#incursion part 2

[atomiccollectionanchorme]

Stargate: Universe

Stargate: Universe - Season 1 Episode 20 "Incursion, part 2"

[blackstarlineage]

List of notable slave revolts in the Caribbean during the Transatlantic/European Slave Trade. These Slave revolts emphasise the collective struggle for liberation,

unity, and self-determination:

1. The 1638 St. Kitts Slave Revolt: Enslaved Africans resisted early attempts by European colonizers to dominate the island. This uprising showed that from the very beginning, Africans refused to accept their dehumanization and fought to retain their dignity.

2. Barbados Revolt of 1649: Africans in Barbados challenged the plantation system, laying the foundation for future resistance. This revolt demonstrated the shared struggle of African people across different colonies.

3. The 1675 Curaçao Revolt: Enslaved Africans, many of whom were from the Akan and other warrior societies in West Africa, plotted to overthrow the Dutch colonists. This revolt highlighted the persistence of African resistance traditions, even in exile.

4. Tacky’s War (1760, Jamaica) :Led by Akan warriors like Tacky, this revolt was deeply rooted in African military traditions. It was a call for liberation and unity, showcasing the resilience of African cultures under enslavement.

5. Berbice Slave Rebellion (1763, Guyana): Under Cuffy (Kofi), enslaved Africans controlled parts of Berbice for over a year. This Pan-African hero envisioned an independent African-led society in the Americas, directly challenging European colonialism.

6. Coromantee Wars (1765–1766, Jamaica): Enslaved Akan Africans led revolts against British plantation owners. The unity of African warriors in organizing these rebellions demonstrated the spirit of Pan-Africanism.

7. 1773 Grenada Revolt: Africans resisted their French and British oppressors, reflecting a Pan-African vision of collective liberation and defiance against European exploitation.

8. The First Maroon War (1728–1740, Jamaica): Maroons, descendants of escaped Africans, fought the British for autonomy. Their victory in establishing independent territories was a significant Pan-African triumph.

9. Haitian Revolution (1791–1804, Saint-Domingue): The most powerful expression of Pan-Africanism in the Caribbean, this revolution united enslaved Africans and free people of color. Leaders like Toussaint Louverture, Jean-Jacques Dessalines, and others overthrew French rule, ending slavery and creating the first Black republic.

10. Bussa’s Rebellion (1816, Barbados): Bussa, inspired by the African tradition of communal resistance, led this uprising against British slavery. It echoed Garveyite ideals of self-determination before their time.

11. Demerara Rebellion (1823, Guyana): Led by Jack Gladstone and Quamina, this revolt sought freedom for Africans in British Guiana. It reflected a broader Pan-African consciousness and the demand for dignity and justice.

12. Baptist War (1831–1832, Jamaica): Also known as the Christmas Rebellion, it was led by Samuel Sharpe, who united enslaved people under the banner of Christian and African liberation. This revolt hastened the abolition of slavery in the British Empire.

13. The Second Maroon War (1795–1796, Jamaica): Maroons resisted British incursions into their autonomy, preserving their African-rooted systems of governance and solidarity.

14. 1837 St. Lucia Revolt: Enslaved Africans rose up against British oppression. Their resistance embodied Pan-African ideals, rejecting the colonial domination of their homeland.

15. Trinidad Slave Revolt (1838): Enslaved Africans on the brink of emancipation staged a revolt, demonstrating their refusal to accept anything less than complete freedom.

16. 1733 St. John Slave Revolt (Virgin Islands): Enslaved Africans, many of whom were Akan, took control of the Danish colony for several months. Their strategic unity reflected a Pan-African ethos.

17. Leeward Maroon Wars (1730s–1740s, Antigua and Jamaica): These wars involved guerrilla tactics by escaped Africans who maintained cultural and spiritual links to their homelands.

18. Martinique Revolt (1833): Enslaved Africans rose up against French rule, signalling the unity of Black people against colonial oppressors across linguistic and cultural divides.

19. Santo Domingo Resistance (1795, Dominican Republic): Inspired by the Haitian Revolution, enslaved Africans rebelled, resisting both Spanish and French colonial systems.

[sweetflanfiction]

Asymetrical Symphony - Part 10

Universe: Arcane (LOL)

Pairing: Viktor x reader

Summary: You had been on the rooftop with Jayce and the Herald and somehow you were sent to a place where things can be different with your help

Disclaimers and Warnings: If you want me to tag you on the chapters let me know! Also leave a comment with your thoughts :D Not finished, not proofread. English isn't my 1st language. All I know about LOL is from google and all I know about Arcane is taken from the show, so inacuracies will be plenty. I have a sort of idea on how to I'm gonna go with magic and runes, so bear with me. The reader will be written as GN (going by they/them) to get everyone involved, but if you see any discrepancies let me know.

Part 1 • Part 2 • Part 3 • Part 4 • Part 5 • Part 6 • Part 7 • Part 8 • Part 9

• ··········· • ············ •

Two weeks have passed since the last time you saw Viktor. You had thought better than to go back to the Academy. Your mother had told you something was happening at Hextech. Something big. She had to stop you from making your way there and figure out why.

“It’s about the attack. Please stay as far from that investigation as possible.”

You made a note of the timeline from your world and this one. Rocket attack, memorial attack, Zaun’s incursion by Caitlyn, Caitlyn’s return sans Vi, Piltover under martial law.

Right now, only the attack on the Council room had happened.

“By saving Viktor, you might have disrupted everything else.” Your mother suggested while looking at your little board of timelines.

You had been using the office that was adjacent to your room at the penthouse for anything that needed secrecy. Viktor's notes, theories, and a chalkboard of the runes you knew. You hadn’t told your mother what they were, just told her ‘other dimension things,’ and she accepted it. 

“The timeline fits... the events don’t... and I can’t see the endgame for that. Ambessa should have made her move by now…She needs Zaun and Piltover to butt heads. Viktor's demise doesn't change that.”

Your mother rolled her eyes at the general’s name. She met the woman once and had become very impressed by her until she mentioned that losing her family is the best motivation for bettering oneself. After that, your mother had just veered away from the general.

“Something might be holding her back.” Your mother cut a little piece of red string you were using and made a little bow with it.

“Or maybe she is just adding fuel to the fire she’s going to set.”

Someone knocked on the door of your room, and you both looked at each other, shrugging, not knowing who it could be.

“Yes?” you called, peeking your head through the door, and a familiar voice called your name.

You glanced at your mother, who was hurriedly getting up from the little loveseat and quickly walking to the door. You went back to the room and tidied up, pinning your mother's red ribbon to the corner of the corkboard.

“Essie, you have to leave the kid alone. They need to breathe.” You heard as you were locking up the room. You smiled at the sound and walked out to the bright corridor outside your bedroom.

“You should be aware that mother’s love language is closeness, Wylla.” You gave the visitor a one-shoulder shrug. “Well, I don’t mind, but you might.” Wyllah grinned, her sharp canines visible.

A beautiful, tall, and slender Vastaya woman stood, one hand placed on your mother’s shoulders. Her black cat-like ears were adorned with beautiful flowery jewelry matching the headband she had in her perfectly cut bob. She had freckled dark skin and the brightest green eyes you’d ever seen. 

When you arrived here, she had been away on business. The day her airship landed on the hexgate, your mother had immediately asked her to come and meet you. Once she walked through the door, you wiggled your eyebrows at your mom suggestively, earning you a playful slap on the arm. 

“Nah, it’s encouraged.” You chuckled. “Oh…that reminds me.” Wylla looked at you grinning. “A young gentleman is waiting for you in the living room.” “A young man?” Your mother asked, eyes widening. You just looked confused. “Do we know him?” “I’ll give you a hint. He is currently melting in the chair in front of the veranda.” You looked back at your mother. Was that supposed to mean anything? She smiled. “Viktor.”

The three of you walked to the living room, where Viktor was in fact sitting on one of the armchairs in the veranda. You looked back at Wyllah, and she shrugged.

“He seemed rather... off... in the elevator.” She said, and you nodded while walking to him.

“Vik?” He jumped slightly at his name being called and then turned back to you.

You gasped at his appearance. It was him, from your world, after his disease progressed. His eyes rimmed with dark circles, the bright amber color now dull, he didn’t just look tired. He looked exhausted. Worse... he looked in pain. 

Oh, fuck it.

It took you two steps to stand next to him and crouch near him, your hands on the arm of the chair. You had to mentally stop yourself from taking his face in your hands. He looked worse up close. 

His skin was pale, and his cheeks seemed hollowed out; his uniform was crinkled, and his hair was a mess. He had been stressed or anxious, and he hadn’t been taking care of himself because of it. That's how Viktor operated. 

“Are you alright? Is it your lungs? Your leg? Is the bruise not healing?” You blurted out, knowing what happened last time he looked like that. “What?” He asked, his eyebrows twitching. He shook his head. “It's Hextech.”

You moved your head to look at his hand on his lap, human, and then looked at his legs, trying to formulate a plan to lift his pant leg to check the enhancement. Has it started to corrupt him?

“They found bits of a hex-core in the bomb fragment.” He sighed, placing a hand on his forehead, massaging his forehead. “They want Hextech’s control directly in the council. No more private investors or personal projects. Only the council will say what projects go forward.”

“That makes no sense.” You told him, trying to keep your voice neutral and calm. He already had plenty of anger and frustration. “Why would they take something from the hands of the competent people to give it to a bunch of merchant houses?”

“According to Salo, the Hex Project needs more than intelligent people at its helm. It needs security, and we are not providing that. Locking the hex core in a storage room is not secure…" He stopped, and the hand on his lap made a fist. "It’s been secure for the last four years, but all of a sudden it’s like we are keeping it in the atrium of the Academy.”

He was rambling, but you had zoned him out when he said Salo’s name. Was this Ambessa’s strategy? She always wanted the hextech to work in her favor. She knew Jayce and Viktor wouldn’t let the hex-core behind, so she needed to control them somehow. 

“Are they letting you two go?” You asked, not looking at him, almost sure of the answer. “They tried, but we did not budge. Hextech is our dream. They can try and control the tech, but it will not leave my hands.”

You nodded and looked back at your mother over your shoulder. She had an eyebrow raised and an angry look on her face.

“It’s not Salo…” you told her, and she nodded knowingly. “I know…” she agreed. “If she gets her hands on the cores…” you continued before she interrupted. “I know. Viktor dear, where can I find Jayce?”  “In the Lab. He refuses to leave. We fear they will try and take the cores.” Viktor frowned at the question but seemed too tired to ask why. “No one is taking anything from you, dear.” She turned to her partner. “Come, Wyllah, we have a lab to save.”

You watched as they both got their coats and their bags and zoomed off out the door. You heard a pained and tired sigh coming from the man in the chair. You stopped yourself from stroking his hair; instead, you got up and stretched.

“I need to go.” You heard Viktor say, but he made no mention of getting up.  “No, you don’t.”  “I don’t even know why I came here. I just... walked... “You walked here from the Academy?” He shook his head. “From the Manor district.” He corrected, and your brain stopped functioning for a second. “Manor District? Why did you go there?” He shrugged. “Don’t know. I just wandered into Piltover and got there and then here.”

No wonder he looked like he was about to faint. He had walked a good forty minutes to the manor and some twenty minutes to get here. Peeking at his torso, you noticed he wasn’t still wearing his back brace. You closed your eyes and looked at the sky, taking a deep breath. The pain this man must be in right now…

“Yeah... You aren’t leaving anytime soon, Vik.” You told him, and he looked up at you. “Not until you eat and rest.” “But…”

You placed a hand on his shoulder and looked at his face, a smile appearing on your lips. 

