#cindymeltzer

[blackjackkent]

@cindymeltzer: also - interesting parallel that I noticed when I went back to check the beginning of your liveblog cindymeltzer: helena and nora both did the same thing of choosing to talk down the bartender at the start of the game, but then when it comes to the first warden they chose to knock him out blackjackkent: ooh that's a good point cindymeltzer: I'm curious if you have headcanon on that - I do for Nora blackjackkent: will have to include that in my writeup here XD blackjackkent: i think my headcanon is that helena is fucking DONE blackjackkent: rofl cindymeltzer: lmao very fair blackjackkent: i think if she hadn't just had the incredibly frustrating conversation with solas right before this, too, she might have been able to find her control blackjackkent: but she's pissed blackjackkent: and frustrated cindymeltzer: *nods* blackjackkent: and there is a cloud face in the window cindymeltzer: yeah >.> blackjackkent: and she's scared blackjackkent: which she wouldn't admit blackjackkent: i'm a little frustrated with myself cos i feel like i've never really gotten a firm hand on Helena's characterization in quite the same way that i did with my previous few liveblogs blackjackkent: but that 'not scared' thing has definitely stuck as a throughline. she wants to act like she's got everything under control blackjackkent: and i think in these moments when things get really bad she gets kind of frantic. like when they fought the dragon in minrathous cindymeltzer: you still have 2/3 of the game left. this is the last quest of act 1, and there are 3 acts in total blackjackkent: cool 😄 cindymeltzer: there is plenty of time for characterization handling blackjackkent: 🙂 blackjackkent: It's reassuring to hear you really started getting a handle on Nora at this point too cindymeltzer: oh for sure. like I had headcanoned about her backstory before this but this was the first time I felt like I could integrate it

[writer86]

THANK YOU SO MUCH! I LOVE THIS!

Liana is mine; Eleanor belongs to @cindymeltzer

We created them in Dragon Age: The Veilguard, and they are sisters by adoption. Both grow up to be Shadow Dragons; Eleanor is a mage, Liana's a rogue.

To read a little about Eleanor, check out: Nothing More, Nothing Less

Sadly, I haven't yet done much more than private RP with Liana. Give me time (a long time, I'm a slow writer) and something may come!

Commission for @writer86 of Liana and Eleanor!

[catalystcrisis]

Respite

This is for @cindymeltzer in our swap! Her OC, Kendall Hawke, is taking a brief rest with her mabari. It was fun returning to the watercolor style!

[omegastation]

cindymeltzer replied to your post “theillusivewoman replied to your post “I’m done with Initiation. And...”

Initiation explained why she can't be Pathfinder though? (She doesn't share Alec's genes. It has to be one of the Ryder kids.) Other than that, yes, absolutely agreed!

I know she can’t be Pathfinder :)

I'm saying that Cora has everything that would make her a good Pathfinder and Initiation proves that. And it’s important to say it because Alec made her second guess herself by not telling her right away that she wouldn’t be able to replace him despite all the training. 

[thievinghippo]

Hi! I hope this doesn't sound dumb. You had a giveaway for hand-stenciled Mass Effect messenger bags waaaaay back in December 2013, and I won one under my old URL. The bag went with me every day for 2 1/2 years of school, and on a few plane trips as well. I'm painfully awkward and was diagnosed with a developmental disability a few years back, so socializing has never been easy. Having a visible conversation starter was so helpful for meeting new people. (1/2)

(2/2) It sadly reached the end of its life today due to an incident with my cat, and I really wanted to write and give you a belated thank-you for how that bag helped make my social life a little bit less painful these last few years. Seriously, you're awesome. :D

Oh wow! This doesn’t sound dumb at all! I’m so glad that the bag helped you over these past few years. I know if I saw something like that, I’d be like ‘MASS EFFECT’ and immediately want to start talking to the person. 

Yay! Thank you so much for sharing this with me. I’m sorry that your cat hurt it, but I’m so happy that bag made things a little better for you! <3

[maxxiedemon]

cindymeltzer replied to your post “… Did a porn blog just reblogged my art????? ARE THEY EVOLVING?”

One of them liked a random Dragon Age photo I posted the other day and I was similarly confused.

Wow, bizarre. I haven’t done original content on my tumblr for awhile, so this is coming to me as a surprise. I hope blocking them will dissuade the other porn bots as it works for the following. >_>

[forlornmelody]

Ardat Yakshi

Alright, tumblr. I’m here to talk to you today about Sexy Space Vampires ardat yakshi, specifically how they’re handled in Mass Effect 3. 

In Mass Effect 2, Samara lets you in on her Big Secret--she’s out to kill her daughter, because her daughter kills people every time she has Brain Sex. Samara tells you she had three daughters, all who had the genetic disorder that turned them into sexy murdering machines, but only one went rogue. She also tells you her daughters are the only ardat yakshi in existence. 

But wait. 

