#sleight of hand✨

[the-griffons-saddlebag]

💎 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗺! Pickpocket’s Pouch
Wondrous item, uncommon ___ This black leather bag sits on your hip to provide easy access when depositing handheld items. It opens and closes silently, and it can stretch to fit about 1 cubic foot of space. You gain a +1 bonus to Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) checks made while wearing this bag. Objects in the bag can’t be detected or seen by divination magic, such as by the “scrying” spell or “locate object”. The bag has a latch that can be opened in one of two ways. Opening it the first way reveals the inside of the bag as normal. Opening it the second way causes an illusion to appear over the objects in the bag; the illusion is of five loose copper pieces, a quill and ink, and a waterskin. To discern that the contents are an illusion, a creature can use its action to inspect the pouch and must succeed on a DC 13 Intelligence (Investigation) check. The illusion also fails to hold up to physical inspection. ___ ✨ Patrons get huge perks! Access this and hundreds of other item cards, art files, and compendium entries when you support The Griffon's Saddlebag on Patreon for less than $10 a month!

[spr1ngpvrinbwunnie]

🎭 Scene Imagine: Smoke & Seduction (Imagine the gif above is you and William instead- while reading this)

Notes: Actually, this is for my Fnaf AU, just like the original Fnaf but set in the 40s... and the storyline? It might be different, but who knows, I'll post about it later. Credits the lovely idea from: @ kazroze on Twitter/X

The dim glow of a single lamp paints the room in amber hues. A vintage phonograph crackles in the background, the needle gently gliding over the record. A slow waltz—or perhaps, something deeper, sultrier, like a tango—fills the space.

William holds you close, his touch firm yet teasing, like he’s always dancing on the edge of control. His lips curl around the half-burned cigar, silver-gray eyes gleaming with amusement as he watches you.

He's enjoying this—not just the dance, but your reactions, the way you follow his lead, how your breath hitches when he pulls you just a little closer.

And then—the moment.

As the music slows, he dips you effortlessly, his free hand cradling your back. You feel the warmth of his breath as he leans down, close enough for your noses to brush.

Then—surprise.

William's smirk widens and before you can even register what’s happening. His lips part just enough to let the cigar slip from its hold—only for him to steal a kiss as he claims yours instead.

It’s brief, intoxicating, the taste of smoke and something undeniably him lingering against your lips.

And just as fast as it happened, he tilts his head back, the cigar falling right back between his teeth like a magician’s sleight of hand. The ember still burning, as if untouched, the smoke curling lazily around his face.

William exhales—slow, deliberate—blowing a wisp of smoke against your skin, watching with unrestrained amusement as you process what just happened.

William (smirking, voice low): "Magic, darling."

Because, of course. It was always a performance, a trick, a sleight of hand—but one he pulled just for you.

🔹Why This is So ‘William��

Theatrics Above All: Everything he does has an air of flair—he doesn't just kiss, he performs it, turns it into a goddamn show.

Mastery of Control & Devil-may-care energy: He would absolutely kiss you with a lit cigar in his mouth and then carry on as if nothing happened. The way he leads, the way he sets the pace—he’s always just a step ahead.

That Damn Cigar: He makes it a part of his signature, his routine—because why wouldn’t he show off, even in something so small?

His Brand of ‘Romance’: Teasing, smug, confident—he enjoys seeing your reaction as much as he enjoys the kiss itself.

TL;DR: William is a man who doesn’t just steal a kiss—he stages it.

✨ Absolutely, utterly William. Literally✨

Also this entire scene drips with that old Hollywood, dramatic, self-assured charisma—the kind of theatrics he lives for. The man treats everything like an act, a performance meant to mesmerize, and you?

You’re his favorite audience.

BONUS: William Afton & His Ever-Burning Cigar: A Headcanon

William Afton is that kind of man—the one who always has a cigar lazily perched between his teeth, no matter the time or place. It’s like a permanent fixture, a part of his signature presence, just as much as his silver eyes and that damn smug smirk. He doesn’t just smoke a cigar—he owns it, makes it a part of his identity. And no one—not Henry, not his employees, not even death itself—can seem to take it away from him.

And everyone else, like the staff and Henry, always wonders why he never has a "stroke" lol.

The Immortal Cigar: No one has ever seen William light his cigar, nor have they ever seen it fully burn out. It just… exists, forever smoldering, like some supernatural entity bound to him. Does he replace them? Is it the same cigar every time? No one knows.

Henry’s Eternal Concern™: Henry Emily, forever the exhausted voice of reason, has long since given up trying to lecture William on the health risks. At this point, he just mutters things like:

“William, that thing’s gonna kill you.”

“How the hell is it still burning? You’ve had it since this morning.”

“You’ve been talking for an hour straight. How is it still lit?!”

"At this point, I think the nicotine’s preserving your body like an Egyptian mummy."

Employees’ Reactions:

Some of the workers at Fazbear’s place bets on how long the cigar will last before he puts it out. (Spoiler: he never does.)

Others whisper theories—maybe it’s a special kind of cigar, maybe it’s a trick, or maybe William just isn’t human.

The janitor swears he once saw the cigar relight itself when William walked back into the building after a meeting.

Casual Disregard for No-Smoking Signs:

At company meetings? Cigar.

In the break room? Cigar.

Literally standing next to a "NO SMOKING" sign? Cigar.

Inside the animatronic maintenance room? Henry wants to strangle him.

If a kid asks about it, William will just grin and say something like:

"Oh, don’t worry, dear—‘s just for show.”

(Cue Henry wheezing in the background because NO, IT’S NOT, WILLIAM—)

Does It Ever Affect Him?

Somehow, William never coughs, never wheezes, never even looks remotely affected.

If anything, it only makes him more smug when people point it out.

One time, a security guard sarcastically asked:

“Hey, boss, you ever gonna, y’know, put that thing out?”

William, deadpan: “Why? You worried ‘bout me?” [smirks, puffs cigar in their face]

The guard walked away mentally unwell.

Possible Supernatural Implications??

Maybe the cigar isn’t normal.

Maybe it’s tied to him, like a manifestation of something deeper.

Maybe, even in death, the smoke lingers—like a ghost of him remains, curling through the air long after he’s gone.

