#with momentum as something that comes from the combo

[obstinaterixatrix]

All of your live blogs have been so entertaining to read haha

Honestly I've been taking mental notes whenever you talk about how story flows and themes etc etc, even more so with your recent reading through the book and how to utilize repetition and condense things

the thing about analyzing media is there’s a bunch of different layers you can engage in, like in terms of content/text and then in terms of the mechanics of rhetoric and language and structure, and it’s… really fun! breaking things down in terms of what works and why it works, for things you like and things you don’t like. actually if you’ve ever got the time or interest definitely look into mark forsyth’s elements of eloquence, it’s great and easy to read and really helps with getting into the mechanics of writing.

[dudethatsmyundeaduncle]

DP X DC AU Danny & The Little Dead Girl

(title pending lol, Danny and Curare adventures pt 2!) Pt 1 here My AU art

__________________________________________

Monday comes, as it is won't to do, and Danny has to go to school which means the baby halfa has to come to school too.

" ok, so, one rule for today, big rule, you gotta be quiet in class. Uh-"

Danny pulls his phone out of his pocket as their bus hits a pot hole. Sitting right at the front means they catch the momentum first and he has to hold Curaré against his side lest she go flying into the aisle.

A couple voices grumble behind them at the jostling as Danny gets his text to speech open.

" Necessitas ser quieto en clase. ¿Entiendes?" The Google robot lady voice translates for him.

Curaré blinks at him from behind her little paper face mask and looks from the phone to him curiously.

This is the game they've been playing since last night, Danny says something in English robo lady repeats it in Spanish.

Danny doesn't know if Curaré understands how the phone speaks or even that it does but she's giving him her favorite little blank expression so he assumes she gets it. At least, she hasn't really disagreed or disobeyed anything he's asked of her yet so...not gonna look that gift horse in the mouth Danny boy!

..

School goes well, mostly.

They get through the metal detectors and bag checks at the front entrance just fine. The security guards barely glance at Curaré once they confirm she isn't hiding a Glock or something under her shirt. Which it's kinda sad to know gun control is a cross-dimensional American problem but it's on brand if nothing else Danny thinks.

They get to first period without stopping at Danny's locker and settle down in two desks by the back door. This is Danny's usual spot, well usual as of a month ago, it's mostly empty back here now but Danny used to have a seat partner.

(A seat partner who had a kind of shady tweaker vibe that Danny would have been worried about but that kid went home early one day and never came back so....it's Curaré's seat now.)

The little dead girl looks even littler sat in the desk-chair combo, she can barely see over the top. Danny stacks three dictionaries under her for a boost then he gets her set up with some pencils and paper and the single highlighter he found on the floor his first day here.

Curaré seems vaguely interested in his offerings ,after Danny shows her how to use them to mark the page, and starts creating cautious marks of her own.

She keeps glancing back up at Danny as if to confirm that this is still fine? And he nods his head every time trying to be encouraging as it becomes obvious that nobody taught this kid to write inside Fosters Home for Real life Assassins. Which Danny thinks is poor planning on there part because really? If your Assassin can't write how the fuck were they supposed to leave ominous threatening warnings? Or fake suicide notes? Or any number of written props to flesh out a cover story.

Whatever, obviously the assassins raising Curaré sucked ass all around so he can't say he's surprised but he is majorly disappointed.

As the bell rings for first period a whole slew of teens rush in ahead of the teacher Mr. Berk. Simple guy, grey beard, coke bottle glasses, smells like Vics vapor rub, the works.

He's like the most chilled out version of Mr. Lancer ever so he's alright in Danny's books. Plus he only has one "rule", as long as your butt is in your seat by the time he calls your name for attendance he won't mark you late. In Gotham, where everyone and their brother has enough late marks from shitty public transportion to get detention, it's a pretty sweet rule.

So Mr. Berk takes attendance like usual and only pauses on Danny and Curaré in the back for a brief moment.

Curaré stops drawing and stares down Mr. Berk like he's the T rex from Jurassic park. Frozen in place and without breaking eye contact. He stares back at her completely unphased.

" A small visitor then?" He says.

Danny nods. " My sister"

" Mhm" Mr. Berk says already moving on to the next student on his roster.

Danny breathes out huge sigh of relief, that was so much easier then he expected.

They more or less repeat this exchange the whole day. Mondays suck ass because it's one of the only days Danny actually has all 6 periods, but they make it through 1st, 2nd, and nutrition unscathed.

By lunch time Danny thinks they might actually be home free, if no one is gonna bring up the whole freaking child tagging along with him then he can probably just bring her with him everyday.

Maybe he can find her some work books and she can learn the alphabet? And addition? That's like on track for 4 year olds right? Danny can't remember being 4 but that feels right to him. He will educate the child in his care like the responsible almost adult he is. She will go to college!

At lunch Danny sits them at the back of the school right next to the teachers lounge because it's mostly deserted.

In Danny's exprience the best place to hide is in plain sight. He's been sitting here everyday since he enrolled himself and the teachers have never noticed him. Their way too busy trying to get any kind of break from teaching high schoolers to be concerned.Which Danny is greatful for because he has broken the rule about using his cell phone at lunch 50 times at this point.

Listen he has to do universe research when he has access to wifi! Which he only does at school. The administration should be glad he's using his lunch period to educate himself really.

So they eat by the lounge. Danny has Curaré face away from the door so she can take off her face mask and eat unencumbered.The cut on her face is still gnarly, it looks an almost enflamed purple as it tries it's best to heal.

Danny had given Curaré a little immuno-boost with his own ecto the night before to try to speed up her healing factor. But like any Halfa, basically just Danny's personal experience, you have to nourish the ghost half and the human half in equal parts to heal all the way.

It's not until home room, period 6/7, that the metaphorical straw breaks the metaphorical camels back. or the real straw to the metaphorical camel? Did camels even carry straw? where would it go? Between there humps? Not important Fenton!

Home room was a grade A disaster.

Mr. Perez, Danny's kind of ancient home room teacher, who was for almost all intents and purposes blind, had a freaking nose for trouble. It's like he could sniff out vapes and cell phones as soon as they hit the stale class air. Danny thought this would be the easiest class by far, Mr. Perez wouldn't even see Curaré let alone smell her.

And at first it seems like he doesnt, Mr. Perez takes attendance and skips right over Danny and Curaré with no fanfare.

Danny thinks that's the end of it and starts to breathe easy until 15 minutes before the final bell when Mr. Perez' TA asks him to step into the hallway with her for a second.

Danny generally liked Mr. Perez's TA, her name was Sabrina Kahn and she was the kind of girl Jazz would have hung out with.Straight laced, wore argyle cardigans, read books, the smart sort. She looked Jazz's age too, maybe 21ish and she always rolled her eyes when people gave dumb answers in class.

She looks a little embarrassed to be speaking to Danny which immediately sets him on edge.

" It's okay that you brought your little sister today but, I'm sorry, you won't be able to do that again. A bunch of your teachers made complaints with the front office and Mr. Perez got a call about it ..."

Sabrina had always been nice to him and now she was about to ruin his whole week.

" But Ms. Kahn-" Danny started.

She gave him a sympathetic look " Lemme guess, your parents can't take her to work so this was the next best option?"

Danny closed his mouth and nodded, that was actually a much better lie then he was gonna tell, thank you Ms. Kahn. ( But also Boooooo curse you Ms. Kahn!)

" Here, I know it can be hard to find childcare for metas, especially ones as ah-vibrant as your sister. My brother had the same trouble with my nephew."

Sabrina hands Danny a flyer, it's still warm from the printer, it looks like it's just a screenshot of an email.

"Thanks?"

The TA rolls her eyes, wow a lot like Jazz then.

" It's the address to that daycare and a referral. They only take kids by word of mouth, they're kind of... off the books. But their good people! I hope they can help you Danny."

The paper is on off yellow, as Ms.Kahn heads back into homeroom Danny feels all his hope go with her. Shit, what was he gonna do now? He looks through the little glass window in the door to the back where Curaré sits, she's already watching him. He tries to smile at her, be reassuring, he's not sure it works.

......

When the bell finally rings Danny picks Curaré up and puts her on his hip to avoid her being crushed by the rush of high schoolers who stampede out the door in front of them.

The flyer from Ms. Kahn feels like it's burning a hole through his pocket as they ride the bus towards the Narrows.

Danny cased the house from the flyer with maps street view as well as he could. It showed a skinny sublet house across from a small strip mall and laundrymat.

Inconspicuous sure, maybe even innocent looking but well...you could never tell in Gotham, all the buildings looked sort of evil by default. It was probably because of the gargoyles and the general low level stink fog that seemed to always be out.

The big city™ really made Danny miss the suburbs of Amity Park more then just the regular gut wrenching home sickness. Oh what'd he'd give to take a deep breath of air and not inhale the smell of piss when he walked down the street.

They get off the bus at the corner a block from the daycare.

Danny holds Curaré's hand which makes for slow going but seems like the right thing to do. She's never wandered off but Danny didn't want to give her the opportunity to either.

As he helped her climb the three short stairs up to the house Danny was suddenly hit with a wave of panic.

What the fuck am I doing? Am I really gonna take care of this freaking Halfa ghost baby for the next 18 years? Im not even an adult! I work weekends at BatBurger for minimum wage WTF?

Danny's hands began to sweat and his stomach cramped. Oh fuck, here was the existential crisis he'd been waiting for since he first decided to take Curaré from the leagues super secret baby basement.

Oh shit he couldn't breathe, what was he gonna do! OH fuck think!

What would jazz do? Call child services and offer psychological support. Not Uber helpful in this case Danny didn't know the first thing about psychology and Gotham CPS was actual prison.

What would Sam do? Assassin babies are hella counter culture but maybe find a cool rich eccentric family to adopt them? Nope, not gonna work Danny only knew one eccentric rich girl and she was a whole dimension away. FUCK THINK FENTON!

What would Tucker do? In this situation ask Google, homeschooling is big these days so maybe if you leave her in the apartment while your gone with an iPad-

" Hey you alright there dude, can I help you?"

Danny choked on the end of his anxiety panic badbadbad spiral and looked up.

The front door to the house was open and just inside the threshold stood a younger teen, maybe 16? With the kind of fade haircut Tucker always whined he couldn't pull off and a bright yellow hoodie.

Danny held his breathe for a moment making sure he felt it burn up his lungs and throat before letting out a big sigh.

" Yeah, yeah sorry kinda zoned out there I'm just uh kinda nervous I was told to come here for Daycare help for my little sister?"

