danwhobrowses

[danwhobrowses]

Oh I see how it is Critical Role, make a cast that's now almost double the size than usual split into 3 separate group narratives that are likely bound to converge and intertwine and expect me not to lose my mind over all of this information!?

I'm onto your game.

[danwhobrowses]

Just in case it's not apparent, a few weeks ago Donald Trump threatened further sanctions on Russia if Putin didn't agree to a ceasefire. The deadline for that was last Friday and when it passed, he hyped up this meeting in Alaska, where a man with an arrest warrant for war crimes was able to freely waltz into US territory - territory chosen because it was once Russian - to discuss a peace deal once again without Ukraine present, and came out with nothing.

No ceasefire, no sanctions, just the Russian president being given the red carpet treatment.

No Surprise there.

[danwhobrowses]

One Piece Chapter 1157 - Initial Thoughts

And lo do we return

Early, as brought to my attention, or late given how there was none last week despite there not being a break week.

Nevertheless, One Piece is back and the Harald/Loki/Rocks flashback continues. Will we add more faces to this tale? Will we actually get some plot development on what's happening in present time?

Let's find out

Spoilers for the Chapter, Support the Official Release too!

We still don't know this grave, but apparently they died protecting their village from Kaido, leaving no trace of their body behind

Given the context, that implies not Ryuma, since Moria's graverobbing was considered a pivotal moment in Wano's history

Also Ulti please read the room and not make a Snow-Kaido in front of the mass graveyard of samurai most of whom died fighting Kaido XD

We continue with Rocks, and his pirate adventure of plunder

This target is the 'Temple of International Philanthropy Federation', so a charity?

The people at least protest that all this loot is for charity, though Linlin counters by asking why it hasn't been distributed

I mean you gotta be a special kind of awful to create a fake charity to steal people's money *stares at the screen*

The crew didn't leave with everyone though, as Ochoku is called asking them to lower the lift

Shiki is told to handle it, and he lobs a bomb down the chute instead

I mean, you're throwing a bomb in a room with Kaido and Newgate (and Silver Axe), we know this ain't gonna work

Still, it appears true to the form we know of them, Shiki and Ochoku trying to get a bigger cut

Given the dialogue of the High Priest, it does seem to be a front, as they try to keep the pirates there in time for the army to arrive

Bars fall down at the exit, but before anything else can happen, a big part of the sea quakes

It's been a long time since we've seen the awesome visual of Whitebeard basically tilting slices of the ocean

The temple crumbles, levelling the infrastructure but reunited the crew

Kaido expresses small jealousy that he can't do Newgate's powers, but Newgate notes that if Kaido's interested in Devil Fruits he should choose wisely, since it's something that'll be with him for life

It would seem Kaido didn't heed that so well given how he continually lamented his toughness and durability

Still, we never did see Kaido and Whitebeard interact as Yonko, what was their vibe I wonder? He rushed to Marineford trying to give Whitebeard a proper death, maybe they were slightly amicable as the strongest human and creature

Silver Axe wants to know who planned to double cross them, and Ochoku immediately throws Shiki under the bus XD

Shiki tries to play friendly but they start scrapping

Rocks is annoyed, and alerted to the navy approaching by John

Newgate wonders about their swift response time, wondering if there was a leak

Rocks however only preps to fight

Rocks' crew have only been active for 2 years and they have an impressive path of destruction; 16 known raids, 76 sunken ships, 14 ports destroyed, an entire nation collapsed, 5 towns 'wiped off the map', 3 violations of international law and 25 criminal records erased

Those last 3 feel important; Imu's wiped out islands is it of a similar method? Also is that 3 War Crimes?

I'm confused with 25 criminal records erased, does that mean they freed pirates to try and kill him? Or did he just run through a ton of pre-Yonko Warlords?

Many would call this the Era of Rocks, except his name has been wiped from history

Enishi...we know that town!

Harald is there, but the WG are too and telling him to leave

Ah Harald's seeing the evil side of the WG, a town not part of their fold being deemed lawless and having no rights

It would be a special kind of scum to attempt to occupy a nation to harm or drive out innocent people acting as if they have no rights simply because you refuse to acknowledge their independence *stares at the screen again*

Harald continues to protest though, refusing to let harm come to the people who gave them aid during their famine

The WG ships however note that Elbaf's consideration for being a member nation is in the balance if he gets in there way

The WG guy shoots a woman in the shoulder, and that sets off Harald for the attack

Of course, the tabloids turn it against Elbaf, calling the battleship 'innocent' and that Elbaf's alliance was a ploy

And of course, Rocks is there to gloat about it

At Ida's tavern, Rocks continues to try and get Harald to join him

Harald remains adamant against it though, even going so far as to not let Rocks in the mainland because of his reputation

Harald has shaved his head bald, looking more like his portrait we saw in the castle

Rocks mocks him for it though, asking if he thought it'd be treated as a sign of good faith. Apparently Garp laughed at him too

Rocks ain't too wrong in that Garp's probably better off as a pirate, though probably a lawful one

Unfortunately Harald, many have fell into the trap of thinking the WG is 'many good with a few rotten' when really it's the reverse, the rot starts at the root

He also cites John Giant as an example of Giants being able to do good for the world - completely unaware that John was a transaction of a secret child trafficking ring

Rocks doesn't like the idea of many Elbaf giants in the navy, and asks Ida to back him up

Ida stays coy though, noting that if she were Harald's mother she'd tell him to choose his friends wisely

One solo panel of Loki and Hajrudin, Loki's refusing a drink from Mato, the brothers sit distantly, arms crossed and looking away from each other, as you expect from brothers

Over to Navy HQ and Admiral Kong is listing the many excuses against Elbaf being a member nation that's been told to him

Ranging from giants losing their tempers, crushing people if they roll in their sleep or just simple racist 'we can't coexist', it's clear that we're getting weak ass excuses

And Garp is quick to call them weak ass, pointing out the hypocrisy that they let giants in the Navy

Young Sengoku endorses Harald too, while Tsuru notes that being courted by Rocks means the Navy shouldn't risk them entering an alliance

Kong seems to agree, but it's not his call to make, when is it ever?

He does bring up their violent track record, but Garp likes that about them, further pushing to make Elbaf a member nation

We skip to 42 years ago, big news has shattered the pirate world: Shakky has left the Kuja Pirates

Pirates of Fullalead see their dreams turn to ash, realising there's no chance of meeting her at sea anymore

Gloriosa wasn't clued on this change and wonders what she's doing

Linlin asks if she maybe quit to chase after a man like Gloriosa did, confirming that it seems the future Granny Nyon did join Rocks to chase after Roger

Linlin jokes if love always leads to ruin for the Kuja, but Gloriosa snaps back hard with 'you crank out kids like popcorn'

Which is an even bigger roast given that her 3 boys are there in the room too; lil derpy Oven and Daifuku and baby Katakuri at his mother's right arm

Gloriosa does wonder if Shakky's the type to be lovesick, hoping that she doesn't have her sights on Roger

Shakky looks for some attention from Newgate, but rebuts her

Seems once again we're in the department of Newgate not having feelings for Miss Buckin, so my theory that Weevil is a genetic clone of their DNA is becoming more likely

Stussy does seem to be someone who wants what she can't have, wanting Newgate even though she's also deemed a 'popular sensation'

But lo, dreams do not all end today! Because the Kuja pirates are docking in Fullalead

In an incident deemed the greatest moment of the island's history, Shakky has arrived in Fullalead, dropped off by Tritoma and met with a parade of simping pirates

Despite her arrival, she is not joining the Rocks pirates. But she does intend to live here for a while

Since she was still a pirate, she is using the island to hide out until the WG lose interest in hunting her, and with an army of men willing to throw themselves in her way it's a solid plan

Shakky intends to run a store, which the people quickly build for her

Rocks arrives to witness the grand opening of Shakky's Rip-Off Bar, a place which had a month-long waiting list, but the Rocks pirates are her first customers

Alas, for all the clowning Roger got, Rocks and his crew are just as big a simp, including Newgate

As a result, Shakky became the island's crown jewel...we've heard that before

Remember Kuma's God Valley flashback, the Navy stirred up the beehive and stole a treasure of theirs....I think Shakky is the likely implication

Ah but here we have it, the Gorosei meet to discuss Harald

They have an ultimatum, Elbaf will become a member nation, but the warriors of Elbaf must kill Rocks

ANOTHER BREAK ODA!? COME ON!

So the Rocks flashback continued to be adapt into a Shakky Flashback. To the point that we're not getting much of Harald and Loki, Hajrudin and Luffy must be very confused about this tangent, maybe Gaban was filling some gaps but he wasn't there for all of it XD

Still, Rocks does have a long rap sheet, Luffy's numbers are pretty impressive too mind you, but he's not in the businesses of wiping out towns. I however remain unsure about seeing him as a good guy, just because he's stealing from bad people doesn't automatically make him good, he's stealing wealth for his own wealth.