🚬 William Afton's Emotions Manifesting in Smoke 💭

William isn't just a man of words—he’s a man of unspoken gestures, of controlled theatrics, of making the smallest things feel like they mean the world. So if his smoke is an extension of himself, then, of course, it would betray his emotions when he isn’t careful.

How His Emotions Influence the Shape of His Smoke

Love / Adoration → Heart-Shaped Smoke

He never means for it to happen. One moment, he's just exhaling, lost in thought, eyes lingering on you, and then— a perfect wisp of smoke curls into the shape of a heart before dissipating.

The moment he notices, he immediately waves his hand through it, dispersing the evidence before you can see.

His ears burn, and he scowls at the cigar like it personally betrayed him. "Bloody hell..." he mutters under his breath, taking another drag, this time ensuring it's just a normal, straight puff of smoke.

Annoyance / Frustration → Jagged, Sharp Smoke Trails

When he's irritated, the smoke becomes erratic—harsh, broken wisps that don't settle into any particular form.

It’s restless, uneven, just like his mood. He might not say he’s pissed off, but his cigar sure as hell does.

If you point it out? He huffs, turning his head slightly. "Tch. You’re imaginin’ things, love."

Amusement → Spirals / Loops

When he’s entertained—whether it’s teasing you or just enjoying himself—his smoke moves in lazy spirals, almost playful in the air.

If he’s feeling particularly smug, he might even blow little rings that stack atop one another like a performance.

Bonus: If he’s challenging someone, the rings get tighter, almost like targets. It’s his way of saying, "Come on, then. Impress me."

Deep Thought / Obsession → Lingering Smoke That Refuses to Disperse

When he’s hyper-focused on something, the smoke doesn’t drift away like normal—it hangs in the air, thicker, denser.

Almost as if his thoughts are so consuming that even the smoke refuses to leave him behind.

You could wave a hand through it, and it would still take its time fading away.

This happens most when he’s thinking about you, and he doesn’t even realize.

Anger / Possessiveness → Dense, Unbroken Smoke

If he’s truly pissed off—or worse, feeling territorial—his smoke becomes something almost alive.

It moves with an unnatural weight, curling around him like a living thing, lingering like a warning.

It doesn’t break apart. It stays solid, looming, unwavering—just like his emotions.

If another man is too close to you, the smoke seems to drift between you and them, a barrier that wasn’t there before.

You notice. He pretends not to.

When He Finally Lets You See It

The first time you catch his smoke forming something—maybe a heart, maybe something softer—you call him out on it.

His silver-gray eyes widen ever so slightly before he immediately exhales another puff to cover it up.

"Hmph. Load o' rubbish, that," he mutters, turning his head away. But you see the corner of his lips twitch.

After that, he’s more careful. But sometimes, just sometimes, you’ll catch him slipping—and that’s when you know exactly what’s on his mind.

"Love in Smoke" — William Afton's Unconventional Love Language

Headcanon & Analysis (ithinkimgoininsanebecausewhatthehellamiwrite)

William Afton is a man who communicates in ways that aren’t always spoken—he thrives in subtleties, teasing touches, sharp gazes, and smirks that speak louder than words ever could. So, of course, it makes perfect sense that in this AU, where his ever-burning cigar is practically an extension of himself, it would become a part of his love language too.

He’s the type of man who makes a spectacle out of intimacy, who enjoys control, theatrics, and pushing boundaries—not necessarily in a dominant way, but in a way that says: "I want you to react to me. I want to see what you’ll do."

How He Uses Smoke as a Love Language

Blowing Smoke in Your Face—Teasing or Territorial Gesture

Afton's the kind of bastard who’d exhale a slow, deliberate stream of smoke right in your face just to see you squint, wrinkle your nose, or swat at it.

His eyes glint in amusement as he hums, “What’s the matter, love? That delicate little face of yours too fragile for a bit o’ smoke?”

But if someone else were to do it? No. Absolutely not. That’s his thing.

Trapping You in a Smoke Ring

Imagine him holding you against a wall, one arm bracing beside your head, cigar between his fingers.

He takes a slow drag, his lips curling into a smirk, then—puffs out a perfect ring of smoke around your face, trapping you inside it.

“Go on, then. Breathe me in, doll.”

It’s not just about teasing—it’s about owning the moment, making sure you’re focused on him and only him.

Sharing the Smoke—A Different Kind of Kiss

This is where things get intimate. It starts as a joke, maybe.

He sees you watching him, eyes lingering on the cigar between his lips.

"What, love? You curious?"

Before you can answer, he takes a deep drag, leans in way too close, and breathes the smoke straight into your open mouth.

His eyes never leave yours. The heat of it, the taste of him mixed with tobacco, the deliberate slowness of his exhale—it’s intoxicating in a way that has nothing to do with nicotine.

"Good, innit?" he murmurs, voice like gravel, thumb brushing absently against your jaw. "Just relax. Let me show you how it’s done."

Lighting a Cigar Using a Kiss (Ultimate Power Move)

You’re sitting on his desk, legs draped lazily over his lap. The air between you is thick—charged.

His cigar has gone out, and instead of relighting it normally, he holds it between his teeth and gives you a lazy smirk.

“C’mere, love.”

He tugs you in for a slow, deep kiss—one that leaves you breathless. And as he pulls away, the cigar is relit.

He exhales a thin stream of smoke with a chuckle, watching your reaction. “Magic, huh?”

No one knows how he does it. You don’t ask.

The Look—That One Look

The way William looks at you when he does these things is what truly makes it intimate.

His gaze is never the same for anyone else—sharp, dark, filled with something unspoken.

It’s possessive, but not in a suffocating way—more like he’s memorizing you, branding the image of you into his mind.

That’s what makes it so lethal.

🐇 Scene Imagine (another one cuz WHY NOT) — “Breathe Me In”

You’re seated on his desk, one leg crossed over the other, watching as William leans back in his chair, cigar pinched between two fingers. The office is dimly lit, the scent of old wood and tobacco curling in the air like something nostalgic.

His silver-gray eyes flick toward you, sharp beneath the low glow of his desk lamp, glint like molten mercury, restless and unreadable, a storm trapped behind glass.

"You're staring, love."

You scoff, rolling your eyes. "Maybe I'm just waiting for you to choke on that thing."

William chuckles, low and indulgent.

He takes a deep drag, the ember at the tip glowing bright—then, without warning, he exhales, a slow, deliberate puff of smoke curling in your direction.