“Stay, and maybe I’ll even show you some magic.” Viktor’s dull and tired eyes sparked for a second as he looked at yours.  “May I stay in the armchair?” He almost pleaded, and you nodded. “Consider it yours.”

He turned to look back at the window, letting the warmth of the afternoon sun comfort him, and you made your way to the kitchen.

Your mother had made some pastry rings with little cubes of caramelized fruit in them, and while the water boiled, you heated it in the oven. Waiting for both things to finish, you leaned into the counter, your mind now connecting the dots.

Ambessa was waiting on the sidelines; she was smart enough to let the dust settle and see what would happen. There was no need for a violent takeover to get Piltover to fight Zaun and weaponize the cores; she could do it without having to push and pull puppets anywhere. It was far more efficient than trying to pit Zaun against Piltover. If the council took over, so would her puppets. Whether willingly or not.

The kettle boiled to a whistle, and the oven pinged, bringing you back to your senses, and you placed them on a small platter. You walked to the veranda, and for a moment you thought Viktor was asleep until he turned to the sound of your steps. 

Viktor’s smile as he looked at you was enough to make you falter a bit on your feet. It was a look you hadn’t seen in him in a while—a tired, honest, drowsy smile. 

• • • •

“Your back will get stiff and your lungs will disown you if you don’t warm up, V.” You said mischievously, embracing the slender man’s shoulders from behind, cocooning him in the blanket you had on your back. 

His hunched back straightened slightly at your contact, and you heard a chuckle from him. He looked at you from the corners of his dark-rimmed eyes and gave you a tired smile. His body relaxed in your warmth, and you stayed for a while until you felt his body temperature come up.

• • • •

“You’re staring.” He mumbled, and you shook your head, chuckling. “You remind me of someone.” “You’ve said…”

You placed the tray on the small table and pushed it towards him. Sitting on the other armchair next to him, he grabbed the pastry first, giving it a little bite. 

“Can I ask you something?” You leaned your elbows into your knees after a while. “Mmhmm...” he nodded, munching on the small sweet ring. “Was Ambessa in the lab this week?” 

Viktor frowned and chased the food with a slow gulp of tea.

“General Medarda accompanied Councilor Medarda and Salo once, yes.” His voice dripped with venom, making his accent deeper. “Why?”

You shrugged and shook your head.

“Just curious…That good?” You mentioned the pastry with your chin, trying to change the subject quickly, and he made an affirmative sound in his throat. “You want more?” “Maybe later.”  “How about some shut-eye? No offense, but you look like you haven’t slept in a week.” “It’s been 8 days and 6 hours, actually.” “Don’t you dare sound proud of that.” you warned, turning your face to the sun. “I’ve gone for longer…” he said, and you heard him bite a piece of caramelized fruit. “I remember…” you blurted out, snorting. “You do?” He asked, and it dawned on you what you said. “I remember when... I was in the music academy, the days... I mean nights... endless sleepless nights... studying music...” You cleared your throat and got up from the chair. “I’m going to fluff up the pillows in the guest bedroom.”

You didn’t really fluff up anything since the guest bedroom was always prepared for… well… guests… So you just went inside the bedroom and opened the curtains to help the sun warm the room. 

The distinguishable sound of Viktor’s cane came closer to the door, and you heard a low whistle, and that was enough to let you know that man was high on exhaustion and running on fumes alone.

“This bedroom is bigger than my whole apartment.” He leaned on the door and mentioned the room with his cane. “You’ve moved out of the dorm, heh?” You groaned once more; the familiarity of this whole thing was making you forget who you were in this timeline. “Eh...Jayce thought it was a good idea to put some distance between me and my work.” He limped inside the room and sat on the bed, his long legs stretched straight in front of him. He looked at you with a sleepy grin. ”I don’t think he understands the concept of taking the work home with me.”

He bounced a bit on the edge of the bed as you leaned a shoulder into the wall, raising an eyebrow at the exhausted man in front of you.

“Your mother does know how to pick cushiony things.” He mumbled after a few bounces, and you snorted at him. “What? It is true. Have you sat on the chairs in the conservatory? Cloud quality.”

You belly-laughed at him and saw his chest heaving in the same pattern. You nodded at his nonsensical, tired tirade and moved to open the bed sheets for him. 

“Are those technical, scientific terms, Mr. co-creator of Hextech?” You walked back to him and grabbed his cane, leaning it against the bedside table. “Very much so... I am utterly exhausted...” he babbled, as you pointed for him to take his shoes off. “Anything connected to my spine hurts…And that is everything, in case you didn’t know. Everything connects to the spine...”

“Viktor…shush…” you eventually told him, and he nodded apologetically.  "I blather when I'm tired." He shifted his weight to walk over to the side of the bed where the sheets were open, using the bed as his walking aid. 

Unlike your Viktor, who got overtly quieter as his tiredness grew.

“Come on, lie down and rest.” You told him gently, grabbing his elbow to help him.

And he did, his eyelids getting heavy. He sat on his jacket and winced as it pulled on him when he moved back to the head of the bed. He took it off immediately and unbuttoned his vest.

“You promised me magic.” He said once he was lying on a throne of pillows. “I did.” You pushed the sheet onto his legs. “I learned a new rune.”

His eyes widened a bit, and you chuckled. 

One of the nights in the week before, you had fallen asleep at the piano. 

The idea of staying at home doing nothing had started to become boring, so you had decided to try out for the Piltover Symphonic Orchestra. And that meant you had to compose and play a sonata. It was easier said than done, and much like the boys at Hextech, you could get lost in your work. Not to the point of whatever mind place Viktor was in at the moment, but enough that you would fall asleep in the music room sometimes. 

After a particularly bad dream, you had woken up in a panic in a dark new room. A rune had plucked the piano, the vibration from the sound visible against the moonlight shining from the window. Once the vibration hit the light, they formed a beautiful rune glowing white against the darkness.

“I have noted it down in your notebook, just like I did with the others you haven’t seen.”

Viktor gave you a drowsy smile and urged you on with a stare.

You took off the glove you wore like a second skin before pushing the thick curtains, making the room dark and shadowy. Making your way to the bed, you kicked your slippers off and sat on the bottom of the mattress.

With a few strokes in the air, the rune appeared in front of you and dissolved into a smoke-like texture at first and then started to dissolve into small shimmering white marbles of light. Very similar to the unlocking wisps, but these were white and floating gently.

You heard Viktor gasp and grin at him, holding up a finger, the universal sign of ‘that's cool, but check this out.’ With a flick of your wrist, the little sparkles of light rocketed toward the ceiling and just hovered there, like little stars in a sea of darkness.

“Gods.” It was all that escaped him, his face now illuminated by the shimmer of the soft white lights.

You looked from the lights to his face, and although he looked tired, the amazement he was feeling was written on his features. The tired curling of his lips and the flicker and light in his eyes. The way he gently placed his head on the pillows and watched the little marbles of smoke and light dance on the ceiling, his eyes focusing and unfocusing on a particular glow. 

The stars started to fade, and in the silent room, you could only hear him breathing calmly.

“Can you do it again?” He whispered, and you smiled.

You pulled yourself further into the bed and lay on your back, perpendicular to him, your knees bent over the edge. You made the rune again, and the stars reappeared.

“Is it infinite?” He mumbled, his brain starting to shut off, his accent becoming stronger. “The times you can speak the runes?” “I don’t know.” You answered, your brain starting to feel drowsy, lulled by the slow, floating magic. “Can I ask you something?”  “You already did…” You joked, and he snorted. “Yes, but… this you don’t have to answer.” “Go on.” “Have we met before?” “No.” You lied, still having the brain function to preserve your story. “It...is...weird...then.” He sighed deeply. “Every time you say my name, it’s like you’ve said it a thousand times before…”

He paused and sighed again, resting an arm on his forehead while the other rested on the bed next to him.

“And every time I hear it," he mumbled, his eyes already closed. "It’s like I’ve been hearing it all my life.”

When the only sound in the room was his light snoring and your even breathing, you shifted to lay on your side, stretching your arm and touching the tips of his fingers with yours.

• ············ • ············ •

@marshy-moo @victormydarling @blueesmiski @th3stup1dcat @22carolina08 @httpstes @that-one-shitty-blog @disa-pointment @sseleniaa @moons-lighttrail @aysluxe @fae-doodle @kitewa @local-mr-frog @bakusquadobsessed @cherry-cola-100 @optimistic-but-very-realistic @seeksrsnn @thecordelialetters @notsaelty @lansy-4 @ayupfrogg @sammypotato @wnbrw @lucycarlisleswife @noxturnalmoth

[yukasyukasyukasyukas]

Valorant Timeline so it's easier for me to write stuff

Official content from social media (TikTok, ig, twitter etc)

Game (maps, voice lines etc)

Cinematics (on YouTube)

Brimstone's office e-mails and voicemails (on the Range)

Not sure where from

My assumptions based on what we have

Before the protocol:

Sabine Callas starts the researches about radianite

The Scions of Hourglass try to kill Sabine

First light, radianite becomes a popular topic of research and energy source and some people become radiants

Kingdom starts building radianite extraction areas, emphasis in Rabat, Morocco and Thimphu, Buthan

Kingdom attempts to build an extraction area in Bahia, Brazil, but is stopped by locals, Tayane Alves included on the group

Kingdom Corporation starts growing a lot and has installations in different locations, emphasis in Tokyo, Japan

In some time, before the game lore and first cinematic, Nora and her children die, Amir al Amari becomes a widow

Before the in game lore:

Creation of the Valorant protocol by Brimstone and Viper

Omen joins the Protocol

Killjoy joins the Protocol as the first sentinel

Cypher joins the Protocol

Sova joins the Protocol as the first initiator

Sage joins the protocol and quickly ascends to second in command after Brimstone

Phoenix joins the Protocol as the first duelist

Jett joins the Protocol

Lucia gets ill, Reyna starts collecting souls to heal her

Reyna joins the Protocol

Raze joins the protocol

Breach joins the Protocol, accepted by Viper, against Brimstone's will

During in game and cinematics lore:

Episode 1, Ignition:

The Valorant Legion (Omega Earth) does its first incursion mission in Alpha Earth, causing the Venice incident, incriminating Jett and Phoenix and causing part of the city to float 300m above the ground

Ascent map creation

Discovery of a Kingdom research installation in an island in Russia, where there is an excavation of a Japanese ship from the Tokugawa era

Icebox map creation

Skye joins the Protocol

Episode 2, Formation:

Ryo Kiritani steals a samurai mask from the ship in Icebox

Yoru joins the Protocol

Astra joins the Protocol

Discovery of an island in Bermuda, where there is an unworking portal

Breeze map creation

First multiple agent mission by the Protocol in Bind, Rabat, Morocco

Killjoy creates the spike defuser

Episode 3, Reflection:

Kay/o is found in Breeze and is recruited by the Protocol

A Kingdom Corporation and Kingdom Industries research installation in New Mexico, USA, researches about transport between the Alpha and Omega Earth

The installation has its generator exploded by gunshot and is destroyed

Brimstone is kidnapped by Vincent Fabron, who chantages Viper to allow him to join the Protocol in order to release Brimstone

Chamber joins the Protocol

Episode 4, Disruption:

Chamber suggests Tala Dimaapi Valdez to Brimstone

Neon joins the protocol

Someone blackmails the agents in the Protocol

We get to know more about their lore

Sova, Neon, Chamber, Breach and Cypher are sent in mission to find the blackmailer

Fade joins the Protocol after she finds that they don't have her missing brother

Raze and Killjoy build together the Maxbot

Episode 5, Dimension:

Killjoy researches about the portals in Breeze to make it possible to travel to the Omega Earth

The Valorant Protocol does it's first incursion mission into the Omega Earth

A life support system in Lisbon, Portugal, on the Omega Earth is discovered by the Protocol

Pearl map creation

Varun Batra is sent in a mission by Realm to recover an artifact and steals said artifact

Batra runs from the authorities and by the Realm, causing disasters on his way

Brimstone helps him scape

Harbor joins the Protocol

Raze and Killjoy are announced to be a couple, the non-confraternization rule is suspended

Raze and Killjoy are the first confirmed queer characters in the game

Episode 6, Revelation (honestly, the one I know less about the lore):

Is discovered by the Protocol the existence of the City of Flowers, India, Omega Earth, where the Multiverse Nexus is located. We're not sure what the Nexus is

Harbor, Astra and Skye are sent in mission to explore the city and the Nexus is activated. We don't know what it did

Lotus map creation

Mateo Armendaríz de la Fuente steals some radivores being researched in a Kingdom installation near his home

Strange things happen on the area

Gekko joins the protocol

Episode 7, Evolution (when I joined the game<3):

Iselin, Anna and Frøya are sent on a mission by Ståljeger with a Kingdom scientist to recover a radivore bear in the Vault in Svalbard, Norway

Frøya and Anna are killed by the radivore during the mission

The bear injuries the scientist and eats Iselin's arm before being anihilated

The scientist also dies from the annihilation

Iselin is traumatized from the radivore attack

Sova rescues Iselin from the Vault

Deadlock joins the Protocol. She has problems getting along with some agents, emphasis on Gekko

Killjoy makes Deadlock a prosthetic arm

Some agents monitor the area around the installation Gekko steal his radivores from and where the Landfall Project is researched

Deadlock, Brimstone, Gekko, Reyna and Sova are sent in mission in the Kingdom research installation in California, USA, after Deadlock declares emergency

There, an interdimensional portal is destroyed, causing a skinhole to open in front of the installation. The scientist there is able to scape Deadlock's annihilation

Sunset map creation

Later, the same scientist and some bodyguards try to recover the research

Zhao Yu Li, aka Dead Lilac, sent by the Scions of Hourglass, kills them

It's revealed the Zhao Yu's next target is Omen

Iso joins the Protocol

Sage, Jett, Viper, Sova and Phoenix are sent in mission in Haven, to prevent the Legion's mission to be successful

Sova dies in mission but is later revived by Sage

The Protocol mission is successful, keeping the Legion from extracting the radianite from the area

Episode 8, Defiance:

Iso attempts to kill Omen but gives up, letting him know the Scions are after him

After the occuring, Omen wants to know more about the Scions and why they wanted him dead

Sova, Omen, Cypher and Iso go in a mission after the Scions lead to find out more about Omen's past

Iso, who hadn't left the Scions yet, leaves

Omen finds out that he used to work for them and was the one sent to kill Sabine, but failed

Omen is eager to find out all he can about the Protocol and temporarily leaves the Protocol

In Edinburg, Scotland, he meets Clove and recommends them to Brimstone

Clove is the first confirmed trans and non binary character in the game

Clove joins the Protocol

After his unsatisfying research, Omen is back to the protocol

Clove lets them know about a library in Jan Mayen, Norway.

Clove, Omen, Viper, Sage and Iso are sent in mission to explore the library

Abyss map creation

Episode 9, Collision:

Some agents are sent to Abyss to explore after the place is cleaned from the Scions

Reyna and Killjoy find out that the radiant history started way before the First Light and is as old as human history

Skye discovers anormal vegetation in the library

We find out the Scions' goal was to keep radiant history and knowledge hidden from the humanity

The Legion starts sending several agents in several missions into the Alpha Earth

Jett had nightmares about her Omega version

Deadlock discovers a containment cell in Abyss

Sova monitors the cell

The prisoner scapes the cell and runs away

Jett, Omen, Chamber and Yoru are sent in mission to recover the prisoner who scaped

Omen asks the prisoner, Vyse, to talk

Vyse joins the protocol

We find out Vyse and Viper have history together

Vyse focuses on getting rid of the Scions, in which she's successful

V25:

Tejo joins the Protocol, recruited by Brimstone

Phoenix, Raze, Brimstone, Vyse and Tejo are sent in mission (at the time I'm writing this we don't know where to or what for) and Tejo sends someone a message that implies he's working as some sort of double agent together with someone outside of the protocol

[ledesaid]

Billy body-swaps #5

╝╗║╝╗║╝╗║╝╗║╝╗║╝╗║╝╗║╝╗║

Billy feels a little guilty.

Just a little.

He can still sleep and all that, but the seed of guilt is already taking root.

He hasn't done anything... wrong?

Is omitting bad?

Batman seems to omit many things and still is a hero, right?

Enough with the thoughts!

Batman: Is the plan clear?

A hand was raised.

Billy: I didn't understand most of it...

He can swear he heard something about a bet in Hal and Barry's corner.

Batman: I expected something like this. Marvel, stay. The rest can start the incursion.

Hal: Wait, wait, Bats. Who is going to keep Doomsday at bay? Last time, it was a miracle he decided to leave on his own. Because I don't think you're going to send the kid, right?

Batman: I have a contingency plan for Superman's absence. It should be enough to hold the line for the next ten hours.

Billy: Can I have a say?

Everyone: No.

Billy shrinks into his chair, grumbling. If he had known he'd be treated like a child... maybe... maybe he'd have been more careful with Alfred and the truth pollen.

But he couldn't correct that fact...

However, the debate unfolding before his eyes might have a possible solution.

Billy: What if there is a way for me to jump before the ten hours?

Batman: Have you done it before?

Billy: No... not consciously. The first time I did it, it felt like riding a bike downhill, the pedals spinning out of control until I put my feet on them, and now the jump happens every two weeks. But there's a possibility...

The cloud of thoughts made him shiver, he was about to do something foolish, he knew it would have consequences he didn't want, but this was important, the world was in danger...

Billy: You must promise me you won't interfere when everything goes back to normal...

Wonder Woman: Don't worry, Marvel. We're here to help and support you. We're the good guys.

Billy: That's what worries me... can you promise that?

It's quick. The silent conversation brings more serious expressions... he suspects it has something to do with Martian Manhunter... a conversation to which he is not invited.

Batman: We trust you. Trust us.

Billy: Barry, go to Earth, find the abandoned Fawcett station, it's line fifteen... the entrance is blocked, but there's a grate through which you should be able to enter the underground on line twelve, that entrance is under the main bridge in front of the large Fawcett bank...

The silence became heavy, but the words had dried up... he didn't want to say more... he was scared.

Barry: Buddy, Do you have something there that can help us?

Billy: You're going to find a... boy, sleeping in the abandoned wagon...

This last bit came out with pain. Batman, at some point, had moved and placed his hand on Superman's shoulder.

Batman: Bring him, Barry.

Billy: If we can wake me up... we might have Superman before Doomsday returns.

Heavens, thought Billy, if this was about making tough decisions... being a hero is harder than he expected.

-------

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | U are here | Part 6

[website-enjoyer]

Warden Indrix, Goatfolk Pariah is a really interesting character. He's at the crux of Qud's reckoning with its own inheritance of colonialist fantasy genre tropes, but what does he actually say?

The goatfolk are hostile to nearly everything, populating the jungle in roles such as "shaman" and "bully" (formerly "savage"). The fellowship of wardens, straining to exercise a monopoly on the legitimate use of violence, guarding friendly villages, the "cozy" parts of the game, form the other side of this civilization/wilderness dynamic that players and authors alike have had to reckon with.

The game explicitly frames this conflict in terms of land and locates it in Indrix's neck of the woods in Council at Gamma Rock: "Four wardens from the southern banks of the River Svy ascended the rostrum and reported on goatfolk incursions. The villages of Shebal and Ekamas were sacked inside of a month. The wardens recommended mounting a counteroffensive." Indrix is an outcast goatfolk warrior who now lives in this part of the jungle as a warden.

A parallel here could be drawn to the Arbiter Thel 'Vadam in the Halo series—a reformed warrior who has switched to the side of humanism and order, and a powerful ally. Remember goatfolk savages being renamed? Did you know that the rank of Arbiter was originally called Dervish in the writing for Halo 2 until concerns arose that it would make the human-versus-covenant war read as too much of a US-versus-Islam allegory? Being sci-fi like Qud, Halo also inherits a particular vision of jungles rooted not only in the literature of the world of 1492 but also in Vietnam War literature—in the same way that Star Wars has its forest moon of Endor, inextricably tied up with Apocalypse Now [and therefore, to return back to those earlier roots, The Heart of Darkness].

But while Halo pits its marines against the forces of the Prophet of Truth in a noble struggle to save humanity and Star Wars has its guerillas fighting alongside spear-throwing Ewoks against the evil Empire, Qud's goatfolk/wardens conflict isn't the engine of the narrative. It's a line in an in-game book, a haunting of the jungles with sense memories, and a side quest that comes down to carrying out a fratricide plot [Biblical stylings here] against a cult leader whose sanity-frying power source might be the closest thing in the game to the type of metaphysical evil typically found as the antagonist in roguelike games. Here, the quest to retrieve the Amulet of Yendor for the forces of order is a minor tragedy played out on the sidelines of a much larger narrative whose antagonists (on multiple levels) are materially understood colonizers.

This is a lot to try to unpack. I haven't even gotten into Nuntu and Erah's comments about goatfolk or any of Indrix's own dialogue[!!] here. It's a really messy area. I haven't gotten into the Naphtaali. I want to consider the ways in which Indrix is specifically sexualized in fan responses to the game, in terms of his strength and "goatish nature" and the ways in which he is marked, and what connections there are here with the figure of the brute in the colonial sexual imaginary. I want to consider Mayor Nuntu, the ape who has given up bludgeoning things to death and put on a hat, and the Svenlainard -> Crowsong dynamic, and what Kyakukya as a whole is doing in the narrative of Qud. I think there's something about the stages of development of national consciousness, something Fanonian in there, particularly in relation to Mamon's association with insanity and Indrix's violent responses. What is it? I don't know yet but it's interesting.

[frogblast-the-ventcore]

The Contract

CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT

The following contract is made between and entered into by The Helldivers Division of the Super Earth Armed Forces (hereby referred to as "the Enlister") and the individual who has successfully completed their preliminary Helldiver training as set forth in Exhibit A of the Super Earth Armed Forces Recruitment and Retention Manual part 27/B-10264 (hereby referred to as "the Enlisted"). The following contract is entered into willingly, and the Enlisted confirms that they have authority to enter into such an agreement at this time, being of sound mind and body, of legal age, and of Citizenship Grade E or above.

1 SERVICES

1.1 The Enlisted shall perform the Services outlined in Appendix A in accordance with the operational directives identified by (i) Super Earth High Command (ii) the President of Super Earth (iii) the Democratic Council of Super Earth (iv) accredited employees of the Ministries of Super Earth (v) accredited representatives of the parties aforementioned in clauses 1.1.i - 1.1.v, (vi) accredited representatives of those representatives (hereby referred to as "the Authorized Command Structure"). The Authorized Command Structure may, at any point, with no prior notice, make amendments to the schedule of services outlined in Appendix A. A copy of Appendix A may, if required, be obtained by the Enlisted through contacting the relevant authorities in the SEAF Administrative Corps, with a hard copy of the Appendix to be delivered to the requesting Enlisted within 5-10 business years.