Curaré looked at the stranger in the doorway with the same wide eyed blankness she stared at everything with. Funnily enough she was still holding Danny's hand, had held on through Danny's entire mental meltdown too despite the ecto sweat. Danny felt oddly touched by the gesture, even if it was more likely that the little girl wasn't bothered by his crisis then her being sympathetic.

The teen in the Yellow Hoodie raised an eyebrow at Danny as he fumbled the paper from Ms. Kahn out of his pocket to hand over.

Yellow Hoodie took it and looked between it, him, and Curaré.

" You're not a cop right? You have to tell us if you're a cop"

Danny made a face, " no, I'm not a cop! I would never be a cop, cops suck."

" Right." Yellow Hoodie said still suspicious " So you wouldn't mind if I called your referral up?"

" Be my guest dude."

The teen pulled out his phone and made sure to keep steady eye contact with Danny. Who could do nothing except not look away during this, the world's most impromptu staring contest, until Yellow Hoodie put his phone away.

" Just wanted to see if you were bluffing. Sabrina called earlier said she'd sent someone our way but you can never be too careful. Come on in. "

Danny felt the wind go out of his sails for the second time that day, what was with people and making him anticipate the worst.

.....

The inside of the house was old, homey, but old. It had very obviously been well lived in by a few generations of children, easy to see from the scuffed floors, chipped crown molding, and the sheer number of framed photos that hung on the walls.

There were signs of new life about too, some toys scattered on the floor, walls that were covered in butcher paper and crayon as high as little hands could reach, and oddly enough some scorch marks. Although, Danny's supposed that an unlicensed daycare for meta kids worth it's salt ought to have a least a few burn marks. For posterity if nothing else.

" I'm Duke, I volunteer here when I can but the place is run by the Mariscos, Mrs. Marisco specifically. She's been in the game for a long time" Duke nee yellow hoodie said as he stopped them in front of a closed door.

The hand made sign on the door said Office in nice scribbly lettering and it was hung on with a peg and twine. Real kitschy.

Danny could just make out the sounds of kids playing in another part of the house and was a little impressed that Duke had managed to keep Danny from seeing even one tiny tot during the impromptu house tour.

" I gotta go help Izzy with the kids, this is Mrs.Mariscos' office just knock before you go in, she might be on the phone."

Duke nodded to Danny, smiled down at Curaré and disappeared down the hallway.

Leaving Danny and Curaré alone in front of a closed door once again.

Danny looked down at Curaré and she looked up at him, she was characteristically silent.

" This feels like a job interview, did you bring your resume? "

Curaré blinked.

" Yeah, me neither. But I think if we both give her puppy eyes maybe our combined under aged-ness will activate her maternal instincts and she'll be forced to accept us?"

The nerves were back, they had never really left but now they had settled like a rock at the pit of Danny's stomach.

He couldn't bring himself to knock on that office door just yet so he fussed over Curaré instead. Kneeling down he straightened the collar of Curaré's hooded jacket and moveed her little backpack strap back up her shoulder where it had slipped.

" We got this. It's you and me now remember, even if this blows and you have to come to school with me for the rest of year it's you and me." Danny rested his hands on little shoulders and hung his head. " Jeez, I sound like my mom"

"No need to be so nervous Mijo! My Chiqis never met a kid she could turn away."

Danny's neck had never snapped up so fast in his life.

Curaré hadn't been looking up at him at all. No, Curaré was staring up towards the elderly woman floating near the ceiling.

Which was not great, because Danny for all the time had spent in Gotham had never seen another ghost. Not a single one.

Which was unsettling on its own but not bad per se, he'd thought maybe this dimension was just different, not enough spectral energy to manifest a ghostly body.

But no, again nope, this was so much worse.

No ghosts was easy enough to reationalize but one ghost? One ghost meant there was enough spectral energy, one ghost meant something was really really wrong with Gotham.

Because if there was only one ghost in a crime ridden pissed off city like this where the shit were all the others?

--------------------------------------------------

Yo! Just wanted to say thank u for all the support on part 1, did not expect people to like or care about it lol. Anyway back on bullshit, I've had this written for a while but didn't have the insp to post it until now.

Might write more, might not, you get one bat cameo for reading this time ur welcome.

Forgot to add this to the first post, it's in the reblogs, but TLDR Curaré is an assassin from batman beyond.

Note: if you wanna see cool art for this AU check the Danny and the little dead girl tag on my blog!

[dailycharacteroption]

Mauler (Pathfinder Second Edition Archetype)

(art by AnatoFinnstark on DeviantArt)

Sometimes an archetype is an expression of a thematic idea, and sometimes it’s simply a specialization in a particular field. Today’s subject is the latter.

There is just something to love about really big weapons. Perhaps it’s the might required to wield them, or the potential for destruction that they have. Leverage and momentum demonstrate that you don’t have to swing repeatedly or precisely to deal a lot of damage.

And so, if you’re playing a martial character with an interest in wielding big two-handed weapons, be they mighty maul, greatsword, or any variety of polearm, the mauler archetype may scratch your itch, offering a few mainstays from the fighter plus a handful other feats specialized in bringing out the most in your large, imposing weapons.

This archetype is useful as it offers a way to specialize in bigger weapons with some of the fighter-specific mechanics like flourishes and presses without having to cross-class into fighter, plus having tricks unique to the archetype. This means that any sufficiently martial class or character can make use of it as long as they meet the strength prerequisite, be they barbarians, champions, fighters, rangers, or even odd picks like an inexorable iron magus. If you plan to wield a weapon that can only really be effectively used with two hands, this archetype can certainly provide.

The base dedication of this archetype grants greater skill with two-handed weapon if the warrior didn’t already have it.

With a mighty blow, many learn to knock their foes off their feet with an upending strike. A later feat makes it more certain that foes take a bad fall from the strike, and improve the damage caused.

For the cost of accuracy, many also learn the fighter trick of dealing devastating blows at the cost of unbalancing themselves.

Even when not using the deadly edge, the weight of their weapons allows them to shove aside foes and move forward.

That pushing also can knock foes off course if they try to move through the mauler’s reach.

Not even the protection of armor can fully save foes from these mighty warriors, and with the final blow of a combo, they can deal massive damage, or a reduced amount if the armor holds, crumpling it under the weight of the blow.

With a mighty blow directed to the ground, these warriors can shake the earth and potentially knock multiple foes off their feet.

They can also learn to shove or knock over foes with a mighty, inexorable sweep as well.

Finally, they can instead unleash powerful sweeping blows or a hammering faster ones to pound every foe within reach under a hail of strikes.

If you want to focus on tripping and dealing heavy damage with a two-handed weapon, this archetype might be for you. It is a bit trickier to use with the magus due to their spellcasting taking up a sizable, conflicting chunk of their action economy, but with the right buffing magic beforehand you can potentially make this relentless destroyer even mightier. So yeah, do some digging and see what sort of martial classes will work best with this archetype, even if you only take a handful of tricks from it.

There really is no lore associated with this archetype, so you can come up with any reason why such characters might specialize in such heavy weapons. Perhaps their strength made them suited for training as line-breakers, or maybe they took polearm training very seriously, or maybe they aren’t military at all and just really, really like big weapons.

In the land of Be’Sha, humans and wood giants live alongside each other in harmony, tending herds of hadrosaurs in a pastoral existence. That isn���t to say that it is entirely peaceful, for even these shepherds must tend to their flocks, and they tend to protect their charges with massive weapons, polearms for humans, stouter, heavier weapons for the giants.

Many legends speak of masterful tengu swordsmasters possessing unparalleled skill with a blade, and such is the case with Kurumo, champion of the mountain god and master of using an odachi katana without assistance. He travels the mountain roads, driving off bandits and tending to the needs of mortal and kami alike.

While plying the ruins of an ancient city, the party comes across a mural of a past champion of an arena that once stood in the reason, a figure wielding a mighty maul. All of this would be impressive and interesting already, but said figure also is depicted with the same strange sigil marked on their wrist as one of the party members.

[a-shrieking-cloud-of-bats]

DF Posting: KingChannels - Year 2

Here we are again.

The Bedroom Floor, which as of the end of year 2 was housing every single one of our dwarves. There's three more wings like this, along with some larger bedrooms up top for our more distinguished (read: cranky) fortress members. I'd say we're using... maybe a third of them?

Looking forward I think I took too many pictures of dwarf stats and likes and such, but here we are again regardless. We left KingChannels last year with planning out our barracks/trade depot combo, and the future trap tunnel I will be using to bolster our defenses. We began year two with adding two new members to our Militia, Sigun Libadkivish and Kogan Rithas. Both mostly unskilled, but you need bodies sooner rather then later so they can get trained up when that barracks gets built.

the two new happy members of our militia

Shortly after this addition I had a realization that creatures can Climb, now. As a result I reexamined the wall around our fort and had the realization that enemies can probably just climb over it, so we're going to have to add a plan to build an overhang on the top of it, to prevent goblins from just scrambling up the walls and rushing into our main fortress. The trade depot/barracks/kill tunnel doesn't really Work if they... you know, don't go through it. Other then that realization not much happened early in the year as we were honestly just waiting for more dwarves. We finished putting some statues up in the temple, along with starting smoothing it out, but we need more haulers, more masons, more everything. The first year being as dry as it was on migrants was quite bad for our momentum, especially given the number of large scale constructions I'll be doing in this fort, but thankfully with Aban on ring making duty we should be sending out quite the impressive signal to the mountainhome soon enough.

Despite our cool new temple some dwarves are still unhappy; namely Sigun himself. He did get caught out in a snowstorm to be fair; dwarves Hate being outside in bad weather, to the point that it can lead to traumatic memories. He later learned something from it (the importance of self sacrifice, foreshadowing as a military dwarf?), but it's still dragging his mood down I believe despite it being "good" for him.

Unfortunately migrants are determined by how much stuff you ship out on the dwarven trade caravan and the first two migrant waves this year were completely dry. Expected, but unfortunate. While waiting for the trade caravan to arrive we carved out the living room floor (pictured at the top of this post), and doubly used this as an excuse to explore a new layer, as it was made partially of chert. A new layer of stone means new potential for ores, which means maybe we can get the militia armed sooner rather then later.

Regardless the liason Eventually arrived while we plunked away at the trade depot. It didn't get to experience the luxary of trading in an Actual Room, with an Actual Roof, but there's always next year. The outpost liason told us next year they want Sheets (whcih is to say, paper or parchment sheets), and Anvils. Not a great thing for us given we're building a library. We'll probably just go double time on the stonecrafts this coming year, but maybe I will sell some paper; the library is a ways off yet after all.