You flinch, waving a hand in front of your face, and William just grins. Smug. Amused. Infuriating.

"Oh, come now. Don’t be shy. You wanna give it a try?"

You raise a brow. "What?"

Before you can react, he shifts forward, cigar slipping between his teeth. His free hand grips your chin, tilting your face up, and he leans in close—so close you can feel the warmth of his breath against your lips.

Then, he exhales—slow, steady, intentional—letting the smoke drift past your parted lips.

Your breath stutters. The scent, the warmth—it’s him, invading your senses in a way that’s both dizzying and deliberate. His thumb brushes against your jaw, grounding, teasing.

"That’s it, doll." His voice is all gravel, smooth and rich. "Breathe me in."

For a moment, neither of you move. The space between you is thick—charged. And then, just as quickly, he pulls away, the smug grin still curling at his lips.

The cigar is back between his fingers, like nothing ever happened.

He smirks. "Y'look dazed, love. Want another go?"

You don’t answer. You can’t.

And William? He just laughs.

William makes everything a game, even intimacy. The smoke, the teasing, the touches—they're all deliberate. He wants you to feel it, to be hyper-aware of every single moment with him.

Because that’s what he does.

He leaves traces of himself behind—in smoke, in touches, in the way he looks at you.

[lotr-bitches]

unhinged Fëanorians AU headcanons

idk if this is even an AU or if they’re just like this

Nelyo: - Loyal - The diplomat - Actually goes fucking crazy after Thangorodrim - Gives off genuinely the most terrifying energy - Calculating af - Will manipulate the shit out of you - He doesn't look insane but then you get to know him and... - Lowkey a cult leader (??) - His followers are also ✨batshit✨ Kano: - Lowkey the most powerful - When he sings you think 'avenging angel' - Not as dramatic as you would think - Has a conscience - 'I will make them in my image' energy with Elros and Elrond - Surprisingly cunning - Has a smile that will make your skin crawl - Gentle hands, cruel words Tyelko: - Filled with rage pt 1 - Ruthless - Backstabbing is fun for him - He loves seeing that face of realization - His laugh shouldn't make you feel so unsettled - Cult leader pt 2 - By the end even Oromë is scared of what he's capable of - Impossible to wrangle (even by Nelyo) Moryo: - Spiritually identifies with Pityo - Smart af - People try to use ósanwë on him but his mind is like a fortress - Greed(TM) - Arguably the least scary - Rumors spread that he wasn't an elf and was actually a dragon - Fëanor anti pt 1 - Used a massive fuck off axe in battle - Fox-like Curvo: - Unsettling pt idek - Conniving bitch of a man - Vaguely antisocial - Talks way less than you would think - A good father for like 10 minutes - Obsessed with lightning storms - (Has been struck by lightning) - Moves like a panther - Raises one eyebrow - #1 dad supporter Pityo: - Lightly crisp - Didn't actually die at the burning of the ships - Can no longer speak because of the scar patterns - Feral af

- Hates that Nerdanel gave him and Telvo the same name

- Would (and has) punched several of his brothers and cousins

- Spiritually identifies with Moryo

- Everyone swears he’s invisible sometimes

- Slightly better hunter

- No mercy

- Filled with rage pt 2

Telvo:

- Also feral

- Dad always mixed him up with Pityo so they switch places sometimes

- Fëanor anti pt 2

- Slightly more diplomatic

- Develops sign language for Pityo

- Uses ósanwë to talk to Pityo

- (Also they use ósanwë to swap bodies)

- Vaguely terrifying

- Gives off creepy twin energy

- Telvo is the more unsettling of the two

Tyelpë:

- When you meet him you think he’s surprisingly normal

- Eyebrow raise pt 2

- Distinctly unimpressed constantly

- Lowkey thinks it might be fun to be evil for a minute

- Sometimes filed his fingernails into points for the vibes

- Filed his canines so they look like fangs

- Elros and Elrond are his favorite cousins

- Always stealing shit

- Sleight of hand ✨king✨

[heavens-bookshop]

Its

✨Sunday Sleight of Hand✨

For real I am LOSING IT over the fact we get more magician Aziraphale holy shit

[heavenboundhotel]

✨"HUSKER"✨

Name: Leon Banks

Species/Origin: Sinner, Cat Demon

Gender/Pronouns: Male, He/Him

Sexuality: Grey-Ace, Gay

Year of Birth: 1900

Year of Death: 1974

Appearance:

Personality:

Leon is a grumpy, sharp-witted old soul, with a dry humor and a rough, sarcastic exterior. Though he seems detached, he’s highly perceptive and often catches things others miss, though he usually keeps his insights to himself. He prefers to keep people at arm’s length, largely out of self-preservation and a desire to avoid his own painful past. Despite his cynicism, Leon has a hidden empathy for others who have been through hard times and occasionally offers advice or a helping hand—though he’d claim it’s just to keep the peace.

Since becoming a cat demon in Hell, Leon’s picked up some cat-like quirks that annoy him to no end: his ears twitch when he’s annoyed, he occasionally “kneads” surfaces without realizing it, and he’s acquired a habit of curling up to nap wherever he can find a quiet spot—only to be embarrassed if someone catches him doing it. Worst of all, he even purrs under his breath when content, which he tries desperately to hide.

Though he doesn’t believe in Heaven’s Gate Hotel’s mission, he finds himself admiring Lithop’s optimism, even if he worries it’ll get her hurt. His years as an ex-overlord and con artist give him a knack for reading people and maneuvering through Hell’s dangers. Deep down, he’d like to live quietly, but his complicated ties to powerful figures like Alistair keep him reluctantly drawn into the messes of others.

Backstory:

Leon Banks was born in 1900 in Chicago, Illinois. Leon's was a family of swindlers and back-room dealers. His parents ran a bar that also served as a front to run con games and schemes on patrons for taking their money. Leon grew up surrounded by deceit and quickly learned the ropes; he developed a good sense of sleight of hand and took an interest in stage magic. He dreamed of becoming a magician, taking influence from the traveling acts he caught glimpses of from time to time, and would practice tricks on the customers of the bar when he could get away with it. But his parents had other ideas; more often than not, they'd be pushing him into their schemes and training him to be as sharp and cunning as they were.