I'm not sure I can admire Harald's persistence in joining the WG, but that could be because I know better. That being said, Harald should be knowing better too given what he has seen already. This ultimatum however does feel like the step towards ultimate pacifism, choosing his friend over his dream. How this comes into play with his death remains to be seen though, we are getting closer to the actual time period.

Next time we may get to God Valley unfolding, with Shakky being at Fullalead I can easily see her being kidnapped and that is what Rocks and Roger initially go to the island for, or expect her to be. Still doesn't explain why Roger and Garp fight Rocks together but we may yet get that context...after yet another wait at least. I swear we've only had like one back-to-back chapter in the last 5 :/ I mean of course Oda take your time but still, waiting patiently is agonizing.

[danwhobrowses]

btw Tcbscans have release Chapter 1157 today

Okay, I am in my office still, British time zones and all...

[danwhobrowses]

So before I go to bed knowing little about what went down in Oaths and Ash despite freaking out over it I guess I'll throw in my two cents of the topic on everyone else's mind with Campaign 4.

Twitter and Tumblr-land have been rife with takes and honestly I can see sides to most of them. I think it's okay to understand that fans can feel two contrasting things about it at once, myself included.

For instance, I am sad that we are not continuing C4 in Exandria. Though it lives on with Echoes of Exandria - of which I have a ticket for in London - C3 ended with a massive change to the world set up, it's a shame not to experience how that pans out, the questions it leaves unanswered that shortform liveshows and mini-campaigns cannot always cater to. There's a cynical side that also says that since this feels like it was always the plan it serves as a negative to C3's plotline being designed to definitively seal, reduce and soft-close Exandria in favour of hyping up a new world and story to tell, which makes its players Bell's Hells feel as though they had even less agency.

However, I am also excited to see a new campaign with Brennan at the helm, he's a great DM and Matt deserves to have an extended time free from being in the hot seat. A new world makes sense for the new DM and introducing new players enriches not only fan exposure to new people and any work they do but also means that the rest of the cast are free to explore projects without feeling like they're letting the fans down in absentia, CR is a brand and a business but it's not their only job they have to commit to. And yeah, Exandria isn't gone it's just reduced, and it can always come back if the group feel like there's a story worth telling.

We're creating a multiverse here with several brilliantly intelligent storytelling minds, and after 10 years who are we to doubt them? I look forward to seeing what new characters and adventures they bring

[danwhobrowses]

One Piece Chapter 1156 - Initial Thoughts

And we're back

the break weeks feel so long but once again One Piece returns from the war. Harald's backstory has taking a detour into Rocks territory, but it's hard to tell if we'll stick with Elbaf or if we'll get more of the enigmatic Xebec

Shall we find out? We shall indeed!

Spoilers for the Chapter, Support the Official Release too!

Two covers today, first was a bunch of manga/anime characters with Pokémon, which is cool - though Luffy with Pikachu is uninspired when Aipom suits his personality more

The Colour Spread has the Monster Trio standing all cool with Nami behind Luffy, with a backdrop of Roger, Rayleigh and Gaban

The rest of the crew are miniature in Luffy's back or on his shoulders and hat

There are some small tidbits that seem interesting though; Zoro's got a badge with a skull and a 6 on it, not sure what that means though, Gaban's shades show a figure running in them which is interesting

But Luffy's armband intrigues me; Nereids are sea nymphs of Greek Myth, daughters of the Old Man of the Sea (Nereus) and are attendants of Poseidon, usually they help sailors too

A famous nereid was Thetis, mother of Achilles, and another is Amphitrite, wife of Poseidon and mother of Triton, so maybe there will be some significance?

Anyway, to the chapter, and before the Great Pirate era we see a town cleared by pirates, but people seem mixed about it

The men and marines alike seem immobilized by heart eyes while the women berate them

A calling card of the Kuja Pirates, Boa or not

Gloriosa was very much like Boa in her youth, in dress code and vanity, and most of her own crew simping for her

Seems she also receives fan mail, but there's a pile even bigger than hers on the ship

We also officially see a young Tritoma, the future empress who would precede Boa Hancock who we've only ever seen in SBS before

Gloriosa isn't top dog in suitors it seems, since the bigger pile is for Shakky, her first mate - which Gloriosa pouts about

The Roger pirates are now here!

It seems that Gloriosa's love was none other than Gol D. Roger...who like the rest of his crew preferred Shakky

Given the dialogue this is not the first time the Roger pirates have attempted to take Shakky

Shakky sure makes an entrance though, taking out Gaban and standing tall over Roger - who can't resist her

I mean I get it, someone get that close to you it's hard not to

Shakky with the longer hair is definitely a better look, she's barely aged since then too

Despite Gloriosa trying to get Roger's attention he still tries to look at Shakky, not seeming to mind that the Kuja are about to plunder them again

It would seem however that only Rayleigh is resistant to her whims, and she likes that

No wonder she correctly assumed that Boa would fall for Luffy being immune to her own beauty

Mid-plunder however the Navy arrive

It's identified as Garp's ship which springs Roger back into action

See young Garp does look a bit more like Luffy as much as young Roger looks like Ace

We also get another named move from Roger, Ara-Mitama to combat Garp's Meteor Fist, evenly matched in a conqueror's clash

The Kuja meanwhile are mentioned to be so popular that stalkers would be rife and people would buy pictures of them for high prices...not much has changed these days in the real world

At this time, the height of the Kuja's popularity, Gloriosa would fall to her love sickness and thus Shakky would become the next Empress

So wait, did Gloriosa become a Rocks pirate out of spite? Because it's starting to feel like it's out of spite

We go back to Elbaf and it seems Loki had almost drowned

He's said to act up when Harald's not around, which Harald apologises for

Ida however is right on the attack, reprimanding the giant who fished Loki out for inferring he hesitated to help him, she wouldn't abide letting a kid die

Loki insists he didn't ask for help, which enrages the giant

Ida tries to sympathize with Loki, but Loki only returns her gestures with spite, calling her an old hag

Both brothers however are in unison about not wanting Loki to stay with Ida

Loki still is grasping at straws when shown affection though, accusing Ida of acting motherly and being a Gold Digger - which does enrage Hajrudin and Harald but Ida shrugs it off

Mato - the giant who will inherit the tavern - also seems upset that Loki's mean to Ida

Loki however claims he's sick of the country and wants to live free like Rocks, but every time Rocks comes over to recruit Harald, Loki continues to be rejected

'Aren't you happy, I'm going to follow him out to sea. Cause I hate you all right back' just about sums up Loki's mindset of 'they hate me so I'll just hate you'

Months after taking over Pirate Island, another person comes to join

Interestingly, the rock doesn't resemble a skull without the eye holes

This new recruit gets some hazing from the lackeys

Huh, the skull rock was initially a Fish-Shaped boulder

If I had a nickel for every time Oda revealed something as a fish I'd have two nickels...

When the hazing gets physical, the lackey realises that this hooded figure's hand is bigger than the size of his face

Our guy is Kyo the Hitman, a rival of Shiki's

He's also known as Kyo the Wicked - like Shiki - and will be the future Silver Axe

At the same time, the Fish rock has two holes blown into it, becoming a skull rock now

Seems the eye holes was Rocks' doing, liking the view it has

Rocks has his eye on two devil fruits, and one of them's likely in Elbaf

It seems Rocks has other reasons for pursuing Harald for the recruitment drive, not only does he want him to eat this fruit to get its true power but he also wants his authority as king to command the Gale Ra giants

Linlin has been trying to track them down but hasn't heard word of them, Streusen thinks it's a lost cause

We have another new Rocks pirate, a fishman called Barbell

Kaido asks why not just use their strength to command the giants, which Rocks takes offense to, kicking the young pirate in the face

Shiki and Captain John defuse the tension, suggesting that they delay the inevitable implosion until they're richer

For a pirate crew of no loyalties, Rocks does seem to see Harald as a friend

But at the same time he believes much like Imu that Elbaf is the key to winning a future war

We get a full shot of the Rocks pirates crew - sans Gloriosa, Kyo, and Gill Bastar - which look like a mix of the Kid, Blackbeard and Straw Hat pirates in their own way - as Rocks promises to take them to the summit of the world

So this chapter mixed it up a bit with focusing on Roger and the Kuja as well as Harald, Loki and Rocks. This being said I do feel like we're not gonna get too much more of Rocks after next chapter, we might get a bit more of God Valley but that's it.

It's interesting that Gloriosa was lusting after Roger but everyone else wanted Shakky. It teeters on problematic though since they did show up to try and kidnap Shakky but they are pirates, their popularity and fanmail and stalkers makes the kidnapping of the Boa sisters more insidious though. On Gloriosa I am confused what leads her to Rocks, in Kuma's flashback she seemed to be competing with Stussy for Newgate's affections but being in love with Roger feels like it wouldn't mix too well in God Valley, did she join his enemy for attention or to try and overcome her lovesickness by killing him?

Loki acting out to get Harald's attention makes sense, and Ida still being nice to him was expected, but I do worry for her still. It's not gonna end well for Ida but the question is if Loki's involved in it in any way? I wonder if we will indeed get anything regarding the Lola incident too.