1.2 The Services performed by the Enlisted for the Enlister shall include, but are not limited to active combat operations (which may include, but shall not be limited to raids, deployments, invasions, sorties, forays, assaults, blitzes, incursions, onslaughts, liberations, razings, flattenings, and nukings), non-combat operations (which may include but shall not be limited to parades, interviews, signings and appearances, executions (both summary and otherwise), interplanetary transportation, including the escort of civilian or Democratic vessels, and any activities deemed necessary in the pursuit of the aims identified by (i) The Enlister, and (ii) The Authorized Command Structure. In order to enable full and complete enactment of these Services, the Enlisted is hereby authorized to employ lethal force, non-lethal force, non-lethal non-force, and lethal non-force, to be employed at the discretion of the Enlisted. The Enlisted may not subcontract in whole or in part any of the duties requested of them by the Enlister.

1.3 The Services shall be performed by the Enlisted at locations identified by (i) The Enlister (ii) The Authorized Command Structure. In order to enable the completion of the Services in an efficient and timely manner, the Enlisted will be entrusted with the command of a Class 6 "Super Destroyer" Series Crewed Interplanetary Combat Vessel (hereby referred to as "The Super Destroyer") Upon the Termination of the Contract of the Enlisted (refer to Section 5, TERMINATION), command of this Super Destroyer will be transferred to the next eligible Enlisted in the order designated by (i) the serving Ship Master, (ii) The Enlister, (iii) the Authorized Command Structure, (iv) Accredited representatives of the parties listed in clauses 1.3.i - 1.3.iii. The heirs, successors, and assigns of The Enlisted have no right, claim or interest in the ownership or command of the Super Destroyer. Should the actions of the Enlisted result in loss, damages, or impediments to the Super Destroyer, requiring ameliorative or restorative action, the cost of such repairs shall be subtracted from the Martyrdom Payment due to the heirs or successors of the Enlisted (refer to Section 2 COMPENSATION).

1.4 The Enlisted will be responsible for the purchasing, maintenance, replacement, and improvement of the equipment used for the provision of services. If the contract of the Enlisted is terminated due to the conditions outlined in Clause 5.1 (absence of pulse), the equipment purchased, maintained, replaced, and improved by the Enlisted shall stay with Destroyer, and shall be made available to the next Helldiver to command the vessel.

2 REMUNERATION

2.1 For the performance of the services outlined within the schedule set forth in Appendix A, the Helldiver shall receive monetary compensation for the services rendered. The compensation shall vary in line with the services performed. The Enlister reserves the right to, at any time and with no prior notice, make amendments to the schedule of payments.

2.2 The Enlister acknowledges that the position of the Enlisted ("Helldiver") is classified by the Super Earth Ministry of Employment as an "Exceptionally Patriotic Duty". Accordingly, upon commencement of the delivery of services, the immediate family members of the Enlisted (defined as parents, siblings, heirs, and successors) shall receive 4.5 citizenship points, to be allocated at the recipients’ discretion. This compensation shall be non-transferable, and may not be exchanged for a cash equivalent.

2.3 In the event of the non-continuation of the 'alive' status of the Enlisted in the course of the rendition of services, a Martyrdom Payment shall be made to the immediate family members of the Enlisted (defined as parents, siblings, heirs, and successors) minus any dispensations outlined in Section 1.3.

3 CONFIDENTIALITY AND CLASSIFIED MATERIALS

3.1 In the course of the rendition of services, the Enlisted is likely to become exposed to information of strategic importance (including but not limited to maps, mission briefings, internal procedural documentation, details of products, prices, and seasonal discounts). The Enlister and Enlisted agree that any and all privileged information (collectively "CLASSIFIED MATERIALS") viewed by the Enlisted (i) shall be maintained in the strictest secrecy by the Enlisted, with all reasonable efforts made to avoid the transfer, leakage, dissemination, publication, conveyance, and/or seepage of Classified Materials, and (ii) shall be provided in formats which are traceable to the Enlisted in the event of transfer, leakage, dissemination, publication, conveyance, and/or seepage. The Enlisted agrees to return any and all data, documents, directories, manuals, maps, and notes pertaining to “CLASSIFIED MATERIALS” upon (i) termination of this contract, (ii) request by the Enlister.

3.2 Any information made known to the Enlisted outside of operational parameters which is not considered customarily known to the general citizenry and/or which was not known to the Enlisted prior to the commencement of this agreement shall, for the purposes of clarity, be considered "CONTROLLED CLASSIFIED MATERIALS". For the access of "CONTROLLED CLASSIFIED MATERIALS" explicit, advance written consent must be obtained by the Enlisted.

3.3 To read these terms and conditions in full shall be considered a breach of Clause 3.2.

4 INDEMNIFICATION

4.1 Unless otherwise stated, the Enlisted shall be solely and exclusively responsible for any and all damages, harm, liability, loss, costs, expenses, craters, atrocities, and crimes (civil, uncivil, war) caused, created, or generated during the course of the rendition of services. The Enlisted hereby indemnifies (i) The Enlister, and (ii) the Authorized Command Structure, including but not limited to any employees, representatives, heirs, and successors against any costs, challenges, losses, damages, or expenses (without limitation) arising from or relating in any way to the rendition of services by the Enlisted.

4.2 Any damage sustained by the Enlisted, whether reputational or corporeal (including but not limited to incineration, evisceration, spinal separation, vaporization, crushing, freezing, burning, decapitation, paper cuts, explosion, contusion, removal of arms and/or limbs, addition of arms and/or limbs, dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath and/or death) shall not be considered the responsibility of the Enlister.

4.3 The Enlisted shall not hold the Enlister in whole or in part responsible for whether they return in whole or in part.

5 TERMINATION

This agreement will be governed by the laws of Super Earth, and shall be terminated in the event that:

(i) The Enlisted is mortally wounded, such that medical attention shall not be physically or financially justifiable.

(ii) The Enlisted expresses seditious, dangerous, or Traitorous thoughts, opinions, actions or sentiments.

(iii) By the Enlister, for any reason. Notice of the cause for termination is not required. The provisions of sections 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 shall survive termination.

6 GENERAL PROVISIONS

6.1 The Enlisted consents to personal information (including but not limited to Biometric, Patriotic, and Demographic data) to be collected and processed by (i) the Enlister (ii) The Authorized Command Structure (iii) Appropriate agents of the Super Earth Armed Forces and Democratic Council.

6.2 The Enlisted consents to personal samples (including but not limited to flesh, bone, and blood) to be collected and processed by (i) the Enlister (ii) The Authorized Command Structure (iii) Appropriate agents of the Super Earth Armed Forces and Democratic Council.

6.3 The Enlisted provides unequivocal and irrevocable consent to the use of experimental weaponries, technologies, and narcotics.

6.4 The Contract shall be considered binding upon being read, in whole or in part.

(For the purpose of the elimination of doubt, the Enlisted spending 1 second within 15 meters of a copy of the contract shall be interpreted as the contract being read.)

[tekka-wekka]

Pre-Sanctus Fortuna Worldbuilding, Part 3

Part 1 is here, Part 2 is here.

To sum up these posts: I headcanon that Fortuna was a different, more functional society before Sanctus ruined everything. Sparda, as the feudal lord of Fortuna, deliberately set up their society as one where ordinary humans could defend the rest of humanity against demonic incursions from the thin veil between worlds on the island. Unfortunately, this lead to the rest of the world seeing Fortuna as a mysterious, savage place and believing several insulting stereotypes, which led to Fortunans being quite isolated despite a thriving tourism trade. In turn, this isolation led to the people of Fortuna trusting Sanctus simply because he was a native Fortunan and not an outsider, and the rest is the Savior Incident.

Like Part 2, this post is entirely headcanon and based on little more than vibes and how Devil May Cry 3142 Graphic Arts confirms that Fortuna is partially inspired by Vatican City. Since Vatican City has the Vatican Apostolic Archives, why shouldn't Fortuna have The Grand Archive of Holy Literature, a.k.a. the people who the rest of Fortuna consider weirdos.

The Archive, as I'll call it from now on, was the reason why Vergil visited Fortuna at all. It quickly became one of the few places he ever felt safe and happy.

The Archive is one of the oldest, and oddly, most profitable institutions in all of Fortuna. Run by a man or woman titled the Grand Archivist, the stated mission of the Archive is to collect all literature on Sparda, whether it be fiction, non-fiction, or historical records. In fulfilling this mission, it has become one of the most complete collections of demon lore. If a devil hunter or alchemist absolutely must know how to kill or subdue a demon in their first attempt, then the Archive is the best place for them to learn how.

The Archive also has world-class conservation facilities, and is a pioneer in the field of preserving the rarest and most fragile of written records. Libraries around the world attempt (and sometimes succeed) to send employees to learn from the Archive, and the very wealthy will send the most valuable yet vulnerable pieces in their collections to be professionally and almost miraculously conserved by Archive staff.

The Archive can do incredible things with a faded and crumbling piece of vellum, or the barest description of a demon-- if you have the money to pay for their services. Even in periods when tourists were outright banned on Fortuna, outsiders persisted in finding ways to avail themselves of the Archive's services. Scholars of the Archive are also the most likely people to actually leave Fortuna, for both training and in the search for more literature relating to Sparda or anything even tangentially related to him.

The Archive's scholars are considered some of the strangest people in Fortuna by other Fortunans, due to their singular role as members of the Order who are not priests and priestesses, or nuns and monks. While a part of the Order of the Sword, it has always been subject to charges of atheism and heresy as well as worrisome rumors. Some of the most common allegations are that the Archive binds books in human skin (all examples of anthropodermic bibliopegy were created by outsiders and acquired solely for the knowledge they contained), that they own books tainted with demonic essence (just the one, and they cannot exorcise or destroy it even after centuries of trying--they are starting to think the damn thing is an uncommonly docile yet still dangerous Devil Arm), and that the Archive believes Sparda was a human (completely and utterly untrue).

(After the Savior Incident, even Fortunans sympathetic and grateful to the Archive were unsurprised to learn Agnus started off as an Archive scholar.)

In more hysterical times, the Archive has even been targeted by the other bureaus of the Order of the Sword, and individual Grand Archivists threatened with excommunication and even execution for atheism, heresy, and blasphemy. Yet ultimately, the Archive and its scholars has always proved too valuable, both financially and religiously, for the Order to destroy. Sanctus was the only Vicar to successfully bring a Grand Archivist up on charges, and only because Grand Archivist Oremus committed secular crimes. Embezzlement is illegal everywhere, and forcing a Fortunan with Clergy Disease to associate with an outsider is considered equal to committing grievous bodily harm upon their person.

If Grand Archivist Oremus hadn't been so incredibly venal in the face of all the money a nineteen-year-old Vergil offered for access to the Archive, Sanctus might have had to offer Oremus Ascension to keep him under control. Instead, when the disappearance of an Archive scholar with Clergy Disease was officially ruled a suicide, Sanctus sent Captain* Maria Albani (Credo's immediate predecessor) of the Holy Knights to formally arrest Oremus. A quick investigation found irregularities in the Archive's budget, thanks to Oremus pocketing almost all the money donated by the rich tourist Oremus ordered the officially-dead scholar to work alongside. Oremus was charged, convicted, jailed, and then found himself in Agnus's lab as research material.

(The officially-dead scholar was indeed Nero's mother. Vergil found himself experiencing some of his favorite things-- reading, learning, libraries, scholarly research, lore about his father-- alongside someone who wasn't trying to manipulate him, was intelligent and strong-willed, and was his own age. The fact that she was an uncommon beauty simply made the possible inevitable.)