Leon's ambition was cut short as he was summoned for service in the First World War. He had very little time in the war, but that time was life-changing. He incurred a serious injury at the beginning of his time in the war, resulting in the loss of his leg. Back in Chicago, he was discharged and struggled to adapt to both the experiences of trauma from his occurrences and the loss of his mobility. His dreams of doing magic dissipated and in their place came a purposeless bitterness that handed him over to the darker paths. Leon turned to alcohol to take the sting off his pain and developed a dependence on it that would plague him for the rest of his life.

During the 1920s, Leon drifted to New Orleans, where he was drawn into the vibrant atmosphere of the city and its underground scene. Here, he found the new thrill of gambling and facility to exercise his skill of deception and sleight of hand. Card games, dice, and trickery were the main preoccupation of his life, and soon he became a gambler. While at first he may have enjoyed the chaotic nature of the world of gambling, it actually perpetuated his aimlessness and isolation. By the 1930s, he took this ambition west to Las Vegas in hopes of finally turning his talents into something more lucrative.

Leon opened his casino in Las Vegas, continuing the family tradition of scamming others. He built a reputation as a smooth-talking, sharp-eyed casino owner who could read anyone who walked through his doors. But he was still as lonely as always, his life a constant round of drinking, gambling, and cheating others. Leon died alone in 1974 after he had spent his life attempting to "blow off" repression through constant thrilling actions; running away from his pain in life, leaving him with few close connections and not much to show.

Leon soon settled into Hell and rose through the ranks within the ring of Greed as one who could manipulate with mastery and gamble as easily. He picked up the nickname "Hustler" in next to no time. That would be his name, as he built up his strength through gambling with the souls of others, or through schemes and gained deals until he was a somewhat low-ranking but decently powerful overlord. Yet, his own pride proved to be his undoing when he challenged the wrong opponent- The Radio Demon - and lost his own soul. Now mocked as "Husk" or "Husker" by Alistair, serving as a constant reminder of all that he gambled away in life and death.

[leolithe]

Leolithe's Plural Space Mom Fic Archive 2024!

✨ Of Light and Memory [~7000 words]

THE Lotus System Headspace fic!

The ultimate base of how I write my beautiful plural Space Mamas and their relationships to each other.

This fic covers how Natah and Margulis are adapting to their plurality, how and why Lotus named herself Lotus, and of course, the very beginnings of Space Mom Headmate Yuri.

Natah has taken charge of leading the system, being a surprisingly sweet overseer-figure for her headmates... Margulis is struggling with the post-war origin system and the circumstances of her resurrection... And Lotus is trying her best to soothe her while being an anxious little ball of Sentient nerves.

Very much a character study; highly highly highlyyy recommend reading this one!

💙 Within Our Mirrors (I See You) [~12700 words]

Post-New War. Lotus, Natah and Margulis struggle (a Lot) with their newfound plurality, paralleling the Operator and Drifter's journey on getting to understand each other and themselves.

Lotus was chosen to lead the system, but Natah and Marg are awful at teamwork and they hate each other very loudly, giving Lotus horrible headaches on top of her unaddressed PTSD.

Unfortunately on hiatus because balancing the tone of this fic is Rough; i have a lighthearted writing style but my headcanons for Lotus' trauma can get very heavy. I have lost the plot many times!!

This also started primarily as a DrifterLotus fic before i realized that what the Lotus Headmates have with each other is way more compelling, but this fic has a lotta hits and Kudos for many good reasons so don't worry, I'm not marking it abandoned yet...

🐦 First Impressions [~1000 words]

Post-Lotus Eaters. Tagfer and Bird 3 investigate the mysterious new woman on the cliff.

Fluff!

tbh I don't have a lot to say about this one; it's short and sweet and I'm thankful that people like it.

🔞😇 Is sex on a cliff always called edging? [~3200 words]

Oh hmmmm this one just appeared in my works page one day i wonder what it could possibly be about...

(It's Drifter x Lotus, Natah AND Margulis!)

Hurt/Comfort. Featuring my dopey and loyal puppy of a Drifter, a visibly switching Lotus system, and Natah's freaky Sentient tongue.

Pretty simple smutfic tbh. Take this as a little sampler of the Other questionable things in my documents...

🔞💘 Out of her Shadow; Into her Heart [~1700 words]

Heart is a euphemism for cleavage!

Lotus x Margulis. M-rated because I think there's more focus on feelings than sex, but that's up to viewer discretion :P

Another little sampler fic. I cleaned up an old draft about Lotus' experience with lust and finally put it into the world.

This is about Lotus and her willing obedience and submission for Margulis; an intentional departure from the "dommy mommy" Lotus trope.

Best read after Of Light and Memory :)

🔞🤹‍���️ Sleight Of Hand [~12000 words]

LOTUS X MIRAGE YURI.

You will not be disappointed by this one. Trust me.

Transfem Lotus. Slapstick humor. Innocent lesbian romance. Robotgirl x Clowngirl BDSM objectophile smut. Lotus living lesbiciously and just being generally happy with her life after The New War!

I had soooooo much fun writing this; y'all have no idea. Mirage is ridiculously fun and bouncing her off our beloved Lotus is just so light and comedic and refreshing. The smut will be neatly chapter-ed off for the curious but wary.

This is essentially a culmination of my one year of thinking very hard about the Lotuses; there's an uncountable number of Lotus system headcanons in here and a little bit of everything for everyone to dig into!

➕📝 My Tumblr Writing Tag

For miscellaneous stories, headcanons and posts that don't quite fit being published in Ao3.

➕🤫 My Super Special Secret Underground fics... never before seen... [~❔]

Only for the Yurious.

(The Yuri Curious. The Yuri Serious.)