As for Rocks' two devil fruits, it's intriguing that he's only after two. At this point God Valley hasn't happened so Kuma and Kaido's fruit aren't up for grabs, it seems Rocks like his son was knowledgeable in Devil Fruits to believe that only Harald could get the best out of this mysterious fruit, what the other fruit is can be up for debate too.

But it was still a good chapter despite being a little bit scattered, the closer we get to the Harald incident the more focused the story will likely be.

[danwhobrowses]

So with Oaths and Ash coming Saturday and my anxious ass panicking about it all, I decided that although I said in my previous post of how BH might shape up class, ancestry and upbringing-wise (see here) that we likely 'didn't have time' to cover the Domain side of things, I couldn't quite shake mulling over it.

Following Daggerheart's latest reveals of transformations, this feels like an apt time to go into a bit more detail on how Bell's Hells might shape up, focusing more on Domain cards.

So to cover what we mentioned last time, I'll also list out the class, subclass, ancestry, and upbringing per character too, as well as their Domains, their Card Loadout and, if applicable, a card in their vault. Bear in mind I expect the levels to be Lv. 8 and multiclass rules in Daggerheart mean the secondary class' chosen domain will only be able to claim cards equal or lower than half their level - so level 4 cards or lower - I will mark the multiclassed Domain and any multiclass Domain cards in Italics.

Since we introduced transformations including the Werewolf, lets start with our woodworking lycanthrope.

Chetney Pock O'Pea Warborne Gnome - Ranger/Assassin multiclass Domains: Sage, Bone & Blade Subclass: Wayfinder (Specialization) & Executioner's Guild (Foundation) Loadout: - Deft Maneuvers - Gifted Tracker - Ferocity - Fortified Armor - Know Thy Enemy Transformation: Werewolf

Braius Doomseed Orderborne Firbolg - Seraph/Bard multiclass Domains: Valor, Splendor & Grace Subclass: Divine Wielder (Specialization) & Wordsmith (Foundation) Loadout: - Bolt Beacon - Mending Touch - Deft Deceiver - Smite - Restoration

Orym of the Air Ashari Orderborne Halfling - Warrior Domains: Blade & Bone Subclass: Call of the Brave (Mastery) Loadout: - Untouchable - Boost - A Soldier's Bond - Cruel Precision - Breaking Blow Vault: Vitality

Dorian Storm Highborne Skykin - Bard Domains: Grace & Codex Subclass: Troubadour (Mastery) Loadout: - Inspirational Words - Tell No Lies - Hypnotic Shimmer - Book of Korvax - Sigil of Retribution

Imogen Temult Hearthborne Human - Sorcerer Domains: Arcana & Midnight Subclass: Elemental Origin (Mastery) Loadout: - Unleash Chaos - Counterspell - Chain Lightning - Telekinesis - Spellcharge

Laudna Freeborne Human - Witch/Warlock multiclass Domains: Sage, Dread & Midnight Subclass: Hedge (Specialization) & Pact of the Endless (Foundation) Loadout: - Blighting Strike - Natural Familiar (Pate de Rolo) - Siphon Essence - Shadowbind - Eldritch Flesh

Fearne Calloway Wildborne Faun - Druid/Rogue multiclass Domains: Sage, Codex & Midnight Subclass: Warden of the Elements (Specialization) & Nightwalker (Foundation) Loadout: - Book of Tyfar - Natural Familiar (Little Mister) - Pick and Pull - Death Grip - Healing Field

Ashton Greymoore Slyborne Earthkin - Guardian Domains: Blade & Valor Subclass: Stalwart (Mastery) Loadout: - Bare Bones - Rage Up - Frenzy - Not Good Enough - Blade Touched Vault: Vitality

It is possible that Fearne and Ashton's titan forms can be the Demigod transformation but honestly the abilities on that state don't feel worth it, the transformations don't have the same trade-off that the Titan forms either - which isn't a terrible thing mind you, it still feels weird that channelling the titan emperor/empress empowers them less than Grog's Titanstone Knuckles made from a titan's heartstone and leaves them worse off afterwards.

It's also possible that some equipment/weapons could have domain cards baked into them, like how the Staff of Dark Odyssey could have Arcana cards Book of Vagras, Book of Homet, and Teleport in them to mimic the staff's abilities, but only allowing one card to be used per rest. Additionally, Natural Familiar is quite limited, though Matt could simply homebrew an upcast function, spending additional Stress or Hope, to retain Laudna's ability to use Pate's range to cast spells and Mister's Fiery teleport and ranged fire turds, they'll potentially need an item to cast the spell if Robbie wishes Dorian to keep using Coriolis too, since he can't use the Sage domain without multiclassing. There still also remains the question mark over Ashton's Dunamancy, and whether there's something more to be revealed or if Ashton's unique reality-bending abilities are - hopefully not - scrapped or underplayed to suit Daggerheart's style.

Of course, this is just me theorizing and I could be completely wrong, or just close to the mark like I was last time inferring that transformative states would probably be introduced soon so we'll just have to wait and see.

[danwhobrowses]

Having watched both Superman and Fantastic Four: First Steps, I can honestly say that they are both great comic book movies, but they're also two very different comic book movies that attempting to compare them is foolish. Watch both, enjoy both, comic book movies are back to being like comic books.

[danwhobrowses]

Okay so I caved and bought a ticked just in case, if the synopsis turns out not for me I can put it on resale for someone who wants it, but that's a low likelihood. Naturally because Beacon got early access all the front seats and the Q&A access was all gone but I should have a seat Diagonal to the action.

[danwhobrowses]

Spoilers for the finale below the cut

Well congrats to the 27.4% majority, you got it correct!

Matt tried but it seems the two most doomed by the narrative, Brixton and Idyl, ended up being our final surviving two - and successfully brought the Sacred Branch and relit the pyre in Desperloch. Misty and Skreev committed to a back-to-back Blaze of Glory - giving Ashley the full set of Death Rolls - which achieved the final HDYWTDT. Snyx however fell to the dice when he risked it all, Skreev having opted, at least at the time, not to kill him for killing zombie Adelia.

And that wraps up Age of Umbra, but we still have all of SDCC's reveals for Vox Machina S4 (and final S5) announced and the Mighty Nein trailer, guest cast list, and release date.

And soon enough, Oaths and Ash live show in Indeanappolis where Bell's Hells will be back in full uninterrupted force in the Daggerheart playstyle.

Feel free to add who you think's dying/surviving in the tags

[danwhobrowses]

Feel free to add who you think's dying/surviving in the tags

[danwhobrowses]

One Piece Chapter 1155 - Initial Thoughts

And we are back, and he is here

Our latest anticipated Scrimblo D. Blimbo has finally shown his face in the midst of Loki and Harald's flashback, and we're already eager to learn more.

So what more will we find out about the man erased along with God Valley: Rocks D. Xebec?

Spoilers for the Chapter, Support the Official Release too!

A colour spread for this one, the crew walk across a horizontal ladder between high up towers, those gaps would make me anxious too so I can't fault Nami or Usopp for clinging to Jinbe and Luffy respectively

I do like the tidbit of Luffy's wanted poster being on a billboard in the background though

We pick up where we left off with Loki's encounter with Rocks, Shiki, Newgate and Stussy

Loki, having seen humans up close for the first time, claims that his father is away on a voyage, which Rocks clocks on to meaning he's Harald's son

He asks Loki to tell someone higher up that Loki himself has been seriously injured to encourage Harald's return

Loki however takes offence that a human is ordering him around, and refutes the idea that Harald would return just because he's hurt

He shouldn't have called Rocks weak though, since the man primes up his blade - in a similar way Roger did against Whitebeard, but although Conqueror's Haki emits from him the blade isn't coated in armament

Narration tells us that Rocks' swordsmanship was renowned for its heavy impact, akin to a giant hammer or cannon fire that could blow away everything in the surrounding area - Loki however would feel it first hand

I'd say it was intended for the gut but it does kinda look like Rocks hit him in the balls XD

Still, Rocks ensured that he wouldn't be a liar, and he laughs at it

Rocks' distinct laugh seems to be 'Voha ha ha'

We flash back this flashback of a flashback to the reverie where Rocks killed the admiral

A stir had led to 5 kings being kidnapped and it seems Harald as the 'big man in black' is being blamed for it

Imu doesn't seem to care, noting that the lives of those kings cannot leverage them

However, Rocks is here

For the first and only time, an intruder made it into the Flower Room, talking directly to Imu

Gunko is also in attendance, she looks much different here, almost like a nun with a face mask like Ulti's

It's interesting she's here and quite grown up though, bearing in mind that she knew Brook as a child and this would've been 48 years ago - 4 years after Brook's initial death

Rocks allegedly claimed himself a 'Davy Jonesian Pirate', whatever that means

He wouldn't cross blows with Imu, but he left with a warning 'just wait, one day... I'll be back'

So Rocks is a Grade A menace then

Harald got less tense but still problematic attention in Marejois, several Celestial Dragons wanting him as a slave because he's bigger than a normal giant