Oddly enough, the chaos left behind in the Archive when Vergil failed to return from the Temen-ni-gru led to the Archive being the most intact and least demonically corrupted institution in Fortuna after the Savior Incident-- as in, none of their scholars were ever offered Ascension, and since Sanctus used Oremus as an excuse to forcefully remove the Archive's seat on Fortuna's Ruling Council, the Archive had nothing to do with his plots. For the first time in centuries, the weird nerds at the Archive have an oddly heroic reputation.

Now, the layout of the actual Archive building.

The Archive is a three-story building with a main building and two rectangular wings to either side. The Left and Right Wings see the most Fortunan visitors, as they contain the Archive's Secular and Religious General Collections, respectively. The Secular General Collection contains materials that have only the most tangential relation to Sparda, and are often the most useful for daily life in Fortuna. If someone wants a cookbook containing the recipes for the strange yet delicious fish endemic to Fortuna-- the fish they can't trade with the mainland, because only people from Fortuna can eat them without getting sick**-- the Left Wing is the place to go. If someone wants to read the last sermon by Vicar Sullyman before he succumbed to Sanctus's poisoning, the Right Wing and its Religious General Collection is where lending copies can be found.

The main building is one of Fortuna's most unique architectural features, as it descends into the earth like an Indian stepwell. Walking down the main building's stairs leads to landings containing older and older literature until one reaches the Ancient Records Vault at the very bottom. The Ancient Records Vault is built into a naturally occurring cave, and in fact the entire Archive was built around this cave. The unchanging temperature and humidity as well as complete absence of natural light make caves a wonderful place to store sensitive materials.

More importantly, on the far wall of the Ancient Records Vault is a mural with the oldest and most accurate depiction of Sparda. The original title of the mural, as well as the identity of its artist(s), was lost long ago, but it is known as Sparda Shielding the Light of Learning. It is entirely unlike the serene and idealized statues of Sparda spread across Fortuna; it shows him in his fully demonic glory. Three eyes, heavily ridged horns, needle-sharp teeth, insect-like wings, armor-like carapace, and hooves--every part of him is there. Below him, there are humans, but they are not worshipping him.

Instead, they are portrayed in three groups: an alchemist teaching students, doctors healing a patient, and a mother reading to her children. They are all sheltered under Sparda's massive wings, while remarkably accurate lesser demons crash against him. Howling Pyrobats hurl themselves against his wings, while his hooves crush Assaults. There are other details depicted with particular care: the full moon shines upon snow-covered mountains***, and two knightly figures, one black and one white, kneel on his right and left respectively.

The Ancient Records Vault has been both a blessing and a curse to the Archive. The mural marks the Vault as an obviously holy site, and it was once an incredible privilege for the Grand Archivist to give a Holy Knight leave to stand vigil in front of it. However, the actual records inside the Vault have earned the Archive condemnation from the rest of the Order, and there have been armed standoffs between employees of the Archive (who were only carrying their quelling knives) and Holy Knights wanting to destroy the "blasphemous" historical records within.

It is well known and lauded, that 2000 years ago, Sparda awoke to justice and fought on the side of humanity. What the rest of the Order would like to forget is what Sparda did before that. Several Vicars and Captains* of the Holy Knights refuse to acknowledge that Sparda was once Mundus's most loyal servant. Some of the scrolls, parchment, papyri, and clay tablets inside the Vault detail the horrific atrocities Sparda committed in the name of the Demon Emperor, and much of the Order wants those records erased--to pretend that Sparda came into existence as a pure hero. Many a Grand Archivist has had to passionately argue that erasing Sparda's history is the true blasphemy, that denying that he was ever anything other than humanity's champion insults his sacrifices.

As a final note, the Ancient Records Vault could more properly be termed the Fragile Materials Vault. While most of the literature inside is incredibly old, some are safeguarded in the cave due to how badly damaged they already are. One such item, the only remaining original copy of the chapbook In the Vale of Cindered Shadows, dates back to only after the First Great War but receives special care because it had to be pulled out of a bonfire.

Written by a Fortunan man who was seduced by propaganda into enlisting in the War, it was his effort to find peace with his terrible guilt over killing other young men. Cindered Shadows contains poorly-written but earnest Imagist poetry portraying Sparda's sorrow at being cut off from his home, his shame at betraying and killing the legions he helped train, and his alienation from humans that to him look like “mutilated corpses of the conquered dead, flayed of scales and horns and wings, prepared for roasting at the victory feast.”

Vergil was delighted to find that such a book even existed.

In the Vale of Cindered Shadows was immediately considered heretical, and a Grand Archivist had to passionately argue that by depicting Sparda as conflicted in his sacrifice, the poem glorified his later actions as a protector of humanity. By the time the Grand Archivist had dispersed the Holy Knights overseeing the bonfire, there was only one legible copy of the chapbook left.

This action and centuries of others like it gave rise to the Archive's reputation as a strange and possibly sinister place, but in the aftermath of Sanctus's downfall, the Archive is now seen with kinder eyes. It helps that the Archive has taken on even more commissions from wealthy outsiders looking to conserve valuables, and then donated the majority of their collected fees to relief and reparation efforts. The Archive is now thought of similarly to Nero: unusual, but important and on the side of heroes.

*Canon goes back and forth as to whether Credo (and formerly Sanctus) were called Captain or General. I'm going with Captain for now.

**Fortunans have a way of getting rid of tourists who overstay their welcome: serve them a delicious seafood dish laced with fish that only natives can eat without suffering severe stomach upset. For devil hunters who come to study demonic lore but prove to be obnoxious students, this tactic becomes more threatening: they are offered a dish made with the whole fish. Most get the message.

***Uniquely on Fortuna, Sparda is often associated with moonlight and winter alongside his usual attributes. Why is a mystery to even the Archive.

[bwat5-blog]

In Defense of Caitlyn Kiramman (Spoilers for all of Arcane)

This will be kind of long I apologize- **again spoilers for all of Arcane season 1 and 2**

I'm sure among the various posts this has been discussed and documented already but man people are driving me crazy. Caitlyn's Arc in season 2 while rushed (because the whole season is rushed) just gets better the more I think about it.

Season 1:

When we meet Caitlyn in Act 2, season 1 she is in her early twenties. She is hopeful, idealistic, and bright. Her very first interaction with Jinx is when Jinx detonates the bombs that kill the other enforcers while she steals the hex gem. Then of course we watch her journey with Vi as the two grow closer and learn from each other. Of note during that time:

While clearly nervous and afraid, she never mistreats or disrespects the citizens of the undercity while there

She gives up her prized weapon to save Vi's life

She hugs a shimmer mutated stranger with no sign of disgust or disrespect

She then has her second interaction with Jinx. Jinx is manic and violent, threatening both she and Vi before the brawl with the firelights kicks off. Following this, Caitlyn is cooperative, caring and respectful towards Echo and his people, willing to work with them even after they abduct her and Vi. Leading to her third interaction with jinx, the fight on the bridge in which Jinx kills many enforcers, and almost kills Caitlyn, Vi and Echo. Following this, we still see her try to convince the council of Piltover to make peace with the undercity and help deal with Silco, his shimmer production and his violence. She then has her fourth interaction with Jinx. Being abducted from her own bathroom and made to be a part of jinx's dinner party. This whole incident in the story is extremely intense and frightening for all the characters involved. Keeping in mind again, before this all started, Caitlyn was an idealistic happy young woman in her early twenties who has never had an ounce of negativity toward the undercity. Caitlyn has an opportunity to take the shot at Jinx, and doesn't because of her feelings for Vi. Her mercy, and attempt at understanding is rewarded by her fifth (second half of fourth I suppose) interaction with Jinx in which Jinx murders her mother and two other members of the Council, wounding the rest.

Season 2:

We pick up with season 2. Caitlyn is grieving, trying to hold it together, but is still advocating in defense of the undercity, testifying to the surviving council members that its only Jinx who was responsible. She is actively standing against invasion or occupation of the undercity. It is only after the memorial attack FOR HER MOTHER that she starts to go down that darker path. Leading the strike team, asking Vi to be an enforcer and weaponizing the grey. Of note:

Before asking Vi to put on the uniform Caitlyn states explicitly she is afraid if she does this without Vi, she or Jinx will be killed.

Piltover retaliation is guaranteed before even the memorial attack, even more so afterward. The alternative to the strike team was going to be a full military incursion.

While Jinx did not appear at the memorial attack, Caitlyn had just finished assuring the council that the undercity were still decent folk and this was all the fault of only one person. Only for a group of several undercity assassins to strike almost killing her. There would be no way to keep Jinx separate from the incident mentally, and I would say it would have been reasonable for them to assume Jinx had sent the attackers at that point in the story.

The use of the grey while of course wrong, and a heartbreaking warping of her mother’s good work for the undercity, is not fatal. We see multiple examples of that. And as Vi explains it was primarily used to keep the innocents off of the streets and out of the fighting. This doesn't make it right of course. But all the people talking about her using "Sarin" on the Zaunites and such comparisons are completely full of it.

Of course we come to her fifth interaction with Jinx, the battle in the Chamber of Janna (what I'm calling it). She has a vicious fight with Sevika, sees Jinx trying to kill Vi and her, after hearing Jinx say she plans to do so. This of course ends in that heartbreaking sequence of events ending her saying Vi is no better than jinx due to the blood in her veins and striking her with her rifle stock. This is heartbreaking, and the rage and hate in her eyes when it happens is terrible. But I reiterate that she is still in her early twenties, has lost her mother from a person who has essentially terrorized her. And now the woman she loves (even though it was the right thing to do) has stopped her from satiating that dark, hungry need for revenge that has been growing in her.

And finally we come to the real focal point of her descent. Her becoming "The Commander" under Ambessa's tutelage. As the commander she is culpable in the abuse, imprisonment, and you would have to assume death (probably not personally but certainly through policy and decision) of innocent Zaunites. As well as the full scale occupation with military checkpoints and martial law in place in Piltover and Zaun. These things are all wrong, that is not in dispute. However there is a much deeper conversation here that people are seemingly going out of their way to ignore:

The prevailing ignorance that is being directed toward this character is something to the tune of "Zaunites live in constant oppression, death and fear and Caitlyn gets to lose her mind because one family member died?! Kuklux Kiramman!". This is idiocy of the highest order. Grief and loss are not a competition. Before becoming entangled in these events Caitlyn has grown up in peace, prosperity, and yes privilege. And while she is very wealthy, that’s not what I mean in terms of privilege. She has always had her family. Yes  its horrific what the people of Zaun go through in no small part due to the neglect of the wealthy elite of Piltover. But if you grow up surrounded by death each day, it does not shatter your world in the same way as experiencing it for the first time as a young adult. And at the hands of the woman you love's sister who has terrorized you, and who you may have stopped no less. Again, its not that the suffering of Zaun is irrelevant as a whole, but it is irrelevant to how Caitlyn is processing her suffering and grief. For any of you who have stuck with me this far, I would ask you. The last time you lost someone you loved, did you berate yourself for being devastated because someone somewhere has it worse? No. That is not reasonable. And it’s not human.

Taking all of that into account. You have a young woman in her early twenties, she has been terrorized and nearly killed by the focal point of her rage repeatedly. She feels betrayed by the woman she loves. Her mother is gone. And along comes a smart, ruthless, charismatic WARLORD (A literal leader of men) telling her "Hey, come with me. I'm gonna get you justice, all you must do is follow my lead". And Caitlyn takes the bait. OF COURSE SHE DOES. She's only human.