[girlactionfigure]

1/ 8 Jewish Characters You Won’t Believe Are Real - #6 is straight out of a movie! Jewish history is wild—pirates, gangsters, boxers, explorers, and weirdos. Here are 8 larger-than-life Jewish characters you probably didn’t know about.👇Let’s dive in! A short thread 🧵

2/ #1 on our list is the Jewish pirate who masterminded history's greatest heist. Moses Cohen Henriques was no ordinary pirate—he was a Sephardic Jew with a thirst for revenge against those who had expelled his family and community. Born in Portugal, Henriques fled to the Netherlands to escape the Inquisition. But escaping with his life wasn’t enough - he struck back at his oppressors in the most audacious way imaginable. In 1628, Henriques raided the Spanish Silver Fleet on the high seas, taking 11 million guilders’ worth of silver—enough to fund the Dutch war against Spain for years. And he didn’t stop there. Henriques turned Jamaica into a pirate haven and continued to lead daring raids on Spanish ships and settlements. Unlike most pirates, Henriques wasn’t just in it for the loot—it was sweet revenge against Spain’s brutal persecution of the Jews. 🏴‍☠️✨

3/ #2 is the feisty “bodyguard” who also did magic tricks - and changed history! Morris "Two-Gun" Cohen was born in London and raised in Canada. Armed with street smarts and plucky ambition, he became the personal bodyguard to Sun Yat-sen, father of modern China. Cohen was known for always carrying two pistols (that’s how he got his nickname), but guns weren’t his only trick. He entertained soldiers and diplomats with sleight-of-hand magic tricks and a larger-than-life personality. Fluent in Yiddish, English, and Chinese, Cohen navigated war zones and death-defying encounters. From the mean streets of London’s East End to the revolutionary hangouts of China, Two-Gun Cohen’s story feels straight out of a Hollywood movie—except it’s all true. 🔫🎩🔫

4/ #3 was the Jewish kingpin of London’s underworld. His name was Jacob Colmore, but he was better known as "Jack Spot" – he wasn’t just a lone gangster, he ran London’s criminal underworld in the 1940s and 50s. Renowned for his charm, charisma, and ruthless tactics, Jack built a crime empire that dominated the UK capital. He masterminded daring robberies that made national headlines, including some famous jewel heists. But his reign wasn’t without drama—Jack’s rise to power was marked by infamous clashes with rivals, most notably a brutal knife fight on the streets of Soho that cemented his reputation as a fearsome toughie. 🗡️💎

5/ #4 is a strange one - the woman who became a Hasidic rebbe! Meet Hannah Rachel Verbermacher, remembered by history as The Maid of Ludmir.Born in 19th-century Ukraine, she is the only known female Hasidic “rebbe” in Jewish history. After experiencing a mystical moment near her father’s grave, she began teaching Torah and offering guidance to followers. Her fame soon spread, and she drew crowds of devoted Hasidim who saw her as a spiritual leader and miracle worker. Her success shocked the male Hasidic establishment. She was pressured to marry and abandon her leadership, and her influence soon declined. But The Maid of Ludmir remains a powerful, surprising, and diverting symbol of defiance, who broke boundaries in a rigid world. 🕯️✨

6/ #5 - the Jewish boxing champ who redefined the sport. Daniel Mendoza wasn’t just a boxer—he was a trailblazer who revolutionized boxing in the 1790s. Even today, he’s known as the “father of modern boxing.” He introduced defensive techniques and strategy, transforming the brawling style of his era into a carefully calibrated science. Beyond the ring, Mendoza was a celebrated writer, and he wrote one of the first boxing manuals: The Art of Boxing. Mendoza’s influence also extended beyond sport—he used his fame to challenge antisemitism in England, proving that a Jewish man could embody physical strength, literary success, and successful social activism. From pugilist to pioneer, Mendoza’s legacy lives on. 🥊📖

7/ #6 is a real strange one. David Reubeni appeared in Italy in 1524, claiming to be a prince from a lost Jewish kingdom. According to him, his brother Joseph ruled over the “lost tribes” of Gad, Reuben, and half of Manasseh, in a desert kingdom near Arabia. Reubeni claimed to be commander of their army. The crazy thing is – lots of people believed him! He told everyone he could get an audience with that he wanted to forge an alliance between his kingdom and European powers, and lead a Jewish army to reclaim the Holy Land. Reubeni’s exotic charisma won over popes, kings, and emperors, including Portugal’s King João III. But his schemes eventually unraveled when his ambitious partner, the self-proclaimed messiah Solomon Molcho, was executed. Reubeni was also arrested and he later died in prison. To this day, his true identity and motives remain shrouded in mystery. 🤔🕍

8/ #7 is a fantastic story - the first person to explore the entire Amazon! Pedro Teixeira was a Marrano (secret Jew) from Lisbon who loved adventure and blazed trails across the globe in the 17th century. He is believed to be the first Jew to circumnavigate the globe. But his most remarkable achievement was becoming the first person to make a continuous journey up the Amazon River, charting uncharted territories and paving the way for future exploration. Teixeira’s expedition provided invaluable knowledge about the Amazon’s geography, wildlife, and indigenous cultures. Despite the risks of being a secret Jew under constant threat of the Inquisition, Teixeira’s daring ventures left a legacy that cemented his place in exploration history. 🌍

9/ And finally, #8 - the Jewish strongman Siegmund "Zishe" Breitbart. Known as the “Iron King,” Breitbart was a Jewish circus strongman who dazzled audiences across Europe and America in the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century. He could bend iron bars, pull wagons with his teeth, and lift horses on his shoulders. A blacksmith by trade, Breitbart turned his physical strength into a legendary act. His fame grew even more when he combined his incredible strength with Jewish pride, often performing in front of shocked crowds while draped in a tallit! Breitbart became a symbol of Jewish resilience at a time of rising antisemitism, proving that Jews weren’t just Talmud scholars and businessmen—they could also be superheroes! 🏋️‍♂️✨

10/ Know any other wild and wonderful Jewish characters—pirates, gangsters, explorers, or weirdos—that should be on this list? Drop them below! 

@pinidunner

[noobiestnoober]

Frozen Trust (Kaeya X Lumine)

❄️ Frozen Trust | Kaeya x Lumine | Genshin Impact One-Shot

✨ Fluff | ❄️ Ice Skating | 💙 Soft Romance | 🌙 Winter Vibes

“Then you do trust me that much, little traveler?” “Maybe,” she whispered.

When Mondstadt’s lake freezes over, Kaeya invites Lumine for a late-night adventure across the ice. What begins with shaky steps becomes a dance of trust, laughter, and something warmer than winter.

The lake outside Mondstadt had frozen over, clean and clear, the moonlight silvering its surface like a flawless mirror stretching endlessly beneath the stars. The air was sharp and crisp, each breath curling into fog before vanishing in the stillness. Yet even in the bitter cold, Kaeya's laugh rang out—smooth, rich, warm enough to thaw through layers of frost.