Meanwhile we requested, Steel, Iron, Bronze and Silver bars. Steel, Bronze, and Iron are obvious, we need to get our militia armored sooner rather then later, and I have no guarantee of there being a significant amount of military grade metal on site, but the silver is something special. As I've said we're building a library, but it Is the focus of our fort, so I wanted it to be a little bit more then stacking rocks. We are making the library mostly out of sterling silver, an alloy of copper and silver, with other ornamental metals to accentuate things a bit. Gem windows also.

Anyway we bought some random gear they brought, a few iron and bronze bars, as well as a single silver bar, and a bunch of cheese wheels for the dwarves. I always like buying random food when the caravan comes, dwarves like the variety and it's often quite cheap. Higher value food makes dwarves happier too, and cheese is rather high value for an uncooked food. We also bought our first book.

A scroll concerning the moon and how it moves around in the sky. It'll go in the library eventually, obviously. Note the value too, very expensive. We're going to need a more robust economy if we're gonna get more non fortress written books.

Literally two days after the caravan left we got a migrant wave and it was a Big one. News travels fast. The migrant wave was, even better, mostly military dwarves, two melee and two ranged. I went ahead and augmented our belowground trade depot pillboxes with a link up to another barracks for the ranged dwarves. They need a bit more space to do their training, so underground suits them fine as well as being easier to expand outwards.

Our four new militiadwarves. The melee squad is now up to 6 strong, and these two are skilled! Good tidings indeed. For those curious, Udin and Eral are marksdwarves, Doren and Ber are meleedwarves, Sword and Axe specialists respectively. They'll be a big help.

On top of these four, we got another 7 dwarves, totaling up to 11 dwarves. Basically everything I could've asked for. The construction effort on the trade depot speeds up near instantly and we get it structurally complete before the end of the season. Just need the floors and roofs now.

In the process of waiting for the depot to finish, I realized we had no water within the walls of the fort. I set about planning a cistern for the nearest murky pool so we can get some renewable water going, hopefully, if we get enough rain to refill the pool. If not we'll still have Some water, we hopefully wont' need much before we hit the caverns and hopefully find a much larger source of water.

At any rate after the sorting out of the migrant wave was over I set to making a weapon out of the iron we bought. The next long term goal for the miners, now that all of our basic needs are being met, is to find the metal on site so we can get our militia into metal armor. Exploratory mining will begin soon, but I also dug out some extra room on our workshop floor for our fledgling metal industry.

Small beginnings. We might eventually upgrade to a magma furnace, but honestly I find setting up a little forge hovel near the core of the earth a pain in the butt, as much as I like it aesthetically. Maybe we'll pump magma up, though that presents its own risks. Maybe if the cavern water pumping goes well.

The new forge was put to work immediately making an axe for one of the recruits. The other recruits claimed the purchased gear, and we are that much better armed for any aggression.

Shortly after our military got armed, we had our first strange mood! A posession, unfortunately, but we'll take what we can get. Ingish grabbed some Chert and Rough Bloodstones, and made a scepter.

I'll probably give it to a noble as a ceremonial piece or somethin. Or maybe just put it in a display case in the library somewhere. It does refer to a historical event from our civilization, The Rag of Palms so that's pretty nice.

Around this time winter hit and the murky pools froze so I set out to make that cistern. It's a small one, mostly to get the water out of the pool and under a roof, so the pool can refill. Honestly also did it just because I like messing with fluids in dwarf fortress. Honestly no idea how I haven't made a pumpstack yet.

The intermediate form of the cistern. I want to add some stone block walls and floors eventually. The blue on the right is obviously the frozen murky pool, the lever controls the floodgate, and the stairs go down into the cistern for when we need to hook it up to another cistern to bring it to the fort proper. This is mostly just to allow this particular murky pool to refill, giving us more water in total, over time. This Does present a potential hole in our security, but as long as we don't leave the floodgate open it should be fine. Should

This occured pretty much simultaneously with the smoothing of the temple being finished, creating a nice meeting place for the dwarves, which should hopefully help lighten the mood. We've gotten a number of mildly unhappy dwarves, and sure enough, after this all got smoothed out that number slowly dropped. And then immediately rose because everyone ran out in the snow and got pissed off about it, as dwarves do.

Luxary. We'll probably add some tables and chairs and such in here at some point too. Floor's a little barren. Also yes that is a llama statue. The cube statue is of a bogeyman, I dunno why it's shaped like a cube. Tileset restrictions on largely procedural creatures I'd imagine.

Once that got done I set the smoothers on the dining room, for similar reasons as to the temple. Areas dwarves frequent are important to make look nice, for happiness reasons. They never got around to even a single tile before the end of the year because they were too busy making stone blocks. A mostly good thing. The temple is probably enough for now.

As the year plodded on towards its conclusion the barracks part of the trade depot was finished, and our dwarves began to train. Shortly after the recruits graduated to novices of their given weapon types, and earned a Sword and Speardwarf title. The beginning of a hopefully long road.

They're not training in here as of this screenshot, but they're headed there!

We hit another bit of a lull as winter ran on, started making a floor for the main room of the depot and got that much closer to actually moving the depot inside it for once. The roof is still needed but we have an honestly absurd amount of blocks so it'll be done soon I imagine. The extra labor really helped. At some point while closing up the year a militiadwarf got trapped outside the walls at some point. I did have the drawbridge down at one point so haulers could bring some wood from outside the walls in, but I don't know why he would have left. Will have to keep my eyes open for further excursions. If there's some gap in the defenses that the dwarves are wandering through, we can expect any enemies to wander through it too. And dwarves won't climb to my knowledge, even if they know how, so that couldn't have been what happened either.

At the end of the year, the fort had its first child birth, Lolor Rimtarilir. Child of Kogan Rithas and Sigun Libadkivish who may sound familiar. The two dwarves we put in the military at the start of the year. We've come full circle. Unfortunately last time I played mother dwarves carrying their children had a nasty tendency to use them as shields, so Lolor may not be long for this world. Then again, he only needs a year to start walking, so maybe he'll be fine.

We can only hope. Also yes, dwarves are born with a full set of values, preferences, and life goals. Minute One this baby knows Exactly what it is doing with its life. Must be nice.

And from that point the year drove to a close uneventfully. The trade depot will be finished next year, and we can begin on another project, expand the cistern network, hopefully get some equipment forged, and maybe start to look at building that library. If not, I'll look into a non library secure storage place for books somewhere, to keep them out of the hands of thieves, as they don't go into any stockpile inparticular, so that scroll's just kinda... hangin out in the trade depot undefended. Costing 1000+ dollars and all. Need to get that taken care of. Probably should've done it this year. Oh well!

Until next year. Our fortunes rise and fall together.

[keyboardandquill]

I keep getting writer's block in every. single. scene.

so, a while back I wrote a post about writing badly on purpose as a motivation for myself and others to push through when we feel our writing isn't good enough.

while I still stand by what I wrote in that post, I've still been struggling with achieving and keeping forward momentum. I keep getting bored with what I'm writing, and this happens on every single scene.

eventually I figure out where the block is, fix it, and move on. but it inevitably happens again.

recently, I read a post I read about undercutting tension by @septembercfawkes.

in the post, September talks about writing tension threads through to their conclusion while balancing additional threads of tension in the background so the scene doesn't take a nose dive once that conclusion is reached.

I realized, hey! that's what's been happening to me!

so...... how do I overcome that? it's not as easy as simply Doing. I have to figure out why I keep copping out on my tension.

For me, I think it's a combination of things.

first, I have ADHD and find it difficult to finish stuff (including scenes!) because I'm already thinking of the next scene or project.

second, I'm a pantser (for the most part), so I don't often know how a scene is going to end. that often translates to summarizing what happens next in only a paragraph or two so I can get on to the next scene.

third, and I think this is the big one: I get tunnel vision. In my focus on getting from point A to point B, I simply forget about every other thread of tension I have going.

there isn't much I can do about the ADHD, but the pantsing + tunnel vision combo? I can work with that.

I don't "Plot" in general because, in telling the whole story like that, my brain says I'm done and tries to move on to another project. However, I think I'll personally benefit from some limited planning. Micro-plotting the scene I'm about to write, and ONLY that scene.

the funny thing is, I've known for a while that I find it helpful to note what needs to happen in the current scene. I think I still struggled despite that because I wasn't consciously aware of the need to pay attention to my tension. (pay at...tension? eh? eh? anyone?)

anyway, I think I'll come up with a list of generic questions to ask myself before I move on to the next scene or chapter to help keep myself focused on the big picture.

(this is a reminder to myself not to consider these questions set in stone, and not to worry too much about answering them if I'm in a flow state with my writing during a given session. this is also a reminder to you as a writer, if you're still reading after that atrocious pun I made two paragraphs back. <3)

the questions will include:

do the characters need to react to something major that happened last scene?

did the characters learn something they have to follow up on/debate about?

what threads of tension were resolved last scene?

what threads of tension are still on-going as of the end of the last scene?

what new threads of tension might start in this upcoming scene?

I might make the questions their own post, now that I think about it. I'm also going to write them on a sticky note and put them above my monitor so they're close at hand. otherwise they're out of sight, out of mind. (which is another problem I have related to the tunnel vision. because I'm so focused on the Point of what I'm writing in a given moment, I'll forget to look at scene structure, which is an important part of Not Getting Writer's Block. so it goes.)

anyway, thanks for following along with my rambling, and I hope I said something that helps you in your own process! happy writing! <3

[mrmonster459]

The Berserker

He and I were locked in combat, eyes staring at each other like two wolves fighting for dominance of the pack. He threw a round kick at me, hoping it would land and knock me down, but I stepped backwards in time to evade it. I then threw two punches at him, a jab and a cross. He raised his arms to block both, but I was expecting that. I then threw another jab, which once again caused him to raise his arms to block, but I then quickly used the momentum from my punch to turn all the way into a spinning side kick, one that landed right in the center of his stomach. The impact folded him like a cheap beach chair.

About two seconds later, the bell rang, and our sensei shouted “TIME!” The match was over, and even though there were officially no winners and losers in classroom free sparring, it was clear that I had come out on top in the match.

“Sparring gear, off!” Our sensei ordered.

As we went to the dojo’s shelves to put away our protective gear, my opponent, Patrick, came up to me and said “Wow, you’ve got one Hell of a turning side kick?”

“Thank you.” I said. “That’s my signature combo, the jab-cross followed up by a jab-turning side kick. No one ever sees it coming.”

“Is that so?” He asked. “You know, do you wanna get a drink sometime? First rounds on me.”

I said “You know, that sounds great.”

_____

The next day we went to a local bar to get a beer. Patrick was a fairly new student at our school, but one who’d already gotten a black belt at a different location, so he was placed immediately in the advanced class.

“So, if you don’t mind me asking, what got you into taekwondo?” He asked.