He's already set on fire, accused of being a Kingnapper

In his escape, he crossed paths with Rocks also escaping

Harald clocks that Rocks is likely responsible, while Rocks is surprised that a giant is in the Holy Land

They clash swords, blowing everyone away in a 5km radius

It's an ACOC Clash of King's kinda clash too, confirming that Harald too has Conqueror's Haki

Might be me but given how Rocks immediately turned friendly after the clash, I think Rocks had a similar emotional wavelength as Luffy does, quickly sensing that Harald isn't an enemy

They introduce themselves to each other, with Rocks coordinating Harald to strike another way so to ensure both of their escape

He also points Harald to the direction of the New World, suggesting they meet again

Harald doesn't want to associate with a criminal, and just jumps clean off the Red Line - much to Rocks' surprise

It seems Rocks' killing of an admiral happened just before then, he left the Admiral fatally injured but he died of his wounds

Naturally, that got him a bounty - the poster does resemble Luffy and Buggy's in a way; hand up, big smile and - for Buggy at least - tongue out

You don't see the bounty figure alas

But once again I remain baffled that Carrot didn't get a single bounty for destroying a fleet of Big Mom's ships on her own, while yeah killing an Admiral and escaping Marejois should indeed get you a bounty it still feels like the standard is off

Rocks would later attack a ship with the tribute for the Celestial Dragons, destroying the Gates of Justice too

In that case he must've broken into Marineford or Enies Lobby or something, since there aren't many Gates of Justice?

But Rocks isn't as altruistic as he is daring, that tribute isn't going back to the people it's going to his own pocket

And it's not just the WG he targets, he's also targeting pirates

We knew before that Rocks' crew were comprised of people who didn't get along but seemed to strangely coexist, it seems the reason for that is because Rocks won many a crewmate from Davy Back fights

Much like the straw hats did, we see Rocks fare - albeit more successfully and brutally - in the same challenges; the boat race, Groggy ring and the 1v1 boxing match (alas no Afro Rocks)

After acquiring Stussy, Shiki and Newgate, they went to Elbaf in search for Harald

Back to the chapter's 'present', Harald did indeed come rushing back for Loki

He does tell Loki not to wander the Realm of the Dead given the dangers lurking

Loki however is reluctant to accept that his father came back for him, pawing it off as coincidence

Harald turns his attention to Rocks, who asks him to join his crew

There are a few other faces among them; a gangster, the armour guy that's likely another member Moria zombiefired, and a multi-chin dude who looks like Catarina Devon's dad

Rocks himself seems to have the same fashion taste as Kid, and is jacked

Alas, although Rocks points out that the WG won't help him out so he might as well join, Harald is reluctant

Rocks seems to be of the old Elbaf mind of 'crush whoever disagrees with you' which Harald refutes, but Rocks believes that people don't change, the same bloodlust still courses through his veins

Perhaps that may be some insight to the Domi Reversi, it had been theorized that it was due to them already having that demon side in them - but still it only works as a good theme if it can be overcame

Harald warns the other crewmates not to follow a man like Rocks, but the crew laugh at him

Shiki - known at this time as 'The Wicked' - claims that they don't care if Rocks dies, they're out for themselves, much like the philosophy of Blackbeard's crew

Miss Buckin (Stussy) does admit there is an appeal to his plans though, she's known as 'The Tech Bandit' which is funny since at MADS she's known as the freeloader

Our Gangster is Don Marlon from the West Blue, who mentions Fullalead, I wonder if Bege - also from the West Blue - usurped Marlon as the next Don

Seems the island was called the 'Isle of Exiles', a place the world sent their inmates in a form of penal exile...so Australia

Newgate adds that the island was meant to be barren, so you were just meant to wait and starve

It's triple chin who is Ochoku, the one Blackbeard would later usurp, known as the 'Pirate Prophet', they also have pointed ears and a forked tongue, kinda devilish

Our big armoured guy is called Ganzui (not to be confused with Wang-Zhi, Ochoku's romanized name...unless translations got confused) he's the smuggler, with all that heavy armour and being currently the biggest guy in the crew XD

They continue the story, the pirates of the island banded together and found a massive gold deposit on the island, a shadow organization helped them amass a fortune

Rocks continues to explain that the island is now lucrative but they steal everything from anyone who gets near, so he plans to cut a deal with the WG to be paid to take care of them, but then take over the island themselves as its leaders

I see where Blackbeard got his planning from though, not too unlike how he became a Warlord just to get a dangerous crew from Impel Down

With the island as his base and an army of pirate minions, he can start his lifetime goals of crushing the navy, bringing down the holy land, and becoming king of the world

Harald is sceptical of the amount of opposition to his goals, but Harald notes that power doesn't last forever, once again asking him to join

Harald refuses, stating he's the king, but Rocks notes he's gonna be king of the world so that doesn't matter

Loki however is inspired, spying from the outside

Four years later, with Harald consistently rejecting him, Rocks achieves his goal at claiming Fullalead

And another break? We had a break 2 weeks ago Oda man!

So this Loki Flashback seems to be a Loki, Harald and now Rocks flashback - or at the least a tidbit of the latter. Rocks is indeed a badass menace confronting Imu like that, and he has his own charisma, but I'm not so quick to put him in the camp of 'misunderstood good guy'. I doubt in 6 years he's going to God Valley to free slaves, why Roger and Garp team up to impede him is yet to be revealed after all and neither man seems to be a friend of the Celestial Dragons.

Rocks D. Xebec strikes me as Kid with a bit more Luffy-isms, friendly to his friends but not to others. He also strikes as a guy who has never lost a fight, with a 'prologue of my life' as impressive as confronting the shadow ruler of the world he definitely has the daring and the power to stand unopposed, but he has intense main character syndrome. It's no surprise though that his son would adopt his tactics and style of captaining, also unsurprising that Loki would look up to him as a man who values power and acts selfishly.

It's not to say Luffy doesn't act selfishly either, Luffy doesn't do anything he doesn't want to do, but he has more compassion than Rocks it would seem. I wonder if present Loki will notice any similarities, it might be dangerous if he were to meet Blackbeard though. As for Loki, his younger self still seems to be in denial that his father, while flawed and often in absentia, does indeed care about him.

As a side we should note that Harald's pretty damn strong to clash with Rocks like that, if he's capable of killing an Admiral then Harald might've been Yonko tier if he wasn't trying to be a diplomat.

But the wait wages on, we still have little insight as to why Loki had to kill his father, we shouldn't lose sight of that, but learning about Rocks has been very intriguing.

[danwhobrowses]

All In: Texas Weekend - PPV Reviews

So this was a big and anticipated week for wrestling, AEW stacked the week with their crown jewel PPV All In this year set in Texas - which alas, would be the first AEW All In I couldn't attend - and WWE being WWE decided to hastily slap a bunch of shows around it to get the 'final word'.

But watch them all I shall, so if you wanna see what I thought of these shows, spoilers below

ROH Supercard of Honor

Zero Hour was already strong for ROH with solid matches. MxM's innuendos made me laugh and Negative One showing up for Dark Order was nice - Silver's amazing hot tags are still amazing. Wanted Lady Frost to get a win mind you but Diamante is good. I'm curious though where Dalton Castle is, he had a vignette almost a month ago.

The main show was fun, it took a while to get going with still good but tv-level matches in Hechicero/Oku and the Cash Money 4-Way. The did Dustin dirty with the Green Lantern costume XD could've been Cyborg Superman or, if you want the movie characters, Krypto. Infantry should've won though, I get it's Texas - and hindsight would dip into that Texas pop a few too many times - but Sons of Texas have held those belts long enough. Nick vs Titan was solid, and I was glad to see Mina grab gold, even if it's interim, bit of a TJPW reunion with Miyu Yamashita and Yuka 'Mrs Takeshita' Sakazaki in the match too. I liked Miyu's tap as well, it really sold the pain she was in. Athena's among the top 5 women in the world right now, but her match with Rosa struggled to get out of second gear which was a shame, Athena sold the arm a lot but it just didn't click.

The Main Event elevated the show from solid to good, Bandido vs Takeshita was an absolute banger. With Takeshita going to the G1 there was the chance of TK putting the belt on him like he did Nick Wayne for the BOSJ - and we should definitely look to giving Takeshita gold, that Okada feud is still in waiting - but keeping the title on a talent who will show up consistently is definitely a good call, and Bandido is amazing.

NXT Great American Bash

I was glad to start Sunday morning with this because the moment I heard Booker T on commentary I wanted to mute. First few matches probably went a little too long, but I'm high on Sol Ruca she did a lot of good selling and she has a great finisher. Ricky/Ethan was very good - the Troy interference was unneeded - but both men need to move on to feud with non-former AEW talents. The TNA contract signing was meh, Santana and Hendry have far better promos in them, Oba/Inamura did not need the ref bump but definitely won me over.