Lumine stood at the lake’s edge, her boots crunching uncertainly on the snow. One foot hovered over the glassy ice, hesitant, the other still rooted in safety. Her coat was too thin, her gloves barely warm, fingertips already stinging from the chill. This? This was absurd. “Are you sure this is a good idea?” she asked, glancing warily at Kaeya.

He was already gliding across the lake like he belonged to it. His movements carved slow, elegant patterns, like calligraphy written in silver. Every step was confident, easy, and infuriatingly smug. That lazy, half-lidded grin was back—the one that spelled trouble before he even spoke.

“What’s life without a little risk?” he called, spinning once for show, his coat flaring dramatically. “I promise I’ll catch you. Or at the very least, I’ll look devastatingly charming as you fall.”

Lumine narrowed her eyes, cheeks pink—definitely from the cold, and absolutely not because of him. “You’re not even wearing skates.”

“Don’t need them.” He winked, casually waving a hand beneath his boots. The ice thickened under his feet, shimmered, steadied. “Cryo has its perks.”

He walked the frozen lake as if it were solid ground. His control was subtle but unmistakable—a magician’s sleight of foot. A cheater’s grace. Typical Kaeya. And still, somehow, her fingers reached for his. Just a little. Just enough.

He took her hand without hesitation. Warm leather against her skin, his grip strong and sure. She inhaled softly. He pulled.

“Trust me,” he murmured, voice low, breath close enough to ghost along her cheek. Too close. “I won’t let you fall.”

Her boots hit the ice and—immediately—slid. “Aah—!”

He caught her with practiced ease, arms looping around her waist. His body was a shield, his laughter a soft rumble against her spine.

“Easy, princess,” he teased, steadying her. “You’re doing better than I expected.”

“I nearly died,” she muttered with a breathless laugh, still gripping his coat for balance.

“Tragic,” he whispered, eyes gleaming. He leaned in. “But at least it would’ve been dramatic. A true Kaeya-style ending.”

She shoved his shoulder lightly, scowling. “You’re impossible.”

“I’ve been called worse,” he said with a smirk, brushing a fleck of snow from her shoulder. “And usually by people far less adorable.”

He didn’t just lead her across the lake. He stole her away, one confident stride at a time. His right hand stayed securely clasped around hers; his left hovered just at the small of her back—present, but not pushing. Guiding. Guarding.

Her boots still slipped, but she didn’t fall. Not once. Kaeya always caught her before she lost her footing. Always smiling. Always watching. And slowly, very slowly, she began to move in time with him.

“See?” he said, that grin blooming again. “You’re not flailing anymore.”

She exhaled, half-laughing. “I’m surviving.”

“You’re dancing,” he said, eyes twinkling with a teasing warmth.

“It’s not dancing,” she replied, cheeks burning, but her grip never loosened from his hand.

“It is,” he said, spinning her gently in a wide circle. “Because it’s with me.”

Moonlight crowned his hair, caught on the fur lining of his coat. The stars seemed to shimmer around them, and for a moment—just a breath—they floated above the world.

“Tell me,” he asked softly, wind sighing over the lake, “do you always let suspiciously handsome men lure you into dangerous adventures?”

“Only the ones who smirk like they’ve got secrets,” she replied, a flicker of amusement curling at her lips.

“Then you do trust me that much, little traveler?” he asked, his voice dipping to something softer, more intimate—almost a dare.

Her breath faltered—not from fear, not from the cold, but from something else entirely. A tightness in her chest. A skip in her heartbeat. A warmth that had nothing to do with proximity.

“Maybe,” she whispered.

Kaeya’s smile deepened, slow and devastating. “Then let me show you what trust looks like.”

He let go.

Before she could panic, he was behind her—arms catching her from beneath, lifting her effortlessly. With a swirl of Cryo energy beneath his boots, the ice gleamed brighter, freezing in ribbons as he propelled them both forward. They sliced across the lake, faster than she thought possible. Her shriek turned into laughter as the world blurred past. Hair tangled in wind. Heart pounding. It was wild. It was exhilarating. It was free.

He set her down just as gently, their momentum ebbing to a slow drift. She staggered, breathless, flushed, alive.

“You’re absolutely insane,” she gasped.

“And yet,” he replied, brushing a loose strand of hair from her cheek with a reverent touch, “you keep holding on.”

She met his gaze, her chest rising and falling. Her thoughts scattered, but one truth rang clear: she did trust him. And maybe that was the real danger.

And she did. She always would.

[pandorasagents]

[ bai jingting, homosexual, male + he/him, dimensional sealing/summoning ] li mei is a lawful good agent of pandora selected for their mastery in weapons and underwent the top-secret mutation process. to the rest of the world, the thirty year old originally from seattle is deceased or missing. however, in atlantis, they are now known as glyph of wrath after developing the ability to store and summon items in glyphs. the agent has been with pandora for three years and is trusted for being nurturing & patient, but once reprimanded for being quiet & protective.

✨ CHARACTER INTRO TEMPLATE ✨

🔹 Name: Li Mei 🔹 Alias/Nickname(s): Glyph 🔹 Age: 30 🔹 Faceclaim: Bai Jingting

⚔ Weapons & Combat Style: A master of both modern and traditional weaponry, Li Mei is a fluid and precise combatant who seamlessly blends close-quarters combat with long-range marksmanship. His arsenal includes firearms, throwing knives, explosive tags, collapsible spears, kunai, tonfas, elegant blades, and more that are all stored within summoning scrolls or sealed directly onto glyphs tattooed on his hands. He keeps multiple of the small scrolls on his person so he never seems to run out, and makes sure to color code them so he doesn't confuse weapons with other supplies. He is adaptable and efficient, prioritizing utility and control over brute strength, striking swiftly before sealing his tools away swiftly.

🌿 Abilities & Skills: Li Mei’s primary power revolves around glyph-based summoning and sealing. He can store weapons and tools inside the scrolls or summon them instantly from two glyphs tattooed on his palms. This allows for fast-paced transitions between weapon types mid-fight, giving him versatility in any scenario. However, this does mean that he normally has to plan in advance for what he thinks he will need.

Expertise:

Athletics

Close Combat Mastery

Marksmanship

Proficient:

Sleight of Hand – Quick and flawless in deploying, switching, and concealing weapons mid-fight using scrolls and chakra.

Stealth & Infiltration — Soft-footed, quiet, and rarely seen when he doesn’t want to be. He approaches like a whisper.