“Just needed something to keep me in shape after the Army.” I answered. “To be honest, my life lost a lot of purpose after I left. I went from doing something that felt fulfilling, to sitting at a desk processing Amazon orders. But the dojo helped me regain that warrior spirit, you know?”

“Oh, I fully understand.” Patrick said. “You’re very good, it’s no wonder they made you the assistant instructor.”

“Thank you.” I said as I took another sip of beer.

“So, tell me a little bit about yourself.” Patrick said, and it was the start of a long conversation.

_____

I didn’t think much of our conversation at the bar, just figured I’d made a new friend. But a few nights later, while I was fast asleep, I heard Patrick say “Good morning.” as I found him staring at me over my bed, fully dressed in a business suit. Beside him were two men in thick padded armor, each having weapons strapped to their utility belt.

Of course, I tried to fight back. I punched one and kicked the other, but against their armor, my strikes just bounced off. They quickly overpowered and subdued me. They gagged me, hooded me, cuffed me, then stuck a syringe in my arm that made me feel very tired all of a sudden. They then dragged me to my garage, where I was loaded into the back of a van they had parked there.

“Don’t worry, we’ll explain later.” Patrick said as I drifted off to sleep.

______

When the hood and gag were taken off, I was in some sort of gym. Patrick was standing there, still in his suit.

“Good morning.” He said.

I then grabbed him by his shirt collar and said “Dude, you have about two seconds to tell me where I am before I…”

“Ugh ugh, I wouldn’t be so feisty if I were you.” He said as he pointed to one of the windows in the gym. Behind it were four guards, dressed the same as the armed, armored thugs who kidnapped me. “They’re under orders to control you nonlethally, but they’re free to make things very painful for you.”

I let go of him.

“But, since it is important you know, the truth is that I’m not who I say I am. You see, I’m a bit of a talent scout for my boss. I won’t give you his name, but we normally refer to him simply as The Berserker, I suggest the two of us do the same. The Berserker is a very, very wealthy man with a very, very particular hobby.”

“What hobby?” I asked.

“Fighting, to the death.” He answered. “He gave boxing and MMA a try in his younger years, and even made amateur leagues in both, but having to stop at knockout just never satisfied him. So, he has scouts such as myself, who find gifted fighters & martial artists like you, drawn from gyms and dojos all over the country. We bring them here, and hope to give him a real challenge.”

“Here, if you’ll turn your attention to the monitor, you’ll see what you’re up against.”

He used a remote to play a video on a TV in a corner of the gym. A video showed two men stepping into the ring. One was wearing nothing but athletic shorts, and a dark mask that concealed his face. The other wore only sweatpants & boxing gloves.

“The one in the mask is The Berserker.” He explained. “The man you see him up against, was a two time Golden Gloves boxer.”

The boxer began throwing punches, but nothing landed. The Berserker moved with the speed and finesse of a cat, never staying in one spot for more than a moment or two. After the boxer began wearing himself out, The Berserker threw a roundhouse kick that took out his leg, forcing the boxer to then start hobbling in pain as he tried to continue the fight.

The Berserker then dashed behind him and threw another round kick, this one that landed right at the base of his spine. The boxer’s scream of pain was nothing short of blood curdling.

The Berserker then wrapped his arm around his neck, and put him in stranglehold, and did not stop until the boxer finally just lost life.

“This can’t be real.” I said. “There’s no way you can actually get away with this.”

“That’s why we’re careful.” Patrick continued. “That’s why we have scouts all over the country. His last fight was against a college wrestler we picked up at a college campus in Mississippi. Before then, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu prodigy from a gym in Idaho. I can go on, but I think you get the point.”

“He’s won all of his past 118 fights.” Patrick explained. “And in three days, you will most likely be his 119th.”

“Between now and then, you have free reign of this gym, and the living quarters in the room behind that door. If you want food, any food, our 24 hour kitchen staff can whip up anything you want. The Berserker wants you to be fully prepared for your duel.”

_______

I ordered lobster tail just to see if Patrick was serious. To my shock, it was delivered to the gym in about twenty minutes. It even came with a glass of white wine (that I hadn’t even asked for), along with a note signed by the chef that read “I couldn’t look at myself in the mirror if I served this lobster tail without this perfect wine pairing.” Patrick wasn’t kidding when he said they’d bring me whatever food I wanted, although it felt less of a kindness and more of them just trying to fatten up the pig they were about to slaughter. I wouldn’t be much of a show for the crowd if I was weak when I entered the cage.

But I intended to be at full strength during my fight. I knew I was playing into what they wanted, but I also didn’t care. If I was gonna die, I was going to die fighting. So I spent those three days working out just hard enough to not injure myself. I would pound the heavy bags, lift weights, and run on the treadmill for as much as I could take, for hours on end, for all three of my training days. It was all I had to do; the only things I could get to play on the gym’s TV were exercise videos. I didn’t have any books, any magazines, and the only people I had to talk to were the guards (and to put it mildly, they weren’t very conversational).

By the end of it, I was in the best shape of my life. Even when I was in the Army, I was never in such great shape. I felt ready to take on the world. But was I ready to take on him?

_______

“Are you ready?” Patrick asked me, as it was time to step out and faced why lay ahead of me.

“Yeah.” I said, coldly.

“I do hope you know that this isn’t personal. If anything I kind of liked you. But we all have a place in this world, I’m sure an ex soldier of all people understands that.”

I wanted to kill him right then and there, for having the gall to compare his crimes to my service. But there were two guards hovering over me, both with their palms resting on the handles of his firearms, ready to draw & fire the moment I stepped out of line. So I held my anger, and walked to the arena like a man.

“Ladies and gentlemen” a disembodied voice boomed over the intercoms, as the crowd went wild. I have no idea how or why The Berserker got an audience for these fights, or what kind of sociopath would actually pay to be there, but whatever the reason, the stands had dozens of people there to see me die.

I stepped into the ring, and the announcer said “Today’s challenger stands 6’3, weighing in at 185 pounds. He has eleven years of taekwondo under his belt, but will that be enough? He’s about to find out.”

And then, The Berserker entered the ring. He was at least two inches taller and much more jacked than I ever was, I could tell that this alone was gonna make it a difficult fight.

“On three!” The announcer shouted. “1…2…3!”

The Berserker then came at me with a flying round kick that would have shattered my rib cage if it had landed. Thankfully, I evaded just in time, and his foot flew through the air.

But before I could even counter, he continued the turn and threw a spinning elbow strike that landed right on the side of my face. I then spit out one of my own teeth.

He followed up a flurry of punches, but I stepped backwards to keep his fists away from me, until I felt the cold metal of the cage.

He thought he had me cornered and helpless, and he went on the offensive, hoping to land a knockout punch. This was a mistake; as he came charging in, I lifted my front leg and shot a lightning fast sidekick directly to his liver.

He stumbled backwards in pain & shock. For the first time in the fight, I had a moment of advantage, and I didn’t intend to waste it. I followed up with a spinning wheel kick that made his jawline meet my heel.

Before he could recover, I threw a body punch that landed right in his stomach. I then tried to throw another, but he blocked it in time. And then, before I could throw anything else, he stepped in close, grabbed my arm, and threw me to the ground, judo style.

He then began making it rain hammerfists all over me. I tried to cover myself as best as I could, but he was constantly moving over me, finding new spots to slam his hands into.

If I didn’t stop this, I’d be a goner. So I crawled out from underneath him, and then used bicycle kicks to create some distance. Once I put a few feet between us, I hopped back on my feet.

I then went on the offensive. I stepped forward and threw a punch, but he stepped back. This gave me an idea; my signature combo had never failed me before, why wouldn’t it help me now?

I threw two punches at him, a rapid jab-cross combo. He raised his hands to block, and stepped back. After resetting, I threw another jab; he once again put his hands up to his face to block, but this time, I twisted my hips, and nailed him right in his exposed, unprotected stomach.

He collapsed in pain, and spat out a mouthful of blood. Back in the dojo, my kicks were usually softened by foot pads, chest protectors, and my inclination to not hurt my friends. But in this arena, none of those things were there to stop my sidekick from devastating him. All I had to do was decide how to finish him off, and I figured stomping on his neck would be a

I had never killed anyone before, not even during my time in the Army. I wasn’t sure if I could even follow through with it; but I won’t lie, I enjoyed the feeling of crushing his windpipe a lot more than I thought I would. Watching him try to breathe only to suffocate was the icing on the cake.

______

After the fight, the guards escorted me out.

“PATRICK!” I shouted as my former opponent’s lackey came out.

“Yes, sir.” He said.

“Give me one reason why I shouldn’t do to you what I just did to your boss.” I said.

“Sir, please calm down.” Patrick said.

“I could’ve died in there. I…”

“Sir, please, sit.” Patrick said.

I took a deep breath, and then took a seat. I decided to at least hear him out before killing him.

“Don’t lie, I saw the look on your face. You enjoyed the feeling of taking the life out of him, didn’t you?”

I did not care about Patrick enough to bother lying to him. “Yes, I did.” I answered, bluntly.

“Sir, these fights make more money than you’ve ever dreamed of. Tickets to be in the audience cost $50,000 each. Our dark web live streams cost $2,000 per view.”

“Are you serious?” I asked.

“Completely. The only other places on Earth that provide an experience even close to this are in third world shitholes where you’d take him a deadly disease as a souvenir. For those wanting a bit of luxury with their show of blood, this is truly a one of a kind experience.”

“And our headliner, the one they all come to see, is now dead. Do you get what I’m saying?”

_____

A month later…

“Are you ready, sir?” Patrick asked me.

“100%.” I said as I finished my stretch kicks.

Patrick then turned to a guard and said “Let the announcer know it’s time to open the fight.”

“Ladies and gentlemen, please introduce our returning champion!” the announcer boomed as I entered the ring.

“And in this corner, we have the challenger. A Muay Thai fighter, handpicked from one of the toughest gyms in Louisiana.”

It was time to start my first real day at my new job.

[apsupmix]

Tiny gameruining bits

There are games that are fine, good even, smooth experiences 99% of the time, but then they have just few bits that sour the whole game on me. Usually it’s difficulty thing, but not just things getting hard, but game asking for level of understanding of mechanics that nothing before prepared me for. Often it’s just me begin bad, getting hit with sudden challenge wall doesn’t feel good, though sometimes it’s on the game being bit of shit in some small way. But still it’s just few bits, insignificant amount of a game that ends up being main thing I think when I look back to that game.