Mariah May is a big girl who can make her own decisions, but the way NXT are presenting her as Blake Monroe just feels too cartoonish. This was the wrong match to main event, riddled with thinly veiled swipes at AEW with Booker calling Jacy Jayne a 'pillar' and outwardly ignoring Blake's run in AEW, and yet ANOTHER interference with Jasmine Nyx and Masha Slamovich getting involved, literally only the opening match is free from interference - which includes the contract signing. It was a decent show but should've been booked better.

WWE Saturday Night's Main Event

Jesse Ventura is great and he's a fantastic palate cleanser from Booker T but we didn't have him on commentary - likely given his steel cage tirade last time - which was a shame. It took 12 minutes for the opening bell to ring though guys, 12 MINUTES, and it was for Orton with Jelly Roll vs McIntyre with Logan Paul...then a minute later there was an ad! A 5 minute sprint of a match with an ad break in between just so Jelly Roll can shove Logan Paul , punch him post-match, and eat a Claymore. A similar story befell the US title match, a fun sprint marred by needless interference designed mainly for a post match fight to set up another match.

It was unfortunate for Seth to be hit with an injury at this stage, shades of him getting injured after winning the world title, wish him a speedy recovery but maybe this'll help because his faction isn't quite working atm - plus as MITB holder he can cash in when returning from injury for the double surprise factor. And at least Goldberg didn't win. The match wasn't great, there'll be a meme template out of Goldberg tanking a chop but it was just mainly HBK levels of GUNTHER selling and Goldberg no selling, another dumb ref bump and a limp ending. It also seems that Goldberg's actually heartfelt retirement speech was cut off too, which makes you wonder what's the point?

Weakest show of the lot, not enough wrestling.

AEW All In: Texas

All In was the show most anticipated all weekend, but there was the worry it could go scorched earth or just not deliver on it's anticipated build.

The Zero Hour impressed me more with stuff outside of the matches, the interviews felt big, and it was aware of the history of the matches they were discussing; Renee discussing the feud and how it affects her association with Moxley as his wife in their car, Hangman mentioning his feud with Jarrett who was interviewing him, Statlander's title win at Pro Wrestling EVE was mentioned, Ospreay having hesitations that he trapped Swerve into this gambit. As for the matches, they were serviceable - could've been better: Sons of Texas vs STP was a bit too short but with Dustin and Sammy added to the TNT match it made sense, DCF vs Costco Conglomeration drew good heat but it was a rough time for the usually-crisp Hologram, FTR/Outrunners was good just not as good as their Collision match - and it was ruined a lot by the very loud child booing almost everything.

The main show had to grow from good to great. The Trios title match was fine but it's hard to connect with it when the titles have sadly been neglected - the HOOK stuff from DoN has still been unresolved - Hobbs powerslamming Yuta to reverse the Doomsday Device was cool though, not seen that since Brian Cage did it on Lucha Underground. Pillmanizing Joe is curious, will this be a vehicle to swap out another? or lead to their defeat at the hands of another trio like DCF, the Elite, or LFI? I'm not sure if MJF winning the gauntlet was the right call either. He's certainly worthy of it, but the man is feuding with Briscoe and Mistico already, he has enough on his plate and doesn't need it, I had hoped for Jay White to return - as a man who'd have beef with Mox but also someone who has Hangman's number - but of the entrants we saw Ricochet could've taken it too as simply a heel we want to see obliterated, or Brody because we should be giving Brody something. Regrow the beard though Juice I beg of ye XD

Adam Cole's health issues, later revealed to be a concussion, was heartbreaking, as is his promo because you know he wanted to wrestle. Following that with a match was a very difficult position to be in but considering how they had to run it on the fly, it did a solid job. I have mixed feelings over the 4-way though; on the one hand good for Dustin - 60 year old guy did triple duty within 24 hours - and once again it's a good ol' Texas pop after Cole's sad promo, but we did step on the toes of Kyle Fletcher for it, the Protostar is ready and we are ready for the pink TNT title belt. So long as we give Dustin at most about 4 weeks before giving it rightfully to Kyle I'd be okay with it; have Kyle note how he beat Garcia but he still got a title match and got pinned, and that Dustin didn't deserve to be in the match simply because he's failed to win it several times, have him beat Sammy 1v1, lose a multi-man but do a post-match assault, and then win the title match - maybe have the DCF (RPG Vice & Archer or Mark Davis) win the trios belts and help the Infantry take the tag belts off of him at ROH too for the mind games.

I don't know if there was any doubt that Bucks vs Ospreay/Swerve wouldn't slap but if anyone did they're either liars or Cornette marks. This was the first match to elevate the show up a level aligned with the show's expectations. Athena was absolutely the right choice for the women's gauntlet, Windsor and Syuri got a nice little showcase, and we still leave the gauntlet with a lot of unfinished business to pick up on tv feuds. The triple threat tag title match was a lot of fun, with a nice twist in Nick Wayne turning on Christian and aligning with FTR and Cope coming back for the save (after he poses for pyro ofc), but we do need to address how the Hurt Syndicate are perhaps too dominant right now - and it makes JetSpeed weak to keep being beaten down and losing. This triple threat was a potential out AEW have chosen not to take, plus Lashley had the injured leg, one has to wonder who they plan to step up.

A common tradition with AEW PPVs seems to be putting some amazing final 3s, and they weren't about to give up that trend. Toni/Moné grew in strength once they expended their usual moveset, and from a wrestling standpoint was perhaps the best of the night. I still don't know what that twisting suplex Toni did was but I hope she uses it more, right winner, great finish. Great to see JR back after his latest victory over cancer too, but it probably was a good idea to bring him back after the women's match. Okada/Omega V was never gonna be the best of the series, but it was still a great match with a narrative focus on Omega's weakened stomach, and a frenetic pace in the closing stages.

And: The Finale. AEW has not missed on a single Texas Death Match and they gave them 30 minutes to just give everything. And everything was Violent; from forks, to barbed wire, to glass, to a literal bed of nails, each time Moxley gained control the crowd got nervous, and every time Hangman got up they cheered. The heel interference remained present while the faces - Darby from above, Bryan Danielson in a Blue Panther mask, Nana handcuffing Marina and finally Swerve with the chain - got just involved enough to help out but not take the victory away from Hangman. And Mox deserves a lot of praise for selling the hanging like absolute death, I praised Miyu's tap out at Supercard because the heavy slaps showed how much agony she was in but Moxley sold his tap like if he didn't he would die, and that was the vibe needed to fell his title reign. And it all pays off for the moment fans needed to see, all to get that crescendo to finally bring that belt back into the light.

AEW has always been able to do stories.

WWE Evolution 2

Evolution deserved better than to be put in this spot, but it seems WWE was banking on the 'undersell, overdeliver' tactic. I shouldn't be surprised however to see Stephanie McMahon be the first person to come out, the McMahon-Helmsleys have to jerk themselves off first and foremostly on 'momentous' shows, and no offence to Joe Tessitore but a man being the first person you see on an all-women's ppv is a bad look.

After waiting just under 16 minutes for the opening bell to ring (All In took 7 btw) we got a strong IC bout designed, rightfully and successfully, to put Valkyria over in defeat. Sadly the follow-up match was just fine and left with questionable booking; WWE seem to have nothing creative for Blake Monroe rather than rehashing her AEW heel turn on Toni Storm but with Jordynne Grace, it's also silly timing because she gains nothing from it screwing her out of a title match when she could've let her win here and at Slammiversary (strange to see WWE ignore Jordynne vs Masha in favour of Jacy vs Masha) and then turn to claim her titles, she's literally only had one match as well.

The crowd seemed to be hot for Charlotte Flair after her whole shoot tell-all, but idk she still politics and gets overpushed, and she was built for the hot tag in the tag title four-way. It was another fine match, ended a bit weakly but probably way better than what JD vs the Bellas would've been. Michael Cole was lying when he said it was Trish's first singles match in 18 years, she faced Becky 4 times in 2023 (and Raquel Rodriguez) alone, faced Charlotte in 2019 too, in fact she didn't even have a singles match in 2007 because her retirement match at Unforgiven - where she won the title off of Lita and then Cryme Tyme embarrassed Lita post match by pawning off her stuff - was in 2006. Fortunately despite Wade Barrett's comparisons this was better than Goldberg vs GUNTHER by a country mile, mainly because Trish can sell.

While Bianca Belair is great, it was a silly choice to make her a special guest referee for a No Holds Barred match and not get involved - the match itself was lopsided with Naomi dealing more punishment but losing to a single table spot but we expected Cargill to win. People popping hard for Nikki Bella also proves that WWE fans have short memories. At the least, the battle royal had the correct winner, it was a bit of a drag with Nia Jax of all people sleeping on the outside till the final 4, felt the finish could've been set up better. Also winning a battle royal is the 'biggest experience' of your life? Woman you have been to Arena Mexico and Korakuen Hall, even winning the NXT World title should be a higher point than this.

Iyo vs Rhea was always gonna be great, they leaned heavy on how Iyo keeps on having Rhea's number and having the right counters, the ref bump - true to WWE booking - was unnecessary, they could've still fought in the crowd with a ref not wanting to end the main event in a double count out. Naomi pulling a Rollins did make for a surprising end, and I'm glad Naomi successfully cashed in, but it seemed strange to pin Iyo when Rhea took most of the punishment.