In Mass Effect 3, you go on a mission to an ardat yakshi monastery, and there’s definitely more than just two of them there. Well, two of them haven’t turned into bansheees yet, but there were far more than just two in existence. In fact, the Reapers make, like...what, half a dozen or more that you fight over the course of the game? And the game never tells you that these are the only ones. 

And yeah, this is probably just a retcon or an oversight on Bioware’s part. But....

What if Samara’s mistaken about ardat yakshi? 

What if there’s a spectrum of AY syndrome? What if not all AY sex is lethal? What if some ardat yakshi only give migraines, or mild brain damage when they meld with others?

What if the notion that ardat yakshi are monsters is just anti-pureblood propaganda? 

While us rare pair shippers over at Spectre Requistions have varying opinions on ardat yakshi, we tend to agree that Bioware could have handled them better, specifically Morinth. 

I myself, have a lot of problems with the Live In A Monastery Or Die narrative. As a queer person who grew up in fundamentalist, evangelical Christian circles, I was often told the same thing (well, no one was threatening to kill me, but you know.) “Oh, it’s okay that you have a different sexual orientation, as long as you don’t ACT on it.” “Celibate gays can serve in church leadership, lead small groups and teach Sunday school.” Also, Samara wanting to off her daughter because she won’t choose a life of isolation because she’s different sexually? Murder sex or not--this is really problematic coding. 

Also, Bioware doesn’t give Morinth the same development in Mass Effect 3 that Samara gets. If you choose Samara, you get to help her save her daughters (well, you get to try) at the ardat yakshi monastery from becoming banshees. But if you choose Morinth? All you see is reports of someone trying to break in, and some unread letters from her to her sisters on the Shadow Broker terminal. All you see of Morinth in ME3 is a banshee bearing her name (and how in fuck would Shepard recognize her as a banshee anyway??) when you fight in London. 

But what if Morinth got to join you at the monastery? What if you helped her infiltrate the premises and rescue her sisters? What would their reactions be? What if you saw Morinth slowly sink into indoctrination? 

And why, after all these centuries, have the Asari not found a cure or treatment for AY? Why haven’t they used the AY ability to at least study and perhaps fight indoctrination? Especially after Shepard beats Morinth at her own game? The most tragic thing about that monastery, is all those Asari who chose to isolate themselves to protect others ended up being used for violence anyway. 

----

Thank you to @inquartata30, @rackofages, @cindymeltzer-deactivated, and @lady-halibuts-convos for your insights. <3

[stitchcasual]

Last Lines Meme

tagged by @barbex, thank youu~

I had a rough time with this cuz I feel like every last line I write in Albatross is a Fucking Spoiler right now, so here’s the piece least likely to ping spoiler radars because I’m not going to say who’s talking:

Now get the fuck out. Don’t make me regret this more than I already do.

tagging (if you want to) @verhexen, @gooseandcaboose, @ayantiel, @erandir, @cindymeltzer, @foxnonny, and anyone else who wants a go

[blackjackkent]

Trying a new liveblog strategy where I do the whole mission first and get all the screenshots and then write with the game closed. Veilguard is NOT well-optimized and cooks me to death from how hot my PC gets while it's running, plus it's very hard for me to multitask at all cos my computer lags to hell. So we'll see how this goes.

REALLY enjoying Weisshaupt so far though.

blackjackkent: how tf did the writing get so much better like instantly blackjackkent: did they keep the writer for this mission in a closet @cindymeltzer: if they did, then they let them out afterwards blackjackkent: XD yay blackjackkent: i'm not imagining this, right? like it's a DRASTIC improvement cindymeltzer: no it's p much a consensus from what I've seen cindymeltzer: like all the complaints I've seen are from people who are either talking about act 1 only, or dropped the game blackjackkent: yeah. this is wild blackjackkent: it's like a reverse ME3 blackjackkent: rofl cindymeltzer: act 2 is great. act 3 is seriously the best section of any bioware game I've played blackjackkent: dang 😮 cindymeltzer: act 3 being the endgame - after the PONR there's like five hours of game if you slam straight through it blackjackkent: [makes notes] cindymeltzer: honestly I kinda want to make another rook but I really do not want to play through the start of the game again lol cindymeltzer: it's SUCH a slog compared to the rest of it all

[livjnoodles]

I was tagged by @cindymeltzer

1ST RULE: Tag 9 people you want to get to know better

@vixilancia @inquisitorsmabari @lykris @bumblingrocket @enchantment1385 @nylazor @katherineshep @cactuarkitty @inquartata30

2ND RULE: BOLD the statements that are tru

APPEARANCE: I am 5'7" or taller · I wear glasses · I have at least one tattoo· I have at least one piercing · I have blonde hair · I have brown eyes· I have short hair · My abs are at least somewhat defined · I have or have had braces