One of the games I’ve thought like this for longest time is Mirror’s Edge. It was first person parkour game, all about fast smooth movement and momentum. And most of the time, that game felt so good to play, fast and fun. But when I recall the game, what I remember the most are bits where the momentum stopped, because I missed the route ahead or some other issue hindered me. Or that one bit with horizontal bars, swinging and jumping from one to another and missing time and time and time again. Rest could have been player issue, but for that I blame the game for.

This is also how I tend to think about Tales of -games. Most of the time I’m having good time, mashing out combos and moves without too much thought and it works. And then comes bit where the game seems to ask more than that, and I’m completely unprepared. Tales of Vesperia in my mind is defined by the final boss of Act 2, scrambling, running, trying to survive seemingly random party-wiping Mystic Artes. Again most of the rest of the game was good. But when I think about it, I think how I felt like an idiot, not understanding battle system I had played with for tens of hours.

And one more, but this time with some contrast. I hate Sekiro. I loathe it. Thinking about it makes me little bit angry. And that comes from tiny fraction of the game, few annoying bosses and enemies. Most of it comes from me hitting my head against the final boss for couple play sessions, trying, pleading, crying, hoping, praying, for the pain to end. And once it did I was 100% done with the game. But interestingly same doesn’t apply to Dark Souls. There are definitely Dark Souls bosses that have stopped me and made me angry and frustrated, some that I just think are bad and shit and should not be in the games. And same goes for Bloodborne and Elden Ring. The frustrations in those games never color the whole game in the way that happened with Sekiro. If I were to guess I could say there is something in the way Sekiro is very focused, asking for one thing, where rest of Fromsoftware’s catalog gives more options for player to pick their approach and playstyle. That matters, helps at least.

I do feel that my relationship with fighting games is also related to this issue, but I don’t want to go there now. I’ve done enough complaining for the day. It’s not that I just wanted to complain, I think this whole thing is fascinating. Curious how my brain can latch on small things and paint over large wholes with it. Also if I ever say that game is “good but” the ‘but’ might be loud, but small.

[mdhwrites]

When would you say was the point in Owl House that you started thinking it was going in the wrong direction?

This… Actually isn't a hard one for me. I could try to give a larger picture answer or be snarky and say "From the concept" but I did like the show at some point. I loved the show at one point. So I suppose the real question is when did the problems that were always there suddenly come to the forefront?

And there is only one real option: Escaping Expulsion.

Escaping Expulsion is the second worst episode of the series to me. Its comedy is either barely based on the characters or just… Not funny or clever. Or both. The entire montage of convincing Bump just feels wrong to me, even the first time I watched it, because all evidence points to him preferring a calm, quiet school that runs by the books. Otherwise he would have always loved how Eda behaved.

It has villains that while entertaining in their evil, are rock bottom stupid and feel like they came straight out of the 90s, if not earlier. In the 2020s. The fuck? I will always hate that Odalia decides proving your home security can murder a (also read as 'your' because that's how marketing works) child will sell more units. Like… This isn't even a good scheme to make money off of!

But the real issue, the thing that Escaping Expulsion added that just about no other episode did was the idea of resolution and shrinking of potential without exploration of that potential. And it's in both of the plots and both of the plots are just… VERY poorly thought out in execution because they FEEL like they're written to be functional. The whole episode does. It's just there to remove obstacles so they can do what they want.

It feels like something an author writes because they got tired of a plot point and just want to get rid of it.

First problem with how they tackled killing Luz's magic and resolving Amity's parents: Neither character is actually a major part of their own plotline. Amity gets what? Five lines MAYBE before her big "My Luz" moment? Maybe like a minute of screen time total? It might be a bit more than that but this is resolving her family issues. The ones that will continue to be blamed and focused on for her behavior. For who she is and what made her who she is. And she's just not a part of it. There is no building of anger, momentum, etc. towards her parents or the like. No build up to the moment where she tells them to fuck off. It's just that once Luz is threatened… She is all in on telling them to stop. Which actually is the exact same as they did with killing her relationship with Boscha but one is a friend who is a bully. The other is your heavily abusive, neglectful family who have decided who you are up to this point.

I'm just saying that maybe there should have been ANY exploration of her feelings besides, "Sorry mom. I have apparently decided that this girl is literally more important than anything else in my life and will do anything to make her happy and like me."

The other side… actually is worse though. It's the end of Luz's journey with magic. There will be no training, trying or work put into this afterwards despite theoretically being part of the thesis of the story. I still think this episode effectively was a part of why TOH got shortened because Disney would be right to have asked they were lied to with the elevator pitch of the story. EVEN THE ANIMATION TEST PUTS MORE EMPHASIS ON LEARNING MAGIC AND EXPLORING IT THAN THE SHOW EVER WILL AFTER THIS.

And Luz? Luz isn't a part of it AT ALL. She introduces the concept theoretically, has the hilarious line of "I haven't found a new one since the fire glyph" which happened FIVE EPISODES AGO so it's not like it has been that long since she got one and then… just peaces out. And the rest of the plot line is shenanigans between Lilith and Eda before Lilith gives an exposition dumb that effectively means nothing. I mean… All the glyphs they use are either combo glyphs or a single regular glyph. And they are always as strong as they need to be, glyph circles be damned.

It hard matters. None of it matters. But it was such a major part of the show's pitch. Luz wanted to be a witch. Well, I guess you are, and clearly one of the strongest out there with what we saw in the S1 finale and the S2 opener so… shrug Just end it and move on. Only introduce a new spell (of which they only add two, three if you count teleportation) when it's necessary for something cool you want to do or for the plot.

And there is more I could go into how bad this episode is and how poorly the episode handles ending these plotlines, like how the B plot with Luz's magic, which is a b plot at all eye twitch, is effectively just an update to the "King gets a minion and loses control of them" B plots of season 1 where he has to swallow his pride and get some help before he is consumed. That's just what happens with Eda here. Just it's with magic instead.

But I don't feel like going hard diatribe in this blog because the larger points are this for why this episode to me is the turning point:

It introduces the idea that the characters aren't nearly as deep, well thought out or complex as we have always believed. How much smaller does Amity feel after this episode? How much less sense do the Blights make? How much does this indeed fuck up her character arc in the moment and retroactively?

It introduces the idea that the world and its functionality isn't well thought out. If this is how they're treating something as big as Luz's glyphs, which will only prove to get worse with time, what else do they not care about? The plot? The story? The actual flavor of the Isles?

And honestly I feel like it highlights that the show doesn't only fail when it's a filler episode. This is probably the first non-filler, or close to filler, episode in the series that just… Isn't good. How many people actually remember anything from that episode besides "My Luz?" Some people might remember the Odalador stuff because they like those characters but you could tell me what happens during the montage to get back into Hexide? What Gus or Willow say or think about anything? What Amity even says about most things in that episode? Fucking anything Hooty, Eda and Lilith do besides the Hooty swan and the super glyph?

And this episode killed TWO major plotlines people were excited for. That dominated our minds because the show HAD placed importance on them. This isn't like Willow where you had to choose to be invested eventually. The show always made her feel less important than everyone else. This is part of the thesis of the show and the backbone to Luz's girlfriend's character being resolved AT THE SAME TIME.

It's bad. It's just bad. And you can see the cracks growing even throughout S2A. Cracks started right here. Right when Luz was expelled.

[miloscat]

[Review] Butterflies: Episode 1-3 (PC)

They understand the concept of love.

After Bomb Rush Cyberfunk wowed me, I wanted to take a second look at this even more indie project memorialising Jet Set Radio. I've played Episode 1 (and some pre-release demos) before but since then, French lead dev Le Capitaine and their Le Crew have finalised Episodes 2 and 3, and published them to Steam as a bundle. Supposedly it's still to be continued but for now the team is hard at work on an F-Zero homage. Hopefully they come back and keep expanding this because what's there so far is really good!

Rather than using JSRF as a jumping off point for gameplay, Butterflies seems to prefer refining what the original JSR was doing. This means a more realistic sense of inertia, and managing the momentum of your crew of inline-skating delinquents. The dash button is there to pick up speed on the ground and grinding rails is not effortless. It's clearly set on improving the clunky play control of the Dreamcast game though, and the result is fast, technical, and satisfying... when you've put some time into mastering it.

To get you there is a low-pressure kind of game design with a set of missions that populate the large levels. You can roam around, tackling them and finding tag spots as you please without a timer ticking down, which on its own is a big step up from JSR for me. These tasks are usually races that pass through checkpoints or specific line runs that require keeping a combo going—some in Episode 1 are particularly strict—while Episode 3 adds in extra graffiti challenges. Going through the checklist is a nice way of showing off these urban sandbox levels as you hunt for write spots or (as of Episode 2 onwards) collectible music tracks.

Each episode has one map to itself while advancing the overall story. The first two are hilly suburban areas, with a bit of industrial in E1, and E3 features a sprawling inner-city area connected by train tracks. Powerlines to grind on and the ability to wallgrind on almost any wall if you have enough speed help you traverse the high degree of verticality built into these zones. The first two episodes have an interesting grungy, sketchy look while the third revamps things with more colour and shiny detail. Populating the maps are your typical low-poly NPCs (I spotted some modelled on Lammy and Parappa!) as well as bear-hugging cops, flying police drones, and zap-projectile-slinging cameras: as of E3, these can all be dealt with by a quick application of spray paint (which by the way is unlimited).

The story is handled a bit more seriously than in some other street punk simulators. In this near-future world, a Japanese city has seceded and is now run as an independent autocracy by one General Sakamoto, and by the end of E3 the rebellious Nat and her growing Butterflies crew are gearing up to rise above petty rudie squabbles and vandalism to really fight back against the fascism. The inclusion of real-world cultures and concerns keeps the tone grounded, like when one of your teammates Jae (who tags in Hangeul) comments on the treatment of Korean immigrants; another, Zinnie, wears a hijab and interjects in Arabic, while Rin is a trans girl and you follow her journey of self-discovery in dialogue which I thought was handled pretty well.

On top of their characterisation in cutscene dialogue, these touchstones make the characters deeper and more relatable, more than just a cool cel-shaded character design. They also for the most part have clear strengths in their stat distributions; I favoured speed specialist Zinnie for getting around. Each one has distinct graffiti designs (they all get a refresh in E3 as well) that, while simple, usually include their name (in katakana) and tell you something about their personality. Writing involves a three-stage timing-based minigame so everyone has three unique designs, although you might find you end up with the simplest "bare minimum" one all over just to save time with the ~200 spots per map.

Since Butterflies has been released episodically over five years, it's interesting to watch as the new instalments make changes and become more polished. It's still rough around the edges even as of E3 but solid enough, and this release structure gives me hope that even more refinements will be implemented going forward (a better in-game map would be nice!). Either way, I've enjoyed what's there so far, and it's refreshing that multiple projects have been springing up in this vein while having their own character: in this case a little bit subdued, down to earth, but it's got heart.