Final Thoughts

Evolution proved to be WWE's best show in their attempts to counter-program AEW, but it wasn't the best of the weekend. It won't dissuade them though given Evolution's success compared to SNME's failure and GAB's middling efforts but this would still act as a win for AEW to prove that they can still keep the conversation. All In was a very good PPV, which perhaps suffered a little from having the highest expectations of the lot and only being able to meet them rather than exceed it - for instance I at least hoped to see Willow help Hangman and for Kris to side with her in dealing with Marina, but Nana handcuffing her was still good to set up Swerve's arrival. That could just be me though, since I attended the last two All Ins.

I'd say all shows exposed WWE and AEW's strengths and flaws, which can hopefully be something both can work on - even if it feels like AEW's gets criticized more than WWE's does, even with stuff like All In is 'too long' now - but they also proved a lot of misconceptions wrong, whether they will shake them off long term remains to be seen but one can hope. In the end, both companies were able to finish strong, which is a plus for wrestling in general.

Best Show: AEW All In: Texas Best Entrance: Mercedes Moné (AEW All In: Texas) Best Attire: Bandido (ROH Supercard of Honor) Best Performance: 'Hangman' Adam Page (AEW All In: Texas) Best Spot: Iyo's diving crossbody on Rhea outside of the ring (WWE Evolution 2) Best Moment: Hangman freeing the AEW World Championship from the briefcase (AEW All In: Texas) Best Match: Bandido vs Konosuke Takeshita (ROH Supercard of Honor)

[danwhobrowses]

It's All In day, and while I do have a draft planning to review all the shows this weekend - AEW and WWE - All In is the one I'm looking forward to, and these are my predictions.

As for Zero Hour; Sons of Texas, Big Boom & The Conglomeration, and FTR.

Enjoy the show everyone!

[danwhobrowses]

One Piece Chapter 1154 - Initial Thoughts

And we're back

another break has passed and we continue on with the Harald/Loki backstory We recently saw Loki's birth, and in turn his tragic origin, will we get more tragic though? Answers about Harald's demise aren't entirely clear just yet

let's find out

Spoilers for the Chapter, Support the Official Release too

Yamato's cover story sends him and his squad to Ringo's grave, swords returned to their gravestones

The description says a Hero born in the West Blue but brought up in Ringo, is that meant to be Ryuma? His grave is in Ringo but it was said before he was born in Wano

Also SBS tidbit, turns out Ryuma's not the only legacy character Oda added into Thriller Bark as a zombie, the Wanted! gunslinger Gill Bastar was canonized as a former Rocks pirate member Moria zombified into a General Zombie

Between him and Captain John, seems the Straw Hats were lucky that Oars cleared them out

But anyway to this chapter; we kick off with lore we know already, with Jorul's death at the hands of the hunger-raged Linlin, the future Big Mom

That year, 63 years ago, Elbaf suffered further with fires, windstorms and long winters, that froze even giants into being unable to fish and thus bringing it to famine

Estrid blames this on Loki, and the guards for not killing him - though the guard claims it to be coincidence

Baby Loki breaks through the door, once more seeking his mother's love, but once more Estrid rejects him

It takes two whole giant guards to pull a crying baby Loki away, too young to comprehend that his mother is awful and telling people he's cursed

and also demanding that his eyes be gouged out

The famine starts turning Elbaf desperate, dividing between staying true to their new ways and trying to steal to make ends meet

It also leads to internal conflicts and looting, with hard times turning to people believing in Loki's 'curse'

One such old man comes to attack Ida and Hajrudin, demanding that Hajrudin take responsibility for his brother

Ida claims Hajrudin to be a cutie and to be the longest living man, which I guess is a sweet defence albeit misplaced in context

The giant attacks Ida, calling her an outsider who seduced Harald

Harald flattens the man like an accordion, seeking to end the commotion

His diplomacy seems to pay off, since through making allies, he has brought aid

There is a bit of an ominous mention of 'it'll be our job to return the favour' though, did Harald make a deal with the WG?

Although the famine ended, Estrid died on the eve of his return, having continued to spill the idea that Loki was cursed

Man I don't think she deserves your tears, she was an arranged marriage who did nothing but hoard your wealth

Harald does try to embrace his toddler - and bandaged around the eyes - son, but he remains stoic

It seems that they say his eyes are due to a condition, but it's unclear if that's propaganda or not

Harald chalks it up to grief, but the narrator tells them that Loki had given up on love

The king continues his diplomacy, including setting the port in Branch one that the God's Knights are now planning to lead the kids through as a means of building trade and communication

Sadly, Harald's efforts makes him an absent and neglectful father to Loki, who is stewarded by Estrid's older brother - who also has no love for him

Hajrudin and Ida have settled along the coast, which apparently keeps monsters from the Land of the Dead away

Their place is the tavern we saw Shanks and Colon in, which is now run by Mato but maintains the same philosophy of serving any takers

Ida also remains loving and doting of Hajrudin, pinching his cheek a bunch

Time jumps to 56 years ago; Jarul and Harald discuss an incident at the Reverie

Harald wasn't a guest though, instead he was smuggled in as a guard of one of the kings he befriended, keeping him from asking questions

It seems a murder took place though, but I can't pinpoint who that could be, it did cause a commotion that maintained Harald's cover though

Jarul warns Harald about being caught, noting a tale of the Galé-Ra Warhammer Company

It's similarity to Galley-La seems to be intentional, but even Harald thought the group of giant shipwrights with warhammers was a myth

Jarul confirms their existence, with letters from them having been sent to Elbaf, he recounts the final letter said they were captured, noting how over 100 giants including ancient ones could be captured by the WG

I wonder if one of these Warhammers is Loki's hammer?

Jarul however suggests that Harald's struggles with diplomacy may be down to old wounds rather than his own character

He also alludes to the rumour of a frozen army of giants - which we know is in Punk Hazard - but Harald maintains his resolve

Loki continues to be raised with the steward spewing hatred at him in a formal tone, the horse Asura dies a few years later, and then the Steward's body is found in the realm of the dead a little later

On that last one, Loki has a small grin

Harald has left on another voyage, 48 years ago

His dream of uniting races have had a great reception and continue to be encouraged

Adults however continue to throw shade at Hajrudin for being illegitimate

Loki decides to run roughshod on Elbaf though, calling upon his animal friends to beat everyone up, since Elbaf doesn't need weaklings

Hajrudin still stands up to Loki, trying to preserve what their father built, but Loki tells him that he doesn't get to call his father 'dad'

Two different ideologies clash; Hajrudin maintains the philosophy his mother imposed to him, to empathise and not do whatever because you're big

However Loki claims that it's his right to be this way as prince, and attacks

A young Gerd tries to help Hajrudin, with a young Goldberg trying to dissuade her before being hit on the head himself

We can tell why Gerd dislikes Loki moreso than others, also why she's the doctor given that she immediately checks him for first aid

Loki maintains his mask though, calling Hajrudin weak and pathetic and blaming it on his mother's blood

Some of the adult giants think he went too far since Hajrudin is still a prince, but Loki attacks them anyway, denouncing that his brother is a prince

The facade does soon break though, with Loki jumping back down to the realm of the dead, lamenting that he can't even die

A lot of Kaido energy really, 2 years before the Vodka kingdom try to sell him off

Also Loki's eyes are still there, so nobody did gouge them out

A mountain slices away as a group of figures find Loki, believing it to be Elbaf

Shiki and Edward Newgate observe Loki, with Shiki mentioning his eyes while Newgate asks why he's crying

Among them is Stussy and the captain himself, not silhouetted

Ah the murder was his doing was it, singlehandedly killing a Navy Admiral before disappearing without a trace

Rocks D. Xebec approaches Loki, demanding answers to two questions; is this Elbaf, and is this where we'll find Harald

And right at the bottom is the confirmation, Rocks D. Xebec: Father of Blackbeard

Well we all suspected it

Our first proper look at Rocks is quite similar to Blackbeard in the face, not the nose though, must be a mother thing like Usopp's is. Man's got YuGiOh hair as well XD He does look cool though, and if he's killed an Admiral 8 years ago and will need Roger and Garp combined to beat him 10 years later then he's gotta be pretty damn tough.

The chapter was more necessary than it was giving us much new stuff; if anything it simply reveals why those frozen giants in Punk Hazard were there and loosely connecting them to Galley La. It's all small things though that we've been told about that didn't really have anything more to add. I am curious what brought about the weather fluctuations though, feels like something due to the WG wiping something off the map. Coincidences are rare in One Piece after all.

