons: Remove this state, cause this DMG instance to increase by 1."

Adjusts the Elemental Dice cost of the Talent Card "Grieving Echo" for the Character Card "Thunder Manifestation", and adds effects: The number of dice required has increased from 0 Electro Dice to 3, and adds the effects "Combat Action: When your active character is Thunder Manifestation, equip this card." as well as "After Thunder Manifestation equips this card, immediately use Strifeful Lightning once."

〓Bug Fixes〓

● Enemies

Fixes an issue whereby, when the enemy "Black Serpent Knight" was defeated, the defeat animation would not play properly in certain situations.

Fixes an issue whereby, when the enemy "Armored Crab" was hit by Chevreuse's Elemental Burst, it would remain suspended in mid-air for an unusually long time in certain situations.

Fixes an issue whereby, when different Pneuma- or Ousia-aligned enemies were overloaded at the same time, there was a chance that the enemy "Arithmetic Enhancer Mek" would fail to remove its teammates' Deactivated statuses as it should do.

● Character

Fixes an issue whereby when Lyney approached opponents after turning into a Grin-Malkin Cat with his Elemental Burst, there was a small chance that he would deal an additional instance of DMG to the same opponent.

Fixes an issue with the Traveler (Hydro) whereby, when the Sourcewater Droplets produced by casting their Elemental Skill were absorbed, a special effect would abnormally remain.

Fixes an issue whereby, when Sayu and Furina were in the same party, there was a chance that Sayu's Passive Talent "Yoohoo Art: Silencer's Secret" would abnormally fail to take effect.

● System

Fixes an issue in the "Adventurer Handbook > Commissions" interface whereby despite still lacking an extremely tiny amount of Encounter Points, it would suggest there were already enough to claim the rewards.

Fixes an issue whereby the in-game camera would work abnormally when the character used the drive valve in the Fortress of Meropide: Abandoned Production Zone under certain circumstances.

Fixes an issue whereby the special effects of the All-Devouring Narwhal would display abnormally in the Living Beings section of the Archive after the Version 4.3 update.

Fixes an issue with Artifacts with 1-Piece Set effect whereby the 1-Piece Set effect would display abnormally as activated without being equipped.

Removes redundant scene objects under certain lower graphics quality settings.

● Genius Invokation TCG

Fixes an issue with the Character Card "Cryo Cicin Mage" whereby while using her Elemental Burst, if she took DMG from triggering "Sparks 'n' Splash," "Fatui Ambusher," and other Combat Statuses, the Shield Points of her Flowing Cicin Shield generated by the Cryo Cicins would be incorrect.

Fixes an issue with the Character Card "Layla" whereby the Combat Status "Curtain of Slumber Shield" created by her Elemental Skill lacked the "Shield" tag.

Fixes an issue during challenges whereby, when cards imbued with either Pneuma or Ousia energy became Deactivated after casting skills that needed to be prepared, the statuses of these skills would abnormally remain.

Fixes an issue whereby, when the Character Card "Alhaitham" had the Status "Chisel-Light Mirror" attached, the text description for the character's Normal Attack abnormally failed to state that DMG inflicted would be Dendro DMG (this was purely a textual error as the actual effect was working properly).

● Audio

Fixes an issue whereby there would be abnormal background noises when enhancing Artifacts.

Fixes grammar mistakes and errors with the Chinese voice-overs for certain characters and quests.

Fixes an issue whereby Kuki Shinobu and Navia's Korean chat voice-overs did not match their actual idle animations.

● Other

Fixes an issue in Co-Op Mode whereby the host couldn't use the Xenochromatic Ball Octopus's ability to interact with targets under certain circumstances.

Fixes an issue in Co-Op Mode whereby Leisurely Otter (Wildlife) could abnormally swim above the water surface under certain circumstances.

Fixes an issue with Hydro Crystalflies in Fontaine's underwater areas whereby there was a chance that they didn't appear or they got startled before the character approached close enough.

Fixes an issue in the Serenitea Pot whereby the "Invite" button of the Gift Set "Full Force Forward in the Forbidden Fortress" was being abnormally obstructed by the furnishing model.

Fixes an issue whereby, when using a controller to interact with the gadget "Crystalfly Trap" or "Parametric Transformer," the screen for converting Genesis Crystals into Primogems would be abnormally opened in certain situations.

Fixes some text errors in certain languages and optimizes text. (Note: Related in-game functions have not changed. Travelers can view the changes in different languages by going to the Paimon Menu > Settings > Language and changing the Game Language.)

Text-related fixes and optimizations in English include

◆ Optimizes inconsistencies between certain voice-overs and the corresponding lines in the Version 4.2 Archon Quest

◆ Optimizes certain translations on the Artifact Auto-Lock screen.

*This is a work of fiction and is not related to any actual people, events, groups, or organizations.

"PlayStation", "PS5", "PS4", "DualSense", "DUALSHOCK" are registered trademarks or trademarks of Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.

[stunie]

it’s soooo criminal that we are online friends bc i saw SO many of your faves at the mall today >:

[imdarealpeppino]

have you met gus?

orucis e elitneg ...

[laneybtw]

Dramatis personae