When we pick back up with her in Season 2 act 2 we are watching her journey to redemption from that point forward. This show is immaculately animated for a reason and its clear from when we see her with Maddie on that she is not happy. She is frequently cast in shadow, her expressions pained and her movement stiff and cold. She questions Ambessa's decisions, and you really get the sense she is aware she is not in charge and that Ambessa is. The first big topic from this point to the end is she and Vi's relationship. I, like all of you would have liked to see an actual conversation between them on her wrong doing and an apology. I suspect the primary reason we did not comes down to how rushed the second season was. But there is also an argument to be made for she and Vi being people of action, not words. And looking at it from that point of view:

She helps to save Vander as soon as she and Vi reunite.

When she sees Jinx, she is clearly angry but makes no move to harm or arrest her

As she explains, she did not arrest Jinx after the battle of the commune. Jinx surrendered herself.

During the conversation with Vi about Jinx's arrest Caitlyn admits she knows she let Ambessa twist her up.

During her conversation with Jinx she says "No good deed can erase OUR CRIMES". She knows she messed up. She also admits how she has hated herself.

She opens the way for Vi to try and break Jinx, the woman who murdered her mother out of jail.

She fights on the frontline of the battle against Ambessa during the last episode. Ambessa is a noted warlord who people fear all over the world. Caitlyn sacrificed her eye to give Mel the opening to take Ambessa out. By the end Caitlyn is who we know her to be, fearless and selfless.

I think the show did itself a disservice with the rushed pacing in terms of fleshing out Caitlyn's redemption, but it was there. It just went too quickly. But all it takes is the slightest effort to see the nuance in this character to see that all of these simplistic stances people are taking are non-sense. To cap it all off, I am not seeing nearly enough conversation about she and Jinx being each other's parallels. And it’s not to say that her losing her mother as a young woman is comparable to the suffering powder went through. But bear with me here:

1. Both suffer an unexpected shifting of their entire reality due to death and loss

2. Both of them are "taken in" by an older cleverer role model filling the same parental role as what they have just lost (Powder loses Vander, gets new dad in Silco, Caitlyn loses her mother, gets new mom in Ambessa) who takes their grief and rage and pain and directs it toward their enemies

3. Both must learn the lesson of "Breaking the Cycle". Jinx of course has the whole vision of Silco, and then realizes the only way she and Vi can know peace is if she leaves Piltover (yes i know its suicide at first but we all know she’s alive at the end and that’s why she didn’t tell Vi). While Caitlyn tells Jinx she doesn't have the energy to keep hating her anymore and it must end. They literally suffer the same sort of altering experience, and have to learn the same sort of lesson to get back on track.

I know this is long and I apologize. If you actually read it I appreciate it. Also, if you just don't like the character I get that to! But I'm afraid if people keep completely missing the mark in terms of media literacy studios will give us even less content with beautiful, nuanced and complex characters.

[dailyadventureprompts]

Adventure: Shadow of the Harvest Moon

Most imagine the shadowfell as a dreadful and dreary place, but there are islands of solace in the underworld, such as the realm of Dwindlehearth which manifests as a pastoral village rendered in an eternal autumn sunset. It is a place where those who were lonely in life find kinship in the folkish festivals put on by the attendant spirits, where those too stubborn to accept the end can work themselves to satisfied exhaustion in the fields before retiring in comfort, and where those never had enough can stay in on a rainy day and enjoy a filling meal by a warm fire. It is a good death, a good afterlife, the sort we would wish for those we loved dearest to allow their memory to fade most gracefully.

But Something is wrong in Dwindlehearth

Rot spreads through the fields and the shades can find no solace, foul things stalk at the edge of dark woods, clouds cover the face of the ember-warm sun and part to reveal a cold and leering moon, too low and with it's own strange, superntatural gravity.

If the dead are to know peace once again, something must be done.

Hooks:

After their latest bout of occupational grave desecration the party are called upon by the deathgod Nerull to help sort things out, whatever's causing the problem is hidden from his sight and he'll forgive them their literal and figurative trespasses if they can root out whatever corruption is twisting his pastoral realm into a nightmare.

Most shades in Dwindlehearth have varying levels of awareness, identities growing hazier the closer they get to moving on. The rot seems to remind them of all their regrets and failings, preserving their worst aspects while the rest of them atrophies. This is to say nothing of when the night descends unexpectedly, and those shades worst affected transform into monsters, or nightmarish hauntings.

Investigating the source of the corruption will prove difficult, but perhaps the party can get the aid of one of the attendant psychopomps ( most of whom are busy fighting the rot and fending off incursions from unseen enemies at the village's border) or by taking inconstant direction to seek out Dwindlehearth's mayor ( a position the psychopomps have no memory of appointing) who turns out to be a still living necromancer resided on an estate that she's transported to the middle of the death god's domain (especially if the party encountered hear early in the campaign). She's willing to help, but only if the party put in a good word for her with Nerull, as she's grown to quite enjoy the surroundigns.

Behind all the problems in Dwindlehearth is Zuggtmoy, demon queen of despair and decay, who saw the pastoral stillness of the village as the perfect place to spread her stagnation. Her influence drives souls to bitter, resentful, remembrance, priming them for transformation into foul minions.

Speaking of Minions, Zuggtmoy's influence was carried to the village by the departed soul of one of her priests, a poet mired in morbid melancholy by the name of Blaine Blackstem, who got one of the psychopomps to carry him over Nerrull's wards. Blaine was never a good poet, but his mistress's gifts and the nightmare landscape have transformed him into a looming scarecrow figure, striding through the fields sowing rot and then taking grisly inspiration as how the souls twist.

A number of Zuggtmoy's other fiendish minions probe the border of Dwindlehearth just waiting for a large enough breach to pour in, Blaine aims to accommodate them by creating an army of pumpkin monsters and setting them lose to overwhelm the psychopomps leaving the village undefended.

Art 1 Art 2 Art 3

[atomiccollectionanchorme]

Stargate: Universe

Stargate: Universe - Season 1 Episode 20 "Incursion, part 2"

[datvtranscripts]

In Peace, Vigilance Pt. 1

First Warden Jowin

Signs and Portents Masterpost Previous: Maevaris Tilani

Rook enters the Cobbled Swan and is greeted by the First Warden.

First Warden: I am Jowin Glastrum, First Warden and Supreme Commander of Weisshaupt. I received word of your team's request for Grey Warden assistance after an incursion of the blight at D'Meta's Crossing.

Origin Dependent Dialogue:

Grey Warden [1]

Antivan Crow [2]

Lord of Fortune [3]

Mourn Watch [4]

Shadow Dragon [5]

Veil Jumper [6]

1 - Grey Warden First Warden: Explain yourself, Warden, and bear in mind that the Order remembers your past recklessness.

Dialogue options:

Affable: Of course, ser. [7]

Sarcastic: Funny you should say that… [8]

Stoic: I saved those villagers! [9]

7 - Affable: Of course, ser. Rook: Sure, I disobeyed orders. I acted on my own choices, without authority. I admit it. But I took an oath to defend people from the blight. I uphold that oath any way I can. First Warden: Your report, Warden. [10]

8 - Sarcastic: Funny you should say that… Rook: My past… right. When I disobeyed orders and dropped a building on a darkspawn horde. I see you haven't forgotten. First Warden: Your report, Junior Warden. [10]

9 - Stoic: I saved those villagers! Rook: Many lives would've been lost if not for my recklessness. First Warden: You destroyed a building. Rook: To seal off a darkspawn tunnel to the surface. First Warden: In defiance of orders. Rook: Those orders were wrong. Ser. First Warden: Your report, Junior Warden. [10]

10 - Scene continues.

Rook: I was part of a team trying to stop an elven mage named Solas from destroying the Veil. When we disrupted his ritual, something escaped from the Fade, and I clearly sensed the corruption of the blight.

First Warden: From this mage, Solas?

Rook: No, ser. Solas opposes the blight. He's actually an elven god, Fen'Harel. The Dread Wolf. [15]

2 - Antivan Crow First Warden: I looked into you. An upstart assassin whose grandstanding against the Antaam attracted too much attention. Sounds brazen, even for an Antivan Crow.

Dialogue options:

Affable: I had to save those people. Rook: Do you know what the Antaam do to prisoners? Those people needed saving and I didn't have time to ask for permission.

Sarcastic: Thanks! Rook: I'll take that as a compliment.

Stoic: Should’ve told me the plan. Rook: I saw a perfect opportunity to ambush the Antaam. Rook: If the Talons wanted me to stick to their plan, they should've told me about it.

First Warden: So, I'm interested in hearing how an Antivan killer-for-hire unleashed the blight. [11]

3 - Lord of Fortune First Warden: Treasure hunters are common as flies, but I've never met one ostracized for killing a Rivaini noble. Your Lords of Fortune leaders apparently didn't appreciate the subsequent political attention.

Dialogue options:

Affable: The man was corrupt. Rook: The man cut a secret deal with the Venatori. He was about to hand them a dangerous relic. I couldn't let that happen. The reports you received from Rivaini diplomats probably left that part out.

Sarcastic: Oh. Maybe I shouldn’t have? Rook: Right. I should've considered the political nightmare before all else. Just let the man unleash an ancient evil and kill my crew.

Stoic: He deserved it. Rook: That rich man deserved what he got. Think what you will, but I don't have to defend my actions to you.

First Warden: Fine. I've little time to waste on the unruly antics of treasure hunters. Tell me how you unleashed the blight. [11]

4 - Mourn Watch First Warden: How does a Mourn Watcher come to be involved with the blight in Arlathan? And not just any Watcher, but a controversial figure after what you pulled during that undead rebellion.

Dialogue options:

Affable: I can explain. Rook: I stopped that rebellion my way to protect the living. Didn't make me popular, but surely a Grey Warden sworn to defend others would understand.

Sarcastic: My past? Controversial? Rook: Right. Talk to the people I saved. They don't call my actions controversial. Some traditional Watchers called my actions "casual destruction of the dead," but they weren't there.

Stoic: Is this relevant? Rook: My decisions regarding our noble dead are hardly relevant here.

Mage Rook: First Warden: Very well. Then I'd like to hear how a Nevarran necromancer unleashed the blight. [11]

Non-Mage Rook: First Warden: Very well. Then tell me how a Nevarran necromancer-apologist unleashed the blight. [11]

5 - Shadow Dragon First Warden: You're a Shadow Dragon, I hear. A criminal organization of Tevinter insurgents. I was not surprised to learn that you are wanted for numerous offences, including theft, murder, and wanton destruction of property.

Dialogue options:

Affable: Criminal? Probably. Rook: When laws are written by the corrupt, it makes criminals of all who fight back.

Sarcastic: Some Wardens are Criminals. Rook: I hear the Grey Wardens take in criminals. Thieves, murderers, and… oh, probably vandals, too. I'd wager I'm in good company.

Stoic: I wrecked a slaver ring. Rook: Theft? You mean rescuing enslaved people. Murder? You mean the Venatori cultists who enslaved those people. First Warden: And destruction of property? Rook: Just felt like it.

First Warden: Fine. All I want to know is how a Minrathous crook unleashed the blight. [11]

6 - Veil Jumper First Warden: I looked into you. An adventurous Veil Jumper best known for discovering, then losing, an invaluable map. I'd imagine that caused a certain resentment among your Veil Jumper superiors.

Dialogue options:

Affable: I saved lives. Rook: The expedition was in trouble. I knew going back to help my fellow Jumpers likely meant losing that map. I wanted that ancient knowledge, but I wouldn't risk lives for it.

Sarcastic: Probably for the best. Rook: It's probably for the best, despite what some senior Veil Jumpers think. What we encountered in those ruins almost killed us all.