Perception — Always alert, he notices small shifts, hidden glyphs, enemy movements, or disguised traps.

Acrobatics & Evasion – Agile and nimble, he uses his light frame and mobility to dodge and reposition in midair.

Tactical Foresight – Can plan and execute ambushes or combos with pre-arranged weapons and seal placements and does a pretty good job at predicting enemy movements.

Substandard:

Vehicular Operations

Hacking & Cyberwarfare

🧐 Personality: Quiet and observant, Li Mei is a stabilizing presence on any team. He has a calm, nurturing demeanor and often takes on a protective, older-brother role among his peers. Though he rarely raises his voice, his silences carry weight. He is patient to a fault, but when pushed to action, becomes unrelenting in battle — precise, graceful, and focused. Li Mei prefers to lead by example rather than command, and while he may seem distant at times, his loyalty and care run deep.

💀 Backstory:

Born in Seattle, Washington, Li Mei was the only child of Chinese immigrants who valued discipline, precision, and artistry in all forms. His father, a master calligrapher, spent his days bent over parchment, shaping each character with reverence and clarity. His mother, once a linguist and cryptologist with the intelligence community, left the field to raise her son in a quieter life—though her passion for symbology and hidden language systems never left her. In their modest home lined with scrolls, books, and ink stones, Li was taught early that language was not merely communication — it was power. A single word could calm a storm. A single stroke could reveal the soul.

As a child, Li was taught to sit still before he could run. Patience before ambition. Observation before action. His parents trained him not only in culture, but in discipline of the mind and body — tai chi in the mornings with his father, linguistic puzzles and memory games with his mother at night. He grew up quiet, watchful, and deeply attuned to the emotional undercurrents in a room. He was a boy built on quiet strength and stillness.

That stillness shattered on a cold winter night when he was sixteen.

A violent home invasion tore through their family. Masked intruders searching for something. Perhaps money, perhaps secrets. Regardless they left no time for negotiation. His father tried to defend them and was shot. His mother was dragged away as she reached for one of her own blades. Li, bleeding and terrified, reacted on pure instinct. He grabbed a bag, one of his mothers emergency kits, and booked it.

By the time the authorities arrived, the intruders were already gone. His parents didn’t survive. But Li did. And for once in Li's life? The calm that his parents had instilled in him gave way to a desire for revenge. The bag that he took from his mother had quite a bit of money in it and a few mementos that she cherished from her family. Namely scrolls that had been passed down.

Li disappeared after that.

For years, he lived off the grid, wandering from city to city, country to country. Using the money, he honed his power in silence, building a personal code of justice drawn from his parents’ teachings and the ruins of his grief. Reports would surface across the world of a masked vigilante dismantling trafficking rings, black market auctions, and criminal cells. Making sure to protect those that couldn't do so themselves.

He became a myth with no name, a ghost with the hands of an artist and the eyes of a weapon.

P.A.N.D.O.R.A. found him seven years later.

They didn’t try to coax him with promises of family or redemption. They simply presented a truth: the world was bigger than the shadows he’d been chasing, and his skills could turn tides, not just battles. They weren’t offering him a place to belong.

They were offering him a war.

He said yes.

[the-griffons-saddlebag]

💎 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗺! Bottled Will-o’-Wisp
Wondrous item, uncommon ___ This small bottle carries a will-o’-wisp inside it, as well as a trinket from its previous life. The wisp is magically tethered to the trinket as long as it stays within the bottle, keeping the wisp bound to the bottle and incapable of escape on its own. While holding the bottle, you can use a bonus action to shake it, causing the wisp to glow brighter. The shaken wisp sheds bright light in a 10-foot radius and dim light for an additional 10 feet for up to 1 hour or until you end the effect early (no action required). Alternatively, you can use an action to unstopper the bottle and unleash the wisp in a direction of your choice. The wisp then flies out at a target that you can see within 30 feet of you. Make a ranged spell attack for the wisp, using an attack bonus of +5. On a hit, the target takes 3d8 lightning damage. Hit or miss, the wisp immediately returns to the trinket in the bottle, which you then reseal. If the wisp’s attack roll misses the target by 5 or more, there is a 50 percent chance that the wisp breaks its tether to the trinket and doesn’t return. When that happens, the wisp becomes hostile to you and your allies. If you’re holding the empty bottle, you can use an action to make a Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check contested by a will-o’-wisp’s Dexterity (Acrobatics) check, provided that the wisp is within your reach. On a success, the wisp becomes trapped in the bottle, and a new trinket appears for it. When a wisp becomes untethered from the trinket in the bottle or if the trinket is removed from it, the trinket immediately turns to ash. ___ ✨ Patrons get huge perks! Access this and hundreds of other item cards, art files, and compendium entries when you support The Griffon's Saddlebag on Patreon for less than $10 a month!

[omgshiftercat]

BG3 Blogging: Packrats and Picklocks

I was reading about what happens when there are large-scale disasters. Obviously, people tend to flee, but they can't bring all their stuff. So… they often bury it, in the hopes that later they'll be able to return and claim it.

Often they can't do that, though -- either they can't return, or they lose track of where they buried it.

In real life, these are valuable finds for archeologists and anthropologists, and were occasionally a lucky find for some peasant.

In BG3, this explains all the buried chests. Faerûn has had a lot of disasters.

Discussing the "buried treasure" thing with my dad, and he mentioned that in many places there were laws saying that the king (or sometimes just the landlord) got first crack at any treasure buried on their land. Adventurers would just shrug at that, obvs.

It was difficult, first time around, determining what items were useful and what weren't. I ended up doing this:

This time I didn't grab the "minds" from the nautiloid... only to find out, quite a bit later, where you can use them.

There's a gold cost to learning a spell from a scroll, but not for casting. And while you need food for each long rest, there is tons of food just lying around. (Just as well, considering how, especially at the beginning, it's good to spam long rests.) So it's not like there's no resource management at all, but it doesn't feel stressful.

Picking up food items is worth it just to read the (heh) flavour text. Especially the commentary on the quality of the wines.

I got very spoiled by playing the rogue in my first campaign, sneaking around everywhere and picking all the locks. And I didn't even have the Gloves of Thievery that time! They give Advantage on Sleight of Hand rolls. But also, the game was occasionally bugged so that even if I'd just picked up the key, doors would still be like, "❌Locked". So I was like, "Screw it, back to the trusty lockpicks."