As suspected with Loki, he maintains the facade of the bratty accursed prince to try and suppress his melancholy and jealousy. Harald however is somewhat at fault though, absent parents miss out on a lot and unfortunately Harald missed out on key moments of Loki and Hajrudin's life - but Hajrudin had a healthy and loving environment where Loki did not. We've seen a lot of One Piece stories involve parents having to leave their children behind for various reasons - Kuma, Dragon, Oden, Yasopp, Olvia - but I think this is the first one where we saw it have a negative impact on the child's personality. With the appearance of Rocks, it's likely that Loki respects him because he respects strength. Rocks will probably be the first person Loki sees as worthy, which is gonna make it tough when he gets shanked and refused to join him on his adventures.

It would seem however that more tragedy is to come before Harald's death, if Ida owned the tavern first then she's not around anymore it would seem.

Make no mistake I am eager to see and learn more about Rocks D. Xebec, but objectively this episode gave us crumbs when we want the cake, give us the cake Oda!

[danwhobrowses]

So ever since it was confirmed that the upcoming Daggerheart live show in Exandria would be involving Bell's Hells I've been looking through the current content to see how BH will be reskinned into the Daggerheart setting. Bearing in mind that Daggerheart, being still very new to the block and not having all the expansions and exceptions that Critical Role has utilised and tweaked in 5e, has its own set of strict-ish rules regarding character creation.

While I know I'm not the first to do this I did fall into a small theory, if you're willing to take the scenic route XD

So for starters we should look at what we have already. Like many others my curiosity of converting Bell's Hells from 5e to Daggerheart stemmed from BH having a litany of passive abilities that don't appear to gel with Daggerheart cleanly. So we start by covering what can be covered.

Firstly, we have to consider the levels. Since Daggerheart levels go up to 10 rather than 20 (if you want to read how I expected BH could shape up in a 5e Lv20 state you can read this), the safe bet is that the live show will put BH at Daggerheart's Level 8, the early Tier 4 for single classes, which would sit around Level 16 for 5e. This will probably be the zone which the live show will take place since Bell's Hells ended the campaign at Level 15 (gaining 2 temporary levels from the Matron for the Predathos fight), and it provides room for the max level variations of BH to be presented in a future one-shot. With that in mind this is how I would predict each character would set up with the information we know from Daggerheart already;

Orym: Orderborne Halfling, Level 8 (Tier 4) Call of the Brave Warrior

Dorian: Highborne Skykin, Level 8 (Tier 4) Troubadour Bard

Imogen: Hearthborne Human, Level 8 (Tier 4) Elemental Origin Sorcerer

Laudna: Freeborne Human, Level 6 (Tier 3) Hedge Witch & Level 2 (Tier 2) Pact of the Endless Warlock

Braius: Orderborne reskinned Firbolg, Level 5 (Tier 3) Divine Wielder Seraph & Level 3 (Tier 2) Wordsmith Bard

Fearne: Wildborne Faun, Level 6 (Tier 3) Warden of the Elements Druid & Level 2 (Tier 2) Nightwalker Rogue

Ashton: Slyborne Earthkin, Level 8 (Tier 4) Stalwart Guardian

Chetney: Warborne Gnome, Level 6 (Tier 3) Wayfinder Ranger & Level 2 (Tier 2) Executioner's Guild Assassin

At the time of initially writing this, we didn't have the new bundle of content added to the Void on June 24th, which did cut out a lot of my explaining and arguments for what would replace a Genasi and Gnome - I also didn't want to delve into stats and Domain cards because, well, you guys don't have all day.

In terms of Multiclassing, I've put all multiclassers into Tier 2 for their secondary class simply because it gives them more domain cards to use, even it's just a Level 1 or 2 card, but I can see Chet, Laudna, and Braius doing a singular dip into multiclass instead, given that the class doesn't offer as much as the 5e multiclass does and you're only limited to one Multiclass - which could make characters like FRIDA difficult to cross over.

The addition of newer communities led to me changing my choices for Laudna, Imogen, and Chetney (of whom I chose Underborne for Laudna and Chet and Loreborne for Imogen), while the new Witch class - following the still in beta Warlock class - seems to benefit Laudna more than the Sorcerer does, with her more focused around the spooky and communing parts of her 5e Shadow Sorcery subclass. I also swapped Chet's Syndicate Rogue for the other new class: Assassin. Although like Laudna it appears to be a departure from their 5e classes, Assassin seems to focus more on the offensive elements of 5e's Rogue rather than the evasive and persuasive that DH's Rogue leans more towards - which also suits Fearne more than Assassin does. While I am aware that there is a Faerie ancestry, I also felt that Fearne could easily stick as a Faun and just use her Fey upbringing as an Experience, that way her fey traits can be utilized when required such as charming or causing trickery or pickpocketing Ashton or whoever has one of those eggs she covets. Chet's build could work as a Warrior too but I felt Ranger was probably the more diverse option for him - plus Orym has it covered - to aid with his Lycanthrope abilities and tracking skills, but this too can be subject to change. Imogen I kept as Elemental Origin for the Lightning usage, while she could dip into a Moon Witch class it would depend on whether Imogen would want to commune with the only entity she's connected to - Predathos - in such a way.

It is curious that Daggerheart does not yet have a Blood Hunter equivalent, however, given how they invented the class for 5e - along with 5e-compliant Gunslinger, Oath of the Open Sea, Way of the Cobalt Soul, Sympathy Domain, and Path of Fundamental Chaos subclasses. But while the Void has added new content to the core Daggerheart ruleset to better fit the builds of the characters of Exandria, there are a few glaring gaps to take into account. While some things can probably worked around such as familiars for Fearne and Laudna (we are not going to have Bell's Hells without Mister or Pate after all) and Chet's werewolf/hybrid forms, it isn't as easy to neatly copy over all the abilities, boons, and core skillsets synonymous with Bell's Hells and their style of play. The key character for this is Ashton; Guardians don't have a Rage equivalent and Unstoppable is only for a limited time once per Long Rest, so it is not so easy to bake in Ashton's Chaos bursts and Dunamancy abilities into Daggerheart as it is, and work would need to be done to rewrite the rules of theirs and Fearne's Primordial Titan forms with the boons and cost reflecting similarly to how they did in the campaign - or scaled to how they would've scaled under 5e's rules. Significant additions could also need to be applied for Imogen's always-active telepathy and lingering Exaltant powers, not to mention Laudna's entrapping of her patron - which would affect the Favor mechanic of the Warlock class.

While Bell's Hells as characters will act the same way in a Daggerheart setting, the changes and transition from 5e to Daggerheart can affect the way they approach problems or adversaries and that risks making the characters feel off from how they usually are - for instance, since the loadout is only 5 cards, the casters are very limited in their spellcasting, and the likes of Imogen and Laudna will end up needing to have a magic weapon equipped that they didn't have before. So I wondered to myself, why choose Bell's Hells for this Daggerheart in Exandria one-shot? When you think about it, Vox Machina does seem better equipped to transition into the new ruleset - especially now that Gnomes are covered - alternatively, the Menagerie could easily exist in Exandria too, or they could've just done fresh characters from Exandria and fans would still show up and love it. So why Bell's Hells? And I think it's because there's still more yet to be released.

My theory is that either before or during this Daggerheart live show, Daggerheart's first expansion will be unveiled: an Exandria Expansion.

Whether it's announced for the Void or a physical copy all ready to go, I can see this expansion filling the gaps for most of what Bell's Hells are unable to cleanly cover right now; transformative states or curses external from class and/or ancestry, friends and familiar sheets to add as a companion or summon, Campaign Frames for different eras and regions of Exandria or adventures like they did in 5e with Call of the Netherdeep, special equipment such as the Vestiges or unique equipment to PCs like Percy's guns and other inventions, Beau's Bo (bow optional), Yasha's Greatswords, Veth's crossbows, Gambolcleft, Turmoil, and Ashton's Hammer (bow also optional). CR-based magic and technology such as Dunamancy (which could be worked into a domain available for all classes if done right or simply its own additional loadout), Residuum, and Brumestone could also be included, and maybe even adding more new classes - if I were to make a guess; Blood Hunter and Artificer equivalents, or a Gunslinger equivalent for Percy and the Colossus of the Drylands campaign frame. We may even get more ancestries introduced through CR like Uniya, Reilora, and Bormodo, perhaps even subdivisions of ancestries such as Half-Elves, Half-Orcs, and altered Humans, or more beastfolk equivalents for Minotaurs, Centaurs, Kobolds, Kenku, and Eisfuura/Aarakocra. We could even get CR-based artwork on existing cards just for additional flavour, and themed dice.

If this ends up being a reality, this will probably allow an easier understanding of how Bell's Hells will shape up and transition into Daggerheart. While some things may still need reskinning, reshuffling, or just pure homebrewing, I doubt Critical Role would choose Bell's Hells for this task if they didn't feel that they could blend into this new ruleset smoothly. A fluid transition to Daggerheart from 5e will also prove its flexibility for veteran or hesitant 5e players and help bring Critical Role fully into Daggerheart's style of play for potentially Campaign 4.

Maybe more information or elaboration will come later down the line, and maybe the group will even do a Session 0 to show the process of their characters' Daggerheart build and justify their changes and alterations, or to make all our predictions right or wrong, but for now it just remains a hypothetical albeit interesting idea.