Stoic: You’re here about the blight. Rook: That's Veil Jumper business. You're here to talk about Grey Warden business. The blight.

First Warden: Explain to me how a Veil Jumper poking around in elven ruins unleashed the blight. [11]

11 - Scene continues.

Dialogue options:

Affable: Let me explain. [12]

Sarcastic: “Unleashed?” [13]

Stoic: I saved the world from Solas. [14]

12 - Affable: Let me explain. Rook: We've been tracking a mage named Solas. He's actually several thousand years old. In elven mythology, he's known as Fen'Harel, the Dread Wolf, god of lies. First Warden: That is a number of titles. Rook: Well, Fen'Harel is elven for "Dread Wolf," so that only counts as one. But yeah, you're not wrong. Anyway, he wanted to tear down the Veil and restore the ancient elven empire. We stopped his ritual. [15]

13 - Sarcastic: “Unleashed?” Rook: I think "unleashed" is a little strong. It was an unfortunate side effect. First Warden: The blight was a side effect? Rook: Yes, of stopping the Dread Wolf, elven god of lies, from destroying the Veil. We did stop him, by the way. You're welcome. [15]

14 - Stoic: I saved the world from Solas. Rook: I was stopping an elven god from bringing down the Veil and destroying the world. First Warden: An elven god? Rook: Fen'Harel, the Dread Wolf. He goes by Solas. He's got a lot of names. [15]

15 - Scene continues.

First Warden: I did not come here to listen to fairy tales. I am here because of the blight.

Dialogue options:

Affable: This is all one problem. [16]

Sarcastic: Hang on, it gets worse. [17]

Stoic: This is real. [18]

16 - Affable: This is all one problem. Rook: Right, but it all ties together! See, when we disrupted the ritual, Solas got trapped in the Fade. But two of the elven gods got out. Elgar'nan and Ghilan'nain, we think. And they're blighted.

17 - Sarcastic: Hang on, it gets worse. Rook: We haven't even gotten to the real fairy-tale parts yet. When we stopped Solas, two elven gods escaped from where he'd imprisoned them. Elgar'nan and Ghilan'nain. And they're not just evil. They're blighted.

18 - Stoic: This is real. Rook: It's no fairy tale. When we stopped Solas, something got out. According to the Veil Jumpers, it was the elven gods Elgar'nan and Ghilan'nain. And they're not just evil. They're blighted.

19 - Scene continues.

First Warden: Why would elven gods be blighted?

Rook: The ancient elven gods used the blight. That's why Solas imprisoned them. The point is that the gods are making the blight worse. D'Meta's Crossing was just the start. That's why we need the Grey Wardens.

First Warden: I suspected more politicking from the remnants of the Inquisition. I see now that I was wrong.

Rook: I'm really glad to hear that.

First Warden: It is clear that whatever you did to unleash the blight has corrupted your already-weak mind.

Rook: Okay, wait.

First Warden: You will be taken to Weisshaupt and placed under heavy guard until the danger you caused by unleashing the blight passes.

Dialogue options:

Stoic: Think again. [20]

Afraid: Please listen to me! [21]

Angry: Just listen, you idiot! [22]

20 - Stoic: Think again. Rook: That's not gonna happen. First Warden: I assure you, it will. Rook: We don't have time to fight. I need Grey Wardens marching with me, not at me. That's the only way we have a chance to stop the gods and the blight.

21 - Afraid: Please listen to me! Rook: No, please, you can't do that. First Warden: I assure you, I can. Rook: I don't know how much time we have! The gods are doing something with the blight—we need to stop them!

22 - Angry: Just listen, you idiot! Rook: Are you kidding me? First Warden: I assure you, I am deadly serious.

Grey Warden Rook: We don't have time to play "Who's the Greyest Warden"!

Non-Grey Warden Rook: I don't have time to sit here and stroke your—ego.

Rook: You need to shut up and listen! The threat is real. The gods are coming, and they're bringing the blight with them.

23 - Scene continues.

First Warden: Let me tell you something about the blight. It is evil, it is implacable, and above all, it is predictable. The blight has not changed in over a thousand years. The Grey Wardens will defeat it, as they always do.

Grey Warden Rook: First Warden: And we will do so without a disgraced junior Warden causing needless confusion.

Non-Grey Warden Rook: First Warden: And we will do so without you causing confusion with your deranged conspiracy theories.

First Warden: I suggest you come along quietly.

Their conversation is suddenly interrupted.

Dorian: Adamant Fortress. 9:41 Dragon. The Grey Wardens attempted to raise an army of demons. Hardly the models of good judgment yourselves, are you?

First Warden: Everyone knows Warden-Commander Clarel acted alone at Adamant Fortress.

Dorian: Acted alone, you say? Imagine if everyone were to see the letter I discovered where you authorize her actions. I wonder how that might complicate the narrative.

First Warden: Are you prepared to risk the security of the Grey Wardens for this deluded boy?

First Warden: Are you prepared to risk the security of the Grey Wardens for this deluded girl?

First Warden: Are you prepared to risk the security of the Grey Wardens over this?

Dorian: You may be surprised to learn that I care very little about the security of the Grey Wardens.

First Warden: Stay away from the blight, and do not pester the Grey Wardens with any more of your nonsense.

the First Warden leaves.

Dorian: He seems upset. Was it something I said?

Dialogue options:

Affable: Thanks for the assist. [24]

Sarcastic: You just blackmailed him! [25]

Stoic: Who are you? [26]

Shadow Dragon: Magister Pavus? [27]

24 - Affable: Thanks for the assist. Rook: That was close. Wasn't looking forward to being dragged off to a Grey Warden dungeon. Who should I be thanking for the assist? Dorian: Magister Dorian Pavus. At your service. [28]

25 - Sarcastic: You just blackmailed him! Rook: You have blackmail material on the leader of the Grey Wardens just lying around? Dorian: Of course not. Where would I obtain something like that? Rook: Oh, you were bluffing. That's actually scarier. Dorian: Magister Dorian Pavus. At your service. [28]

26 - Stoic: Who are you?

Grey Warden Rook: Rook: Who are you? How do you know about Adamant? And Clarel? Dorian: I was there.

Non-Grey Warden Rook: Rook: Who are you? Why do you have dirt on the Grey Wardens? Dorian: I was at Adamant.

Dorian: Magister Dorian Pavus. At your service. [28]

27 - Shadow Dragon: Magister Pavus? Rook: Magister Pavus? Your timing is impeccable. Dorian: A flawless entrance, I'd say. Rook: Thanks for the rescue. I don't think I could've survived a Grey Warden prison. [28]

28 - Scene continues.

Dorian: A mutual friend thought you might require some support.

Rook: Maevaris Tilani? Of the Shadow Dragons?

Dorian: The very same.

29 - Dialogue options:

Investigate: You’re a Shadow Dragon agent? [30]

Sarcastic: I think we made an enemy. [31]

Stoic: The First Warden’s a problem. [32]

Afraid: I need the First Warden. [33]

30 - Investigate: You’re a Shadow Dragon agent?

Shadow Dragon Rook: Rook: I've heard other Shadows talk about you, but your relation to us was never entirely clear to me. You one of us? Or just a powerful ally? Dorian: Ah, that depends on your point of view. Perhaps you've heard of the Lucerni? Rook: Lightbringers. A political faction pushing for change in Tevinter. Dorian: Started by Maevaris and I, yes. After she was framed for treason, the faction was dissolved. Ostensibly. Maevaris Tilani is not a woman who surrenders easily. She just took the Lucerni underground. Rook: Oh. Bring the light. Dorian: She protected me. Kept my name spotless so I could remain in the Magisterium as her eyes and ears. So! One of you? Or just an ally? Which do you think? [Back to 29]

Non-Shadow Dragon Rook: Rook: What's your relation to the Shadow Dragons? Dorian: About a decade ago, Maevaris and I started a political faction called the Lucerni. We were going to change Tevinter for the better. Everyone would recognize the common sense benefits of our approach and we'd all live happily ever after. Rook: I take it that… didn't happen? Dorian: Maevaris was framed, kicked out of the Magisterium, and the Lucerni were dissolved. So she took the movement underground. Rook: The Shadow Dragons. Dorian: Since I still haunt the Magisterium, that makes me the Shadow Dragons' man on the inside. [Back to 29]

31 - Sarcastic: I think we made an enemy. Rook: I think we made an enemy of the First Warden today. Well, more you than me. He just thinks I'm a dangerous idiot. Dorian: (Scoffs) Enemy. I've ignored greater men. [34]

32 - Stoic: The First Warden’s a problem. Rook: The First Warden's a problem. If he won't help, I need him to stay out of my way. Dorian: I'm sure he'll show up again, like an ulcer. For now, pay him no mind. [34]

33 - Afraid: I need the First Warden. Rook: So now what? The First Warden tried to have me locked up. I need the Wardens on my side! Dorian: (Scoffs) Jowin Glastrum is not the Order. He's more politician than Warden. [34]

34 - Scene continues.

Dorian: No Grey Warden worth the name sits in a Minrathous lounge, sipping wine. You need the Wardens? Look for the ones out there fighting the blight. In the meantime, the Shadow Dragons will keep a close watch on the Venatori. Good luck. I'm sure we'll see each other again soon.

The scene fades, and one of Varric’s narratives cuts in.

Varric: Only the Veil stood between us and a world of blighted darkness. But on this side, the gods could only tap a trickle. They had to turn that trickle into a flood. They sure could've used Solas's dagger to rip open the Fade… But some foolish mortal had taken it. So, they'd have to create a dagger of their own. Drowning the world in blight was just a matter of time.

Next: A Familiar Dagger

[booksnblocks]

oh btw, while I was gone I was writing! I've posted two new fics as part of the MCYTblr Soulmate Sweepstakes. I've left the links below if you want to check them out!

Soul Search Round 1: to hate a harvest for its bounty (Empires S2, Hermitcraft)

https://archiveofourown.org/works/63267952

Summary: In the aftermath of the Rift Incursion, Hermitopia's economy grows stronger every day. In an effort to protect their trade agreements, the Empires organize a meeting to create new trade agreements with Hermitopia.

Soul Search Round 2: what lies beyond the unknown (Life Series)

https://archiveofourown.org/works/63488101

Summary: Gem is a Wayfarer, one of the few granted the ability to travel the Verse. Under the guidance of the Overseers, she ventures through various worlds, carrying out their plans. But one day, a new discovery sends Gem to a brand new world.

[arctic-shard]

Have a pile of Alagadda headcanons:

Being interested in bugs, all the references to the citizens of Alagadda being chitinous, and SCP-6624 giving the Yellow Lord a centipede theme, I tend to lean in on the whole insect thing. Alagaddans aren't insects, mind, I just take various inspirations from insects.

There's a fairly strict caste system but it's like insect castes - an Alagaddan is made for a role and plays it. The colour of the Alagaddan has no bearing on caste, role, or job.

The Hanged King

Not a victim, or if it is, it did it to itself For Unknowable Eldritch Reasons.

The Humours love their weird King, despite it being a silent cosmic horror.

Has A Plan called the Grand Play but nobody knows what it is. Ambassador thinks it knows but it's being played like everyone else.

The Ambassador

Not a native Alagaddan. The King found it or called it in from somewhere else.

Considers itself in charge. King don't care.

Basically serves as the eyes and hands of the King, going places and making deals and killing people. King's busy being eldritch.

If a tourist is causing trouble or snooping around, it's probably the Ambassador who's going to deal with them.

You can run but you can't hide.

The Humours / Lords

The first Alagaddans. Maybe the King's humours made into people? Many stories about their origins, possibly all true.