[anotherwvba]

WVBA Fighter Profile: Niki Binary

Nickname: “The I.T. Girl” (pronounced “The It Girl”)

Ranking: Women's Circuit Unranked

Record: 0-1

Hometown: The WVBA I.T. Department (actually, Atlanta GA)

Real Name: Nicole Gordan

Age: 18

Height / Weight: 5’5” / 100 lbs

Hair / Eyes: Brown / Green

Ring Attire: neon green sports bra and trunks with black and white trim, neon green gloves with black cuffs

Theme: "Stronger" by Sintaxz

Biography:

Nicole Gordan has had two passions, seemingly, since birth… computers and the defunct-WVBA.  An excellent student in school, Nicole took to computers with ease.  Her fandom of the WVBA would often drive her to grow her computer skills.  She developed fan sites, ran social media groups, and produced podcasts about the WVBA’s glory days.

After graduating from public school three years early at the age of 15, she went to a local technical college to study Information Technology and received her Associate’s Degree in less than two years. It was then that a random social media post would change her life… the WVBA was coming back!

Seeing the chance to be a part of something she had loved for years as a fan, Nicole applied to work in the I.T. Department and was hired!  Two years after the WVBA returned, the major announcement of a dedicated women’s division led to an unexpected opportunity for Nicole. Pierce Jeffries, the Commissioner of the WVBA, needed one more fighter to fill out the new division’s Minor Circuit.

With no boxing experience, six months to prepare, and all the enthusiasm in the world, Nicole Gordon signed up. Now juggling her I.T. duties at W.V.B.A. Headquarters with her boxing training, Nicole is readying herself to step in the same ring as her heroes.  “The I.T. Girl” Niki Binary is ready to make her opponent’s systems crash!

Boxing Style: “The Digital Dance”

While not a naturally gifted athlete, she works and trains hard every day to improve. Niki’s strengths have always been in her ability to study, learn, and adapt to new challenges. As such, she extensively studies her opponents in preparation for their bout, looking for any possible weaknesses she can exploit. Being such a small fighter, at least by WVBA standards, Niki tries to rely on speed and agility. She looks to dance around the ring, frustrate and tire her opponents, then deliver calculated and accurate counters.

At a mere 100 pounds, Niki lacks knockout power, but she makes up for it with accuracy, timing, and adaptability. She uses eye for detail, honed by countless hours of programming and debugging code, to go for flowing combos as her opponents move in, adding their momentum to her own power. But, seeing if a plan isn’t working, she’s quick to back off, reassess, and commit to a new plan of attack.

She’s new, inexperienced, and small. She’s gonna lose… a lot… before she gets anywhere. But, Niki knows this and she’s willing to put in the time, the hard work, and the effort to take what she sees as her ultimate goal. She’s managed to get the opportunity to step in the same ring as her heroes. Next, she wants to earn her place among them.

Power Punch: "The System Crash"

A blindingly quick straight right to the solar plexus.

[mysticinsightstarot]

Hey,

I missed you ☺️

Could you please do a detailed reasing on my career.

I’m planning to go to nyu for vocal performance studies. My career is in entertainment industry acting, dance, music, modelling

So please give a detailed on these i dont know where my life is heading to the plans i made has been changed.

Thank you

Yupz why not loads of love and blessings sweetheart 💕 💖

Here's your reading :

✨🌟 Career Tarot Spread for the Entertainment Field 🌟✨

Hey, beautiful soul! 🌙✨ Ready to dive into the depths of your entertainment career path? Let’s see what the cards have to say! 🎭💫

1. Current Career Situation (Justice)

You’re at a point where things are balancing out. ⚖️ Justice shows that you’re seeking fairness, truth, and alignment in your career. You’re making decisions based on what’s right for you, and karma is at play. 🌟 What you put out is what you’ll get back, so keep those intentions pure! 🌸

2. Hidden Strengths (Empress, 3 of Wands, The Chariot)

OMG, talk about powerhouse energy! 💪 The Empress shows that you’re bursting with creativity, nurturing vibes, and abundance. 🌼 You’ve got the power to bring ideas to life, like an artist with a magic touch. 🎨

The 3 of Wands? You’re not just dreaming—you’re planning, expanding, and ready to take on the world! 🌍 And with The Chariot, you’ve got the drive and determination to make it all happen. 🚀 You’re unstoppable, babe!

3. Challenges to Overcome (4 of Cups)

Feeling a little "meh"? 😒 The 4 of Cups suggests you might be missing out on opportunities because you’re stuck in your feels or just not vibing with what’s in front of you. 🥤💔 It’s time to shake things up and start seeing the potential in every situation—even the ones that seem boring at first glance!

4. Opportunities Ahead (6 of Swords)

Smooth sailing ahead! 🚤 The 6 of Swords is all about moving from choppy waters to calm seas. There’s an opportunity for you to transition into a better place in your career. Maybe a new project, a change of environment, or even relocating could be on the horizon. 🌅 Get ready for a fresh start!

5. Creative Inspiration (The Lovers)

The Lovers? Yes, please! 💕 This card shows that inspiration comes when you connect with others on a deep, soulful level. Partnerships, collaborations, or even just working on something you’re passionate about can light your creative fire. 🔥 Follow your heart, and the muse will follow you!

6. Networking and Collaboration (The Star, The Moon, Ace of Pentacles)

Networking game strong! 💫 The Star encourages you to dream big and shine bright—it’s all about hope and being your authentic self. 🌠 The Moon adds a touch of mystery and intuition—trust your gut when connecting with others. 🌙 And with the Ace of Pentacles, those connections could bring solid, tangible opportunities your way. 💸 New projects, financial gains, or even that big break you’ve been waiting for!

7. Long-Term Career Vision (8 of Cups)

The 8 of Cups shows you might feel the need to walk away from what no longer serves you. 🚶‍♀️ This is all about seeking deeper fulfillment and meaning in your career. It’s not just about the glitz and glam—you’re searching for something that resonates with your soul. 🌌 Keep following that inner calling!

8. Advice for Success (4 of Pentacles, 8 of Wands)

Hold on to your resources and stay grounded (4 of Pentacles), but don’t be afraid to act fast when opportunities arise (8 of Wands)! 💨💥 This combo says to be wise with your time, energy, and money, but also be ready to pounce when the moment is right. 🐾 Stay flexible and keep the momentum going!

9. Potential Outcome (9 of Wands, 2 of Pentacles, High Priestess)

It’s going to be a journey, but you’ve got this! 🛤️ The 9 of Wands shows resilience—yeah, you might feel tired and battle-worn, but you’re so close to a breakthrough! 🛡️ The 2 of Pentacles asks you to keep balancing all those spinning plates. ⚖️ And the High Priestess? Trust your intuition and let your inner wisdom guide you through. 🌙🔮

Bottom of the Deck (10 of Swords)

Oof, the 10 of Swords. 😬 There might be an ending or a tough situation that’s been weighing you down, but remember: with every ending comes a new beginning. 🌅 This is your chance to rise, stronger and wiser than before. 🦅

Channeled Song: "Cheap Thrills" by Sia 🎶

You don’t need expensive things to feel alive—just the rhythm of the music and the passion in your heart. 💃🎤 Keep that energy up, and remember: sometimes, the simplest joys are the most fulfilling!

Keep shining, star! 🌟 You’re on your way to something truly magical in the entertainment world. 🎬✨

[originemesis]

@hellpride xxx

For all the annoyance from the avoidable (at least in his opinion) situation at hand, at least he has an itty bitty (annoyingly apple ended) spoon to aggressively stir his coffee with, and he does just that the longer the clown he's become the unfortunately captive audience to continues to talk down to him like he's some child from the audacious height of 4'nothing, minus the change. He of course had never been a child in his fucking life, so the platitudes in devil-dancing around a quite straight forward question gives him pause to snap his teeth in a testy manner at the slow burn of patience he never asked for. Perhaps that was why heaven posted him into such a pious position known for such ballroom shenanigans. Because he wasn't opposed to just dicking his way to a point, plain and simple. Not exactly the best methodology for someone like the corruptor of humanity when it came to agreeing to shit deals, but he's known him and of his schemes for long enough it simply is second nature to him at this point to squint at the curl of every beck and call.

"Oh, so it's my fault things are same old same old? Try- I dunno, changing your fucking hat every other century??" A dismissive snort rattles the teacup on its plate, and though he'd rather not hear him out- he's kind of stuck in this viper pit until dawn when there's enough light from heaven to see his way out. Or blindly claw towards a source of warmth like newborn rabbits separated from mother's flank in a cave in- he hadn't decided yet.

"Get real for once, dude. Wait, what do you think you're-" The plate might crack with the force his talons tense around it at the sudden appearance of all his hastily scribbled deals handed down from heaven, all evaporating from the signature line out from his name until only it was left in golden lettering to crinkle and then fall aimlessly to the tiles atop a bed of ash. He rakes a claw after one too late to salvage the scroll, an incredulous look snapping along with his gaze to where the bastard perched, a scowl holding back a brewing belligerence unbecoming of an ambassador. "-doing!? We're not even on business hours! You inconsiderate shitpocket. Do you know how long those are going to take me to forge back? Unbelievable!" With how much he's spun and stomped around in place, it's actually a miracle he hasn't spilled his coffee yet.

"Oh, YOU'D like to take something away from this? I'd take your fucking head 'away from this' if it wasn't that bitch Michael's gig-" He doesn't hear much more amidst his tantrum, but there's only so much he can storm over it when there's suddenly a bola of serpent snapping his legs together.

He lurches forward with the thwarted attempt to keep momentum behind his pace, nearly losing the cup and plate along the way before a swat of the arm and a thrash of the opposite wing rights him again amidst a swell of squawks. A shudder from the feel of scales slinking under the slope of his sleeves tempts him to bat at his robes even after the other has appeared in front of him again, leaving behind the ghost tingles of a spider's web across the raised hairs of one's forearm. Instead, he squints at the sudden fascination with his cup, and though he's yet to sip the brimstone brewed beverage, he gives it a protective tug away from the other's fussing only to find the A over his gut the next target of prodding. Urgh-

Still holding the cup and plate combo over the devil's head, he furrows his brow at the musings of a mad man- because what else could he be to burn all those deals like that? Well, maybe not a 'man', but still capable of sticking it to one. "Yeah, that's real rich coming from you. Do you even hear yourself? Because I'm pretty sure the whole letting myself go shit (fuck you by the way) is indicative of change capacity. Something you seem to think humans aren't capable of under certain management. And- might I add, wouldn't have had the capacity at all if you hadn't fucked around and found out. So whatever THIS is-" Talons fan to indicate himself...and issue a swat to the hand palming his stomach. "that you find so grotesque is actually your doing, not heaven's. I don't sync up with them for a reason, asshole. So maybe- you should really consider what it is you're asking for BEFORE you burn all my papers!"