[danwhobrowses]

One Piece Chapter 1153 - Initial Thoughts

It's uploaded late in the evening but I have time before I go to bed

One Piece is back and we've begun the flashback of Harald, within the flashback of Loki killing Harald So how far will we go with Harald before his death? Will we vindicate Loki? Only time will tell

What do we have this time?

Spoilers for the Chapter, Support the Official Release too

Next on Yamato's visiting list is Kiku, the new Daimyo of Ringo

I've been seeing photos of an Imu plush and now Oda's referencing it in his author's notes XD

We begin with seeing kid Dorry and Brogy having fun with kid Harald, Dorry has a bump on his head and Harald a bandage on his elbow so I'd guess that he and Harald roughhoused a lot

As hinted last chapter, Harald grew up as an arrogant prince due to his size, bloodline to ancient giants, monstrous strength and high status, and the fact that nobody would stand up to him

Man literally killed a shark by flicking snot away, while lamenting that everything outside of Elbaf is weak and puny

His fellow giants are yes men too so he's not gonna get any challenged opinion

We go to the Kingdom of Bunt, which I'm sure we've seen before, wiki says no though

Name is likely referencing Bundt cake

Also I'm sorry but you can't say 'come one, come all' and not have me hum Festival of Fools from Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame

A circus announces the attraction of Ida, a giant of Elbaf

She's announced as 10m tall (about 30ft), her steps are like earthquakes and her roar is like thunder

Behind bars, Ida roars at the scared onlookers

Harald sees this from his telescope, furious about turning a giant into a roadside attraction

We see the ship depart, leaving the circus smoking

Harald introduces himself to Ida, and gets SMACKED

Oh that is the face of a man who just got boy'd XD

Ida demands that Harald go back, to apologize for hurting people

He refuses, calling it a puny doll kingdom, and gets beaten up again

Ah it seems it was circus deception, Ida wasn't a prisoner but a willing participant in the attraction, and loyal to the circus for finding her near-dead and helping her recover

She passionately reprimands Harald for thinking himself above others for being born big, citing the thinking as why people think all giants are 'Elbaf savages'

It seems that this has gotten Harald thinking, as he demands his crew to aid Ida in restoring the city

It seems Ida and Harald discuss the differences in culture, such as architecture, cuisine and textiles

You even see the king bow his head to the Bunt king

Ah once children start climbing on you it's over, and like that the giants are partying with Bunt

All while Ida suggests that 'destruction of anything in this world is a waste'

Contrary to her introduction, Ida is from an island in the South Blue called Samuwanai (or 'Not Chilly' Island)

Interesting how Harald asks if she climbed the Blood-Soaked Serpent, which they call the Red Line, it's extra interesting given the mural, plus Ida says she can't go back

With Ida it seems Harald has become whipped softer, growing curious about people, all the while Ida suggests she judged Elbaf too harshly

105 years ago, Harald begins his diplomacy movement, insisting they atone for their sins

He decides to frequently travel overseas, to aid and learn the culture of their neighbours

Fellow giants note that Dorry and Brogy would never stop running wild, but as someone who grew up with them, Harald notes that they've always treated humans with honour and respect

Wonder if that will come back up given what's going on now?

He's asked about whether they can keep their warrior ways, and it's not a flat no, instead it's simply a 'we may have to reconsider some traditions if other countries feel threatened'

Jarul and Jorul seem intrigued by the change, albeit Jarul's expression is far more reserved

Harald suggests exchanging diplomats, like ambassadors, having to explain to his crew that it's not like 'a fancy hostage deal'

81 years ago, Hajrudin is born

Man the silhouetted greybeards didn't even wait for Harald to finish before refusing to legitimize his and Ida's marriage, due to pure blood rules

Ida is strangely understanding of the cultural differences, having to live in a nearby village

Mother of Loki is a chosen bride called Estrid

Born to Alcohol village - huh, strange given Kaido was from Vodka kingdom isn't it? - she has the Greybeards' approval as from a family of higher standing, and more pretty-looking than Ida on the outside at least

She seems to have mystic beliefs, saying she's a student of the 'Earth-Wind arts'

She believes herself fated to love him for the rest of her life, even asking that he forget Ida and his 'bastard'

Spiritual she may be, but Estrid is also very demanding; citing that the energies are wrong in the room, the king's spirit is leaking, and removes a mirror because it's positioned wrong

I'd say it's all hoodoo but given how we've got demon circles going on right now we can't rule out that she might've been onto something

She also gifts the fabled horse that'll die, Asura the horse of good fortune - a gift from Estrid's family

Oh oh I know why it has eight legs! Another Norse Myth fact we haven't had in a while: Asura is a reference to Sleipnir, Odin's 8-legged horse and child of Loki. Yes Loki turned into a horse to have a horse child, but not only that, Loki turned into a mare and gave birth to a horse child

As for why, it's another case of Norse gods being assholes; an unnamed builder - a disguised jotunn - was commissioned to build a great wall within 3 seasons to keep out invaders, in exchange he will get Freyja, the sun and the moon as payment, so long as he complete the work within the time limit with the help of no man. He is however allowed his stallion, Svaoilfari, who Loki convinces the gods to let him use since it is not a man. However, Svaoilfari is twice as effective as the builder and can thus haul massive rocks to make massive progress. Come 3 days before the deadline, the builder was close to finishing, the gods decide it was Loki's fault for this so Loki must get them out of this bargain

Threatened with a horrible death, Loki transformed into a mare to delay Svaoilfari and construction. Once the builder is outed as a giant though, the Aesir call Thor who kills the builder, voiding their agreements. Loki gives birth to a grey foal with eight legs, the best horse among gods and men, which of course like with all of Loki's children, the Aesir put to work

Back to the chapter, Estrid's demands continue, all jewels and gold go to her room, the King should focus on the 'energies of Earth and Wind', but they both get to eat on Silver Platters

This one I feel is more like taking liberties and wanting to live the high life

Circa 70 years ago, Oda seems to specify that this age begot rough seas to make travel difficult, likely because Elbaf's navigation would be used and spread across communities, as Harald shows a ship a compass and tells them about the Pole star

Harald returns to Elbaf to tell giants - and a bear and squirrel - about Fishmen, having seen mermaids, the birth of Neptune and sea kings coming together in jubilation

63 years ago Loki is born

Estrid claims that they already planned the name of Loki, and wishes to see her son

Oh so that's what Loki's eyes look like

Demonic slit eyes terrifies Estrid, claiming that it couldn't be hers

She tells her midwives to tell Harald it was a stillbirth, calling Loki cursed and a monster

The narration turns sad, as Oda heartbreakingly details how Loki as a baby reached out for anyone, only to be rejected by their mother

WHILE ESTRID IS SHOWN THROWING HIM DOWN TO THE LAND OF THE DEAD

I know we get dark in One Piece but jfc Oda...

Estrid demands that nobody acknowledges Loki's birth

She also hastily packs claiming to never want to give birth, intending to return to her village with all those treasures

Something however stirs in the Realm of the Dead

Well, that's just a punch in the gut

A tearful, freezing and bleeding baby Loki climbs the world tree, still looking for their mother

The shock collapses Estrid into poor health

Estrid demands Loki be disposed of, claiming that it was foretold that Harald would be slain by his own son

Lies or Truth? I would lean at the former

All the while Harald wasn't present for this, he was blocked by the World Government in another diplomacy mission

Ida talks to kid Hajrudin about meeting his little brother, which Hajrudin rejects since Loki's not Ida's son

Ida however showers him with love despite noting that he's saying awful things

A silhouetted Loki stands as the narration talks about this being Loki's curse

And we won't know more next week because of a break

Man, Oda went hard this chapter

I still don't think Loki will be a crewmate but goddamn is he a tragic character. Make no mistake, he's probably also gonna be a little shit, much like Norse Myth Loki, but it looks like Oda's gonna frame it as him simply acting on other's expectations, or lashing out of jealousy for never having his mother's love. Hajrudin's initial rejection is childish but understandable as a child, given his memory of Loki beating him and talking foul of Ida I doubt Loki's gonna be nice to her - at least not in public - but I guess both brothers will have their flaws.

As for Harald's story with Ida, it was very well done. Kinda quick mind you, a mix of Kyros and Kuma's backstory really with how love made them more curious and benevolent, it was nice, though Estrid up until giving birth to Loki didn't seem all that awful...until giving birth to Loki when she's immediately irredeemable. Even if she does have prophetic powers - remains to be seen because this is the first we've heard of 'earth-wind' stuff - throwing your baby to death is kinda a big fucking no. It looks like Harald might've joined the WG in order to stop them blocking his diplomatic pursuits too, but it doesn't offer much in explaining his death, yet at least since we're only 2 chapters into this flashback. This being said, as much as he probably didn't love Estrid (and if I was Ida I'd probably be livid about the idea that Harald had to take another wife and sire a child with them) he probably could've been present for Loki's birth, I guess things would've gone differently if he were.

But still, brutal from Oda, and he doesn't tend to start with the most tragic part, there may be more to come