Primary duty is providing emotion for the King, either through advice or sharing experiences telepathically.

Other duties are performing rituals, making bodies for citizens, overseeing parties, and keeping order.

Mostly they just mess around doing whatever.

Can change shape by ripping off their mask and creating a new body.

Believe that the Ambassador should rank below them.

Pets

Probably have a better name but I'll figure it out some other time.

Created by a Humour for a specific task, like the Maestro of Rancour (SCP-6624-2) or the Magistrate of Duty (OC).

Courtiers

Live in the palaces and tend directly to the Humours.

Duties generally involve running errands, carrying stuff around, passing messages to other Humours, acting in a lady's maid capacity, and being on-call when a Humour is horny.

They wander around the palaces so while, for example, you'll find mostly red-clad courtiers in the Red Lord's palace, there will be other colours hanging around as well.

Servants

Anyone with a Real Job, working under a supervisor or not.

Someone has to make the wine and snacks and clothes and musical instruments and clean up after everyone else and sell things to tourists.

The servants in the King's Palace are mind-shattered husks, having spent too much time around the King.

'Musician' and 'entertainer' and 'artist' the like aren't jobs in Alagadda any more than breathing is a job on Earth. All Alagaddans sing and dance and entertain, it's as much a part of them as their masks.

Revellers

Your basic Alagaddan.

They're the ones partying in the streets, roaming around and pulling whoever they encounter into the Carnival.

They're the audience for any official plays or concerts or whatnot.

They seem to have the least going on in their heads. They are the Crowd, the Ensemble, the And Company.

Peasants

Pretty sure they're mostly revellers who either think too much or got tired of 24/7 partying and want to do their own thing but don't want to actually leave Alagadda so they go live in the outskirts.

Or maybe people who had their role stripped from them.

The lords leave them alone to Serve As An Example.

They do not go to the palaces.

Soldiers

They're off trying to cause incursions into other realities. They wait on the far side of SCP-5501, they fight at SCP-6034, but there's not many in the city itself.

If someone's causing trouble in Alagadda, they'll probably just get dismembered by whoever's closest.

[danvolodar]

Why the new fluff in 40k undermines the setting: part 2, what is, and why it is bad

Continuing from the previous post, where we've established the basic themes of the setting and explored how the Imperium exemplifies them, this one deals with the setting's developments over the last two decades consistently undermining said themes.

One great issue are of course the Tau, who use the AI (and it's never corrupted by the taint of Chaos), develop and easily produce new tech, and enjoy effortless interstellar logistics (handwaved away as being "slower" than the Imperium's warp jumps, but that supposed slowness is not causing them any trouble whatsoever).

An example of the Tau, human collaborationists, and AI interacting in the works of superfeyn

That's bad enough on its own, so 40k fluff over the years has made numerous attempts to somehow balance the obvious superiority of their society. Xenology made the furthest strides, in establishing that the Ethereals exert mind control over the rest of the castes using the hormones they secrete, turning the utopia into a dystopia effortlessly. The Tau DoW ending claimed that the Tau sterilised the human populations they conquered. Both sources, of course, aren't canon. Black Library is arguably isn't canon, either, but I've heard tales retold from it of the Tau not just using human collaborationist units, but, say, recultivating the Imperial hive worlds. And that majorly undermines the core themes of the setting: if human populations can't exist in the Imperium without the constant threat of errant psykers opening a doorway to the Warp for a daemonic incursion to pour through, why can they under the Tau, who are warp-insensitive and thus have no way either to discover the threat or counter it? The same goes for the hives: the Imperium has to milk its worlds for all they're worth to counter the multitude threats from all directions, why not the Tau? Why are the rules of the setting different for the Tau and the Imperium?

The two other major releases haven't brought quite the same big problems to the setting as the Tau. The Newcrons have simply moved to become one more civilisation competing with the Imperium on peer terms, except with superiour technology. Similarly, the release of the Adeptus Mechanicus as a separate army hasn't changed much, except for undermining the setting a bit by turning its themes to eleven, a certain distance past verisimilitude. The Skitarii have their legs below the knee cut off and replaced by cybernetic implants, to symbolically reference the cohorts of Mars wearing their legs raw (recall that humans the Imperium has in abundance, yet technology is rare and hard to replicate), and have their eyelids cut off for teh evilz lul. Oh, and of course, the Mechanicus have a perpetual motion machine.

But these all pale compared to the recent (well, two years ago now) release of the Leagues of Votann, formerly known simply as the Squats. You see, the Squats are an offshoot of Humanity, except they still have fully functional STCs (the Holy Grail of the Adeptus Mechanicus that will supposedly reverse the Humanity's technological degradation), they have fully functional superhuman AIs undisturbed by the Iron Men rebellion (and, same as the Tau, somehow not susceptible to daemonic possession), they innovate and easily produce their products, they have 100% reliable means of interstellar FTL travel and communication, and unlike the Tau, they can even harness the powers of the Warp for their combat Psykers, except it's all perfectly safe and doesn't run the risk of daemonic incursion. Plus they can mass-produce genetically optimised clones, except they're not locked into what they're optimised for and instead are free to choose their job (again, unlike the caste system of the Tau).

And by this moment, one has to wonder: how the hell can the Imperium even exist with peer competitors like that? The Leagues of Votann are better off strategically than the mainstay of Humanity in each and every way, literally in everything that matters in war - how are they not the dominant human civilisation in the Galaxy? Why does the Imperium even trudge on, when it could've been easily replaced by the superior Squats wearing fur coats over spacesuits?

One could argue the Emperor and his gang of hyperviolent psychos presented a threat to the Squats during the Great Crusade era, but they apparently never got to meet them, and it's been ten thousand years since the Emperor ascended to the Golden Throne, removing himself from the picture. Why have the Leagues of Votann not been expanding exponentially into the Imperial space, if all the limiters and checks that cripple the mainstay humanity simply do not apply to them?

Frankly speaking, I feel that these two taken together - the Tau, and particularly the Squats, - kill the setting by utterly demolishing its basic themes. What's the point of sacrificing for the Imperium, and tolerating its oppressive policies designed to sustain at least something during the millennia of total war, when there are alternatives - even alternative human civilisations, - that suffer from none of its problems?

[ouroborosmoons]

Hezbollah Operations Room:

Statement No. 4638.

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

"Permission [to fight] has been granted to those who are being fought because they were wronged, and indeed, Allah is competent to give them victory."

This is the Truth of Allah, the Most High, the Almighty.

In support of the steadfast Palestinian people, in solidarity with their valiant and honorable resistance, and in defense of our steadfast Lebanese people, the Islamic Resistance continues its path in adherence to the command of its Secretary General and its highest martyr, His Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, may Allah sanctify his soul, and the bearer of the banner after him, His Eminence Sheikh Naim Qassem, may Allah protect him.

For over 13 months, the Resistance has persisted in its commitment to its covenant and struggle. It has achieved victory over the delusional enemy, which has neither succeeded in breaking its resolve nor undermining its determination. The battlefield, through the efforts of its pure-hearted, God-reliant fighters, has triumphed in thwarting the enemy’s objectives, defeating its army, and writing with their blood the epics of steadfastness in the battles of Al-Aqsa Flood and The Mighty Ones.

On this glorious occasion, the Resistance announces the following:

- Since the launch of Al-Aqsa Flood operations on October 8, 2023, the Islamic Resistance has conducted more than 4,637 (announced) military operations over 417 days, averaging 11 operations daily.

- Among these, 1,666 diverse military operations have been carried out since the "israeli" aggression on Lebanon and the start of the Mighty Ones operations on September 17, 2024, averaging 23 operations daily. These targeted "israeli" military sites, barracks, and bases, as well as "israeli" cities and settlements, from the Lebanese-Palestinian border to beyond "Tel Aviv." The operations also included heroic confrontations against ground incursions by enemy forces into Lebanese lands.

- Within the framework of the Mighty Ones operations, the Islamic Resistance executed 105 military operations as part of the Khaybar series of qualitative operations. These targeted dozens of strategic and sensitive military and security bases, marking their first-ever strikes in the entity’s history using advanced ballistic and precision missiles, as well as qualitative attack drones. These operations extended beyond "Tel Aviv," penetrating 150 kilometers into occupied Palestinian lands.

- The cumulative toll of losses inflicted on the "israeli" army since it announced its ground offensive into Lebanese lands on October 1, 2024, up to the issuance of this statement, is as follows:

- Over 130 soldiers and officers killed and more than 1,250 wounded.

- Destruction of 59 Merkava tanks, 11 military bulldozers, two Hummer vehicles, two armored vehicles, and two personnel carriers.

- Downing of six Hermes-450 drones, two Hermes-900 drones, and a Quadcopter drone.

Note: These figures do not include enemy losses within bases, sites, barracks, settlements, and occupied cities.

The Islamic Resistance Operations Room affirms the following:

1. Throughout the "israeli" ground operation in Lebanese territory since October 1, 2024, and due to the steadfastness of our fighters in the battlefield, the invading forces have failed to occupy or establish control over any town in the first defensive line along the front. Despite continuous attacks since the beginning of Al-Aqsa Flood, the enemy has also failed to establish a military and security buffer zone, nor has it succeeded in halting the launch of missiles and drones targeting the occupied interior. Up until the last day of aggression, our fighters continued targeting the enemy’s depth from within the border towns.

2. The second phase of the ground operation was merely a political and media announcement. The enemy failed to advance to towns in the second defensive line of the front and suffered significant losses in Khiam, which they withdrew from three times, as well as in Ainata, Tallousa, Bint Jbeil, and Al-Qawzah. The only attempted advance toward the towns of Al-Bayyada and Shamaa in the western sector ended in disaster, turning these areas into a graveyard for tanks and elite enemy forces, who were forced to retreat under our fighters’ strikes.

3. The Resistance’s defensive strategy is based on a sectorial defense system. The Resistance prepared over 300 defensive lines south of the Litani River, each at the highest level of readiness in terms of manpower, equipment, and capabilities. The battles in Al-Bayyada and Khiam are clear evidence of this preparedness.

4. The Operations Room of the Islamic Resistance reaffirms that its fighters, across all military specialties, remain fully prepared to confront "israeli" ambitions and aggression. Their eyes will remain fixed on the movements and withdrawals of enemy forces beyond the borders, and their hands will remain on the trigger, defending Lebanon’s sovereignty and upholding the dignity and pride of its people.

To Our Honorable People.

O most noble, pure, and dignified of people,

O our dear and proud nation,

O the free sons and daughters of our homeland,

You who, through your legendary steadfastness and limitless sacrifices, shattered the illusions of the enemy. Victory, granted by Allah Almighty, became the ally of the righteous cause you embraced and carried. You returned to your villages and homes with pride and vigor, traversing the world with victory and holding high the proud banner of resistance — firm in the battlefield and in hearts — a banner that will forever defy oppression and aggression.

The Islamic Resistance, which has offered its finest leaders and fighters in the path of Allah, in defense of its land and people, and in support of the oppressed in Palestine, addresses you today — and all the free people of the world, as well as the fighters on the frontlines — with a salute of arms, struggle, martyrdom, and victory. In the name of its fighters and knights, it pledges to every pure soul and every drop of noble blood that it will continue the path of resistance with even greater determination.

It will persist in standing with the oppressed, the downtrodden, and the fighters in Palestine, whose capital, Al-Quds, will remain a symbol and a path for generations yearning for freedom and liberation.

"And victory is only from Allah, the Mighty, the Wise."

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

Corresponding to 24 Jumada al-Awwal 1446 AH