Now it's more like this:

I suppose if I'd started out playing Gale, it might have been more like this:

I haven't had her try pickpocketing anyone (I'd leave that for the actual rogue), but "Yoink!" and "ooOOooh" are things that Karlach says when looting crates and whatnot. Trinket would approve.

Explanation: a while ago we played a campaign in which all the characters were awakened animals of one sort or another. Trinket was a raven who had been the familiar for a university professor wizard (who accidentally blew himself up in a lab experiment). She saw university kids saying things like, "Yoink! Your pen's mine now," and concluded that you were allowed to take anything as long as you said, "Yoink!"

[deolx3]

Quick-change Nilou poster for Sleight of Hand Zine

[cozeecritter]

I’ve been patiently waiting all day but I’m finally home and can finally meet my new obsession — Lindorf the Chocolate Bashful Bunny!

I try very hard not to be an impulse buyer, but the moment I saw this magnificent boy, I had constructed his persona in about 0.5 seconds.

Ahem. Lindorf is actually a ✨Wizard✨ He is the guardian of all holidays that you can be gifted chocolate on. So, pretty much all of them! He’s very good at sleight of hand. A snap of his paw and he’ll pull a Hersey kiss from behind your ear! Clover and Snoop are very excited to finally have a Bashful Bunny friend, especially one who can do so many cool tricks.

[fully-embracing-my-autopsy]

Okay @captainfairygodmother . You want the infodump? You get the infodump about Malcolm Merlyn >:)

(I'll start basic before I get unhinged)

He is a softie actually

And bisexual

He is the founder/CEO of Merlyn Global

He was married to Rebecca (Merlyn), she was murdered. He blames himself for her death

He had a son with Rebecca, his name is Tommy. He wasn't the best father to Tommy, could have been better tbh, but he went down a dark path after Rebecca was murdered because of ✨ unhealthy coping mechanisms ✨

Before his wife died, he was actually a wonderful father

He had a daughter with Moira Queen (after Rebecca was murdered) and her name is Thea

He loves both his kids, and definitely regrets not being a better father for them

As much as Thea hates him, that's how much he loves her. He'd do anything for her, including dying (zips lips)

He is protective of his kids, and if that means throwing in with the bad guys to ensure their safety, he'll do that

He was also the cause of Tommy's death. Which he ofc blames himself for

That happened because he made a plan to destroy the Glades (rundown and poor part of Star City where his wife was murdered because he felt it would help to rebuild from scratch to fix it). Team Arrow was able to dismantle one of his machines but not the second. The second one killed 503 people, one being Tommy who was crushed by a falling building after he didn't stay out of the glades

He definitely went about it the wrong ways, but he wants the best for his kids. To be able to thrive on their own and keep themselves safe

So he tries tough love . Because he had his heart shattered and he doesn't want that for his kids

He is Traumatized ™ and broken

He actually needs a bajillion hugs and forehead kisses

After his wife died, he left to a place called Nanda Parbat, to train for two years with the League of Assassins, who taught him how to squash his emotions down so they don't hurt

This clearly doesn't work after some time XD

He is deadly and dangerous (and hot. Who said that)

He can use a bow and arrow with extreme accuracy. As well as firearms, and any bladed weapon. He is also extremely skilled in hand-to-hand combat. He can catch arrows fired at him. (You see it twice at least on screen)

Iirc he also caught a knife thrown at him

He spars for fun

You can pour boiling water or wax on him and he won't flinch. He will not show he's in pain

He also has the resources to build a ton of deadly weapons and destructive items

He was the head of the league for a while, until in a fight with Oliver Queen (and Nyssa al Ghul). Oliver cut his hand off, so now he has what seems to be a bionic hand

He needs extensive therapy

I love that idiot

He needs more reasons to smile.. he doesn't do it enough

Thea was on the edge of death at one point and you could tell that his heart broke again . She hated him and yet he still cared

He is often always smarter than Oliver/the Green Arrow. Thea was dying, he had a way to bring her back (the Lazarus Pit) . However as much as he wanted her back, he said not to do it, because it would fundamentally change her, and she would be stuck with a bloodlust which wouldn't be sated until she killed the man who tried to kill her. Unfortunately he was dead.

Oliver went ahead and did it anyway, and guess what. Proved Malcolm right. Except he got the blame despite telling them nOT TO FUCKING DO IT

I also hc him as aroace because reasons

If Rebecca hadn't died, he wouldn't have become as dark as he is now. It really broke him

Oh and he can do magic (sleight of hand probably) but he's damn good at it

Which is why he's called Al Saher, the Magician

He's also referred to as The Dark Archer, because unlike the Green Arrow, he dresses in all black and has black arrows

You should see him sharpening a knife. 🤤

Or in his Ras robes and being commanding. Yummy

Ahem who said that

He is a villain, but I'd say throughout the series he's often morally grey. He has also helped the good guys despite them being stupid sometimes, and would be in more trouble without his help.

They all hate him and want him dead (😐🙄)

They're actually very easily hate able imo

He is very likable

Have I mentioned that he needs hugs?

Oh and he can fly planes and he rides motorcycles (and maybe more than just a motorcycle iykwim)

Yeah um idk if I missed anything if I did I'll probably go "oh also" or something.

Did I mention he's a softie really? He does care, even if it doesn't seem like he does. Actually it does seem like he does, he's very unsubtle about it.

Oh and he's really smart

Yeah and a cutie

Oh and as much as Oliver/Green Arrow might think he can - he actually cannot defeat Malcolm

Oh and also he still wears his wedding band 😭

[marbled-magician]

I've decided I'm going through with the casino idea 👀👀

Any thoughts on what compress likes to do there?

I imagine slight of hand would come in 'handy' ✨

Okay that was a bad pun-

But still!

🥀OOC//

Depending if he’s working in the casino, he would definitely host one of the poker tables. I don’t know the rules of the AU but if quirks are allowed, he would definitely use it to his advantage..

Quirk or not, his sleight of hand will be very helpful!

[sleight-of-hand-zine]

✨🪄 NOW SHOWING…. Sleight of Hand is out NOW! All of our contributors and mods worked extremely hard on this zine! You can download it here: https://sleightofhandzine.itch.io/sleight-of-hand-zine