Any answers the other might find on the ground lie scattered in golden letters of unsinged 'A's' like the one on his chest and the subtle pattern singed ever so slightly in his corneas that nobody will see behind the mask. It's his turn to break the ensuing pause with a puncturing sip- coffee slurped through the portal in his mask, ever the ingenuity dedicated to hiding what lay beneath in shades of pale vulnerability learned by a single bite. He swishes it around his mouth, considering the proposition as if the unfolding pitch were ultimately responsible for flavoring the mouthful. It's not beneath him to spit it in the other's face, but they're off the clock and all his peace treaties are currently dust. War in the morning would be hella annoying. 'I want you' isn't exactly the best time to swallow, and that much is clear when the mouthful catches in his throat like creation's final attempt at putting a lump like a drain clog in his neck to catch any pesky knowledge chunks that he might unknowingly inhale.

Sputtering, he tips his head away- the plate balanced precariously on an open palm while a fist knocked at his chest a few times to send the sugar sluice down the right pipeline. A cautious if not exasperated look finds its way back to his practically ahum host. "Please. If they can't handle my best- what makes you think you can?" A flare of wings to fix his stumbled assurance, the eye of the A over his chest flashes with the snap of fingers, steadily opening a window to the piece of sun nestled at his core as if only the red earth and it's son made use of its rays. Upon closer inspection and a wider opening, the shine pulsed with waves of energy that rattled every window in the vicinity. If there was music to be heard as was the case with most angelic souls, it was muffled beyond comprehensive without the aid of his strings to channel it into the roughest translation.

[kajalingale]

 Spins and Strings: The Ultimate Wedding DJ Band Combo

When it comes to creating the perfect ambiance for your wedding, the music can make all the difference. The right combination of a DJ and a live band can elevate your wedding celebration, ensuring that every guest is on their feet and every moment is memorable. If you're looking for the best musical experience for your big day, consider opting for a Spins and Strings: The Ultimate Wedding DJ Band Combo. This fusion of live instruments and modern beats provides an unbeatable energy that will leave a lasting impression on you and your guests.

For more details on how to create this musical magic, visit [Oppvenuz](https://www.oppvenuz.com/).

 The Magic of DJ and Band Combo

A DJ brings an extensive music library and the ability to seamlessly mix tracks, keeping the energy high and the dance floor packed. On the other hand, a live band adds a personal touch with live performances, engaging the audience with their presence and musical talents. Combining these two elements creates a unique and dynamic musical experience that caters to diverse tastes and preferences.

Explore the ultimate wedding music solution with [Oppvenuz](https://www.oppvenuz.com/) for the best Spins and Strings: The Ultimate Wedding DJ Band Combo.

 Benefits of Choosing a DJ Band Combo

1. Versatility: A DJ can play a wide range of genres, while a live band can bring songs to life with their unique interpretations. This combination ensures that there’s something for everyone, from classic hits to contemporary tracks.

Click here : https://www.oppvenuz.com/

2. Energy and Interaction: A live band can interact with the crowd, creating an engaging and lively atmosphere. The DJ can keep the momentum going during breaks, ensuring there’s never a dull moment.

3. Personalization: Customize your playlist to include your favorite songs performed live and mixed by the DJ, providing a personalized soundtrack to your wedding.

4. Seamless Transitions: The DJ and band can work together to provide seamless transitions between live performances and recorded tracks, maintaining a continuous flow of music throughout the event.

Click here : https://www.oppvenuz.com/

5. Enhanced Experience: The combination of live instruments and DJ mixes creates a rich, layered sound that enhances the overall experience, making your wedding truly unforgettable.

For a tailored musical experience, visit [Oppvenuz](https://www.oppvenuz.com/) to explore the Spins and Strings: The Ultimate Wedding DJ Band Combo.

 Planning the Perfect DJ Band Combo

1. Choosing the Right Professionals: Look for experienced DJs and bands who have previously worked together. This ensures better coordination and a smoother performance.

2. Setting Up: Plan the setup to accommodate both the DJ’s equipment and the band’s instruments. Ensure there’s enough space and proper sound equipment to handle both.

3. Playlist Coordination: Work with both the DJ and the band to create a cohesive playlist that blends their strengths. Discuss key moments such as the first dance, cake cutting, and bouquet toss to ensure the music matches the mood.

Click here : https://www.oppvenuz.com/

4. Sound Check: Schedule a sound check before the event to adjust levels and ensure everything sounds perfect. This helps avoid technical issues during the wedding.

5. Communication: Keep an open line of communication between the DJ, band, and event coordinator to handle any last-minute changes or requests smoothly.

Discover how to orchestrate the perfect wedding music by visiting [Oppvenuz](https://www.oppvenuz.com/) for more insights on Spins and Strings: The Ultimate Wedding DJ Band Combo.

 Testimonials from Happy Couples

1. Unforgettable Experience: "Our wedding was unforgettable, thanks to the DJ band combo. The energy was incredible, and everyone had a fantastic time. Thank you, [Oppvenuz](https://www.oppvenuz.com/), for recommending this!" – Priya and Rohit

2. Seamless Coordination: "The coordination between the DJ and the band was seamless. They played our favorite songs and kept the dance floor packed all night. Highly recommend [Oppvenuz](https://www.oppvenuz.com/)!" – Ananya and Raj

3. Perfect Ambiance: "The live band added a special touch to our ceremony, and the DJ kept the party going. It was the perfect combination for our wedding. Thanks, [Oppvenuz](https://www.oppvenuz.com/)!" – Meera and Karan

4. Engaging Performance: "The band and DJ worked together to create an engaging and lively atmosphere. Our guests are still talking about how much fun they had. Thank you, [Oppvenuz](https://www.oppvenuz.com/)!" – Sanya and Amit

5. Memorable Night: "Our wedding night was made even more memorable with the DJ band combo. The music was fantastic, and the transitions were flawless. We’re so grateful to [Oppvenuz](https://www.oppvenuz.com/)!" – Riya and Arjun

 Conclusion

Combining a DJ with a live band for your wedding can create a magical and unforgettable experience. The dynamic energy, versatility, and personalized touch of a Spins and Strings: The Ultimate Wedding DJ Band Combo will ensure that your special day is filled with joy, dancing, and memorable moments.

For the best recommendations and to book the ultimate DJ band combo for your wedding, visit [Oppvenuz](https://www.oppvenuz.com/). Transform your wedding into an unforgettable celebration with the perfect blend of spins and strings!

 Spins and Strings: The Ultimate Wedding DJ Band Combo

When it comes to creating the perfect ambiance for your wedding, the music can make all the difference. The right combination of a DJ and a live band can elevate your wedding celebration, ensuring that every guest is on their feet and every moment is memorable. If you're looking for the best musical experience for your big day, consider opting for a Spins and Strings: The Ultimate Wedding DJ Band Combo. This fusion of live instruments and modern beats provides an unbeatable energy that will leave a lasting impression on you and your guests.

For more details on how to create this musical magic, visit [Oppvenuz](https://www.oppvenuz.com/).

 The Magic of DJ and Band Combo

A DJ brings an extensive music library and the ability to seamlessly mix tracks, keeping the energy high and the dance floor packed. On the other hand, a live band adds a personal touch with live performances, engaging the audience with their presence and musical talents. Combining these two elements creates a unique and dynamic musical experience that caters to diverse tastes and preferences.

Explore the ultimate wedding music solution with [Oppvenuz](https://www.oppvenuz.com/) for the best Spins and Strings: The Ultimate Wedding DJ Band Combo.

 Benefits of Choosing a DJ Band Combo

1. Versatility: A DJ can play a wide range of genres, while a live band can bring songs to life with their unique interpretations. This combination ensures that there’s something for everyone, from classic hits to contemporary tracks.

2. Energy and Interaction: A live band can interact with the crowd, creating an engaging and lively atmosphere. The DJ can keep the momentum going during breaks, ensuring there’s never a dull moment.

3. Personalization: Customize your playlist to include your favorite songs performed live and mixed by the DJ, providing a personalized soundtrack to your wedding.

4. Seamless Transitions: The DJ and band can work together to provide seamless transitions between live performances and recorded tracks, maintaining a continuous flow of music throughout the event.

5. Enhanced Experience: The combination of live instruments and DJ mixes creates a rich, layered sound that enhances the overall experience, making your wedding truly unforgettable.

For a tailored musical experience, visit [Oppvenuz](https://www.oppvenuz.com/) to explore the Spins and Strings: The Ultimate Wedding DJ Band Combo.

 Planning the Perfect DJ Band Combo

1. Choosing the Right Professionals: Look for experienced DJs and bands who have previously worked together. This ensures better coordination and a smoother performance.

2. Setting Up: Plan the setup to accommodate both the DJ’s equipment and the band’s instruments. Ensure there’s enough space and proper sound equipment to handle both.

3. Playlist Coordination: Work with both the DJ and the band to create a cohesive playlist that blends their strengths. Discuss key moments such as the first dance, cake cutting, and bouquet toss to ensure the music matches the mood.

4. Sound Check: Schedule a sound check before the event to adjust levels and ensure everything sounds perfect. This helps avoid technical issues during the wedding.

5. Communication: Keep an open line of communication between the DJ, band, and event coordinator to handle any last-minute changes or requests smoothly.

Click here : https://www.oppvenuz.com/

Discover how to orchestrate the perfect wedding music by visiting [Oppvenuz](https://www.oppvenuz.com/) for more insights on Spins and Strings: The Ultimate Wedding DJ Band Combo.

 Testimonials from Happy Couples

1. Unforgettable Experience: "Our wedding was unforgettable, thanks to the DJ band combo. The energy was incredible, and everyone had a fantastic time. Thank you, [Oppvenuz](https://www.oppvenuz.com/), for recommending this!" – Priya and Rohit

2. Seamless Coordination: "The coordination between the DJ and the band was seamless. They played our favorite songs and kept the dance floor packed all night. Highly recommend [Oppvenuz](https://www.oppvenuz.com/)!" – Ananya and Raj

3. Perfect Ambiance: "The live band added a special touch to our ceremony, and the DJ kept the party going. It was the perfect combination for our wedding. Thanks, [Oppvenuz](https://www.oppvenuz.com/)!" – Meera and Karan

4. Engaging Performance: "The band and DJ worked together to create an engaging and lively atmosphere. Our guests are still talking about how much fun they had. Thank you, [Oppvenuz](https://www.oppvenuz.com/)!" – Sanya and Amit

5. Memorable Night: "Our wedding night was made even more memorable with the DJ band combo. The music was fantastic, and the transitions were flawless. We’re so grateful to [Oppvenuz](https://www.oppvenuz.com/)!" – Riya and Arjun

 Conclusion

Combining a DJ with a live band for your wedding can create a magical and unforgettable experience. The dynamic energy, versatility, and personalized touch of a Spins and Strings: The Ultimate Wedding DJ Band Combo will ensure that your special day is filled with joy, dancing, and memorable moments.