PERSONALITY: I love meeting new people · People tell me that I’m funny · Helping others with their problems is a big priority for me · I enjoy physical challenges · I enjoy mental challenges · I’m playfully rude with people I know well · I started saying something ironically and now I can’t stop saying it · There is something I would change about my personality

ABILITY: I can sing well · I can play an instrument · I can do over 30 pushups without stopping · I’m a fast runner · I can draw well · I have a good memory· I’m good at doing math in my head · I can hold my breath underwater for over a minute · I have beaten at least 2 people in arm wrestling· I know how to cook at least 3 meals from scratch · I know how to throw a proper punch

HOBBIES: I enjoy playing sports · I’m on a sports team at my school or somewhere else · I’m in an orchestra or choir at my school or somewhere else · I have learned a new song in the past week · I work out at least once a week · I’ve gone for runs at least once a week in the warmer months · I have drawn something in the past month · I enjoy writing · fandoms are my #1 passion· Ido or have done martial arts

EXPERIENCES: I have had my first kiss · I have had alcohol · I have scored the winning goal in a sports game · I have seen an entire season of a show in one sitting · I have been at an overnight event · I have been in a taxi · I have been in the hospital or (and) ER (twice) in the past year · I have beaten a game in one day · I have visited another country· I have been to one of my favourite band’s concerts

MY LIFE: I have at least one person I consider a “best friend” · I live close to my school · My parents are still together· I have at least one sibling · I live in the United States · There is snow right now where I live · I have hung out with a friend in the past month · I have a smartphone · I have at least 15 CDs · I share my room with someone

RELATIONSHIPS: I’m in a relationship · I have a crush on a celebrity · I have a crush on someone I know · I have been in at least 3 relationships · I have never been in a (serious) relationship · I have asked someone out or admitted my feelings to them · I get crushes easily · I had a crush on someone for over a year · I have been in a relationship for at least a year · I have had feelings for a friend

RANDOM: I have breakdanced · I know a person named Jamie · I have had a teacher with the last name that’s hard to pronounce · I have dyed my hair· I’m listening to one song on repeat right now · I have punched someone in the past week · I know someone who has gone to jail · I have broken a bone · I have eaten a waffle today · I know what I want to do with my life · I speak at least 2 languages · I have made a new friend in the past year

[catalystcrisis]

Minaya and Tangle

This is a sketch for my friend, the lovely bean @cindymeltzer ! I had the honor of drawing her inquisitor, Minaya, and a feline companion, Tangle <3

(I’m sorry I haven’t been here in forever, I’m back in school and I also got sucked into Dead By Daylight)

[saveclementine]

@cindymeltzer my guess is a combo of them going "oh god this is makin our entire franchise look bad... mission abort!!" and really bad sales. I do believe that cancelling the DLCs at least was a really poor decision that must have come from a really intense reason. A good DLC would have helped salvage their PR and that could have helped a lot. Now they've just managed to piss off everyone that actually liked it lol. It's really just a mess, but who knows what went down. Personally I was like ride or die for Bioware but once I saw what development was like and realized DLCs weren't coming... I've definitely got a lower image of them now.

[criticallyours]

@cindymeltzer @ayantiel @stitchcasual @erandir

talking with your friends about your favorite characters like

[maxxiedemon]

cindymeltzer replied to your post: breadedsinner replied to your post: ...

Personally I thought it was kind of neat DAI lets you flirt with people who will later turn you down. It was definitely better done, imo, than ME3 - where flirt options aren’t available if that person won’t bang you with the exception of m!Shep being able to proposition the game’s sole lesbian character. That annoyed me a lot more than Cass being straight, tbh.

I guess it might have worked out okay if it didn’t take 1/3rd of the game for Cassandra to reject you. And also if Cassandra wasn’t such a fan favorite among the ladies. I mean, she does that really uncomfortable conversation at least well after you are in Skyhold. So, I suppose we will have to agree to disagree here -- I thought it was really distasteful personally.

But each to their own take! I am glad it didn’t quite offended you (because after all, it sucks to have a game offend you really).

And oh god, yeah, there were many things that go wrong in Mass Effect in terms of handling the delicacy of queer identities. I got there a few days ago with my newest Shepard and I was like “YOU DON’T SAY THAT.”

So.

At least we don’t quite get that sort of nastiness. At least I don’t remember getting that in DA:I.

[unpreparedviscount-blog]

Indefinite Hiatus

outofstealth

I’m sure this isn’t a surprise, but just going ahead and making it official.

My muse for Kendall never really took off, and I’ve largely been edging out of DARP in general these last few months. Whether, and how active, I’m going to be in the Tumblr RP scene is still up in the air, but it’s unlikely I’m coming back to this blog.

My personal blog is over at cindymeltzer for those who don’t already have it and want to keep chatting. Or ask for my Skype. :)

[autisticproblems]

When you keep accidentally dropping your stim toys because your motor skills are terrible. Especially bad with chewy toys because then they get carpet fuzz and stuff stuck to them.