For the best recommendations and to book the ultimate DJ band combo for your wedding, visit [Oppvenuz](https://www.oppvenuz.com/). Transform your wedding into an unforgettable celebration with the perfect blend of spins and strings!

Click here : https://www.oppvenuz.com/

[theghostpinesmusic]

So, like my post about 12/29's "Oblivion," I'm going to start this write-up with a small gripe, which is that this take on "Life Saving Gun" is great, but is maybe the...fifth (?) most compelling improvisatory moment of this show for me. My favorite is probably the massive "Fuego" -> "Train Song" combo from earlier in the first set, but also the entire second set after a straightforward take on "The Well" is amazing: "Tweezer" -> "Twist" > "Piper" -> "Golden Age" -> "2001" > "Sigma Oasis" > "David Bowie."

I came into this show expecting it to be a letdown compared to the previous two nights based on online reviews but that, as usual, turned out to be a mistake. At this point, it's basically de rigeur for any Phish show without at least one 20+ minute jam in the second set to get voted down by "fans," but the fact is there are a lot of ways to improvise, and often length matters less than how you use it. For my money, this second set never lets up, is consistently creative and imaginative, and, among other things, has the most interesting "Bowie" since the early 2000s (though that's sort of damning with faint praise).

But none of that matters because Phish uploaded video for "Life Saving Gun," SO WE'RE TALKING ABOUT "LIFE SAVING GUN" NOW.

This song comes originally from Page and Trey's probably-underappreciated-by-me-thus-far 2023 album "January," and thus, like "Oblivion," it's a "new" Phish song. The version on the album is a weird, synth-heavy experiment, and I dig it, but this more Phish-y arrangement is a great addition to the band's repertoire and engages in a trope the band has indulged their entire careers: writing new Beatles songs the Beatles never got around to writing themselves.

I don't mean that in a derogatory way by any means: the Beatles are great, and they have obviously been a huge influence on all the members of Phish (to the point of their famously covering The White Album in its entirety in 1994). I just hear that influence really strongly on this song, and feel compelled to mention it because it's fun. Your mileage may vary.

I'm partial to the song in part, too, I think, because it...actually sort of rocks? Like, inasmuch as a bunch of sixty-year-olds can rock compared to Trey ripping through a "Chalkdust" solo thirty years ago at least. It heartens me that not only are these guys still producing tons of new material, but also putting out songs like this and "I Never Needed You Like This Before" that are legitimately great rock songs.

This particular great rock song is pretty short, but ends with a rare moment of Fishman going apeshit on the drums at 2:35, which leads right into the jam proper kicking off at 2:48. The band rides the groove of the song for a bit at first, with Trey taking a solo (and reprising the song's vocal melody a few times in a neat way). Page's super chorus-y organ chords deserve a mention here, too, as they add a 70s-type vibe to the proceedings in a cool way.

At 4:08 everyone in the band does that thing they do where they read each other's minds (?) and collectively turn on a dime, this time into a funkier space. I appreciate how the feel of the jam changes here without losing any of its momentum. Page's synth contributions here are just wonderful. For the next few minutes, these guys are just all doing the things they do really well and while it's not something as weird or as unique as, say, parts of 12/29's "Oblivion" jam, there's something equally satisfying about them just ripping through this groove. The lights are great here, too.

Starting at 6:07, Trey holds/loops a note(ish) for about thirty seconds. It used to kind of bother me when he would do this (he does it fairly frequently) because it felt like he was "dropping out" or "being lazy," but lately it's occurred to me (maybe as I've gotten better at guitar myself) that he's doing it to drop back into the mix and add texture so others can step up, and I feel like that's what happens here. By the time he comes back in, Page is leading the way on the clavinet and Mike's gotten his drill out (yes, he's playing his bass with a drill here).

The band returns to the groove after this brief break, but Trey starts to take a more authoritative approach to soloing, and Fishman starts accentuating his playing with cymbal crashes at 7:35 or so.

I'll be honest here: as much as I love this groove they've locked onto, by now it's been about four straight minutes of it and I'm more than good, and maybe getting a little bored. But then Trey, as if reading my mind, plays this wild ascending scale starting at 8:15 that, in peaking, seems to teleport him back to the 90s briefly and he commences to freak out. I love that you can hear the crowd roar on the video right here. I've never seen a show at MSG, but I've got to imagine a sold-out crowd losing it at a jam peak is probably a pretty great experience to be a part of.

Fortunately, we aren't even close to done with the fireworks yet.

The intensity keeps building over the next minute, with Fishman and the lights both peaking around 9:30. I should say that I haven't experienced their newest light rig in person yet, but it's wild enough seeing things like whatever's going on at 9:50 over the internet. God help everyone in that building who was tripping balls when this happened.

Right around here is where Trey starts building a bunch of guitar loops on top of each other (and there's a crowd shot with a guy wearing a Book It! shirt!) and we enter the stage of the jam where Phish Fries Our Adrenal Glands.

The solo Trey starts playing at 10:18 could have come straight from a CD-R of some 90s-era show that I wore out playing in my car while driving around the Appalachians in 2002. Needless to say, I'm a fan.

Things start to really take off at 11:15, and the lights...well, presumably if were at the show in person and on drugs, you are now dead. Rest in peace.

Trey starts adding loops on top of loops at 12:00 as if things aren't already intense enough, and at 12:40 we finally reach the top of the mountain. From there, it's a short wind-down to the end of the jam and the tune. Whew!

I've got one more post to make from this run, but it's going to be an unfocused rave about how good the 12/31 show was rather than a detailed breakdown of a particular jam.

After that...I haven't actually watched anything else lately (been writing a bunch for work), so I'm not sure? Orebolo is livestreaming next weekend, but they don't really lend themselves to long-form jam posts. In all likelihood, next I'll either be diving into a) old Goose shows that I attended in person and want to revisit, or b) another Phish run from this past year, possibly the spring tour.

Either way, I'll be back sooner rather than later! Thanks for reading!

[futuresconnected]

Dec. 24th 2023: Kiwami 2, Granblue Fantasy Versus, Arknights

What's up gamers, this week flew by and now its time for the Sunday roundup!

Over the week I finished Yakuza Kiwami, and moved on to the start of Kiwami 2, which remakes the second game in the series in the style of the sixth game, marking a big shift in visual quality and gameplay style. Once I realized how close I was to finishing Kiwami, I wanted to go ahead and blaze through the end without worrying too much about the side content (sorry Pocket Circuit) to keep my momentum up through the series before the JRPG explosion that's going to happen from late Jan-March of next year. Overall I had a good time with Kiwami, the main story is all classic crime movie drama throughout, and I really enjoyed seeing Kiryu and Haruka meeting each other for the first time and seeing Kiryu truly being "not the step-dad, but the dad who stepped up".

I was getting a bit tired of the gameplay by the end, especially how it seemed to me that the best way to approach any one-on-one fight was just to sit in Rush style and dodge around people endlessly till you could hit them, so with the bit of Kiwami 2 that I played this week I was very glad to see that that game was going to play very differently from the first. The more visceral style of the combat, the more free-flowing combo routes, and higher focus on equipment are all pretty interesting so far, though we'll see how I feel once I run into a few more bosses. I also really love the character progression system of Kiwami 2 so far, its really tickling the rpg gremlin part of my brain that loves to build up different colored skill trees. I enjoy how the different exp types encourage you to go do a bunch of different activities in the game, and using the completion list to give you big chunks of related exp vs. a currency to buy bonuses like it was in 0/Kiwami 1. I haven't played too much of this game, but since I've got the week off for Christmas and New Years, I'm going to try and really sink my teeth in over the next 10 days or so.

Something else I've been playing a lot of recently that didn't make the cut for the last recap is Arknights, a gacha-based Tower Defense game that I've been playing on my phone, tablet, and PC. One of my good friends has played this game for a while and always posts the cool and silly character designs from that game, and I had been looking for something else fun to do on my phone during those boring days where I'm working in the office, so Arknights it was. I have a somewhat latent love for tower defense games that doesnt get a chance to shine too often, and this game has been reminding me a lot of what I like about the genre. So much of this game is a kind of puzzle game: can the roster of characters I have access to do what the level is asking of me? How could I better position my units to hold enemies in a certain location? etc. etc.

I am also, unfortunately, a chores enjoyer when it comes to video games which means that a long-term character progression system like you see in a lot of games of this type is actually pretty appealing to me. I love to level up my little guys and see them get new skills,abilities, outfits, and so on, its fun!

Last but not least though, the thing that has really captured my attention this week is Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising, which I talked some about last week but has only gotten more into my brain this week. I think this game is really fun! I've had a blast so far learning how to play the game, the combo routes that this game has for most characters feel extremely "cool" to do, and are easier to pull of than they might seem, which allows someone who is *ok* at fighting games like me to feel a good sense of accomplishment from pulling them off. I think that the way the game incentivizes you to use the "Skill" button to shortcut your special moves is also really great, it's made me have to develop new muscle memory but also means that doing combos and pressure in this game just feels a lot different from other games I've played, and how it feels in this one is just good.

I've even been playing a new character! Which is wild considering how they put Siegfried, the man with big armor and a bigger sword (AKA the most me-coded character ive seen in a fighting game yet) in the game, and yet I've been drawn to someone else completely:

This week I've been learning how to play Narmaya, who feels like someone who really likes Vergil from Devil May Cry designed her. This is for sure one of the hardest FG characters I've ever tried to play, but I'm really feeling the burn of figuring it out. Her whole thing is swapping between two stances with different special moves and normal attacks, which makes her very busy to play but allows for some absolutely sick maneuvers in the corner. Truly the only thing I dont like about her is that she's an anime-big-sister type, and all of the Draph in this game have the fattest tits imaginable, but I'm willing to put up with a little waifu-ness because she's just so cool and so much fun to play!

I will certainly be playing more of her, so please look forward to updates in future FGC Corner posts.

That's really all for this week, glad to be moving through the Yakuza series some more, glad to be having such a blast with Granblue, and looking forward to more of both during the Holidays!

Talk to you next week :)